P.Mani v. The State Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 08.09.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA 1.P.Mani 2.T.Selvam 3.R.Govindasamy 4.N.Marimuthu 5.A.Seenu 6.Jawaharlal Nehru 7.S.Nagulasamy .. Petitioners vs 1.The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. By its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 9.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Forest Headquarters, Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
.. Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to regularize the petitioners service as forest watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for the purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification on par with juniors L.Stephan, Seniority No.4794, and R. Mani, Seniority No.4920 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 07.03.2025 in the 1/5
light of the orders passed in W.P.No. 15561 of 2006 dated 10.03.2008, W.A.No. 690 of 2008 dated 13.10.2009, W.P.No. 23374 of 2008 dated 30.10.2009, W.A.No.607 of 2010 dated 29.03.2010, and proceeding of the 2nd respondent dated 07.01.2011 and in the light of G.O.(2D) No. 122, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated 12.08.2022, and G.O.(2D) No.124, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated 17.08.2022 with all consequential benefits within time frame and pass such further or other orders as it deem fit in the circumstances of the case. For Petitioners :
Ms.K.Jenitha For Respondents :
Mr.P.Ananda Kumar Government Advocate
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to regularize the petitioners service as Forest Watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for the purpose of getting pension by considering the petitioners' representation dated 07.03.2025 and taking into account their seniority and qualification on a par with juniors L.Stephan, Seniority No.4794, and R. Mani, Seniority No.4920 in the light of the orders passed in W.P.No. 15561 of 2006 dated 10.03.2008, W.A.No. 690 of 2008 dated 13.10.2009, W.P.No. 23374 of 2008 dated 30.10.2009, W.A.No.607 of 2010 dated 29.03.2010, and the 2/5
proceeding of the 2nd respondent dated 07.01.2011 and also in the light of G.O.(2D) No. 122, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated 12.08.2022, and G.O.(2D) No.124, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated 17.08.2022 and with all consequential benefits within time frame fixed by this Court.
2.
The case of the petitioners is that they were initially appointed as Plot Watcher / Village Social Forestry Worker in Social Forestry Divisions on daily wage basis. Vide G.O.64, Environment and Forest Department dated 08.03.1999, the names of the petitioners were included in the State-wide Seniority List and thereafter by G.O.95, they were brought into regular time scale of pay as Supernumerary Plot Watcher.
3.
Representations have been made before the authorities for promotion and, in the year 2014, the respondents finally appointed the petitioners as Forest Watcher, wherein persons who were appointed subsequently got promoted as Forest Watcher leading to denial of further promotion as well as monetary benefits. The petitioners further submit that their juniors by intervention of Court were given retrospective appointment as Forest Watcher. 3/5
4.
Heard both sides.
5.
Though a larger relief has been sought for by the petitioners, this Court is of the view that it is suffice to direct the second respondent to consider the representation dated 07.03.2025, and pass orders on its own merits and in accordance with law, preferably within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the claim made by the petitioners.
6.
This writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. No costs.
08.09.2025 Index:Yes/No ssm To 1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 9.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Forest Headquarters, Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
ssm 08.09.2025 5/5