S. Karthik v. The Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Date : 29/10/2024
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.K.R.SHRIRAM, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ W.P.(MD). No.26029 of 2024 S.Karthik ...
Petitioner -vs1.The Secretary, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Commissioner, Directorate of School Education, DPI Complex, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
3.The Chief Educational Officer, Office of the District Chief Educational Officer, Tallakulam, Madurai - 625 002.
4.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai - 625 020.
...
Respondents 1/6
PRAYER :- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to take appropriate action to ensure the availability of adequate number of scavenging workers to upkeep clean and good hygienic toilet facilities in all 57 Government Adi Dravidar Welfare Hostels in Madurai District and construction of new hostel buildings to Samayanallur and Kalimangalam Adi Dravidar Boys Hostel and construction of new compound wall and installation of CCTV camera to Othakadai Boys Hostel and such other Adi Dravidar Welfare Hostels to prevent the entry of anti social elements inside the campus. For Petitioner : Mr.A.V.Saha For Respondents : Mr.Veera Kathiravan, Addl. Advocate General, assisted by Mr.P.Thilak Kumar.
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble the Chief Justice) At the outset, learned counsel for the petitioner expresses regret for having used the word ''scavenging workers'' in the prayer as well as in the affidavit in support. Counsel says it should be ''sanitary workers''.
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2. As regards the new hostel building at Samayanallur and Kalimangalam, the learned Additional Advocate General Shri Veera Kathiravan states that two Government Orders have been issued, one, dated 02nd July,2024, and the other, dated 10th July,2024, for construction of Boys Hostels and an amount of approximately Rs.78.00 crores and Rs.100.00 crores respectively has been sanctioned. Counsel says the works, such as issuance of tender, will be commenced soon and the hostels completed as soon as possible.
3. At this stage, Shri A.V.Saha, counsel appearing for the petitioner, stated, that, for the moment, at least, the respondents should provide better temporary facilities to the boys, who are at an impressionale age of 10 to 17. Counsel states, that, in some places, there are no boundary walls, which would encourage anti-social elements to enter the Boys Hostel, with the children running the risk of being abused. Counsel also states, even hygienic toilets are not provided.
4. Learned Additional Advocate General states, he shall personally look into the matter and ensure that these concerns are addressed soon and, when he says it means, within two weeks from today.
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5. Smt. H.Celene Kalai Selvi, District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer, Madurai, is present in Court, who states that she has heard what this Court has dictated and she shall immediately take steps to address these concerns.
6. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
(K.R.SHRIRAM, C.J.) (MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.) 29.10.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No dixit To 1.The Secretary, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Commissioner, Directorate of School Education, DPI Complex, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
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3.The Chief Educational Officer, Office of the District Chief Educational Officer, Tallakulam, Madurai - 625 002.
4.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai - 625 020.
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THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.
dixit WP(MD) No.26029 of 2024 Date : 29/10/2024 6/6