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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 42239

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M. Dhandapani, J
Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam – Appellant
Versus
Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu – Respondent
W.P.No. 16764 of 2026

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: S. Kumaraswamy
For the Respondents: T. Srinivasan

A Writ of Mandamus can be issued to direct public authorities to consider and dispose of a pending representation regarding service conditions or wage claims within a specified timeframe without the court delving into the merits of the claim.

Headnote:The petitioner filed a writ petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus to direct the authorities to consider a representation dated 27.03.2026 regarding the payment of minimum wages to Malaria workers at par with semi-skilled Grade-II employees as per government orders. The Court noted the limited prayer for a time-bound consideration of the representation on merits. The issue addressed was whether the authorities should be mandated to dispose of the pending representation seeking wage revision. The Court, without expressing opinion on the merits, held that the administrative authorities are obligated to consider and decide upon representations submitted to them in accordance with law within a reasonable timeframe. The Writ Petition was disposed of with a direction to the respondents to pass appropriate orders on the petitioner’s representation within six weeks.

Table of Content
1. petitioner seeks judicial intervention to enforce consideration of a request for minimum wage revision. (Para 1 , 2)
2. courts may direct authorities to decide on pending representations within a specific period. (Para 3 , 4 , 5 , 6)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 27.03.2026 with regard to payment of minimum wages to Malaria Workers as semi skilled Grade-II employees as per G.O.(2D).No.62, Labour and Employment (J1) Department, dated 11.10.2017 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a time frame.

2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner has made a representation on 27.03.2026 to the respondents to pay the minimum wages applicable to semi skilled Grade-II employees to Malaria workers, however, no action was taken. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice, if the second respondent is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 27.03.2026 on merits and in accordance with law, within a specified period.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

5. 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 dated 27.03.2026 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.

6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 29.04.2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No ssb To

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 42239

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASM. Dhandapani, JUzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam – AppellantVersusPrincipal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu – RespondentW.P.No. 16764 of 2026

A Writ of Mandamus can be issued to direct public authorities to consider and dispose of a pending representation regarding service conditions or wage claims within a specified timeframe without the court delving into the merits of the claim.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M. Dhandapani, J
Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam – Appellant
Versus
Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu – Respondent
W.P.No. 16764 of 2026