Shanthi, v. The District Collector,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 11.03.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.GOVINDARAJ Shanthi ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, Dharmapuri District, Dharmapuri - 5.

2. The Special Tahsildhar, (Distress Relief), Dharmapuri.

... Respondents PRAYER: The Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to continue to pay the Destitute Widow Pension (No.1967) regularly as per the proceedings of the second respondent dated 25.02.2002 in his Ne.Mu.2437/2002 (A4) including the arrears of the pension payable to the petitioner due from August 2014 till date by considering her representation dated 20.11.2014.

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For Petitioner : No appearance For Respondents : M/s.M.Rajendiran Additional Government Pleader - - - - -

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to continue to pay the Destitute Widow Pension (No.1967) regularly as per the proceedings of the second respondent dated 25.02.2002 in his Ne.Mu.2437/2002 (A4) including the arrears of the pension payable to the petitioner due from August 2014 till date by considering her representation dated 20.11.2014.

2. The petitioner is a Widow. Her husband died on 03.01.2001. She was granted the Destitute Widow Pension, a sum of Rs.200/- per month from 01.03.2002 vide proceedings Ne.Mu.2437/2002 (A4), dated 25.02.2002 and it has periodically been enhanced up to Rs.1,000/- and she was receiving the amount since 2002 without any interruption. 2/6

3 While the matter stood thus, in August, 2014, the Destitute Widow Pension was stopped. When enquired, it was informed that the Government was facing financial crisis and that they were unable to disburse the pension. Therefore, she submitted an application dated 06.11.2014 and followed by another representation dated 20.11.2014. Since she has not received any reply from the respondents and she is undergoing financial difficulties to raise her 13 years old daughter, she has approached this Court for continuation of the pension.

4. On instructions, the learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that the petitioner is earning a sum of Rs.5,000/- towards tailoring work and Rs.10,000/- during festival time and she is educating her daughter in a private Matriculation School. Considering the financial condition of the petitioner, the Destitute Widow Pension was stopped.

5. I have heard the submissions.

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6. The tailoring business in the present scenario is dwindling down and it is very difficult to get such huge income in a rural area in the said business. Particularly, the petitioner is eking out her livelihood in her village in Dharmapuri District. Therefore, the income may be very less and not as submitted by the learned Additional Government Pleader, i.e. Rs.5,000/- per month. Therefore, the respondents are directed to consider to continue the Destitute Widow Pension to the petitioner. The Writ Petition is ordered with the above terms. There shall be no order as to costs.

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To

1. The District Collector, Dharmapuri District, Dharmapuri - 5.

2. The Special Tahsildhar, (Distress Relief), Dharmapuri.

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M. GOVINDARAJ, J.

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