R.Ramaraj v. The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- "Directing the respondent to allot the vacancy of Vanduvancheri Health Block Nagapattinam District to the petitioner based on the transfer counselling held on 24.06.2026.." Page2 of 6

¶2The petitioner would submit that he was appointed by the respondent as Health Inspector Grade-I on 08.11.2023 and was posted to the Athipetti Primary Health Centre, Madhukur Block, Thanjavur District, where he is presently serving. The respondent, by proceedings dated 01.06.2026, notified the conduct of the General Transfer Counselling for the year 2026 in respect of all categories of staff from 04.06.2026 to 02.07.2026. The transfer counselling for the post of Health Inspector Grade-I was scheduled to be held on 23.06.2026 and 24.06.2026 at the Health and Family Welfare Training Centre, Egmore, Chennai.

¶3The petitioner would submit that he is a native of Vedaranyam and, on coming to know that the post of Health Inspector Grade-I at Vanduvancheri Health Sub-Centre/Primary Health Centre, Nagapattinam District, was vacant, he intended to seek transfer to the said station. However, during the transfer counselling, the said vacancy was not notified or displayed in the list of available vacancies. Consequently, the petitioner was constrained to opt for the post at Edayan Sangenthi Primary Health Centre, Muthupettai Health Block, Tiruvarur District.

¶4The petitioner would submit that the failure of the respondent to notify the vacancy at Vanduvancheri, despite its availability, is arbitrary and has deprived him of the opportunity to exercise his option for transfer to his native Page3 of 6 place. Hence, the present Writ Petition seeking the reliefs stated supra.

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

¶6On the earlier occasion, this Court had directed the learned counsel for the respondent to obtain instructions regarding the availability of vacancies for the post of Health Inspector Grade-I at Vanduvancheri, Nagapattinam District. In compliance with the said direction, a position note submitted by the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has been produced before this Court today. In the said position note, it has been stated that six vacancies in Nagapattinam District were notified and displayed during the transfer counselling, as follows:- Sl.No. Name of the Block Primary Health Centre

¶1Nagapattinam Vadavur

¶2Thalainayar Thalainayar

¶3Vedaranyam Kodiyakkarai

¶4Thirumarugal Thittachery

¶5Thirumarugal Thirukkannapuram

¶6Thirumarugal Enangudi

¶7A perusal of the same would clearly indicate that there is no vacancy for the post of Health Inspector Grade-I at Vanduvancheri, Nagapattinam District. Page4 of 6

¶8In view of the above, the request of the Petitioner cannot be acceded to. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. 20-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHR To The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine O/o.The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai-06. Page5 of 6 P.T.ASHA J. SHR 20-07-2026 Page6 of 6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA R.Ramaraj ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine O/o.The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai-06. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Mandamus Directing the respondent to allot the vacancy of Vanduvancheri Health Block Nagapattinam District to the petitioner based on the transfer counselling held on 24.06.2026. For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.Gnanasekar For Respondent(s): Mr.K.Sathish Govt. Advocate