S.Rajam v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 23.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRs. JUSTICE N.MALA S.Rajam .. petitioner vs 1.The District Collector Collectorate, Kellys Road, Navalpur, Ranipet - 632401.

2.Project Officer District Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Agency Ranipet District.

3.The Block Development Officer Nemili Block, Nemili Ranipet District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the 1st respondent to conduct an enquiry and disburse the arrears amount of Rs.15,98,840/- to the petitioner for supply, installation and commissioning of Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in Rural Area done by the petitioner at Kattupakkam and Chitheri Panchayats in 3rd respondent block, Ranipet district along with 1/6

interest from the date of completion of work and till the date of realization based on the petitioner's representation dated 13.05.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Subburaj For Respondents : Mr.M.Shahjahan, Spl.Gp for R1 and R2.

Mrs.M.Geetha Thamaraiselvan, Spl.GP for R3.

O R D E R

This writ petition is filed to direct the 1st respondent to conduct an enquiry and disburse the arrears amount of Rs.15,98,840/- to the petitioner for supply, installation and commissioning of Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in Rural Area done by the petitioner at Kattupakkam and Chitheri Panchayats in 3rd respondent block, Ranipet district, along with interest from the date of completion of work and till the date of realization based on the petitioner's representation dated 13.05.2023.

2. The petitioner is the proprietor of M/s.Sri Senthil Agro products. The petitioner undertook to do the work viz., supply, installation and commissioning of Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in rural areas during 20182019 at Kattupakkam and Chitheri Panchayats, in 3rd respondent block, Ranipet District. The petitioner completed the installation and commissioning of three RO plants. Even after completion of works during the year 2020, the 3rd respondent failed to pay the amounts, despite the 2/6

Assistant Engineer issuing work completion certificate. The petitioner therefore sent a legal notice to the first respondent on 02.11.2022, for necessary steps to release the arrears to the petitioner. Thereafter, the petitioner filed WP.No.5653 of 2023. Subsequently, the petitioner submitted a representation on 13.05.2023 for disbursement of the amount of Rs.15,98,840/- and since no action was taken by the respondents, the petitioner filed the present writ petition.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner relying on the work completion certificate issued by the 3rd respondent, submitted that the respondents were bound to disburse the amount of Rs.15,98,840/-. The learned counsel further submitted that since the petitioner has already submitted a representation to the respondents, a direction may be issued to the first respondent to dispose of the representation of the petitioner within a time frame fixed by this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents and perused the materials available on record. With consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

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5. The facts are undisputed and successful completion of work is also not disputed. The 3rd respondent himself issued the work completion certificate for the supply, installation and commissioning of RO plant in the Chitheri village. Since the 3rd respondent has already issued the work completion certificate there can be no impediment for the respondent in disbursing the amount.

6. Under the facts and circumstances of the case and in the light of the work completion certificates issued by the 3rd respondent. I deem it appropriate to direct the first respondent, to disburse the amount of Rs.7,99,420/- for the works completed by the petitioner, in Chitheri Village, within a period of eight weeks, from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. Insofar as the work completed in Kattupakkam Village, the first respondent is directed to conduct an enquiry based on the representation of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks, from the date of receipt of a copy of this 4/6

order, if the petitioner is entitled for payment, the first respondent shall disburse the due amounts as expeditiously as possible.

8. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

23.07.2025 Speaking order / Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No : Yes / No tsh To 1.The District Collector Collectorate, Kellys Road, Navalpur, Ranipet - 632401.

2.Project Officer District Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Agency Ranipet District.

3.The Block Development Officer Nemili Block, Nemili Ranipet District.

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N. MALA , J.

tsh 23.07.2025 6/6