Veronica Mary.A v. Union Of India, Rep. By

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 25.06.2021 CORAM :

The Hon'ble Mr.SANJIB BANERJEE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND The Hon'ble Mr.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM A.Veronica Mary .. Petitioner Vs

1. Union of India, rep. by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jarbagh Road, New Delhi 110 003.

2. State of Tamilnadu, rep. by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Environment and Forests Department, State of Tamilnadu, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.

3. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/Chief Wildlife Warden, Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/ Chief Wildlife Warden, Panagal Maligai, 1, Jeenis Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

.. Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a Writ of Mandamus to immediately set up a 'Special drive' and fill all the vacancies in the respondent No.2 department including the frontline staffs like Forest Watcher, Forest Guard and all other vacancies in an expedite manner as per the recommendation in the National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-2031 within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : R.Alagumani For Respondents : R.Arjuna Rajan, CGSC for R1 Mr.R.Baskaran Government Counsel for R2

ORDER

[Order of the Court was made by THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE] The petitioner seeks vacancies in the Forest Department to be filled up expeditiously.

2. There is no doubt that immediate steps would be taken by the Government in such regard, particularly, to protect the forests and any attempted encroachment.

2. It is possible that because of the raging pandemic over the last 16 months or so, the recruitment drive may have gone to the back-burner.

3. W.P.(MD).No.2887 of 2021 is disposed of by requesting the State to ensure that the recruitment process is completed as expeditiously as may be practicable.

4. There will be no order as to costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-I) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) sj/pkn Note : In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.

To:

1. Principal Secretary to the Government, Union of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jarbagh Road, New Delhi 110 003.

2. Principal Secretary to the Government, State of Tamilnadu, Environment and Forests Department, State of Tamilnadu, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.

3. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/Chief Wildlife Warden, Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/ Chief Wildlife Warden, Panagal Maligai, 1, Jeenis Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

+1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-20452[F] dated 28/06/2021 ) +1 CC to M/s.DR.R.ALAGUMANI, Advocate ( SR-20469[F] dated 28/06/2021 ) W.P.(MD)No. 2887 of 2021 25.06.2021 KB(05.07.2021) 3P 6C