R. Narayanan v. Government Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN W.P.No.40092 of 2025 and WMP.No.45043 of 2025 R.Narayanan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (FR.2-II) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, 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, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus Calling for the entire records which culminated in issuing order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O.(Ms) No.08, ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (FR.2-II) DEPARTMENT, dated 21.01.2019 and consequential order passed by the same respondent in G.O.(2D) No.106, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS (FR.2(ii)) DEPARTMENT dated 02.06.2025 and quash the same in so far as denial of monetary benefits for working period as forest watcher is concerned and directing the first respondent to pay monetary benefits from date of joining as forest watcher from 01.09.2004 till 21.01.2019 as per Tamil Nadu Fundamental Rule 27 (17) and in the light of the order passed in W.P.NO.23478 of 2023 dated 1/6

27.03.2024, which was implemented by the 1st respondent in G.O.(2D) No.55, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS (FR.2(ii) DEPARTMENT dated 26.03.2025 For Petitioner : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj, Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed to quash the order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O.(Ms) No.08, ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (FR.2-II) DEPARTMENT, dated 21.01.2019 and the consequential order passed by the same respondent in G.O.(2D) No.106, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS (FR.2(ii)) DEPARTMENT dated 02.06.2025 insofar as denial of monetary benefits for working period as forest watcher and to direct the first respondent to pay monetary benefits from date of joining as forest watcher from 01.09.2004 till 21.01.2019 as per Tamil Nadu Fundamental Rule 27 (17) and in the light of the order passed in W.P.NO.23478 of 2023 dated 27.03.2024, which was implemented by the 1st respondent in G.O.(2D) No.55, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS (FR.2(ii) DEPARTMENT dated 26.03.2025 2/6

2.

Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused all the materials placed before this Court. 3.

It is seen that a similarly placed person was granted relief in W.P.No.23478 of 2023 dated 27.03.2024. The relevant portion of the said order is extracted hereunder:

8.

On perusal of records revealed that the petitioner is seeking monetary benefits only from the date of his joining as Forest Watcher, as per F.R.27(17) of the Tamil Nadu Fundamental Rules and G.O(2D).No.124, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (F.R2(ii)) Department dated 17.08.2022. In fact, the seniority has already been fixed and the petitioner's service was duly regularized on par with his juniors. Therefore, he is entitled for monetary benefits from the date of his joining as Forest Watcher.

9.

In view of the above, the impugned order cannot be sustained and it is liable to be quashed. Accordingly, the order dated 16.08.2017, passed by the first respondent in Letter No.4059/FR2(II)/2017-3 and the consequential order passed by the second respondent in G.O.(2D).No.125, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.2.ii) Department, dated 30.05.2023 are 3/6

hereby quashed. The petitioner is entitled for monetary benefits only from the date of his joining as Forest Watcher. The respondents 1 & 2 are directed to pay monetary benefits to the petitioner from the date of his joining as Forest Watcher viz.,14.06.2013 till 15.08.2017, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Order.

4. Therefore, the same order can be passed in this writ petition as well. As such, the impugned orders dated 21.01.2019 and 02.06.2025 are set aside insofar as denial of monetary benefits for working period as forest watcher. The petitioner is entitled for monetary benefits only from the date of his joining as Forest Watcher. The respondents are directed to pay monetary benefits to the petitioner from the date of his joining as Forest Watcher viz.,01.09.2004 till 21.01.2019, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Order. 5.

With the above direction, this writ petition is allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

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To 1.GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (FR.2-II) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-600 009.

2.THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, (HEAD OF FOREST FORCE), VELACHERY MAIN ROAD, GUINDY, CHENNAI-600 032.

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G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

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