The District Educational Officer (Elementary), v. S.Dhavamani,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 19.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and CMP(MD)No.7419 of 2026

1. The District Educational Officer (Elementary), Thoothukudi Office at Pudukottai 628 103, Thoothukudi District

2. The Block Educational Officer, Thoothukudi Urban, Thoothukudi District.

... Appellants Vs.

1. Mrs.S.Dhavamani

2. BMC Primary School, Represented by its Secretary, Millerpuram, Thoothukudi-8.

... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Appeals filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, against the order made in W.P(MD)No.28617 of 2025 dated 23.01.2026. 1/5

For Appellants : Mr.M.S.Parthiban, Counsel for State For R1 : Mr.T.Aswin Raja Simman

JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) Challenging the order of the learned Single Judge allowing the writ petition by setting aside the orders impugned in the writ petition rejecting incentive increment to the petitioner, this writ appeal is filed by the Government.

2. The learned Single Judge taking note of the fact that in the earlier round of litigation, a Division Bench of this Court in W.A(MD)No.470 of 2018 has clearly held that the writ petitioner is entitled to two incentive increments for acquiring M.Ed., degree while serving as Secondary Grade Teacher. The State has not challenged the said judgment as such, the judgment has attained finality. Despite the same, the writ petitioner's claim for incentive increments had been negative vide orders impugned in the writ petition. G.O.Ms.No.155 came into force on 03.10.2022, whereas the writ petitioner was benefited with the incentive increments for possessing the higher qualification of M.Ed 2/5

degree with effect from 01.09.1996. However, by virtue of the orders impugned in the writ petition, the said benefit was sought to be taken away. As stated supra, the Division Bench in W.A(MD)No.470 of 2018 has clearly held that the writ petitioner is entitled to two incentive increments for acquiring M.Ed., degree and the said judgment also attained finality. In our view, the orders impugned in the writ petition cannot be sustained. The learned Single Judge has rightly quashed those orders and allowed the writ petition. We do not find any merits in this appeal.

3. Accordingly, this Writ Appeal is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 19.06.2026 bala To

1. The District Educational Officer (Elementary), Thoothukudi Office at Pudukottai 628 103, Thoothukudi District 3/5

2. The Block Educational Officer, Thoothukudi Urban, Thoothukudi District.

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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.

AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

bala JUDGMENT MADE IN DATED : 19.06.2026 5/5