P.Rajaram v. Government Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 05.09.2023 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR P.Rajaram ... Petitioner Vs.
1.Government of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force) Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioner 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 this Court in W.P. No.3387 of 2023 dated 08.02.2023 and W.P. No.22444 of 20023 dated 31.07.2023 by considering the representation dated 13.04.2023 within time limit to be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Mr.R.Neelakandan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.S.Arumugam Government Advocate
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioner 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 this Court in W.P. No.3387 of 2023 dated 08.02.2023 and W.P. No.22444 of 20023 dated 31.07.2023 by considering the representation dated 13.04.2023 within time limit to be stipulated by this Court.
2.It is the case of the petitioner that he joined the Forest Department as Plot Watcher on 01.04.1978 on daily wage basis. Thereafter, pursuant to the orders of this Court in W.P.No.22783 of 2014, dated 22.08.2014, the services of the petitioner was regularized in the post of Forest Watcher with effect from 24.01.1995 on par with his juniors. It is the grievance of the petitioner that, though his juniors were promoted to
the post of Forest Guard on 31.05.2004, the petitioner was promoted to the post of Forest Guard only on 26.08.2009. Therefore, the petitioner submitted his representation to the respondents on 13.04.2023 seeking notional promotion retrospectively with effect from 31.05.2004, i.e., the date on which his juniors were promoted to the post of Forest Guard, and for revised monetary benefits. Since no action has been taken by the respondents, the present writ petition has been filed. 3.It is the main contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that, when the petitioner's services have been regularized with effect from 24.01.1995 in the post of Forest Watcher on par with his juniors and his seniority was also re-fixed by placing him over and above the juniors, the petitioner is entitled to the promotion to the post of Forest Guard with effect from 31.05.2004, i.e., the date on which his juniors were promoted.
4.Heard Mr.R.Neelakandan, learned Additional Advocate General, assisted by Mr.S.Arumugam, learned Government Advocate, who takes notice for the respondents.
5.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court directs the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 13.04.2023 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6.With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
05.09.2023 mkn Internet : Yes Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Nonspeaking order To 1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force) Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
N. SATHISH KUMAR, J.
mkn 05.09.2023