IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15.12.2025 CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI P.Saravanan Petitioner Vs The Director of Public Libraries Office of the Director of Public Libraries, No.737/1, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.

Respondent PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to consider and promote the petitioner to the post of Grade-I Librarian based on the seniority panel dated 24.06.2025 and taking into account the two relinquishment vacancies and four available vacancies and direct that the promotion order be issued before 31.12.2025, with all consequential service and retirement benefits.

For Petitioner : Mr.M. Purushothaman For Respondent : Mr.R.U. Dinesh Raj Kumar Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent to consider and promote the petitioner to the post of Grade-I Librarian based on the seniority panel dated 24.06.2025 and taking into account the two relinquishment vacancies and four available vacancies and direct that the promotion order be issued before 31.12.2025, with all consequential service and retirement benefits.

2. It is averred that initially the petitioner was appointed as Grade – III Librarian in the year 1997 and subsequently he was promoted to the post of Grade-II Librarian on 04.02.2017 and working as such in Avinashi Branch Library, Tiruppur District. It is further stated that he had completed 28 years of service and due to retire on superannuation on 31.12.2025. While so, the respondent had published the seniority panel consisting of Grade II Librarian and as per the said list, he was positioned in Rank No.21 and it is the contention of the petitioner that he is eligible for promotion to the post of Grade I Librarian on 24.06.2025 itself. More so, out of 21 individuals, 20 persons have already been promoted and two seniors above him have formally relinquished their promotion, resulting in clear vacancies. Apart from relinquished vacancies, four vacancies are available in the cadre of Grade-I Librarian. When that being the position, it is stated that if the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Grade-I Librarian, his retiral benefits will be much higher. In such circumstances, he submitted a representation before the respondent on 08.12.2025 ventilating all the above aspects. But the grievances of the petitioner were not considered, till date and further, he is on the verge of the retirement and hence, he approached this Court in a hurried manner.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the event of the petitioner being promoted against a reliquishment vacancy or an existing vacancy, the petitioner will be entitled to get all consequential retiral benefits, more. Hence, it would suffice if a direction is issued to the respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 08.12.2025 with regard to promotion to the post of Grade I Librarian before the retirement date i.e., 31.12.2025.

4. Mr.R.U. Dinesh Rajkumar, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent, on instructions submitted that there is a proposal of merger of two leading Libraries in the State with the respondent and therefore any appointment, promotion and transfer will be considered after a short period. However, he submitted that he has no objection for issuance of appropriate directions by this Court in the above regard.

5. Having regard to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, this Court directs the respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 08.12.2025 seeking promotion to the post of Grade I Librarian either in relinquishment vacancy or an existing vacancy before 31.12.2025 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case. 6. With the above directions, the writ