A.Karthick v. The Village President

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16.07.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY W.P.No.12808 of 2021 and W.M.P.No.15642 of 2021 A.Karthick ..Petitioner Vs.

1. The Village President, Paruvathanaalli Panchayat, Pennagaram Taluk Dharmapuri.

2. The Block Development Officer (Rural Panchayat), Panchayat Union, Pennagaram Dharmapuri District.

3. The Collector, Collector Office, Dharmapuri District.

..Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd respondent to take action petitioner's representation dated 11.03.2021.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jaisingh For Respondents : Mr.P.Muthukumar Counsel for State for respondents 2 and 3

ORDER

(Made by Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, J.) The petitioner alleges irregularities in the procurement of bulbs, lights and in the expenditure incurred with regard to the maintenance of street lights and the like. The petitioner states that he submitted a petition under the Right to Information Act on 09.12.2020 and obtained a reply to the effect that no procurement had been undertaken between the financial years https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

2017-18 and 2019-20 and also that no expenditure was officially incurred with regard to maintenance. Therefore, the petitioner submitted a representation on 11.03.2021 to the District Collector raising several questions pertaining to the cost of procurement and the like. In view of the non receipt of a reply to such representation, the present writ petition is filed.

2. Mr.P.Muthu Kumar, learned counsel for the State accepts notice on behalf of the second and third respondents and states that the District Collector will consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation.

3. It is needless to say that the official respondents are under an obligation to ensure that the procurement of goods and services for public purposes is done strictly in accordance with applicable rules pertaining to public procurement.

4. Without going into the merits of the petitioner's representation, the third respondent District Collector is directed to consider such representation, bearing in mind the relevant rules pertaining to public procurement and dispose of such representation by a reasoned order within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. W.P.No.12808 of 2021 is disposed of without any order as to costs. W.M.P. No.15642 of 2021 is closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar kpl To

1. The Village President, Paruvathanaalli Panchayat, Pennagaram Taluk, Dharmapuri.

2. The Block Development Officer Rural Panchayat), Panchayat Union, Pennagaram, Dharmapuri District.

3. The Collector, Collector Office, Dharmapuri District.

W.P.No.12808 of 2021 CP(CO) RGA(20/07/2021) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/