Muthulakshmi v. The District Collector

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by C.V.Karthikeyan J.) The Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Mandamus restraining the respondents from shifting or relocating the Direct Paddy Procurement Centre/Food Grain Warehouse (Type-II) established in S.No.425/2 measuring

0.20.0 hectares in Government Poramboke land in Udaiyalipatti Village, Kulathur Taluk, Pudukottai District, to any other place.

2.In the affidavit filed in support of the Writ Petition, it had been contended that the Direct Paddy Procurement Center/Food Grain Warehouse in S.No.425/2 in Udaiyalipatti village is functioning for quite some time. However, it had been subsequently shifted to another place arbitrarily. Complaining that by this shifting, the farmers are directly affected and seeking a Page3 of 6 restraint from such shifting of the Warehouse. The Writ Petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus in that regard.

3.On notice, the 4th respondent/the Regional Manager, TNCSC at Pudukottai, had filed a status report. We would extract Paragraph Nos.5 to 8 of the status report: "5.It is submitted that a Direct Purchase Centre at Udaiyalipatti Village was originally functioning near the Sannasi Temple. Subsequently, land measuring 0.20.0 hectares in Survey No.425/2 was identified as suitable for the construction of a Direct Purchase Centre building. Accordingly, a DPC building was constructed, and procurement operations commenced therein during the Kuruvai

(KMS) 2025-2026.

6.Thereafter, two groups of farmers emerged in the village. One group insisted that procurement should continue at the earlier location near Sannasi Temple, while the other group demanded that procurement should be carried out only in the newly constructed DPC building at Survey No.425/2. Both groups brought their paddy to their respective preferred locations and staged protests, resulting in law and order issues and disturbance to public peace.

7.In view of the above situation, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Illuppur, convened a peace committee meeting on 25.06.2026. However, no consensus could be arrived at. In order to avoid hardship to the farmers and to ensure uninterrupted procurement during the marketing season, the Regional Manager of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, as a purely temporary and interim administrative arrangement, decided to procure paddy at both locations. Accordingly, procurement was first carried out at the newly constructed DPC building at Survey No.425/2, and thereafter the procurement equipment was temporarily shifted to the earlier location near Sannasi Temple to facilitate procurement of the paddy brought by the farmers there.

¶8It is respectfully submitted that the temporary arrangement adopted during the procurement season shall not be construed as shifting or relocation of the Direct Purchase Centre from Survey No.425/2. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Pudukkottai Page4 of 6 Region, has never taken any decision to permanently shift or relocate the Direct Purchase Centre from Survey No.425/2. The building constructed at the said survey number continues to remain the designated Direct Purchase Centre building."

4.We deeply appreciate the stand taken by the learned Counsel for the 4th respondent, who had given prudent advice to the 4th respondent that as on date, the Direct Paddy Purchase Centre would not be relocated.

5.Recording the said affidavit and the statements made in the portions extracted above, the Writ Petition stands closed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (C.V.K.,J.) (R.S.V.,J.) 21-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order cmr Page5 of 6 To

¶1The District Collector, Pudukottai District, Pudukottai.

¶2The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Pudukottai.

¶3The Revenue Divisional Officer, Illuppur, Pudukottai District.

¶4The Regional Manager, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Pudukottai Region, Pudukottai.

¶5The Block Development Officer (BDO), Kundrandarkoil Panchayat Union, Pudukottai District. WP(MD)oNo.o18859oofo2026 C.V.KARTHIKEYAN,oJ. AND R.SAKTHIVEL,oJ. cmr W.P(MD)No.18859oofo2026 21-07-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C.V. KARTHIKEYAN AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL W.P.(MD)No.18859 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.13950 of 2026 Muthulakshmi ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The District Collector Pudukottai District, Pudukottai. 2. The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Pudukottai. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer Illuppur, Pudukottai District. 4. The Regional Manager, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Pudukottai Region, Pudukottai. 5. The Block Development Officer (BDO), Kundrandarkoil Panchayat Union, Pudukottai District. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to forbear the respondents, their officials claiming under them from shifting or relocating the Direct Paddy Procurement Centre / Food Grain Warehouse (Type-II) established in Survey Page2 of 6 No.425/2, measuring 0.20.0 Hectares, Government Poramboke Land, Udaiyalipatti Village, Kulathur Taluk, Pudukottai District, to any other place and consequently, to direct the respondents to continue the functioning of the said Food Grain Warehouse at the existing approved location, in accordance with G.O.Ms.No.48, (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department dated 30.03.2022 and the proceedings of the District Collector dated 03.05.2022. For Petitioner : Mr.G.M. Xavier For R1 to R3 and R5: For R4 : Mr.K.K.Udayakumar Counsel for State of Tamil Nadu Mr.G.Moahnkumar