L.P.Shanmugasundaram v. The Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 30.06.2023 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.9485 of 2023 L.P.Shanmugasundaram ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Secretary to Government, Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, Fort Saint George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, 12, Thambusamy Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to settle the pending Professional Fee Bills in favour of the petitioner as detailed in the Annexure - I (A&B) and Annexure-II and as per payment due letters and reminders dated 13.06.2020, 01.04.2021 and 27.01.2023 sent to the second respondent with interest at the rate of 12% per annum till date of payment.

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For Petitioner : Mr.C.Munusamy For Respondent : Mr.M.Alagu Gowtham Government Advocate Mr.V.R.Thiyagarajan Standing Counsel *****

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents herein to settle the pending Professional Fee Bills in favour of the petitioner as detailed in the Annexure - I (A&B) and Annexure-II and as per payment due letters and reminders dated 13.06.2020, 01.04.2021 and 27.01.2023 sent to the second respondent with interest at the rate of 12% per annum till date of payment.

2. The case of the petitioner is that, in the year 2011, he was appointed as Senior Standing Counsel for Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and relieved on 19.05.2022. However, the second respondent has failed to settle his professional fee as agreed upon by them. Though the petitioner has sent his respective claims of pending professional fee bills and reminders to the respondents, the respondents 2/6

have not taken any steps to settle the professional fee bills. Hence, the above writ petition has been filed before this Court for appropriate directions.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, pursuant to the orders passed by this Court, some of the bills were settled in favour of the petitioner. Hence, he prays that, this Court, may issue a direction to the respondents to settle the remaining bills, within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.

4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the second respondent submits that the bills, which are already submitted by the petitioner will be considered within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court.

5. On the above said contention, heard the learned Government Advocate appearing for the first respondent.

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6. In view of the above submissions, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to settle the remaining pending professional fee bills in favour of the petitioner, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 30.06.2023 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp 4/6

To 1.The Secretary to Government, Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, Fort Saint George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, 12, Thambusamy Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J., sp 30.06.2023 6/6