G.Arumugam v. The Manging Director

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 07.06.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S. RAMESH G. Arumugam ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Ltd., 3/137, Salamedu, Villupuram - 605 602.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Ltd., Vellore Region, Rangapuram, Vellore - 632 009.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to disburse the leave encashment benefits to the petitioner which he was entitled for the period of 11/2018 with interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the said date of entitlement to till the date of actual disbursement within a time limit to be stipulated by this Court. 1/4

For Petitioner : Mr.J. Lakshminarayanan For Respondents : Mr.R. Venkatesaperumal, Standing Counsel

ORDER

With the consent of both the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2. The petitioner herein had given a representation to the respondents on 20.04.2023, seeking to disburse the leave encashment benefits to him which he was entitled for the period of 11/2018 with interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the said date of entitlement till the date of actual disbursement. Since the said representation was not considered, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

3. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the respondents to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the 2/4

Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of Constitution of India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.

4. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondents herein, to consider the petitioner's representation dated 20.04.2023, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the claim of the petitioner and that it is open to the concerned respondent to consider the same on its own merits.

5. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

07.06.2023 Index:Yes/No Sni 3/4

M.S.RAMESH,J.

Sni To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Ltd., 3/137, Salamedu, Villupuram - 605 602.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Ltd., Vellore Region, Rangapuram, Vellore - 632 009.

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