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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/12890/2021disposed of

Ravichandiran.T. v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

2021-07-29Honourable The Chief Justice,Honourable Mrs Justice S.Ananthi (Retd.)4 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.07.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE S.ANANTHI and W.M.P.(MD) No.9968 of 2021 T.Ravichandiran ... Petitioner -vs1.The State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Secretary Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009 Tamil Nadu 2.The Director Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Panagal Building Saidapet, Chennai-15 3.District Collector cum Chairman District Rural Development Agency District Collectorate Sivagangai-630 562 Sivagangai District 4.The District Project Director Department of Rural Development District Collectorate Sivagangai-630 562 Sivagangai District 5.The Block Development Officer Kallal Block, Kallal Main Road Kallal-630 305, Sivagangai District 6.The President Village Panchayat Panangudi Post Sivagangai District-630 555

7.J.Muthuraman Panchayat Clerk Panangudi Village Kallal Block, Sivagangai District ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents herein to identify the Veerayan Kanmai Thadupanai (Check dam) claiming to have been constructed under the MGNREG scheme in the work order (2925009031/World Cup/290467639 in Panangudi Village, Kallal Block, Sivagangai District to the tune 4.6 lakhs and further to enquire and take appropriate action against the officers involved in the construction of Veerayan Kanmai Thadupanai (Check dam) in Panangudi Village, Kallal Block, Sivagangai District under the MGNREG scheme in the work order (2925009031/World Cup/290467639. For Petitioner :

Ms.Amala.A.

For Respondents :

Mr.A.K.Manickam Standing Counsel for State for R1 to R4

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble CHIEF JUSTICE] Mr.A.K.Manickam, learned Government Advocate appearing for the State, takes notice on behalf of the respondents 1 to 4.

2. The petitioner complains of perceived irregularities in the allotment of public funds to the tune of Rs.4.6 lakh in the construction of a check dam in the Veerayan Kanmai under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

3. Apart from the fact that only vague and sweeping allegations have been made, it may not be necessary to conduct a full-fledged witch-hunt, particularly as the quantum involved is to the tune of Rs.4.6 lakh. That is not to suggest that public money of such value may be squandered, but only to emphasise that the scrutiny that is necessary upon the petitioner complaining of irregularities, may be conducted at a different level and may not require any monitoring by the Court.

4. Accordingly, the second respondent Director of Rural Development is directed to conduct an audit of the accounts pertaining to the construction of the check dam by a certified auditor and place the audit report before the Collector of Sivagangai for the Collector to take or suggest necessary action, if any anomaly is discovered.

5. Copies of the petition and this order will also be forwarded to the other respondents.

6. W.P.(MD) No.12890 of 2021 is disposed of, without any order as to costs. W.M.P.(MD) No.9968 of 2021 is closed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-I) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) krk / 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.The Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009, Tamil Nadu.

2.The Director, Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai-15.

3.The District Collector cum Chairman, District Rural Development Agency, District Collectorate, Sivagangai-630 562, Sivagangai District.

4.The District Project Director, Department of Rural Development, District Collectorate, Sivagangai-630 562, Sivagangai District.

Copy to:- 1.The Block Development Officer Kallal Block, Kallal Main Road Kallal-630 305, Sivagangai District 2.The President Village Panchayat Panangudi Post Sivagangai District-630 555 3.J.Muthuraman Panchayat Clerk Panangudi Village Kallal Block, Sivagangai District +1 CC to M/s.A.AMALA, Advocate ( SR-24752[F] dated 30/07/2021 ) +1 CC to M/s.GP ( SR-24942[F] dated 02/08/2021 ) and W.M.P.(MD) No.9968 of 2021 29.07.2021 RD(5.08.2021) 4P 10C