M.Govindan v. Government of Tamil Nadu

ORDER Heard S.Mani, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.S.Ilamvaludhi, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

¶2With the consent of both the parties, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage.

¶3This writ petition has been filed for directing the respondents to regularize the service of the petitioner as a Forest Watcher from the date of initial appointment for the purpose of getting pension under the Old Pension Scheme, as was done in respect of Mr.M.Karunanidhi, who is working in the same department, and in the light of the order passed in W.P.No.18079 of 2019 dated 19.11.2024, which was implemented by the Government in G.O.(2D) No.65, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated

21.04.2025, by considering the representation dated 04.03.2026.

¶4The petitioner herein claims that he was appointed as a 'Plot Watcher' on 01.11.1994 in the Forest Department and subsequently, his name was included in the seniority list at Sl.No.5480 for bringing him to the regular time scale of pay as 'Forest Watcher' and, accordingly, his case was finally considered on 29.11.2019 and he was granted regular time scale as 'Plot Page3 of 6 Watcher (Supernumerary Post)', which is a non-cadre post, and thereafter, he was posted in the cadre as 'Mali/Supernumerary' on 16.12.2019. However, the petitioner claims that several other juniors to the petitioner have been considered for regularization with effect from the date of initial appointment and one such person being Mr.Karunanidhi, whose services were regularized on

01.09.1997, for which orders were issued vide G.O.(2D) No.65, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated 21.04.2025. Therefore, he is also entitled to an identical claim. In those circumstances, the petitioner claims to have submitted a representation dated 04.03.2026 before the respondents seeking the identical relief sought for in the present writ petition.

¶5During the course of hearing, though the learned counsel for the petitioner sought a larger relief, he restricted the relief only to the extent of directing the first respondent to consider the representation dated 04.03.2026 submitted by the petitioner.

¶6Mr.S.Ilamvaludhi, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, also submitted that the respondents would consider the representation submitted by the petitioner in accordance with law.

¶7In the light of the above, without going into the merits of the matter, the writ petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to consider the Page4 of 6 representation dated 04.03.2026 submitted by the petitioner, duly taking into consideration the orders issued by the Government in favour of one Mr.M.Karunanidhi vide G.O.(2D) No.65, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.2(ii)) Department, dated 21.04.2025, and pass appropriate orders thereon, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. The connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed. 13-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order skr To

¶1Government Of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Principal Secretary to Government, Environment and Forests (FR-2) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-09.

¶2The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-032. WPoNo.o31934oofo2026 MUMMINENIoSUDHEERoKUMAR,oJ. skr WPoNo.o31934oofo2026 . 13-08-2026 Page5oofo6 Page6 of 6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR M.Govindan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. Government Of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Principal Secretary to Government, Environment and Forests (FR-2) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-09. 2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Velacherry Main Road,Guindy, Chennai-032. ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus, directing the respondents to regularize the service of petitioner as a forest watcher from date of initial appointment for purpose of getting pension under old Pension Scheme same was done in respect of M.Karunanidhi working in the same department and in the light of the order in W.P. No.18079 of 2019 dated 19.11.2024 same was implemented by the Government in G.O.(2D) No.65, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.2 (ii)) Department dated 21.04.2025 by considering the representation dated 04.03.2026. For Petitioner(s): S.Mani For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Ilamvaludhi Special Government Pleader Page2 of 6