P.Jeevanantham, v. The District Collector Cum

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 19.09.2016 CORAM :

The Hon'ble MR.SANJAY KISHAN KAUL, CHIEF JUSTICE AND The Hon'ble MR.JUSTICE R.MAHADEVAN W.P. No.32565 of 2016 P.Jeevanantham ... Petitioner Vs.

The District Collector cum District Election Officer, (Under Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994) Salem District, Salem.

... Respondent Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issue of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to appoint adequate number of officers at the level of a Block Development Officer as contemplated by Rule 8(2) of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Elections) Rules 1995 to ensure availability of requisite number of officers for smooth conduct of the elections to the Village Panchayats in Salem District. For Petitioner :

Mr.M.S.Palanisamy For Respondent :

Mr.R.Vijayakumar Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble Chief Justice) The grievance made by the petitioner is that the elections to the Panchayat Body are on the anvil and yet in respect of Salem District at present 15 posts of Block Development Officer out of 20 posts are vacant.

The petitioner made a representation dated 01.09.2016 to the District Collector, Salem.

2. The learned Additional Government Pleader submits before us that appointment of Block Development Officers came to be questioned in W.P.Nos.10437 to 10443 of 2015 and there is a blanket restraint order against filling up of the posts of Block https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

Development Officer without revising the seniority list in the post of Assistant issued by the District Collector. He submits that final arguments in W.P.Nos.10437 to 10443 of 2015 are over and judgment has been reserved by the learned Single Judge. The learned Additional Government Pleader states that judgment was reserved on 11.07.2016. He submits that they will mention before the learned Single Judge the factum of filing of this public interest litigation and the difficulty likely to be faced in the impending elections.

3. The aforesaid statement is taken on record and the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar bbr To The District Collector cum District Election Officer, Salem District, Salem.

+1cc to Mr.M.S.Palanisamy, Advocate, S.R.No.53236 +1cc to the Government Pleader, S.R.No.52914 W.P.No.32565 of 2016 TRM(CO) CA(29/09/2016) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/