Priya v. The Chief Engineer/Personnel
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19.12.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Priya ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Chief Engineer/Personnel, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, No.144-Annasalai, Board Office Administration Branch, 8th Floor, NPKRR Maaligai, Chennai-600 002.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Nilgiris Electricity and Distribution Circle, Aavin Complex, Coonoor Road, Ooty, Nilgiris-643 001.
.. Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of Indian praying issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to promote the petitioner as account Supervisor, by including the petitioner's name in 1st respondent's panel list for promotion as Account Supervisor in Memo No.13496.G.59/G.591/2025 dated 18.08.2025, by extending all benefits along with seniority, in the light of G.O.(MS).No.21, Human Resources Management Department dated 28.05.2025, forthwith petitioner's appeal/representation dated 25.08.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.B.K.Girish Neelakantan For Respondents : Mr.K.Rajkumar, Standing Counsel for TANGEDCO
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 1st respondent to promote the petitioner as Account Supervisor by including her name in the promotion panel of the 1st respondent in the light of G.O.(MS).No.21, Human Resources Management Department dated 28.05.2025, forthwith on the basis of the representation dated 25.08.2025 of the petitioner.
2. Mr.K.Rajkumar, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of respondent.
3. Brief fact that are necessary for disposal of Writ Petition are as follows:- The petitioner was appointed as Junior Assistant in the 1st respondent department on 26.02.2018 and was subsequently promoted as Assistant (Accounts) in the 2nd respondent office on 03.12.2021 based on roster seniority. Despite the petitioner being eligible, her name was not included in the promotion panel for the post of Account Supervisor on the ground that she was on maternity leave at the time of consideration holding contrary to the guidelines issued in G.O.(Ms).No.21, Human
Resources Management Department dated 28.05.2025 which mandates that maternity leave to be treated as a duty period. Therefore, the petitioner submitted a representation to the 1st respondent on 25.08.2025 seeking inclusion of her name in the promotion panel for the post of Account Supervisor. However, no action has been taken on the same so far. Hence, the present Writ Petition.
4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that it would suffice if this Court issues a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 28.05.2025 in the light of G.O.(Ms).No.21, Human Resources Management Department dated 28.05.2025 and pass orders on the same on merits within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.
5. On the above contention, this Court heard the learned Stppearing for the respondents.
6. In view of the limited relief sought for by the petitioner, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.08.2025 and pass appropriate orders on the same on merits and in accordance with law in the light of G.O.(Ms).No.21, Human Resources Management Department dated 28.05.2025 within a period of four (4)
weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and to any other interested parties.
7. The Writ Petition stands disposed of with the aforesaid direction. There shall be no order as to costs.
19.12.2025 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order Nhs To 1.The Chief Engineer/Personnel, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, No.144-Annasalai, Board Office Administration Branch, 8th Floor, NPKRR Maaligai, Chennai-600 002.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Nilgiris Electricity and Distribution Circle, Aavin Complex, Coonoor Road, Ooty, Nilgiris-643 001.
M.DHANDAPANI, J Nhs 19.12.2025