T.Selvam v. The Additional Secretary To Government,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated: 09.05.2025 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN T. Selvam, Son of Tamilvanan, No.25, VTK Nagar, Vallimalai Road, Katpadi, Vellore 632 007, ... Petitioner vs.

1. The Additional Secretary To Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai.

2. The Director of Rural Development of Panchayat, Raj Department, Panagal Maligai, Chennai.

3. The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore.

4. The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Vellore District.

5. The Executive Engineer, District Rural Development Agency, Vellore District.

6. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Vellore Union,

7. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Katpadi Union, Vellore District.

8. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office Anaicut Union, Vellore District.

9. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, K.V.Kuppam Union,

10. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office,Gudiyatham Union,

11. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office,Kaniyambadi Union,

12. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Pernambet Union, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to dispose off the representation sent by the petitioner to the respondents dated 04/04/2025 and consequentially withdraw (1) Govt. Letters No.41303 /2021 / TU3 dated 16/08/2023 and (2) Govt. Letter No.No.41303 /2021 / R and B 1.2, dated 22/11/2023 and to continue with etender procedure which are in force from 01/04/2023 to till date till the disposal of

this writ petition.

For Petitioner : Mr.F.Sabastin For Respondents : Mr.P.Ganesan, Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

The Writ Petition is filed directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 04.04.2025.

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that in the Vellore District, the respondents 3 to 12 are adopting a "Box Tender" method and had not introduced the "e-tender" process. The allegation is made that since the e-tender process has not been adopted and the Box Tender is still continued, it gives space to several malpractices, in adopting the tender. In such regard, the petitioner had sent a representation on 04.04.2025 to the respondents seeking to redress grievances.

3. The Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the representation of the petitioner will be considered

on its own merits and disposed of within the time framed as fixed by this Court.

4. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and taking note of the fact that the petitioner by way of representation seeks to introduce the e-tender process instead of box tender method, it is for the 3rd respondent to take a decision in this regard.

5. In view of the same, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 04.04.2025 and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law within the period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. 09.05.2025 Index :Yes/No.

: Yes/No.

bsm/ari To,

1. The Additional Secretary To Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai.

2. The Director of Rural Development of Panchayat, Raj Department, Panagal Maligai, Chennai.

3. The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore.

4. The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency,

5. The Executive Engineer, District Rural Development Agency,

6. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Vellore Union, Vellore District.

7. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Katpadi Union, Vellore District.

8. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office Anaicut Union, Vellore District.

9. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, K.V.Kuppam Union,

10. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office,Gudiyatham Union,

11. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Kaniyambadi Union,

12. The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Pernambet Union,

13. The Government Pleader, High Court, Madras.

G. ARUL MURUGAN ari/bsm 09.05.2025