IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 17.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY

1. R.Kanagadurga

2. K.Chandra .. Petitioners Versus

1. The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, CMRL Office Camp, Poonamalle High Road, Koyembedu, Chennai – 600 107.

2. The Senior Regional Manager, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Chennai North Region, Chennai – 600 010. .. Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1^st respondent herein to dispose off the petitioner’s representation, dated 13.11.2025 in the light of the proceedings of the 2^nd respondent in Se.Mu.Order.No: E8/00410/2022, dated 18.10.2023 fixing minimum wages for the daily rated employees working in the godowns of the respondent Corporation without any further delay.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.I.Prashanth For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj, Standing Counsel

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed to direct the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner’s representation, dated 13.11.2025 in the light of the proceedings of the second respondent, dated 18.10.2023 fixing minimum wages for the daily rated employees working in the godowns of the respondent Corporation.

2. Mr.V.I.Prashanth, learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are working in the godowns of the Civil Supplies Corporation. The wages that are paid to them are less than the minimum wages. Therefore, they have come up with the above prayer.

3. Per contra, Mr.C.Selvaraj, learned Standing Counsel for the respondent Corporation submits that the petitioners are not under the direct employment of the Corporation. The loadmen, on their own, employed the persons like the petitioners in the godowns. Earlier, considering their plight, the wages were fixed. When the petitioners herein approached the authority for conferment of permanent status, when the respondents herein approached this Court by way of W.P.No.10445 of 2017, this Court, by the order, dated 16.09.2019, accepted the contention and interfered with the order conferring permanency and the same was set aside.

4. It is stated by the learned Counsel for the petitioners that a Writ Appeal is pending at the SR stage against the said order.

5. Be that as it may, on a perusal of the order, dated 16.09.2019, it can be seen that the Writ petition filed by the Corporation was allowed on the basis of the judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Secretary, State of Karnataka and Ors. Vs. Umadevi and Ors.¹ and State of Tamil Nadu Vs. R.Govindasamy² relating to regularisation of the temporary employees. As far as the present grievance of the employees is concerned, it is relating to payment of minimum wages. Conferring of permanent status is different from payment of minimum wages. Even considering for a moment that the case of the management is correct, that in their godowns, the loadmen are engaging employees, even then, the Corporation is the principal employer as far as the Minimum Wages Act, 1 (2006) 4 SCC 1

2 (2014) 4 SCC 769

1948 is concerned. The principal employer is to ensure the payment of minimum wages.

6. Be that as it may, since the respondents have made clear their stand before this Court itself, it will not benefit the petitioners/employees by directing the disposal of the representation. The petitioners can very well approach the appropriate authority under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. As and when they file the complaint, the authority shall take up the same immediately and dispose of as expeditiously as possible, in any event, not later than three months from the date of filing of the application.

7. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

17.02.2026 Neutral Citation : no grs To

1. The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, CMRL Office Camp, Poonamalle High Road, Koyembedu, Chennai – 600 107.

2. The Senior Regional Manager, Tamil Nadu Civil Su