THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM W.P.No.28788 of 2016 W.M.P.Nos.24829 of 2016 & 14032 of 2017. As far as the present writ petition is concerned, the husband of the petitioner died as a temporary employee and the scheme of compassionate appointment cannot be applied for the family members of the temporary employees and thus, the relief of appointment on compassionate ground cannot be granted to the petitioner. More so, the employee died in the year 2009 and already 13 years lapsed. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Saravanan For Respondents : Mr.G.Nanmaran Special Government Pleader
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 29.09.2022
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM
W.P.No.28788 of 2016
W.M.P.Nos.24829 of 2016 & 14032 of 2017
G.Anitha .. Petitioner
Vs.
1.The Secretary to the Government,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.
3.The Deputy Director/The Principal,
Government Industrial Training Institute,
North Chennai – 600 021. .. Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the order of the second respondent vide Letter Na.Ka.No.24082/tho.nu.pa 4/2016 dated 02.08.2016, quash the same and consequently direct the first respondent to provide appropriate employment to the petitioner on compassionate ground in the third respondent’s office.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Saravanan
For Respondents : Mr.G.Nanmaran
Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
The order of rejection dated 02.08.2016 in Na.Ka.No.24082/tho.nu.pa 4/2016 passed by the second respondent rejecting the claim of the petitioner for compassionate appointment is under challenge in this writ petition.
- The petitioner states that her husband late V.Gopinathan was appointed as Workshop Assistant on temporary basis. The husband of the petitioner died on 04.10.2009, while he was in service. The sudden death of the employee resulted in penurious circumstances and therefore, the petitioner submitted an application seeking appointment on compassionate ground. The application submitted by the petitioner was forwarded.
- The petitioner further states that she has completed X standard in April 1997 and registered her name in District Employment Office at Chennai. The application was rejected through the impugned order by the second respondent on the ground that the husband of the petitioner died before granting the benefit of regularization and therefore, he died as a temporary employee and thus, the claim of compassionate appointment cannot be extended to the family of the deceased employee. It is specifically stated that the husband of the petitioner died on 04.10.2009 and the Government issued the order granting regularization on 03.02.2010 i.e. after the death of the husband of the petitioner and therefore, the scheme of compassionate appointment cannot be applied for the temporary employees.
- The learned counsel for the petitioner strenuously contended that the Court has considered several cases for compassionate appointment and more specifically, by taking a lenient view. He relied on certain orders of this Court, wherein, the respondents were directed to consider or reconsider the applications submitted by the legal heirs of the deceased employee seeking appointment on compassionate ground and therefore, similar consideration has to be shown to the petitioner also.
- Regarding the orders relied on by the petitioner that the Courts have directed to consider the application for providing compassionate appointment, this Court has to look into the principles settled and the consequences of issuing such directions to consider the representation or otherwise.
- The Courts are expected to decide the issues on merits at all circumstances. Merely issuing a direction to consider the cases would do no service to the cause of justice. Litigants will be back again to the Courts by way of another litigation and thus, the issues are to be settled in the interest of the parties and in the interest of justice. The growing practice is that the litigant approaching the Court are repeatedly approaching in respect of the same grievance by filing several writ petitions and contempt petitions. Such multiplicity of proceedings on the same grievance would result in harassment and the litigant may loose faith on the judicial system. Thus, the High Court cannot encourage such practice of multiplicity of litigations on the same cause or by the same litigant regarding the grievances. Once a litigation is instituted, the Court must resolve the issues by deciding the disputes between the parties. Then alone, the level of confidence can be maintained amongst the public at large, which is a constitutional principles. Contrarily, the Courts issuing a direction in a routine manner without deciding the issues will certainly result in multiplicity of litigations and therefore, this Court is not inclined to issue any such direction to consider the case of the petitioner, since the respondents filed counter affidavit contesting the case. Once the respondents have appeared and contested the case by filing counter, then, the counter statements are to be taken into consideration for resolving the issues. In the event of issuing a direction to consider the representation even after filing of counter by the respondents, the respondents will quote the very same reasons stated in the counter and reject the application once again, which will cause unnecessary mental agony to the litigants. This is how the multiplicity of litigation has arisen.
