A.Govindaraj, v. Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 23.06.2023
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S. RAMESH 1.A. Govindaraj 2.R. Selvaraju 3.V. Sivalingam 4.G. Anbalagan 5.V. Pakkirisamy 6.R. Rajamanickam 7.S. Rajendran ... Petitioners Vs.
1.Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Panagal Maaligai, Jeenis Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 015.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioners as Forest Guard for purpose of getting revised pension on par with juniors by including their name in the panel drawn for the year 2003-2004 with effect from 31.05.2004 and in the light of order passed by our honourable High Court in WP.No.15726 of 1/4
2016 dated 28.04.2016 and in WP.No.3387 of 2023 dated 08.02.2023 by considering the representation dated 09.05.2022 within the time limit to be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioners : Mr.S. Mani For Respondents : Mr.P. Baladhandayutham, Special Government Pleader
ORDER
With the consent of both the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. The petitioners herein have given representation to the respondents on 09.05.2022, seeking for further promotion as Forest Guard retrospectively, on par with their juniors by including their name in the panel for the year 2003-2004. 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 2/4
indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the 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 first respondent herein, to consider the petitioners' representation dated 09.05.2022, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of eight (8) 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 petitioners 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.
23.06.2023 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Sni 3/4
M.S.RAMESH,J.
Sni To 1.The Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Panagal Maaligai, Jeenis Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 015.
23.06.2023 4/4