Oveyam Ranjan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07.09.2021 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU W.P.NO.14322 OF 2021 Oveyam Ranjan ... Petitioner .Vs.
1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
3. The Director of School Education College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
... Respondents PRAYER:- Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to continue to use the unused stocks of Text Books and other stationery materials like crayons, colour pencils and school bags which carried the photos of former Chief Ministers. For the Petitioner :
Mr.M.Gnanasekar For the Respondents :
Mr.R.Shunmugasundaram Advocate-General assisted by Mr.P.Muthukumar State Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The writ petition, filed in public interest, is for a direction on the respondent authorities to ensure that the unused stocks of text books, school bags and stationery used by children and which carry the names and photographs of previous Chief Ministers should not be wasted since considerable public funds have been expended for the purpose.
2. It is abhorring that school books or school bags meant for school-going children, who do not have a right to vote, would carry photographs of public functionaries, even if the functionary is the Chief Minister of the State. Public funds cannot be misused for printing photographs for the personal interests of any politician. The State should ensure that such practice is not continued in future.
3. Thankfully, it is submitted by learned Advocate-General that a statement has been made on the floor of the Assembly recently to the effect that so as not to waste the money already expended, the present dispensation will ensure that school bags, text books and stationery bearing the photographs or other signs of previous Chief Ministers will continue to be used till exhausted. It is also submitted on behalf of the State that the Chief Minister does not desire his photographs to be published in such material in future.
4. Accordingly, no further order need be made except directing the State that extreme care and caution should be taken to ensure that public funds are not expended for publicity purposes of political leaders, including in hoardings and other material. However, photographs of the Chief Minister may be carried, but that should be restricted to advertisements in newspapers or some hoardings and certainly not used on text books or exercise books or any educational material at all.
5. W.P.No.14322 of 2021 is disposed of. W.M.P.No.15217 of 2021 is closed.
There will be no order as to costs.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar
sasi To
1. The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
3. The Director of School Education, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
+1cc to Mr.M.Gnanasekar, Advocate, S.R.No.45108 W.P.NO.14322 OF 2021 JP(CO) PBS/13/09/2021