Tamil Nadu Govt Ration Shop Employees Union v. Union Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 17.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.No.44802 of 2025 Tamil Nadu Govt. Ration Shop employees Union rep. By its State General Secretary P.Dineshkumar, H.O.No.Annadurai Street, Anakaputtur, Chennai-600 070.
... Petitioner Vs.
1.Union of India rep. By the Secretary, Dept. of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, R.No.546C, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi-110 001.
2.The Principal Secretary, Dept. of Co-operation, Food & Consumer Protection, St. George Fort, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
3.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Administrative Building, Metrorail Ltd., (CMRL), Poonamallee Highway, Chennai-107.
4.The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, O/o.The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, 170, EVR Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-1.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 2 to 4 to consider the petitioner union representation dated 26.05.2025 and make arrangement to weigh the inward movement of commodities at all the Fair Price Shops in Tamil Nadu and upload the total weight of commodities so arrived in the Point of Sales (PoS) as part of end to end computerisation of Public Distribution System as envisaged by the Central Government of India.
For Petitioner :
Mr.S.Pushpakaran For Respondent :
Mr.G.Mutharasu No.1 For Respondent :
Ms.M.GeethaThamari Selvam, SGP No.2 & 4 For Respondent :
No Appearance No.3
O R D E R
The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 2 to 4 to consider the petitioner's Union representation dated 26.05.2025 and to make arrangement to weigh the inward movement of commodities at all the Fair Price Shops in Tamil Nadu and upload the total weight of commodities so arrived in the Point of Sales (PoS) as part of end to end computerization of Public Distribution System as envisaged by the Central Government of India.
2. Heard both sides.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a registered Union representing the employees of the Ration shops functioning under various Co-operative Societies. He continued that the first respondent issued instructions vide Government Letter dated 28.01.2025 regarding end to end computerization of Public Distribution System and in pursuant to that, electronic sale has been integrated with Point of Sales (PoS) in all Fair Price Shops, however, there is no machine to weigh inward movement of commodities from the godown to the Fair Price Shops, thereby the petitioner made a representation dated 02.05.2025 in this regard for weighing the commodities and the same should be entered into the Point of Sales as to effectively address the underweight supply and thereby save the employees from penalyzing for maintaining deficit stock which caused mainly due to underweight supply. Thus, he prayed to grant the relief as sought for by the petitioner in the present Writ Petition.
4. Per contra, the learned Special Government Pleader submitted that the first respondent has already passed a circular and as per the direction of the Central Government, the grievance of the petitioner has already been addressed, however, she submitted that the petitioner's representation will be
considered, if not implemented.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also by taking note of the submissions made by the respective learned counsels, this Court directs the second respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26.05.2025 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, if the grievance of the petitioner is not addressed so far, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The respondent shall communicate the same to the petitioner,
6. With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. There shall be no orders as to costs.
Sd/- 17.11.2025 //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar DP To 1.The Secretary, Union of India Dept. of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, R.No.546C, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi-110 001.
2.The Principal Secretary, Dept. of Co-operation, Food & Consumer Protection, St. George Fort, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
3.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Administrative Building, Metrorail Ltd., (CMRL), Poonamallee Highway, Chennai-107.
4.The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, O/o.The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, 170, EVR Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-1.
M.DHANDAPANI.J, DP and WMP.No.44802 of 2025 17.11.2025