Disposed

N.Radhakrishnan v. The State of Tamil Nadu

Madras HC17 Dec 2024WP/6871/2022

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This writ petition under Article 226 sought directions to amend and revive a village reading room by providing funds, newspapers, and an attendant. The Court disposed of the petition, emphasizing that respondents must work within budget limits and approved schemes while ensuring citizens are consulted for fund utilization.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of; respondents directed to consider petitioner's representation for reading room repairs, newspapers, and attendant within budget limits.

N.Radhakrishnan Vs The State of Tamil Nadu — Pension and Retirement Benefits | Madras HC (2024)

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 17.12.2024

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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N.Radhakrishnan ... Petitioner

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Vs.

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The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. By the District Collector, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore 607 001.

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The Assistant Director (Village Panchayat) Vridhachalam – 606 001.

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The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Nallur Panchayat Union, Nallur – 606 302.

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The Secretary/President Village Panchayat, Eraiyur Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District – 606 111. ... Respondents

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PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the 2^nd , 3^rd and 4^th respondents the

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Page 1 of 7

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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Assistant Director (Village Panchayat) Vridhachalam, Block Development Officer, Nallur and the Panchayat President, Eraiyur Village Panchayat to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.07.2019 by allocating sufficient funds to repair and revive the reading room in ward No.1 and to provide News paper periodicals and pay for the attendant.

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For Petitioner : Mr.N.Radhakrishnan

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Party in Person

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For Respondents : Mr.V.Nanmaran Addl. Govt. Pleader for R1 & R2 No appearance for R3 & R4

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O R D E R

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This writ petition has been filed to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2^nd , 3^rd and 4^th respondents the Assistant Director (Village Panchayat) Vridhachalam, Block Development Officer, Nallur and the Panchayat President, Eraiyur Village Panchayat to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.07.2019 by allocating sufficient funds to repair and revive the reading room in ward No.1 and to provide News paper periodicals and pay for the attendant.

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The petitioner was aged about 70 years at the time of filing the writ

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petition which was in the year 2022. The social awareness of the petitioner Page 2 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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must be deeply appreciated. He is before this Court for a cause. He seeks that the reading room at Eraiyur Village in Thitakudi Taluk at Cuddalore District must be refurnished. He seeks an assurance that news papers and periodicals would be supplied and for proper maintenance an attendant would be appointed. The object of the petitioner is laudable. But the respondents will have to work within the confinements of their budget and only within the schemes of the Government they can expend the amounts available with them. The amounts available with the Panchayat must be expended only for the projects approved by the Gramma Sabha. The President or the Secretary cannot spend as and how they wish or as and how an individual resident of the village wants them to spend the money. If the petitioner seeks that the reading room of the village must be refurnished then he must also understand that budgeting and spending of public money has to be within rules and regulations.

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I am confident that the Block Development Officer of Village Panchayat, Nellore Panchayat Union would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the reading room is refurnished and the petitioner is provided with adequate news papers and periodicals. The petitioner complains that only one news paper namely Dhinathanthi news paper is supplied and that there are only

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Page 3 of 7

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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three chairs. This Court had directed the Block Development Officer to make a personal visit to the reading room and file a report. A report had been filed by the Block Development Officer and photographs have also been produced by him. In the report which had been filed in the nature of an affidavit it had been stated that Dhinathanthi, Dhinamalar and Hindu newspapers are circulated periodically. It must also be kept in mind that the costs of these newspapers may be negligible month after month, but when calculated on an annual basis, an explanation will have to be given as to whether the amounts spent were sanctioned or not sanctioned. Therefore, within the budgetary limit and within permissible limits the newspapers and periodicals may be furnished to the reading room at Eraiyur Village, Thitakudi Taluk, Cuddalore district.

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It is stated that there are about six chairs in the reading room while the petitioner claims that there are just three chairs. This is an issue which can be directly dealt with by the Secretary or the President of the Village Panchayat who may find out spare chairs and place them inside the reading room for the benefit of those who come over there to read, exchange views and express opinion about worldly matters. It is also stated by the Block Development Officer that materials have been purchased for repairing the reading room. Let

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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it be done and let bright painting also be done for the reading room and let there also be proper ceiling fans and lighting affixed so that those who come to read

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the newspapers or periodicals may read in peace and with some comfort.

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The third respondent may also examine the nature of the flooring and put up nice cement flooring and if possible put up redoxide instead of spending money on tiles. This would also give a better ambience for the reading room. But the petitioner must ensure that the villagers come over there to read the newspapers as otherwise the expenditure involved would only come to nought and would not give any proper return for the efforts taken.

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I hope and trust that all necessary needful would be done in phases. No further directions are required. The writ petition stands disposed of. If possible an attendant may also be appointed on contract basis and not on permanent basis. No costs.

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17.12..2024

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dpq Index : Yes /No Speaking Order : Yes/No

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Page 5 of 7

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W.P.No.6871 of 2022

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C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

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dpq

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The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. By the District Collector, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore 607 001.

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The Assistant Director (Village Panchayat) Vridhachalam – 606 001.

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The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Nallur Panchayat Union, Nallur – 606 302.

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The Secretary/President Village Panchayat, Eraiyur Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District – 606 111.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

Page 6 of 7

W.P.No.6871 of 2022

W.P.No.6871 of 2022

17.12.2024

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Page 7 of 7

N.Radhakrishnan v. The State of Tamil Nadu

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

N.Radhakrishnan v. The State of Tamil Nadu

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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