IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 24-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA B.Manavalan ..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The Commissioner Ezhilagam Building Chepauk Chennai-5

2. The District collector Tiruvannamalai District ..Respondent(s)

Prayer: - Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the recommendation and clarification of 2nd respondent vide letter in Na.Ka.No.A1/5282/2018 dated 8.5.2022 for include the petitioner in the Deputy Tahsildar panel at appropriate place in the 2018 year panel.

For Petitioner(s): L.P.Shanmugasundaram For Respondent(s): P.Balathandayutham for R1 and R2

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:-

“directing the 1st respondent to consider the recommendation and clarification of 2nd respondent vide letter in Na.Ka.No.A1/5282/2018 dated 8.5.2022 for include the petitioner in the Deputy Tahsildar panel at appropriate place in the 2018 year panel.”

Brief Facts:-

2. The petitioner was appointed as a Junior Assistant on 27.05.2009 and was subsequently promoted as Revenue Inspector on 18.06.2014. The petitioner became eligible for further promotion to the post of Deputy Tahsildar in the 2018 panel but was promoted only on 14.09.2024 under the 2023-2024 panel, resulting in substantial delay and loss of seniority.

3. The petitioner has rendered more than 17 years of unblemished service without any adverse remarks. The Petitioner has been awarded Certificates of Appreciation on four occasions by the District Collector and has also served as Personal Clerk to the District Collector on two occasions for a total period of three years, and as Personal Clerk to the District Revenue Officer for nearly two years. The petitioner’s service has been consistently appreciated by superior officers.

4. The 2nd respondent, based on the assessment report, approved 26 vacancies for promotion to the post of Deputy Tahsildar for the year 2018, with the crucial date being 15.09.2018. As on the said date, 31 Assistants, including the petitioner, were eligible for consideration for inclusion in the said panel.

5. Due to some administrative adjustment, one vacancy in the 2018 panel was effectively reduced, while the 2015 panel strength was correspondingly increased. However, the total number of Deputy Tahsildars presently serving in the District Revenue Unit remains unchanged. Therefore, the said adjustment had adversely affected the petitioner’s rightful consideration for promotion in the 2018 panel.

6. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner had submitted a representation dated 06.05.2022 to the 2^nd respondent seeking inclusion of his name in the panel of the Deputy Tahsildar for the panel year 2018. Pursuant to the petitioner’s representation, the 2nd respondent, having favourably considered the claim, forwarded a recommendation with necessary clarification to the 1st respondent vide letter dated 08.05.2022 in Na.Ka.No.A1/5282/2018, which remains unconsidered to date. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

7. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records.

8. It is seen that, pursuant to the petitioner’s representation dated

06.05.2022, the 2nd respondent had favourably considered the petitioner’s claim and forwarded a recommendation, along with necessary clarification, to the 1st respondent as early as on 08.05.2022. However, to date, the same has not been considered by the 1st respondent. Therefore, this Writ Petition is allowed. The 1st respondent is directed to consider the recommendation and clarification submitted by the 2nd respondent on 08.05.2022 regarding the inclusion of the petitioner’s name in the Deputy Tahsildar panel at the appropriate place in the 2018 panel, and to 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. No costs.

24-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order N