Nithyanandham.L.N v. The Chief Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.08.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.S.SUNDAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY L.N.Nithyanandham : Petitioner -vs1.The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai-9.

2.The Secretary to Government, Tamil Development and Information Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.

3.The Director of Information and Public Relations, Tamil Development and Information Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.

: Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to take appropriate measures to rename the post of Public Relation Officers (PRO) working under Government as Government Public Relation Officers (GPRO) by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 20.06.2022 and 20.02.2023.

For Petitioner :

Mr.K.Jeyamohan For Respondents :

Mr.P.Thilakkumar Government Pleader

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.] This Pro Bono Publico is brought by the petitioner, Mr.L.N.Nithyanandham claiming that in the year 1970 in all departments, the post known as the Public Relations Officer was created. As a matter of fact, a responsible Officer has been posted in the said cadre to redress the grievances of the public. However in due course most of the private sector organizations have also created post in the same name and therefore, there is a confusion among the general public. To clear the confusion, it is the contention of the petitioner that the post of the Public Relations Officer has to be renamed as Government Public Relations Officer.

2. Mr.K.Jeyamohan, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner reiterated the averments and contentions contained in the affidavit filed in support of the petition.

3. Heard Mr.P.Thilakkumar, the learned Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents.

4. We have given our anxious considerations to the prayer made by the petitioner and the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

5. We are of the opinion that there is absolutely no public interest involved in the prayer of the petitioner. No such direction can also be given for renaming any post. As a matter of fact, common name such as Public Relations Officer or any other post is very much prevalent in the public as well as the private sector. We do not agree with the petitioner that this gives rise to confusion among the general public. In any event, as an employer, it is for the Government to name the various posts in its cadre and the Court cannot issue a direction for change of name. Therefore, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs.

[S.S.S.R., J.] [D.B.C., J.] 17.08.2023 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No sji

S.S.SUNDAR , J.

and D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.

sji To:

1.The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai-9.

2.The Secretary to Government, Tamil Development and Information Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.

3.The Director of Information and Public Relations, Tamil Development and Information Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.

17.08.2023