Back
2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 31000
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M.DHANDAPANI, J
M.Arivazhagan Ex.President, FC ST 56- Thenpennai Aattrupadugai Meenavar Kooturavu Sangam – Appellant
Versus
The Assistant Director Inland Fisheries, Vellore- 3. – Respondent
Writ Petition
For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Gopinath
For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Selvendra, Special Government Pleader
Court directs consideration of representation for post-lease fishing harvest permission within specified time.
Headnote:First Paragraph: Under Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, the petitioner society, as successful bidder per G.O.Ms.No.332 dated 17.11.1993 granting priority fishing rights to fishermen societies, invested in fishing seeds in Kuppanatham Dam for Fasli Year 1434 (01.07.2024 to 30.06.2025), shortened to 10.02.2025-30.06.2025. Lease expired, fishes ready for harvest amid reducing water levels; representation dated 03.03.2026 seeks permission to avoid loss and fish death. Court finds direction to consider representation appropriate without merits review. Second Paragraph: Issue framed as need to consider representation for harvest permission post-lease expiry. Ratio: Limited prayer suffices for direction to dispose representation on merits within time frame, respondents raise no objection. Last Paragraph: Writ Petition disposed of with direction to consider representation dated 03.03.2026 and pass orders within six weeks; no costs.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petition seeks direction for representation consideration on fishing harvest. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. parties agree to disposal of representation on merits. (Para 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 3. court directs consideration within six weeks; petition disposed. (Para 6 , 7) |
Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to consider the representation of the petitioner society dated 03.03.2026 within a time frame fixed by this Honble court and permit the members of the petitioner society to harvest fishes in Kuppanatham Dam under the control of the petitioner Society, and pass.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Gopinath For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Selvendra, Special Government Pleader
Order
This Writ Petition is filed by the petitioner directing the respondents herein to consider the representation of the petitioner society to harvest fishes in Kuppanatham Dam under the control of the petitioner Society.
2. The petitioner Society is registered under Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act. The Government of Tamil Nadu, had issued G.O.Ms.No.332, dated 17.11.1993 directing the authorities to give first priority in fishing rights to fishermen society and thereby, the petitioner Society being the successful bidder doing fishing in Kuppanatham Dam and they invested by sowing ‘’fishing seeds (Meen Kunjujal)’’ in the said Dam and now the fishes are ready for harvest. Since auction was heldon 21.01.2025, the original leease period (Fasli Year 1434) from 01.07.2024 to 30.06.2025 got shortened from 10.02.2025 to 30.06.2025. Therefore, the lease period got expired on 30.06.2025. If the members of the petitioner Society are not permitted to harvest the same, not only huge monetary loss, but the fishes will also die as the water in the Kuppanatham Dam, is getting reduced due to ensuing summer season. Hence, the petitioner Society made representation to the respondents on 03.03.2026 seeking permission to continue the petitioner’s society members to do harvesting of fishes. Since, there is no response on the said representation, the petitioner Society is before this Court.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if the respondents are directed to dispose of the representation of the petitioner dated 03.03.2026 on merits and in accordance with law, within a specified period.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents has no objection for such an order being passed by this Court.
5. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel appearing for the respondents.
6. In view of the limited request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner Society dated 03.03.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
