COMMON ORDER

In all these writ petitions in this batch of cases, the issue raised is the entitlement of the writ petitioners, who are either Government employee or pensioner of the State Government and its undertakings or their family members / legal heirs / next kith and kin, to get medical reimbursement under the New Health Insurance scheme implemented by the State Government from time to time.

2. In all these cases, since the issue raised is one and the same and the relief sought for in each of the writ petitions in this batch are also same or similar, all these writ petitions were heard together and are being disposed of by this common order.

3. Factual background :

(i) The State Government originally was having a scheme called "Tamil Nadu Government Employees Health Fund Scheme (herein after referred to as Health Fund Scheme), which was implemented by issuance of G.O.Ms.No.18, Finance Department, dated 09.01.1992.

(ii) When the said Health Fund Scheme was in vogue, as it was felt that, the said Health Fund Scheme did not provide necessary or adequate assistance by way of reimbursement of the medical needs of the state employees, on getting various representations at various point o