R.Ramachandran v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 21.06.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH W.P No.18184 of 2023 Mr.R.Ramachandran Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Muventhar Nagar, Villupuram - 605 602.

2.The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Muventhar Nagar, Villupuram - 605 602.

3.The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Gingee Bazaar Road, Gingee - 604 202.

Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 30.05.2023 and to credit the amount of Rs.241,040 along with 9% interest from the date 20.06.2020 to the petitioner's account number 6351484624 holding an account in Indian Bank, Villupuram Branch.

For Petitioner : Ms.P.Rajalakshmi For Respondents : Mr.S.Arumugam Government Advocate for R1 & R2 Mr.V.Ravi Special Government Pleader for R3

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed for issue of writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representations made by the petitioner and to pay the amount that is due and payable to the petitioner for the work undertaken by the petitioner under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Scheme in the year 2018 and 2019. 2.Heard Mr.P.Rajalakshmi, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Mr.S.Arumugam, learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 1st & 2nd respondents and Mr.V.Ravi, learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the 3rd respondent. 3.The main grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner had undertaken the work allotted under the MGNREGA Scheme during the year 2018 to 2019 and had completed the same. The petitioner ought to have been

paid the dues for the work completed. However, the petitioner was made to run from pillar to post for the last two years without any payment. The representations given by the petitioner in this regard also did not evoke any response. In view of the same, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.

4.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the delay in the payment of the amounts due was occasioned due to the mistake committed by the respondents in wrongly entering the mobile number of the petitioner instead of the account number and as a result, the amount never got credited to the bank account of the petitioner. This mistake was pointed out by the petitioner in his representations and in spite of the same, no steps were taken to rectify and to credit the amount to the bank account of the petitioner. 5.Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the materials placed before this Court, there shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent to immediately take action to credit the amount that is due and payable to the petitioner in his Bank account, within a period of four weeks from today. If the 2nd respondent does not credit the amount due and payable to the petitioner within the time limit stipulated by this Court, the petitioner will

N. ANAND VENKATESH, J.

ssr be entitled for payment of interest at the rate of 9% from the date when the amount became due and payable till the date of actual payment. The petitioner is directed to make a fresh representation to the 2nd respondent along with a copy of this order.

6.This writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. No Costs. 21.06.2023 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order : Yes/No ssr To 1.The District Collector, Muventhar Nagar, Villupuram - 605 602.

2.The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Muventhar Nagar, Villupuram - 605 602.

3.The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Gingee Bazaar Road, Gingee - 604 202.

W.P No.18184 of 2023