M.Sudalai v. The Additional Chief Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.04.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE J.NISHA BANU and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY M.Sudalai ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Managing Director, Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai - 600 015.

3.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Thoothukudi, 4.The Assistant Director (Village Panchayat), District Collector Office Campus, Thoothukudi, 1/6

5.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Panchayat Union Office, Ottapidaram, ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 to 5 to construct a permanent Village Panchayat office building at Keelakottai Village situated at Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 05.03.2025 within a stipulated time fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Karunanidhi For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by J. NISHA BANU, J.) By consent of both parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2.It is the grievance of the petitioner that his representation dated 05.03.2025, to construct a permanent Village Panchayat office building at Keelakottai Village situated at Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi District, is kept 2/6

pending till date without any progress. Therefore, he has filed this Writ Petition with the aforesaid prayer.

3.The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the representation of the petitioner would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed on its own merits within a period that may be stipulated by this Court.

4.Considering the limited scope of the prayer sought for by the petitioner, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claim made by the petitioner either in the representation or in the affidavit filed in support of this Writ Petition, we direct the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 05.03.2025, after giving sufficient opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and other interested parties, if any and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 3/6

5.With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

[J.N.B.,J.] & [S.S.Y.,J.] 24.04.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 4/6

To 1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Managing Director, Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai - 600 015.

3.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Thoothukudi, 4.The Assistant Director (Village Panchayat), District Collector Office Campus, Thoothukudi, 5.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Panchayat Union Office, Ottapidaram, 5/6

J.NISHA BANU , J.

and S.SRIMATHY, J.

ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 24.04.2025 6/6