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Madras High CourtWP/28641/2022disposed of

S.Chandran v. The District Collector

2026-04-01Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY WP No.28641 of 2022 S.Chandran ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector Dharmapuri District, Dharmapuri.

2. The Block Development officer Pennagaram Panchayat Union, Pennagaram, Dharmapuri District.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER - This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the 2nd respondent pertaining to his proceedings in Na.Ka.No. 2174 / 2022 / A2 dated 07.09.2022 and quash the same and consequently, direct the respondents herein to issue boatman license to the petitioner to drive and operate boat for tourists in Hogenakkal, Pennagaram Taluk, Dharmapuri District. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.Kiran, for Mr.K.Krishnamoorthy For Respondent(s):

Mrs.S.Anitha, Special Government Pleader (For R1) Ms.R.L.Karthika (For R2)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed seeking for a direction to call for the records of the 2nd respondent pertaining to his proceedings in Na.Ka.No. 2174/2022/A2 dated 07.09.2022 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents herein to issue boatman license to the petitioner to drive and operate boat for tourists in Hogenakkal, Pennagaram Taluk, Dharmapuri District. 2.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner, who is a resident of Ootamalai, Koothapadi Village in Hogenakkal Taluk, has driving the boat and fishing in Hogenakkal as the only source of living for the past 11 years. While so, for the purpose of driving boat for tourists in Hogenakkal, the petitioner approached the Pennagaram Panchayat seeking their approval and the Panchayat unanimously passed resolution in No.15 dated 22.10.

2017, granting approval for grant of Boatman License in favour of the petitioner along with 16 other persons and the Panchayat has issued the Identity Card to the petitioner. Based on the resolution of the Panchayat, Boatman license has been issued to 12 persons and since, the petitioner was out of town on that particular day, the license was not issued to the petitioner. Thereafter, due to change of officer in the 2nd respondent office, issue of license was delayed to the petitioner.

3.The petitioner had applied to the 2nd respondent on 30.01.2019 seeking for the Boatman license enclosing all the supporting documents required for obtaining license. Since the 2nd respondent did not take any action, the petitioner filed a Writ Petition in W.P.No.18670 of 2022 before this Court and by an order dated 22.07.2022, this Court directed the 2nd respondent to consider the application within a period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of that order. The petitioner had again sent a representation on 01.08.2022 to the 2nd respondent, enclosing the copy of the order dated 22.07.2022. The 2nd respondent, again rejected the application by proceedings in Na.Ka.No. 2174/2022/A2 dated 07.09.2022. The reason stated by the 2nd respondent that there are enough Boatman to drive the boats in Hogenakkal is erroneous.

Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition. 4.Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that he has made an application to the respondents to provide him license to drive the boat and a Panchayat Identity Card for driving the Boat, along with 16 other persons. Though based on the resolution, the Panchayat issued boatman license for 12 persons, including the petitioner, the petitioner was not issued with the boatman license till date. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.

5.Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the 1st respondent would submit that in the event of the petitioner submitting a fresh application, depending upon the present prevailing situation, the petitioner's application shall be considered on merits by the 2nd respondent. 6.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Special Government Pleader for the 1st respondent as well as the learned counsel for the 2nd respondent and perused the entire materials available on record. 7.As rightly pointed out by the learned counsel for the respondents, based on the situation prevailing in the year 2022, the petitioner's application was rejected as there were enough Boatman to sail the boats. In the event if any fresh application is filed by the petitioner now, the respondent authority is directed to consider the petitioner's application and grant Boatman License, by giving priority, citing the reason that the earlier application was rejected in the year 2022.

8.With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

01-04-2026 Index: Yes/No (1/2) Speaking/Non-speaking order GSA To

1. The District Collector Dharmapuri District, Dharmapuri.

2. The Block Development officer Pennagaram Panchayat Union, Pennagaram, Dharmapuri District.

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.

GSA 01-04-2026 (1/2)