G. Sasikala v. The State of Tamilnadu

JUDGMENT [Judgment of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) Challenge has been made in this Writ Appeal to the dismissal order passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.(MD)Nos.18209 of 2025 dated

29.08.2025, in respect of the incentive increments.

2.The appellant/writ petitioner, while working as Secondary Grade Teacher, was granted incentive increments for holding the degree of M.Com., and M.Phil., Subsequently, by orders dated 17.06.2025, the incentive increments sanctioned to the appellant/writ petitioner was cancelled and recovery was ordered. However, the learned Single Judge upheld the cancellation but held that recovery was not permissible. Challenging the order of the learned Single Judge dismissing the Writ Petition insofar as the refixation of incentive increments is concerned, the present Writ Appeal has been preferred by the writ petitioner.

3.The learned counsel appearing on either side submitted that, in an identical matter, the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD) No. 2748 of 2025, etc., batch dated 09.01.2026 [V. Gnana Christal Ida vs. The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by its Secretary to Government and others], allowed the Writ Appeals and held that all the teachers are entitled to incentive increments. Therefore, the orders passed by the authorities are liable to be set aside.

4.Since the matter is already covered by the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD)No.2748 of 2025, etc., batch dated

09.01.2026, this Writ Appeal is allowed in pursuance of the said Division Bench judgment.

5.Accordingly, this Writ Appeal is allowed and the impugned order of the learned Single Judge is set aside in the light of the judgment passed by the Division Bench. The appellant is entitled to incentive increments as originally fixed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. [N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.]

17.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No am To

1.The Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600009.

2.The Director of Elementary Education, O/o. the Director of Elementary Education, College Road, Chennai - 06.

3.The District Education Officer, (Elementary), O/o. the District Education Officer,

¶4The Block Education Officer, O/o. the Block Education Officer, Pudukkottai, W.A(MD)No.546eofe2026 oN.SATHISHoKUMARoo,J.o and M.JOTHIRAMAN,J. am ORDERoMADEoIN W.A(MD)No.546oofo2026 DATEDo:o17.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and C.M.P(MD)No.5111 of 2026 G.Sasikala ... Appellant/Petitioner vs. 1.The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by its Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600009. 2.The Director of Elementary Education, O/o. the Director of Elementary Education, College Road, Chennai - 06. 3.The District Education Officer, (Elementary), O/o. the District Education Officer, 4. The Block Education Officer, O/o. the Block Education Officer, Pudukkottai, ... Respondents/Respondents PRAYER : Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent to set aside the common order dated 29.08.2025 made in W.P(MD)No.20248 of 2025. For Appellant : Mr.P.M.Vishnu Varthanan For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader