M.Nagarajan, v. The Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.08.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR WA(MD)No.766 of 2020 M.Nagarajan ... Appellant vs.
1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Panagal Buildings, Saidapet, Chennai.
2.The Wild Life Warden, Gulf of Mannar, Marine National Park, Ramanathapuram.
3.The Forest Range Officer, Gulf of Mannar, Marine National Park, Thoothukudi.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to set aside the order dated 06.03.2018 made in WP(MD)No.15996 of 2013. 1/7
For Appellants : Mr.T.A.Ebenezer For Respondents : Mr.N.Satheeshkumar, Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R3
JUDGMENT
(By G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.) Heard both sides.
2.The appellant herein was appointed as Forest Watchman in Thoothukudi Range as daily wager. He was included in various capacities such as Boat Driver, Lusker etc., He has also participated in various tournaments conducted for employees of the Forest Department. The petitioner submitted representation in July 2013 seeking regularization of his service. Since it was not considered, he filed WP(MD)No.15996 of 2013. The writ petition was dismissed by the learned Single Judge vide order dated 06.03.2018. Aggrieved by the same, this writ appeal has been filed.
3.It is not in dispute that the Wild Life Warden, Ramanathapuram vide communication bearing dated 12.09.2014 addressed to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests recommended inclusion of certain names in the State wide seniority list maintained by the department for observation 2/7
as Plot Watchers. The appellant's name was also included. Other individuals whose names were also included in the said communication filed WP No.40408 of 2016. The said writ petition was disposed of in the following terms :
"6.In view of the said submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, without going into the merits of the claim projected by the petitioners, this Court directs the petitioners to send a copy of the representation dated 1.12.2015 along with a copy of this order to the first respondent within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on receipt of the same, the first respondent is directed to consider the said representation seeking regularization of their service and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law and also in the light of G.O.Ms.No.202, Forest Department dated 18.12.2013 and as per the recommendations made by the third respondent in his proceedings in Na.Ka. No.M/ 1136/2013 dated 12.9.2014 within a period of eight weeks thereafter.
The writ petition is disposed of accordingly." 4.Pursuant to the direction given by the learned Single Judge, the names of the petitioners therein were included in the State wide seniority list vide G.O (Ms) No.87, Environment and Forest (FR2-N) Department dated 28.08.2019. Para 7 of the said G.
"7.The Government after careful examination, have decided to implement the orders of Hon'ble High Court and to accept the proposal of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and accord permission to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests on the following : To include the names of Tvl.M.Alagar, S.Ramasamy, M.Velmurugan, K.Selvaraj and A.Robinson who are the petitioners in WP No.40408 of 2016 and 30275 of 2017 in the State Wide Seniority list and to appoint them in the post of Supernumerary Plot Watcher in a special time scale of pay of Rs.2500-5000/- with G.P Rs.500/- and to appoint Thiru.C.Kamaraj, who is the petitioner in WP No.39296 of 2016, who was engaged for various works on daily wages basis for more than 10 years, whose name has already been included in the State wide Seniority list (seniority list No.5336) as Supernumerary Plot Watcher in a special time scale of pay of Rs.2500-5000/- with G.P Rs. 500/- subject to the following conditions :
(a)The services of the individuals shall be regularised from the date of issue of order only. (b)The above Supernumerary posts ie., the posts created shall be disbanded as and when the incumbent gets promoted or Retired on Superannuation or vacate the post on any other reason.
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(c)Petitioners are entitled for service benefits after their regular appointment in the time scale of pay from the special time scale of pay post."
5.The first respondent is directed to send a proposal to the Secretary to Government, Environment and Forest, Chennai to extend the benefit accorded to the petitioners in WP No.40408 of 2016. This shall be done by the first respondent within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. On receipt thereof, the Government is directed to issue appropriate orders within a period of eight weeks thereafter.
6.This writ petition is disposed of. No costs. (G.R.S. J.,) & (K.R.S. J.,) 18.08.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No SKM 5/7
To 1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Panagal Buildings, Saidapet, Chennai.
2.The Wild Life Warden, Gulf of Mannar, Marine National Park, Ramanathapuram.
3.The Forest Range Officer, Gulf of Mannar, Marine National Park, Thoothukudi.
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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.
and K.RAJASEKAR, J.
SKM WA(MD)No.766 of 2020 18.08.2025 7/7