T.K.Murugavel v. The State of Tamil Nadu,

ORDER This writ petition is filed to direct the first respondent to notionally appoint the petitioner to the post of Junior Assistant / Bill Collector from 2001 with all service benefits, on par with his juniors who have been appointed notionally from the year 2001 and consequently direct the respondent to promote the petitioner to the post of Head Clerk with effect from 24th November, 2025.

¶2It is the case of the petitioner that he was appointed as a Section Writer in the year 1991 and was subsequently appointed as Bus Stand Bill Collector in the Town Panchayat on a time scale basis and joined on 02.01.1998 and further appointed as Office Assistant by order dated 01.03.2011 on a temporary basis. While that be so, the first respondent had passed G.O.(Ms).No.150 dated

19.08.1998, for the promotion of basic entry level posts such as office assistant, bus stand bill collector, record clerk, sanitary supervisor and other posts. The eligibility criteria was fixed as 7 years of experience. Thereafter, another G.O.

(Ms).No.125 dated 27.05.1999 was issued by the first respondent, regularising daily wage workers, who were working prior 31.12.1996 in the Town Panchayat. During the year 2001, all daily wage workers were appointed to the Page3 of 6 aforementioned entry level posts with consolidated pay for one year.

¶3By order dated 10.10.2000, the petitioner was regularised from

02.01.1998 and he had also sent representations dated 03.08.2015 and

14.12.2015 to the respondents 2 and 3, seeking promotion as per GO.

(Ms).No.150 dated 19.08.1998 since he had put in unblemished service for a period of 15 years. Subsequently, the third respondent had published the seniority list for the promotion of personnel of basic level entry posts to the post of Junior Assistant and had also confirmed the seniority of the petitioner. In the meantime, the first respondent had issued G.O.(Ms).No.76 dated 31.05.2019, for the promotion of daily wage workers, to the post of Junior Assistant, considering their seniority notionally from 02.06.2001. To the shock and surprise of the petitioner, he was appointed as Junior Assistant by G.O.(Ms).168 dated 06.12.2019, clearly mentioning that the seniority would be considered from the date of joining the work as Junior assistant i.e.27.12.2019. Aggrieved by the inaction of the respondents, in promoting juniors notionally from 2011 vide G.O. dated 31.05.2019, the petitioner sent a representation dated

26.02.2026, to the second respondent. However, the same has not been considered. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court seeking the aforesaid relief.

¶4Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Page4 of 6 Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and perused the materials available on record.

¶5Though the petitioner has sought the aforementioned relief, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, a representation had been given on

26.02.2026, which has also been received by the respondents and it would suffice if the same is disposed of within a time frame. Therefore, without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.02.2026, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶6Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connection miscellaneous petition stands closed. 03-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order rap Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Principal Secretary to the Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, St.George Fort, Chennai.

¶2The Director of Town Panchayats, MRC Nagar, Chennai - 600 028.

¶3The District Collector, Collectorate Office, Thiruvallur District.

¶4The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Thiruvallur Zone, Collectorate, Thiruvallur. Page6 of 6

P.T.ASHA, J. rap 03-06-2026

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 03-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and W.M.P.No.19988 of 2026 T.K.Murugavel ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, St.George Fort, Chennai. 2. The Director of Town Panchayats, MRC Nagar, Chennai - 600 028. 3. The District Collector, Collectorate Office, Thiruvallur District. 4. The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Thiruvallur Zone, Collectorate, Thiruvallur. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to notionally appoint the petitioner to the post of Junior Assistant / Bill Collector from 2001 with all service benefits, on par with his juniors who have been appointed notionally from the year 2001 and consequently direct the respondent to promote the petitioner to the post of Head Clerk with effect from 24th November, 2025. Page2 of 6 For Petitioner(s) : Mr.Vishnu.VR For Respondent(s) : Mr.K.Sathish, Government Advocate