IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA WP No. 4635 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 5157 OF 2026

1. Ramakrishnan

2. Chinnavan 3. Chinnamari

4. Thangaraj 5. Marappan ..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by the Secretary to Government, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09

2. The Director of Fisheries Fisheries and Fishermen welfare, Animal Husbandry and fisheries Campus, Nandanam, Chennai 600 035

3. The District Collector, Dharmapuri District, Dharmapuri

4. The Regional Level Redressal committee Rep by its Deputy Director of Fisheries, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Dharmapuri Region, Opp. Collectorate, Dharmapuri

5. The Deputy District Fisheries and Fishermen welfare, Inland Fisheries, Dharmapuri Region, Opp. Collectorate, Dharmapuri

6. The Assistant Director of Fisheries, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare board, Inland Fisheries, Dharmapuri

7. KK 199 Palacode Paruvatha Rajakula Fishermen Cooperative society, Chinnaru Dam Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District, Rep. by its Administrative officer ..Respondent(s)

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioners’ representation dated 03.01.2026 to extend the lease period for further two years for fishing in the Kesarkuly Allah Dam situated at Palacode Taluk,Dharmapuri District which was granted as per the allotment orders of the 6^th respondent dated

03.03.2021 in Se Mu. No 2558 / 2018-1.

For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Doraiswamy For Respondent(s): Mr.V.Jeeva Giridharan, Additional Government Pleader ORDER The petitioner has filed the above writ petition seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioners’ representation dated 03.01.2026 to extend the lease period by two years for fishing in the Kesarkuly Allah Dam, situated at Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District, as per the allotment orders of the 6^th respondent dated 03.03.2021 in Se Mu. No 2558 / 2018-1.

2. It is the case of the petitioners that they are all members of the 7^th respondent Cooperative Society and are poor inland fishermen. Their sole occupation is fishing in the reservoirs and tanks under the jurisdiction of the 7^th respondent. The society also includes women members. The “Kesarkuli Allah Dam” was under the control of the 7^th respondent and was leased out to the society for a period of five years (03.03.2021 to 02.03.2026), as per G.O.Ms.No.165, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department.

3. From the time of handing over the Dam on 03.03.2021, fishing could not commence for nine months due to low water levels. Fish farming only commenced on 11.12.2021 when the water level rose to 20 feet. This was communicated to the 6^th respondent through a representation dated 04.01.2022, requesting exemption from the lease amount for the year 2022-23. No action was taken on this request.

4. From 2025 to the present, the water level again fell significantly, and the petitioners could not carry out fishing activities, resulting in almost two years of inactivity out of the five-year lease period. In order to compensate for the loss and damages, the petitioners requested the respondents by representation dated 03.01.2026 to extend the lease period by two years as per G.O.Ms.No.05, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department. However, the respondents have not taken any action on this representation.

5. In similar circumstances, this Court in W.P.No.22999 of 2025, had passed an order extending the lease period due to the damage caused by the Fengal Cyclone. Based on the above order, the lease period was extended to the petitioners therein. According to the petitioners herein, they are also entitled to the extension of the lease period for two years, which is set to expire on 02.03.2026. Unless the lease period is extended, the petitioners will be put to great loss and hardship. Hence, the petitioner has filed this writ petit