Mr. Ramu Manivannan, v. The Registrar,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED 17.3.2015
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM WP. No.6950 of 2015 Mr.Ramu Manivannan ... Petitioner Vs.
The Registrar, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai ... Respondent PRAYER : Petition filed Under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to consider his representation dated 09.2.2015 and to provide basic amenities such as drinking water, toilet facility etc., in the campus of University of Madras.
For Petitioner : Mr. P.Sesubalan Raja For Respondent : Mr.R.Vijayakumar Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
Heard Mr. P.Sesubalan Raja, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.R.Vijayakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent and perused the materials placed on record.
2. The petitioner seeks for a direction upon the respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.2.2015 and to provide basic amenities such as drinking water, toilet facility etc., in the campus of University of Madras.
3. The petitioner is a professor and Head of Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras. It is shocking to note that the petitioner, being senior faculty of University of Madras, has approached this Court seeking for a direction to the respondent University to consider his representation and provide basic amenities such as drinking water, toilet facility etc., in the campus of University of Madras in the Chennai City and Taramani Campus.
4. The petitioner, in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, has brought to light the plight of staff members both teaching and non teaching as well as the students, who are stated to have been suffering silently for several years due to lack of basic facilities such as drinking water, toilet facility etc. Therefore, the petitioner submitted a representation in this regard to the Registrar of the University on 09.2.2015 and it has been acknowledged by the office of the Registrar on the same day. Since nothing happened within a reasonable time, the petitioner has approached this Court.
5. When the case was heard for admission on 12.3.2015, the learned standing Counsel for the University was directed to accept notice for the respondent and obtain written instruction from the University.
6. When the matter is heard today, the learned standing counsel for the respondent University produced the written instruction given by the respondent from which it is seen that the Reverse Oxmosis Plant system, which was installed in the terrace of the Centenary building of the respondent University has not been functioning since September 2010. For nearly four years, no action was taken and only on 26.12.2014 estimates were called for installation of new R.O system in the terrace of the Centenary building and the estimate is said to have been approved on 14.01.2015 and sealed tenders were called for and four offers have been received up to 24.2.2015, the last date of the tender. It is stated that negotiation of rate was finalised on 04.3.2015 and after getting approval, the system will be executed. Further it is stated that new R.O.
system will be installed and purified drinking water will be supplied to the Centenary building, Tower clock Building, Libarary Building etc., within a week time. In the meanwhile, Bubbletop drinking water is being provided in all the buildings of the Chepauk Campus. With regard to the toilets, it is stated the same has already been renovated by providing tiled flooring and wall tiles and minor repairs have been attended and no toilets blocks are kept locked for repair works.
7. In the light of the stand taken by the respondent, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:- i. The Reverse Oxmosis Plant shall be installed in the Centenary building and made functional not later than 15.4.2015.
ii. The Reverse Oxmosis Plant system for Clock Tower building, Library and other areas shall be provided on or before 15.5.2015.
iii. Similarly Reverse Oxmosis Plant system shall be provided whereever required for Taramani Campus of the respondent University by 15.5.2015.
iv. The toilets shall be neatly maintained and provided with uninterrupted water supply.
v. Till the Reverse Oxmosis Plant System is installed and made fully functional, in both campuses the Bubbletop drinking water provided shall be continued.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar ga To The Registrar University of Madras Chepauk, Chennai +1cc to Mr.P.Sesubalan Raja, Advocate, S.R.No.14973 +1cc to Mr.R.Vijayakumar, Advocate, S.R.No.14860 W.P. No.6950 of 2015 AD(CO) CA(20/03/2015)