- In the present case, the respondents have not only filed counter affidavit, but, also filed additional counter affidavit dated 18.02.2021 reiterating the grounds raised in the original counter affidavit filed in the year 2017.
- As far as the case of the petitioner is concerned, it is not in doubt that the petitioner had lost her husband at young age and the family would be suffering. However, the fact remains that the husband of the petitioner was a temporary employee and his service was not regularized and before the grant of regularization, the husband of the petitioner died. The question arises as to whether the scope of the scheme of compassionate appointment can be expanded in order to take a lean view for the purpose of providing public employment. In the event of the Court taking a lenient view in the matter of public employment, no doubt, the same will result in unconstitutionality, as lakhs and lakhs of poor, downtrodden and meritorious candidates are longing to secure public employment through open competition process.
- In the case on hand, the petitioner may plead that she is a poor person. However, the Constitutional Court in order to uphold social justice, which is mandate of the constitution, must ensure that all such similarly poor people get an equal opportunity in public employment by applying the rule of reservation and under priority categories. In the event of issuing a direction to provide compassionate appointment by this Court, undoubtedly, the other eligible persons, who are all similarly placed are denied appointments, which will result in infringement of their fundamental right of equal opportunity in public employment, which is ensured under the Constitution of India.
- Scheme of compassionate appointment is a concession and cannot be claimed as an absolute right. Scheme being an exception, cannot be expanded for the purpose of providing appointment on compassionate grounds in a larger manner. Large scale compassionate appointment would result in infringement of the Fundamental Rights of the eligible citizen, who all are aspiring to secure public employment through open competitive process. Scheme of compassionate appointment being a concession, to be implemented in a restricted manner, so as to provide appointment only to the families, who all are genuinely in penurious circumstances and in this regard, the authorities competent are bound to conduct field inspections and ascertain the imminent circumstances, warranting an appointment on compassionate grounds. It is not as if one appointment is to be granted to the family of the deceased employee and it is not as if every legal heir can submit the application and thereafter, the appointment is to be considered. Once an application is filed by any one of the legal heir of the deceased employee and the said legal heir became ineligible, it is not as if that other legal legal heir can submit an application irrespective of the length of time. In the event of entertaining such repeated applications for compassionate appointment, the very purpose and object of the scheme would be defeated. The very purpose and object of the scheme of compassionate appointment is to mitigate the circumstances arising on account of the sudden death of an employee. Therefore, the scheme cannot be expanded nor any consideration is to be shown on misplaced sympathy, which would result in denial of Fundamental Right to all other eligible candidates, who all are longing to secure public employment. Thus, the Courts are not expected to grant compassionate appointment on misplaced sympathy. Such sympathy would result in unconstitutionality. Scheme being violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, since there is no merit assessment of the applicant and there is no application of rule of reservation, there is no other assessment is made for appointment on compassionate grounds. In the event of large scale compassionate appointment, the efficiency level in the public administration will also be in stake. The Rule of Reservation, merit assessment and no other assessment has been made and therefore, the large scale appointments causing inefficiency in public administration, which would result in violations of the Constitution provisions, since the Constitution mandates an efficient public administration.
- Lapse of time would also provide a ground to draw a factual inference that the penurious circumstances aroused on account of the sudden death of an employee became vanished. Thus, Courts have repeatedly held that compassionate appointment cannot be granted after several years.
- Even to ascertain the indigent circumstances, the pensionary benefits are also to be taken into consideration. The Supreme Court in the case of Union of India and others Vs. Amrita Sinha in C.A.No.7640 –7641 of 2021 dated 11.12.2021 (2021 15 Scale 174) held in paragraph no.10 as follows :
“The monthly pension which was payable to the respondent was required to be taken into account in the award of merit points. The Tribunal, however, came to the conclusion that pension is paid for past service rendered by the employee and, hence, denial of compassionate appointment on that basis was not justifiable. This reasoning of the Tribunal is fallacious. Undoubtedly, pension is not an act of bounty, but is towards the service which has been rendered by an employee. However, in evaluating a claim for compassionate appointment, it is open to the authorities to evaluate the financial position of the family upon the death while in service. Compassionate appointment is not a vested right. It is provided in order to enable a family to tide over a financial crisis caused by the death of its wage-earner while in service. If the scheme requires that the family pension must be taken into account in evaluating the merits an application, it has to be followed.”
