Selvamani S v. The Chief Educational Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.08.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH S.Selvamani ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Chief Educational Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The District Educational Officer, Thirupathur Educational District, Thirupathur, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 and 2 to sanction and award forthwith Selection Grade of Pay to the petitioner in the post of Middle School Head Master by computing the petitioner's service for the period from 02.06.2010 to 01.06.2020, within the time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy For Respondents : Mr.A.Kannan Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

2. The petitioner herein had given a representation to the respondents on 21.09.2021 seeking to sanction and award forthwith Selection Grade of Pay to the petitioner in the post of Middle School Head Master by computing the petitioner's service for the period from 02.06.2010 to 01.06.2020. Since the said representation was not considered, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the respondents to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in 2/5

invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of Constitution of India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.

4. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the first respondent herein to consider the petitioner's representation dated 21.09.2021 on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the claim of the petitioner and that it is open to the concerned respondent to consider the same on its own merits.

5. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

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To 1.The Chief Educational Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The District Educational Officer, Thirupathur Educational District, Thirupathur, Sivagangai District.

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M.S.RAMESH,J.

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