M/S.A.E.Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd., v. Kwik Patch Ltd.,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28.09.2022 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR.T.RAJA, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.KRISHNAKUMAR J.Raja Ram .. Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, as Inspector of Panchayat, Chengalpattu District.
2.The Planning Director (Panchayats), District Rural Development Agency, O/o. District Collectorate, Chengalpattu & District.
3.The Block Development Officer, Kattangulathur, Chengalpattu District.
4.Nirmala .. Respondents
Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 1.8.2022 seeking to conduct Grama Sabha Meeting at Pulipakkam Panchayat, Chengalpattu District in accordance with law.
For the Petitioner : Mr.G.Mageshkumar For the Respondents : Mr.P.Muthukumar State Government Pleader for respondent Nos.1 to 3 : Mr.R.Agilesh for respondent No.4
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice) The writ petition has been filed by the petitioner J.Raja Ram, son of Jayaraman, a resident of No.144, Gandhi Salai, No.74, Pulipakkam Village, Chengalpattu Taluk for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent/District Collector, Chengalpattu to
consider the representation of the petitioner dated 1.8.2022 for conducting Grama Sabha Meeting at Pulipakkam Panchayat, Chengalpattu District in accordance with law.
2. A detailed counter-affidavit has been filed by the third respondent/Block Development Officer, Kattankolathur in response to the writ petition.
3. Drawing our attention to paragraph (4) of the counteraffidavit filed by the third respondent, learned Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents, submitted that as per G.O.Ms.No.245, Rural Development (C1) Department, dated 19.11.1998, Grama Sabha Meetings are being convened in every Panchayat on 26th January, 1st May, 15th August and 2nd October of every year. With respect to Pulipakkam Panchayat, Grama Sabha Meetings are conducted as per the aforesaid Government Order.
4. Learned Government Pleader further submitted that for holding Meeting of Grama Sabha, not less than 7 days notice has to be given to deliberate on the Agenda and that the respective Panchayat
by way of notice, auto canvassing, canvassing through respective Ward Members, will ensure that the villagers of the said Panchayat get to know about the Grama Sabha Meeting in advance. Even for the meeting that was held on 15.08.2022 more than a week's notice was given to the villagers to deliberate on the Agenda.
5. It would be necessary to extract Paragraph (4) of the counteraffidavit filed by the Block Development Officer, Kattankolathur, which reads thus:
"4. I submit with respect the averments in Paragraph 2, 3 & 4 of the Affidavit, that as per G.O.Ms.No.245, Rural Development (C1) Department, dated 19.11.1998 Grama Sabha Meetings are convened in every Panchayat on 26th January, 1st May, 15th August and 2nd October of every year. It is stated that with respect to Pulipakkam Village Panchayat, Chengalpattu District, Grama Sabha Meetings are conducted as per above said G.O. It is stated that for holding meeting of Grama Sabha not less than 7 days Notice has to be given to deliberate on the Agenda. It is submitted that the respective Panchayat by way of Notice, auto canvassing, canvassing through respective ward Members will ensure that the Villagers of the said
Panchayat get to know about the Grama Sabha Meeting in advance. It is stated that even for the meeting that was held on 15.08.2022 more than a weeks' Notice was given to the Villagers to deliberate on the Agenda."
6. Since the counter-affidavit filed by the Block Development Officer, Kattankolathur states that Grama Sabha Meetings in respect of Pulipakkam Panchayat were conducted on 24.04.2022 and again on 1.5.2022 as per G.O.Ms.No.245, Rural Development (C1) Department, dated 19.11.1998 and the petitioner also took part and deliberated on the Agendas, we do not find any justification for the petitioner to file the present writ petition.
7. As per G.O.Ms.No.245, Rural Development (C1) Department, dated 19.11.1998, Grama Sabha Meetings are being held in every Panchayat on 26th January, 1st May, 15th August and 2nd October of every year. Therefore, we direct the respondent authorities to follow the aforesaid Government Order strictly and convene Grama Sabha Meeting accordingly in every Panchayat.
8. With the above observation, the writ petition stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs.
(T.R., ACJ.) (D.K.K., J.) 28.09.2022 Index : Yes/No bbr To:
1.The District Collector, as Inspector of Panchayat, Chengalpattu District.
2.The Planning Director (Panchayats), District Rural Development Agency, O/o. District Collectorate, Chengalpattu & District.
3.The Block Development Officer, Kattangulathur, Chengalpattu District.
T.RAJA, ACJ AND D.KRISHNAKUMAR, J.
bbr 28.09.2022