- In this regard, the Supreme Court, recently on 05.09.2022, in the case of Ahmednagar Mahanagar Palika vs. Ahmednagar Mahanagar Palika Kamgar Union reported in [2022 LiveLaw (SC) 739], wherein in paragraph no.8 of its judgment, reiterated the principles to be adopted for providing appointment on compassionate grounds as under:-
“8. Even otherwise, such an appointment to the heirs of the employees on their retirement and/or superannuation shall be contrary to the object and purpose of appointment on compassionate grounds and is hit by Article 14 of the Constitution of India. As observed and held by this Court in a catena of decisions, compassionate appointment shall always be treated as an exception to the normal method of recruitment. The appointment on compassionate grounds is provided upon the death of an employee in harness without any kind of security whatsoever. The appointment on compassionate grounds is not automatic and shall be subject to the strict scrutiny of various parameters including the financial position of the family, the economic dependence of the family upon the deceased employee and the avocation of the other members of the family. No one can claim to have a vested right for appointment on compassionate grounds. Therefore, appointment on compassionate grounds cannot be extended to the heirs of the employees on their superannuation and/or retirement. If such an appointment is permitted, in that case, outsiders shall never get an appointment and only the heirs of the employees on their superannuation and/or retirement shall get an appointment and those who are the outsiders shall never get an opportunity to get an appointment though they may be more meritorious and/or well educated and/or more qualified.”
- Even in yet another recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA vs. NITIN reported in [2022 LiveLaw (SC) 690], wherein in paragraph nos.20 and 21, it has been held as under:-
“20. It is well settled that compassionate appointment is an exception to the rule of equality, which enables the dependent family members of a medically incapacitated employee who has no option, but to retire, or a deceased employee, to tide over the immediate crisis caused by the incapacitation or death of the breadwinner. Compassionate Appointment excludes equally or more meritorious candidates, much in need of a job, from the zone of consideration. Consideration for compassionate appointment must, therefore, be strictly in accordance with the prevalent rules for compassionate appointment applicable to the deceased/prematurely retired employee.
- In this case, there is a financial criteria of eligibility for compassionate appointment under the Compassionate Appointment Scheme. Rules which provide for a financial criteria for appointment on Compassionate ground are valid and lawful rules which have to be construed strictly, as otherwise the quota reserved for compassionate appointment would be filled up excluding others who might be in greater and/or far more acute financial distress.”
- The principles are broadly considered by the Supreme Court in Umesh Kumar Nagpal Vs. State of Haryana and Others [(1994) 4 SCC 138], in which, the Supreme Court has ruled as follows:
“As a rule, appointments in the public services should be made strictly on the basis of open invitation of applications and merit. No other mode of appointment nor any other consideration is permissible. Neither the Governments nor the public authorities are at liberty to follow any other procedure or relax the qualifications laid down by the rules for the post………The whole object of granting compassionate employment is thus to enable the family to tide over the sudden crisis. The object is not to give a member of such family a post much less a post for post held by the deceased. What is further, mere death of an employee in harness does not entitle his family to such source of livelihood. The Government or the public authority concerned has to examine the financial condition of the family of the deceased, and it is only if it is satisfied, that but for the provision of employment, the family will not be able to meet the crisis that a job is to be offered to the eligible member of the family. The posts in Classes III and IV are the lowest posts in non-manual and manual categories and hence they alone can be offered on compassionate grounds……..It must be remembered in this connection that as against the destitute family of the deceased there are millions of other families which are equally, if not more destitute. The exception to the rule made in favour of the family of the deceased employee is in consideration of the services rendered by him and the legitimate expectations, and the change in the status and affairs, of the family engendered by the erstwhile employment which are suddenly upturned.
