S.Dhanam Sekar v. The Block Development Officer(Village Panchayat),
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09-04-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD Writ Petition No.12681 of 2025 S.Dhanam Sekar ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Melmalaiyanur Panchayat Union, Melmalaiyanur, Villupuram District - 604 204.
2.Sathananthal Village Panchayat, Rep. by its Secretary, Sathananthal, 3.The President, Sathananthal Village Panchayat, Sathananthal, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent herein to pay a sum of Rs.5,425/- being the 1% of the Deposit amount and 2.5% of the Additional Deposit amount as per the order dated 28.11.2022 made in Na.Ka.No.A2/0273/2022 by the first respondent herein to the Page No.1 of 6
petitioner herein.
For Petitioner : Mr.N.Mariappan For Respondents :
M/s.R.Anitha, Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
The petitioner has filed this petition to direct the third respondent here to pay a sum of Rs.5,425/- being the 1% of the Deposit amount and 2.5% of the Additional Deposit amount as per the order dated 28.11.2022 made in Na.Ka.No.A2/0273/2022 by the first respondent herein to the petitioner herein.
2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner, who is a registered contractor from Sathananthal Panchayat in Melmalayanur Panchayat Union, Villupuram District, was awarded the work of providing drinking water connections to the houses of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families in Sathananthal. The District Collector granted administrative sanction on 18.12.2020, and the petitioner completed the work as per the Work Order issued on the same date. As per the tender conditions, 1% of the deposit Page No.2 of 6
amounting to Rs.1,550/- and 2.5% of the additional Deposit amounting to Rs.3,875/- were to be refunded upon successful completion of the work. Despite completing the work and making repeated representations, the respondents failed to release the total refundable sum of Rs.5,425/-. Aggrieved by this inaction, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.
3. Though many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice if this Court issues direction to the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.07.2024 on merits, in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
4. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents has no objection for the said order being passed by this Court.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the limited relief sought for by the learned counsel for Page No.3 of 6
the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case directs the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.07.2024 on merits, in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. This writ petition is disposed of with the aforesaid observation and directions. No costs.
09.04.2025 vm Index :
Yes/No Speaking Order :
Yes/No :
Yes/No To:
1.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Melmalaiyanur Panchayat Union, Melmalaiyanur, Villupuram District - 604 204.
2.The Secretary, Sathananthal Village Panchayat, Sathananthal, 3.The President, Sathananthal Village Panchayat, Sathananthal, Page No.4 of 6
J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD,J.
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