S.Gururajan v. The Director

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- "calling for records relating to the impugned order vide letter no. 409/Se. VA /2023 dated 01.08.2023 passed by the 1st respondent quash the same and to consequently direct the 1st respondent to sanction pension to petitioner under the Tamil Nadu journalist pension scheme."

¶2Brief Facts:-

¶3The petitioner would submit that the Tamil Nadu Journalists' Pension Scheme, which was introduced on 14.04.1989, provides financial assistance to retired journalists from economically weaker sections in recognition of their service. The eligibility criteria under the said Scheme, including income and gratuity ceilings, have been revised from time to time. By virtue of G.O.Ms.No.133 dated 24.05.2012, the gratuity ceiling was enhanced from Rs.2,00,000/- to Rs.3,00,000/- and the income limits were also revised.

¶4The petitioner would submit that he had retired as a Senior Reporter from The New Indian Express, Coimbatore, in March 2003, with a last drawn Page3 of 6 salary of Rs.9,970/- per month and received a gratuity of Rs.1,36,000/-. On

01.12.2014 the petitioner had applied for pension under the above said Scheme before the 1st respondent. Thereafter, the 3rd respondent had verified the petitioner's credentials and recommended his case. The 2nd respondent by communication dated 27.12.2022 also recommended the petitioner's application for sanction of pension under G.O.Ms. No.133 dated 24.05.2012. However, the 1st respondent, by the impugned order dated 05.07.2023, had rejected the petitioner's application on the ground that the petitioner's salary and gratuity exceeded the prescribed limits as set out in G.O. Ms. No. 151 dated 11.07.2000. Challenging the same, the petitioner is approached this Court.

¶5Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records.

¶6The petitioner seeks grant of pension in terms of G.O.Ms. No.133 dated 24.05.2012, which claim came to be rejected by the 1st Respondent vide order dated 05.07.2023 on the ground that the petitioner's salary and gratuity exceeded the prescribed limits as set out in G.O. Ms. No. 151 dated 11.07.2000. It is an admitted fact that the petitioner had retired on 31.03.2003. At the relevant point in time, the applicable pension scheme was governed by G.O.Ms. No.151 dated 11.07.2000, under which the petitioner has already availed the benefits. Page4 of 6

¶7The contention of the petitioner that he ought to be treated on par with one Mr.V. Sreenivasan is not sustainable. The said Mr.V. Sreenivasan was granted pension under G.O.Ms. No.74 dated 29.04.2025 only as a special case, taking into consideration that he was a differently-abled person and based on specific recommendations made in that regard. Further, G.O.Ms. No.74 dated

29.04.2025 issued in favour of the above-said individual categorically states that the benefit extended therein is a special concession and shall not be treated as a precedent.

¶8The petitioner, having retired in the year 2003, cannot seek to claim the benefit of a Government Order issued nearly nine years thereafter. Such a claim is not sustainable. Further, though the learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner is in indigent circumstances, no such averment has been made in the affidavit filed in support of the Writ Petition, nor have any supporting documents been placed on record to substantiate the same.

¶9In view of the above discussions, this Court finds no merit in the Writ Petition and the same is accordingly dismissed. No costs. 11-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHR Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Director Information And Public Relations Officiating Joint Secretary To Government Secretariat 9th Floor For St George, Rajaji Salai, Chennai.

¶2District Collector District Collectorate, Grand Southern Trunk Road, Chengapatu Venbakam,

¶3District Collector District Collectorate, State Bank Road Coimbator Ecentral, Coimbatore 641 018. Page6 of 6

P.T.ASHA, J. SHR 11-02-2026

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 11-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA S.Gururajan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Director Information And Public Relations Officiating Joint Secretaryn To Government Secretariat 9th Floor For St George, Rajaji Salai, Chennai. 2. District Collector District Collectorate, Grand Southern Trunk Road, Chengapatu Venbakam, 3. District Collector District Collectorate, State Bank Road Coimbator Ecentral, Coimbatore 641 018. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Mandamus, calling for records relating to the impugned order vide letter no. 409/Se. VA /2023 dated 01.08.2023 passed by the 1st respondent quash the same and to consequently direct the 1st respondent to sanction pension to petitioner under the Tamil Nadu journalist pension scheme. Page2 of 6 For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.Arvind For Respondent(s): Mr.Yogesh Kannadasan, SGP