Sathish Kumar, S/O.Shanmugam, v. The Chief Secretary,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM and THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE Sathish Kumar ... Petitioner -vs1.The Chief Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretariat Chennai 2.The Commissioner Commissionerate of Municipal Administration Chepauk, Chennai-600 005 3.The Chief Engineer State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre Tharamani Chennai-600 113 4.The District Collector Madurai District Madurai ... Respondents

PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to implement the Rain Water Harvesting Movement effectively all over Tamil Nadu and also a further direction directing the respondents to monitor the said scheme in a proper manner for the purpose of raising of ground water level and thereby alleviate the general public from the water scarcity forthwith. For Petitioner :

Mr.J.Sankarapandian For Respondents :

Mr.T.Thilakkumar Government Pleader

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.] The writ on hand has been instituted seeking a direction to the respondents to implement the Rain Water Harvesting Movement effectively all over Tamil Nadu and also a further direction to the respondents to monitor the said scheme in a proper manner for the purpose of raising of ground water level and thereby, alleviate the general public from the water scarcity forthwith.

2. The third respondent has filed his counter affidavit, wherein, in Paragraph No.12, it has been stated as follows: "12. I respectfully submit that comprehensive legislation regarding the Regulation, Management & Augmentation of water resources of the State has been prepared on the basis of experiences gained from the Groundwater Act implementing states, recommendations of foreign delegates, suggestions of the State Planning Commission, Other the department's comments, law department reviews.

The bill is under active consideration of the Government. The bill may include the implementation of a Rainwater Harvesting System may be mandatory for all those using water."

3. Government Schemes for rainwater harvesting are already in force and therefore, the relief as such sought for in this writ petition, at this length of time, does not require any consideration. If at all any violation of the statutes has been committed, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the authorities concerned for redressal of his grievance in accordance with law.

4. With the above observation, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

[S.M.S., J.] [A.D.M.C., J.] 24.06.2025 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No krk To:

1.The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chief Secretariat, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner, Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

3.The Chief Engineer, State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre, Tharamani, Chennai-600 113.

4.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

and DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE , J.

krk 24.06.2025