The Principal Secretary to Government v. P. Balu

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by C.V. KARTHIKEYAN, J.] This Writ Appeal has been filed by the first respondent in W.P.(MD) No.17701 of 2021, aggrieved by the directions issued by the learned Single Judge while disposing of the said Writ Petition by order dated 30.04.2024.

¶2The said Writ Petition had been filed by the first respondent herein in the nature of Certiorarified Mandamus, seeking interference with the proceedings of the second respondent, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, Chennai, dated 02.03.2021 and seeking a direction to the first respondent, Principal Secretary to Government, Industries (MME-1) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9, to refix the scale of pay of the first respondent herein/Writ Petitioner as Rs.4000-100-6000 instead of Rs.3625-85-4900, notionally with effect from 01.01.1996 and with monetary benefits from 01.01.1998, in the light of G.O.(Ms) No.458, Finance (Pay Cell) Department, dated 31.08.1998.

¶3It had been contended by the first respondent herein in the Writ Petition that his name was sponsored by the Employment Exchange and that he was appointed in Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, Graphic Beneficiation Plant, Sivagangai, as an Electrician Trainee by an order of the second respondent dated 01.03.1994. On completing his probation period, his appointment was regularized by the proceedings of the second respondent dated 20.04.1995 and he was made permanent on 13.03.1997 and brought into regular service on the same date. It had been contended that the second respondent had revised the pay by order dated 02.03.2021, under which the pay of similarly placed Special Grade Electricians was also revised. The Writ Petitioner claimed parity.

¶4It had been contended before the learned Single Judge that the second respondent had passed necessary orders revising the pay of the Writ Petitioner by order dated 03.04.2014 and thereafter, the entire records had been forwarded to the first respondent in the Writ Petition/appellant herein for passing final orders on the request for pay fixation. The learned Single Judge directed the first respondent to pass appropriate orders within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the said order.

¶5The first respondent in the Writ Petition filed the present appeal contending that the Writ Petitioner was not entitled to seek revision of pay in terms of G.O.(Ms) No.458, Finance (Pay Cell) Department, dated

31.08.1998. It was stated that the said Government Order had been issued revising the pay scale of Electrician Grade-I working in the Public Works Department and it could not be applied to Electricians working in Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited. It was, therefore, contended that the claim of the petitioner could not be acceded to by the first respondent/appellant herein.

¶6However, it is an admitted fact that similarly placed Electricians in Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited had also been given the benefit of revision of pay in accordance with G.O.(Ms) No.458, Finance (Pay Cell) Department, dated 31.08.1998. There is no reason as to why the Writ Petitioner alone should be excluded. We are, however, informed that subsequently the first respondent had also passed final orders with respect to the recommendation of the second respondent, revising the pay of the Writ Petitioner. This order was passed on 04.08.2025 in Proceedings No. 1676/IR1(HR.1)(4)/2023 of the Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, Chennai, who is the second respondent in the Writ Petition. It is further contended that the first respondent therein/appellant had filed a compliance affidavit on 11.08.2025 in Cont.P.(MD) No.1951 of 2025, stating that, consequent to the further directions, the second respondent had passed appropriate orders. It was also informed to us by the learned counsel for the Writ Petitioner that the monetary benefits are being disbursed to the Writ Petitioner/first respondent herein.

¶7In view of the above, nothing survives for further adjudication. Hence, this Writ Appeal stands disposed of. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs.

[C.V.K., J.] & [R.S.V., J.]

22.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Industries (MME-1) Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.

2.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, No.31, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai – 5.

3.The Factory Manager, TAMIN Graphites Plant, Jayanthi Udaiyanathapuram, Sakkanthi Post, Sivagangai District. C.V.oKARTHIKEYAN,oJ. AND oR.SAKTHIVELoo,oJo. Indu W.A(MD)oNo.1017oofo2026

22.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V. KARTHIKEYAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL W.A(MD) No.1017 of 2026 and C.M.P(MD) No.9146 of 2026 The Principal Secretary to Government, Industries (MME-1) Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009. ...... Appellant Vs. 1.P.Balu 2.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, No.31, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai – 5. 3.The Factory Manager, TAMIN Graphites Plant, Jayanthi Udaiyanathapuram, Sakkanthi Post, Sivagangai District. ...... Respondents Prayer : Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, to allow the above Writ Appeal and to set aside the order, dated 30.04.2024 made in W.P(MD) No.17701 of 2021 passed by this Court. For Appellant : Mr.M.P.Sentil Counsel for State of TN For R1 : Mr.G.Muthukkannan