Village Administrative Officer'S Association, v. The State Rep. By Its Chief Secretary,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18.10.2023 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Village Administrative Officer's Association Rep. by its State General Secretary R.Arul Raj S/o. Rajendran Having Communication Address at 3/150, Thiruthipatti, Panangudi Post Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.

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Petitioner Vs.

1. The State Rep. by its Chief Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Principal Secretary to Government Department of Revenue & Disaster Management Secretariat, Chennai.

3. The Principal Secretary to Government Department of Personal & Administrative Reforms Secretariat, Chennai.

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Respondents

Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus, directing the respondents to initiate proceedings to enact law for the protection of Village Administrative Officers on par with the Medicare Service persons based on the representation dated 02.05.2023 and 16.05.2023. For the Petitioner : Mr.RM.Arun Swaminathan For the Respondents : Mr.R.Shunmugasundaram Advocate General assisted by Mr.P.Muthukumar State Government Pleader and Ms.A.G.Shakeena for R1 to R3

ORDER

(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard Mr.RM.Arun Swaminathan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.R.Shunmugasundaram, learned Advocate General assisted by Mr.P.Muthukumar, learned State Government Pleader and Ms.A.G.Shakeena, learned counsel for respondents 1 to 3.

2. The petitioner seeks directions against the respondents to enact a law for the protection of Village Administrative Officers on par with the Medicare service persons.

3. The same would tantamount to a policy decision of the State and it is for the State Legislature to consider the same.

4. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner has given representations on 02.05.2023 and 16.05.2023. In case such representations are pending with the respondents, the respondents may take a decision on the representations, on its own merits and as may be permissible under law, preferably within a period of nine months.

5. In the light of that, the writ petition stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs.

(S.V.G., CJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 18.10.2023 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No drm

To

1. The Chief Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Principal Secretary to Government Department of Revenue & Disaster Management Secretariat, Chennai.

3. The Principal Secretary to Government Department of Personal & Administrative Reforms Secretariat, Chennai.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

(drm) 18.10.2023