M.Palkannan v. The Assistant Engineer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 31.01.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.(MD).No.2916 of 2025 M.Palkannan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Assistant Engineer, Tamilnadu Electricity Board (TANGEDCO), Chinnakattalai, Periyur Taluk, Madurai District - 63056.

2. Kannammal ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to cancel the electricity connection No.606 in Survey No.200/65, at Periyakattalai Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District, and to give the electricity connection in the name of petitioner and his brother Ganesan, based on the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2024.

For Petitioner : Mr. J.Jeyakumaran For R-1 : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Senior Counsel 1/4

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to direct the 1st respondent to cancel the electricity connection No.606 in Survey No.200/65, at Periyakattalai Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District, and to give the electricity connection in the name of petitioner and his brother Ganesan, based on the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2024.

2. Mr.S.Deenadhayalan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the first respondent. By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the entire materials available on record.

4. The petitioner has made a representation on 18.11.2024 to the first respondent to take necessary action to change the name in Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Connection No.606 for the petitioner's property. Since, the same was not considered, the present writ petition came to be filed. 2/4

5. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the respondent to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, nonconsideration of the representation made by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking the extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

6. Without going into the merits of this case, this Court hereby direct the first respondent to consider the representation made by the petitioner and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. 31.01.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No jbr 3/4

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

jbr TO:- The Assistant Engineer, Tamilnadu Electricity Board (TANGEDCO), Chinnakattalai, Periyur Taluk, Madurai District - 63056.

Order made in Dated 31.01.2025 4/4