Madras High CourtWP(MD)/17300/2025allowed

S.Subram v. The Principal Secretary To Government

2025-06-26Honourable Mrs Justice S.Srimathy7 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 26.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY and W.M.P(MD)Nos.13190 & 13191 of 2025 S.Subram ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

3. The Principal Secretary to Government, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

4. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department Fort.St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

5. The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, PWD Estate, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

1/7

6. The Chief Engineer (Highways), Construction and Maintenance, Integrated Chief Engineers Office, HRS Campus, 76, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 025.

7. The Chief Engineer (Highways), National Highways, Integrated Chief Engineers Office, HRS Campus, 76, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 025.

8. The Chief Engineer (Highways), NABARD and Rural Roads, Integrated Chief Engineers Office, HRS Campus, 76, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 025.

9. The Chief Engineer (Highways) Projects, Integrated Chief Engineers Office, HRS Campus, 76, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 025.

10. The Chief Engineer, WRD, PWD Estate, Chepauk, Chennai-600 009.

11. The Chief Engineer, Directorate of Rural Development, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015.

12. The Commissioner, Rural Development Department, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015.

... Respondents 2/7

PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to issue Schedule of Rates (SOR) for the year 2025-2026, based on the Petitioner's representation dated 16.06.2025 For Petitioner : Mr.M.Rajarajan For Respondents : Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to issue Schedule of Rates (SOR) for the year 2025-2026, based on the Petitioner's representation dated 16.06.2025.

2. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, submitted that the Government of Tamil Nadu has initiated steps to issue a common schedule of rates combining all major departments and the relevant portion is extracted hereunder:

"In this juncture the Government of Tamil Nadu has 3/7

initiated steps to issue the common SoR combining all major departments. Hence, the common SoR for the year 2024-25 was released by the Government of Tamil Nadu after co-ordinating with all the departments on second week of July, 2024 with effect from 15.07.2024. From the past, it is learnt that the probable date of realise of SoR shall be mostly in the month of July of every year.

Likewise, the Government of Tamil Nadu is again coordinating with all the departments which released SoR in the past. The release of common SoR is a mammoth task which is being currently carried out by the Government. Hence, the common SoR is expected to be released in the month of July, 2025 by the Government of Tamil Nadu as released in the past."

3. Therefore, this Court is directing the respondents to issue Schedule of Rates (SOR) for the year 2025-2026, within a period of two (weeks) from today i.e., on 26.06.2025.

4. With the above said direction, this Writ Petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

NCC : Yes / No 26.06.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes jbr NOTE: Issue order copy on 01.07.2025 4/7

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