V.Sivaperuman v. The Managing Director,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 02.08.2021 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH V.Sivaperuman ...

Petitioner -Vs1.The Managing Director Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, No.1, Pumping Station Road Chintadripet, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Area Officer Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, No.1, Dr.Ranga Road Abiramapuram, Chennai - 600 018.

...

Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to consider and dispose of within a limited time frame representation dated 23.10.2020 of the petitioner regarding levy of higher water charges and water tax from 2015 onwards and till then desist from collecting higher water charges and water tax as per demand notices dated 19.9.2020 and 18.12.2020. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Raja For Respondents : Mr.P.K.Panneer Selvam, Standing Counsel

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to consider the representation made by the petitioner on 23.10.2020, wherein the petitioner has sought for revising the water charges and water tax.

2. Heard Mr.D.Raja learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.P.K.Panneer Selvam, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents.

3. Considering the request made by the petitioner, an attempt was made by the respondent Board to send its officials to make an inspection and give a report so that the representation made by the petitioner can be considered. However, unfortunately the attempt made by the officials is said to have been resisted and it has resulted in the filing of a police complaint.

4. In the considered view of this Court, if the petitioner wants a solution for his grievance, he has to necessarily cooperate with the officials belonging to the respondent Board and must permit them to conduct the inspection. If the petitioner permits the officials of the respondent Board to conduct the inspection, the inspection shall be conducted and based on the same, the representation made by the petitioner on 23.10.2020 shall be considered and a decision shall be taken. If the petitioner again resists the officials from conducting the inspection, the same shall be made a ground for the rejection of the

representation made by the petitioner. It is left open to the petitioner to extend his cooperation and redress his grievance.

5. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. 02.08.2021 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No KST To 1.The Managing Director Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, No.1, Pumping Station Road Chintadripet, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Area Officer Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, No.1, Dr.Ranga Road Abiramapuram, Chennai - 600 018.

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.

kst 02.08.2021