P.Thurkkadevi v. The Principal Secretary To Government,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.(MD) No.22453 of 2025 P.Thurkkadevi : Petitioner Vs.
1. The Principal Secretary to Government, The Department of School Education, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Director of Elementary Education, O/o. the Director of Elementary Education, DPI Campus, Nungambakkam, College Road, Chennai - 06.
3. The Chief Education Officer, O/o.The Chief Education Officer, Pudukkottai District.
4. The District Elementary Education Officer, O/o.The District Elementary Education Officer, Pudukkottai District.
5. The Block Education Officer- III, O/o.The Block Education Officer, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.
: Respondents P RAYER:
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to 1/6
grant incentive increment for acquiring the higher qualification of M.A. (Tamil) in December 2020 to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025 within the time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Karthik For Respondents : Mr.S.Vinodh Government Advocate
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to grant incentive increment for acquiring the higher qualification of M.A. (Tamil) in December 2020 to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025 within the time stipulated by this Court.
2. By consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
3. The petitioner, who was initially appointed as secondary grade teacher, finally served as Elementary School Headmaster and got superannuated on 31.05.2025, has made a representation dated 2/6
18.07.2025 seeking grant of incentive increment for acquiring the higher qualification of M.A. (Tamil) in December 2020. Since the same was not considered till date, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition.
4. 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 him 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 invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.
5. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is also made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the respondents to consider the same on its own merits. 3/6
6. With the above observations and directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 18.08.2025 Index : Yes / No NCC : Yes / No Sm 4/6
To:-
1. The Principal Secretary to Government, The Department of School Education, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Director of Elementary Education, O/o. the Director of Elementary Education, DPI Campus, Nungambakkam, College Road, Chennai - 06.
3. The Chief Education Officer, O/o.The Chief Education Officer, Pudukkottai District.
4. The District Elementary Education Officer, O/o.The District Elementary Education Officer, Pudukkottai District.
5. The Block Education Officer- III, O/o.The Block Education Officer, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.
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M.DHANDAPANI, J.
Sm W.P.(MD) No.22453 of 2025 18.08.2025 6/6