Madras High CourtWP(MD)/22358/2017disposed of

V.Ponnusamy, v. The Chief Secretary,

2017-12-07Honourable Mrs Justice R. Tharani,Honourable Mr Justice M. Venugopal3 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.12.2017

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.VENUGOPAL AND THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE R.THARANI W.P.(MD)No.22358 of 2017 V.Ponnusamy : Petitioner Vs.

1.The Secretary, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2.The Secretary, Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai.

3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

4.The Tashildar, Office of the Tashildar, Sivagiri Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

5.The Block Development Officer, Office of the Block Development Officer, Vasudevanallur Union, Tirunelveli District.

6.The Special Officer, Nelkattum Seval Village Panchayat, Sivagiri Taluk, Vasudevanallur Union, Tirunelveli District.

: Respondents PRAYER:

Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying this Court for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to provide drinking water, street light and maintain streets of people belongs to the Petitioner's community clean without any discrimination on the basis of caste.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Malaikani For Respondents : Mr.T.R.Janarthanan, Additional Government Pleader ******

O R D E R

************* [Order of the Court was made by M.VENUGOPAL, J.] The Petitioner has come forward with the present Writ Petition seeking for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to provide drinking water, Street light and maintain Streets of people belonging to the Petitioner's Community clean without any discrimination on the basis of Caste.

2. Heard both sides.

3. No counter is filed on behalf of the Respondents.

4. By consent, the main Writ Petition itself is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission.

5. The Petitioner had preferred a detailed representation before the Respondents on 28.11.2017 praying for provision of drinking water, like the same being supplied to other Community people in the Village and also to provide Street light facilities and to keep the Streets clean, etc.

6. The grievance of the Petitioner is that the Villagers had made so many representations before the Respondents claiming similar relief, but, there was no action in this regard.

7. According to the Petitioner, providing of drinking water, maintaining proper Street lights and keeping the Streets clean and providing health environment to citizens is the paramount duty of the Respondents.

8. Considering the fact that the Petitioner's representation dated 28.11.2017 addressed to the Respondents is pending as on date, this Court, in the interest of justice, fair play and also, on equity, directs the third Respondent to look into the representation of the Petitioner dated 28.11.2017 and to take immediate steps for providing proper drinking water on a priority basis, take earnest and efficacious steps to maintain Street lights in a proper condition, etc., with a view to provide health environment to the citizens and pass appropriate orders on merits and in an unbiased and dispassionate manner, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. It is open to the Petitioner to appear before the third Respondent and to air his grievances and if any personal hearing is required, then the same may be afforded to and in favour of the Petitioner by the third Respondent, if the exigency of situation so requires.

9. With the aforesaid observation(s)/direction(s), the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CSIII) /True Copy/ Sub-Assistant Registrar To 1.The Secretary, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai.