N.Ramesh v. The Director Of Rural Development And

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 19.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA N.Ramesh ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Director Of Rural Development And Panchayatraj, Panagal Buildings, Saidapet, Chennai- 15.

2.The Collector Cuddalore District, Cuddalore- 607 001.

...Respondents

Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Mandamus, Directing the respondents to appoint the petitioner as Overseer in any of the existing vacancies as done in the case of Mr.V. Murugan (petitioner in W.P. No.18580 / 2023) and Mr. Prakash (petitioner in W.P. No.21291/2023) 1/5

For Petitioner : M/s.P.Mohanraj For Respondents : M/s.V.Jeevagiridharan, AGP for R1 & R2.

O R D E R

The writ petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- "Directing the respondents to appoint the petitioner as Overseer in any of the existing vacancies as done in the case of Mr.V. Murugan (petitioner in W.P. No.18580 / 2023) and Mr. Prakash (petitioner in W.P.No.21291/2023)"

2. It is the case of the petitioner that he was appointed as a Technical Assistant on a tenure basis at Kumaratchi Panchayat Union, Cuddalore on 02.02.2013 following a selection process conducted through the Employment Exchange as per GO.(Ms).No.105 Rural Development Department dated 09.11.2012 for the Thane Cyclone Housing Scheme.

3. The petitioner, holding a Diploma in Civil Engineering 2/5

worked continuously on a consolidated pay of Rs.12,000/- per month till his disengagement dated 31.08.2016 along with other Technical Assistants. Some of the Technical Assistants possessing the same qualification as required for the Overseer post had moved this Court in WP.No.18580/2023 and WP.No.21291/2023 seeking a direction to the respondent to appoint them as Overseers. The above said Writ Petitions were allowed. Thereafter, the Collectors of Kallakurichi and Villupuram Districts had appointed Mr.M.Prakash and Mr.V.Murugan as Overseers on 30.04.2025 and 29.04.2025 respectively. The petitioner who is a similarly placed person had made a representation on 26.05.2025 to the District Collector, Cuddalore seeking appointment as an Overseer as there were vacancies in multiple Districts including 11 in Cuddalore District. This data has been accessed through RTI. However, no action has been taken on the said representation. Therefore, the petitioner has come forward with the above Writ Petition.

4. Heard the learned counsel on either side.

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5. Considering the fact that the similarly placed persons (Mr.V.Murugan and Mr.M.Prakash) have already been appointed as Overseers pursuant to the orders passed in WP.Nos.18580 & 21291 of 2023 dated 24.04.2024, the Writ Petition is allowed. The 1st respondent is directed to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 26.05.2025 in the light of the orders passed in WP.Nos.18580 & 21291 of 2023 dated 24.04.2024, within a period of 2 months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. 19.08.2025 (shr) Index : Yes/No Speaking Order: Yes/No To 1.The Director Of Rural Development And Panchayatraj, Panagal Buildings, Saidapet, Chennai- 15.

2.The Collector Cuddalore District, Cuddalore- 607 001.

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P.T. ASHA . J., (shr) 19.08.2025 (1/2) 5/5