Tamilnadu Town Pachayat Retired Officers Welfare Association v. The Government Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 07.03.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD Tamil Nadu Town Panchayat Retired Officers Welfare Association (Registration No.78/2018), Represented by its State Secretary, R.Periyasamy, Office at No.13/1, Pannaiyar Street (North), Arumbavoor Post, Perambalur District 621 103. ... Petitioners vs.
1. The Government of Tamilnadu, Represented by its Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Director of Town and Panchayat, No.75, Urban Administrative Buildings, Santhome High Road, R.A.Puram, Chennai 28.
3. The Director of Local Fund Audit, Anbazhagan Maligai, 4th Floor, Nandanam, Chennai 600 035.
4. The Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Ombudsman, No.100, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai 600 032.
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5. Latha .. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ of Mandamus directing the 4th respondent to dispose of the complaint No.17/TP/2024 pending on the file of the 4th respondent as early as possible on merits and in accordance with law within time frame to be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner : M/s.Jayprakash narayanan for Mr.P.Srinivasan For Respondents : Mr.M.Rajendiran Addl.Govt.Pleader
ORDER
The present writ petition has been filed to direct the 4th respondent to dispose of the complaint No.17/TP/2024 pending on the file of the 4th respondent as early as possible on merits and in accordance with law within time frame to be fixed by this Court.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner association registered before the Registrar of Societies , Salem (East) on 28.08.2018 under Section 10 of the Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. The Page No.2 of 6
5th respondent viz., Mrs.Latha, Assistant Director, Town Panchayat, Kancheepuram Zone, formerly Superintendent of Directorate of Town Panchayat, while she was working as Executive Officer of Thirukazhukundram Town Panchayat, Chengalpattu District between 08.03.2019 and 17.07.2021 & 20.07.2021 to 15.08.2021indulged in various corrupt practices by floating all Government orders, norms, instructions, rules and regulations while spending expenditure of Town Panchayat under various captions and thereby caused huge loss to the Town Panchayat and Government of Tamilnadu to the tune of Rs.2,64,13,418.00. Hence, the petitioner sent a detailed written representations dated 03.10.2023 and 05.12.
2023 to the 2nd respondent and also visited the office of the first respondent and submitted a petition to take an appropriate legal action against the said officer. But the first and second respondents have failed to take any action on the basis of the representation of the petitioner. Even prior to those representations, the petitioner has submitted a complaint to the first respondent and the same was forwarded to the office of the second respondent by the Joint Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water supply Department, Chennai vide Letter No.2655/TP.2(1)/2013-1 dated 18.08.2023 for appropriate action. Thereafter, no action was taken by the Page No.
second respondent and therefore again the petitioner has sent a representation dated 03.10.2023 and 05.12.2023 respectively. Thereafter, another detailed complaint was submitted on 12.04.2024 before the office of the 4th respondent under Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Ombudsman Act, 2015 under Rule 4 of the Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Ombudsman (manner of Filing, Inquiry and Disposal of the Complaints) Rules, 2015 in person in the format prescribed under the said Rules before the Secretary of the 4th respondent and sought for proper legal action. Hence, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.
3. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 submitted that the complaint given by the petitioner No.17/TP/2024 dated 12.04.2024 will be considered by the 4th respondent on merits and in accordance with law within a time stipulated by this Court.
4. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and also perused the materials available on records.
5. In view of the above submissions made by the learned counsel on Page No.4 of 6
either side, the fourth respondent is directed to dispose the complaint No.17/TP/2024 of the petitioner dated 12.04.2024 after giving due notice to the petitioners as well as the 5th respondent, affording an opportunity of personal hearing, on merits, in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
This writ petition stands disposed of with the above observation and direction. No costs.
07.03.2025 Index : Yes/No.
Internet : Yes/No.
Speaking : Non-speaking Order kkd To
1. The Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
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J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD,J.
kkd
2. The Director of Town and Panchayat, No.75, Urban Administrative Buildings, Santhome High Road, R.A.Puram, Chennai 28.
3. The Director of Local Fund Audit, Anbazhagan Maligai, 4th Floor, Nandanam, Chennai 600 035.
4. The Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Ombudsman, No.100, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai 600 032.
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