P.Mariappan v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HON`BLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI P.Mariappan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2.The Joint Director, Health and Rural Welfare Department, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

3.The District Scheduled Caste & scheduled Tribe Officer & Backward Classes & Minorities Welfare Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

4.The Divisional Manager, United India Insurance Company, 134, Creams Road, Chennai-6.

5.The District Treasury Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

6.The Commissioner of Treasury and Accounts Chairman, State Level Empowered Committee (NHIS), Dr.Anbalagan Malikai, Veterinary Hospital, Hospital Complex, 3rd Floor, No.571, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai-600035 ... Respondents (R6 is suo motu impleaded as per order of this Court in WP.(MD)No.784 of 2026 dated 19.02.2026) 1/6

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to Reimburse the Medical Expenditure of Rs. 77,659/- incurred by the petitioner at the Santhi Nursing Home, Tirunelveli for taking treatment and Surgery for Piles Problem for the period from 11.06.2024 to 18.06.2024 for 8 days based on the recommendation and forwarding Letter of the 3rd respondent dated 04.04.2025 and the subsequent reminder of the 3rd respondent dated 28.10.2025 to the 4th respondent along with belated payment interest at the rate of 12 percent p.a. including cost.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Govindan For R1 to R3 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, Special Government Pleader.

For R4 : Mr.A.Shajahan

ORDER

The petitioner is working as a Cook in the Backward Classes & Minorities Welfare Department. He was diagnosed with piles and he was advised to undergo an operation. The petitioner has also undergone a surgery and has incurred medical expenses to an extent of Rs.77, 659/-. Since the petitioner is a member under the new health insurance scheme of the government provided vide G.O.(Ms)No.160, 2/6

dated 29.06.2021, he has made a claim for medical reimbursement. The request of the petitioner was also forwarded to the Department by the Joint Director of the Health Service. However, he was not provided with medical reimbursement and therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the fourth respondent submits that the treatment undergone by the petitioner is not covered under the scheme and therefore, they are not in a position to grant the relief as prayed for in this writ petition. According to him, they are bound by the contract and therefore, they can provide benefits only as per the contract. He further submits that considering the suggestion made by this Court the case of the petitioner was referred to the State Level Empowered Committee and they would abide by the decisions of the said Committee.

3.This Court has considered the submissions made on either side and perused the records carefully.

4.Admittedly, the petitioner is a beneficiary of the new health insurance scheme and he has also undergone certain treatment for his 3/6

piles complaint. A person with a piles complaint cannot discharge his duty effectively. The State Government while entering into an agreement with the Insurance Company, ought to have included this complaint as one of the approved procedure in the contract. However, inadvertently it has not been added.

5.Since the State Level Empowered Committee is not a party to this proceedings, this Court suo motu impleads the Commissioner of Treasury and Accounts Chairman, State Level Empowered Committee (NHIS), Dr.Anbalagan Malikai, Veterinary Hospital, Hospital Complex, 3rd Floor, No.571, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai-600035 as sixth respondent to this writ petition and directs the said Committee to consider the case of the petitioner sympathetically. This Court also expects that the State Level Empowered Committee for recommending this nature of treatment in the approved procedure for the future agreements. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

19.02.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes gns 4/6

To 1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2.The Joint Director, Health and Rural Welfare Department, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

3.The District Scheduled Caste & scheduled Tribe Officer & Backward Classes & Minorities Welfare Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

4.The District Treasury Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

5.The Commissioner of Treasury and Accounts Chairman, State Level Empowered Committee (NHIS), Dr.Anbalagan Malikai, Veterinary Hospital, Hospital Complex, 3rd Floor, No.571, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai-600035 5/6

B.PUGALENDHI,J gns 19.02.2026 6/6