← Library
Madras High CourtWP/9329/2026disposed of

R.Murali v. The Principal Secretary To Government

2026-03-16Honourable Ms. Justice P.T. Asha7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA R.Murali Office Assistant, Vaniyambadi Municipality, Thirupathur District- 635 751.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Principal Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai- 600 009.

2. The Director of Municipal Administration No.75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-600 028.

3. The Commissioner Vaniyambadi Municipality, Thirupathur District-635751.

..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 12.02.2026 and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with Law, within a reasonable period as may be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.T.Ranganathan For Respondent(s):

Mr.C.Selvaraj, Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 12.02.2026 and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with Law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

2. The petitioner would submit that he was initially appointed in Vaniyambadi Municipality on 22.05.1989 as a Nominal Muster Roll (NMR) employee in the Engineering Section. Subsequently, by proceedings dated 11.03.1994, he was appointed as an Office Assistant in the time scale of pay and continued to serve without break. Thereafter, he was posted in various capacities including Town Planning Section and later as Road Worker pursuant to administrative orders and Government directions.

3. The petitioner would further submit that upon completion of one year of service on consolidated pay, his services were regularised and he was brought under the regular time scale of pay with effect from 01.10.2000. However, during the year 2006-2007, an audit objection was raised stating that his appointment was defective and required ratification from the Government. Pursuant to the said audit objection, instead of obtaining ratification, the third respondent had erroneously discharged the petitioner from service on 30.08.2007 and re-appointed him on 31.08.2007 as a fresh appointee on a daily wage basis. This administrative lapse resulted in the petitioner being deprived of the benefits of the old pension scheme and his past services were not properly counted.

Despite rendering continuous service from 1989, the petitioner was treated as a fresh appointee from 2007. The petitioner made several representations to the authorities seeking redressal of his grievance. However, no action was taken. The petitioner had attained the age of superannuation and was permitted to retire from service on 31.08.2022. However, the irregularities in service regularisation and pension entitlement were not rectified prior to his retirement. Therefore, the petitioner has submitted a representation dated 21.01.2026 seeking appropriate relief, which has not been considered. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, a mandamus is issued to the 1st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 12.02.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

16-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai- 600 009.

2. The Director of Municipal Administration No.75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, RajaAnnamalaipuram, Chennai-600 028.

3. The Commissioner Vaniyambadi Municipality, Thirupathur District-635751.

P.T.ASHA J.

SRN 16-03-2026