A.Gajalakshmi v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 06.11.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and W.M.P.Nos.46705 & 46707 of 2025 A.Gajalakshmi ....
Petitioner Vs 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by its Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Director of School Education, Perasiriyar Anbazhagan Kalvi Valagam, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
3.The Chief Educational Officer, Tiruvannamalai District, Tiruvannamalai.
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4.Headmaster Government Higher Secondary School, Renukondapuram, Tiruvannamalai District.
5.Assistant Treasury Officer, Polur, Tiruvannamalai District.
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Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for the records relating to the impugned order issued by the 3 rd respondent in A. Thi. Mu 1818/AA2/2025 dated 24.02.2025 and to quash the same and consequently directing the respondents to disburse the incentive increment to the petitioner for M.A., degree qualification from the month of October 2019 including payment of arrears from the date of acquisition of degree from 01.06.2015 along with interest for the delay. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Sankaran Senior Counsel for Mr.S.Nedunchezhiyan For Respondents : Mrs.S.Mythreye Chandru Special Government Pleader
ORDER
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This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the order dated 24.02.2025 passed by the third respondent, thereby rejecting the request made by the petitioner seeking incentive increment for the higher qualification of M.A. degree from the month of October 2019.
2.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
3.The petitioner is qualified with M.A (English) degree. Originally, she was appointed as B.T Assistant (English) and subsequently acquired her M.A. degree. After her promotion, the petitioner submitted an application seeking incentive increment for her M.A.degree. As per G.O.Ms.No.42, dated 10.01.1969 and G.O.Ms.No.1024, dated 09.12.1993 incentive increments are to be granted for higher qualifications. Accordingly, the case of the petitioner was considered and she was sanctioned incentive increment for the higher qualification of M.A. degree 3/8
with effect from 01.06.2015. In fact, the petitioner was paid incentive increment till the month of September 2019. Thereafter, it was stopped. On enquiry, the petitioner came to know that the fifth respondent had sought particulars from the fourth respondent regarding the genuineness of her qualification and the permission obtained by the petitioner to pursue the M.A. degree. However, even today, no order has been passed in respect of the permission granted to her to acquire M.A. degree and also the genuineness of the said degree. 4.The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner produced the permission granted to the petitioner to acquire her M.A. Degree, as well as the genuineness certificate of the said degree. Now, the incentive increment was stopped on the ground that those who acquired the degree were eligible only for a lump sum incentive. However, the petitioner had already been sanctioned incentive increment for her M.A. degree. Therefore, the order impugned in this writ petition cannot be sustained and is liable to be quashed. 4/8
5.Accordingly, the order dated 24.02.2025 passed by the third respondent, is hereby quashed. The respondents are directed to disburse the incentive increment to the petitioner for her higher qualification of M.A. decree from the month of October 2019 and to disburse the arrears of incentive increments from the date of which she completed her M.A. degree i.e., on 01.06.2015, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that the petitioner is not entitled to interest for the belated payment. 6.In the result, this Writ Petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. 06.11.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non speaking 5/8
Lpp To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Director of School Education, Perasiriyar Anbazhagan Kalvi Valagam, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
3.The Chief Educational Officer, Tiruvannamalai District, Tiruvannamalai.
4.Headmaster Government Higher Secondary School, Renukondapuram, Tiruvannamalai District.
5.Assistant Treasury Officer, Polur, Tiruvannamalai District.
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G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
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