G.Meignanam v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 22.06.2023
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH G.Meignanam S/o.Govinda Gounder
...Petitioner
Vs 1.The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore.
2.The Assistant Director of Panchayat, Vellore District, Vellore.
3.The Block Development Officer, Gudiyatham Panchayat Union, Vellore District, Vellore.
... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent to reimburse the amount spent by the petitioner for the welfare of Thattaparai Panchayat People, Gudiyatham Panchayat Union, Gudiyatham Taluk, Vellore District, on the basis of the representation given by the petitioner on 24.04.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Rajagopal 1/6
For Respondents : Mr.S.Arumugam Government Advocate [R1 & R2] Mr.M.Venkateshwaran Special Government Pleader [R3] *****
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the third respondent to consider the representation made by the petitioner on 24.04.2023 wherein the petitioner has sought for reimbursement of the amount that was spent by him in his capacity as President of Thattaparai Panchayat during the period 2013 to 2016.
2. Heard Mr.D.Rajagopal, learned counsel for petitioner, Mr.S.Arumugam, learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 and 2 and Mr.M.Venkateshwaran, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the third respondent.
3. The claim made by the petitioner is that while he was the President of the Thattaparai Panchayat, there was an internal dispute among the office bearers and as a result, the welfare activities were not able to be implemented. Hence, the first respondent, through proceedings dated 2/6
01.04.2013, authorised the third respondent to release the fund for undertaking the public welfare activities. The claim of the petitioner is that the third respondent instructed the petitioner to do the public welfare activities from his own funds and promised that the same will be reimbursed subsequently. Accordingly, the petitioner had undertaken the public works by incurring expenses from his own pocket. The petitioner claims that he had spent more than Rs.10,00,000/-.
4. The grievance of the petitioner is that the amount that was spent by him was not reimbursed. However, the petitioner made a representation and based on the representation, the petitioner was asked to submit all the relevant documents to prove the claim and the petitioner had also submitted the same. In spite of it, the amount was not reimbursed. Left with no other option, the present writ petition has been filed seeking for appropriate directions.
5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the limited relief sought for in this writ petition, there shall be a direction to the third respondent to consider the representation made by the 3/6
petitioner on 24.04.2023 and deal with the same as expeditiously as possible and take a decision on reimbursement of the amount claimed by the petitioner. This process shall be completed by the third respondent within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If ultimately the amount is found to be due and payable to the petitioner, the same shall be paid within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. The petitioner is directed to make a fresh representation to the third respondent along with a copy of the representation dated 24.04.2023 and all the other relevant documents and also a copy of this order. This Writ Petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs. 22.06.2023 Index : Yes/No Speaking order:Yes/No gm 4/6
To 1.The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore.
2.The Assistant Director of Panchayat, Vellore District, Vellore.
3.The Block Development Officer, Gudiyatham Panchayat Union, Vellore District, Vellore.
N.ANAND VENKATESH, J 5/6
gm 22.06.2023 6/6