- For these very reasons, the compassionate employment cannot be granted after a lapse of a reasonable period which must be specified in the rules. The consideration for such employment is not a vested right which can be exercised at any time in future”.
- In context of the principles, this Court is of the considered opinion that the respondents 1 and 2 in the present writ petition has to look into the scheme of compassionate appointment as of prevailing in the State of Tamil Nadu and reconsider the same by taking note of the Government of India scheme of compassionate appointment and other public sector institutions including nationalized banks, insurance companies, etc. A review of the scheme is warranted on account of the fact that lakhs and lakhs of public servants are working in the Government of Tamil Nadu in various departments and large number of deaths are recorded and under these circumstances, the State of Tamil Nadu has to think over as to whether it is possible to provide appointment on compassionate ground to such large number of candidates, who all are the legal heirs of the deceased employees. The number of applications pending in various departments and other relevant factors are to be taken into consideration for the purpose of reviewing the scheme of compassionate appointment.
- In the opinion of this Court, the scheme of compassionate appointment has to be restricted only to the genuine and more deserving families after conducting thorough enquiry regarding the indigent circumstances. As of now, practice prevailing in Government Departments are that Tahsildars are issuing indigent certificate without conducting proper field enquiry. Such appointments are provided by the competent authorities on many occasions on extraneous considerations. Such illegal and irregular practices have to be controlled and therefore, the respondents 1 and 2 are bound to look into the seriousness involved in public employment under the constitutional schemes and initiate all appropriate steps to review the scheme of compassionate appointment in a practical and pragmatic manner so as to provide employment only to the more deserving families and by strictly following the terms and conditions, which are all to be clearly stipulated. Large number of writ petitions are filed before the High Court seeking employment on compassionate ground. If the ratio of compassionate appointment increases, undoubtedly, the efficiency in public administration would be lost. Therefore, the respondents 1 and 2 are directed to look into the consequences and the repercussions involved in compassionate appointments and take all appropriate actions and review the scheme and ensure that the object and the purpose of the scheme is met with. The very purpose and object of the scheme of compassionate appointment is to mitigate the circumstances arising on account of the sudden death of an employee. As the scheme of compassionate appointment is being in force for several years and now, it is being abused or misused by several persons, despite the fact that they are having sources of income. In this context, the respondents 1 and 2 are bound to reconsider the entire scheme of compassionate appointment and initiate all appropriate actions.
- As far as the present writ petition is concerned, the husband of the petitioner died as a temporary employee and the scheme of compassionate appointment cannot be applied for the family members of the temporary employees and thus, the relief of appointment on compassionate ground cannot be granted to the petitioner. More so, the employee died in the year 2009 and already 13 years lapsed.
With the above observations and directions, this writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Connected W.M.Ps. are closed.
29.09.2022
Index: Yes
Speaking
nsd
To
1.The Secretary to the Government,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.
3.The Deputy Director/The Principal,
Government Industrial Training Institute,
North Chennai – 600 021.
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
nsd
W.P.No.28788 of 2016
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 29.09.2022
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM
W.P.No.28788 of 2016
W.M.P.Nos.24829 of 2016 & 14032 of 2017
G.Anitha .. Petitioner
Vs.
1.The Secretary to the Government,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.
3.The Deputy Director/The Principal,
Government Industrial Training Institute,
North Chennai – 600 021. .. Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the order of the second respondent vide Letter Na.Ka.No.24082/tho.nu.pa 4/2016 dated 02.08.2016, quash the same and consequently direct the first respondent to provide appropriate employment to the petitioner on compassionate ground in the third respondent’s office.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Saravanan
For Respondents : Mr.G.Nanmaran
Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
The order of rejection dated 02.08.2016 in Na.Ka.No.24082/tho.nu.pa 4/2016 passed by the second respondent rejecting the claim of the petitioner for compassionate appointment is under challenge in this writ petition.
- The petitioner states that her husband late V.Gopinathan was appointed as Workshop Assistant on temporary basis. The husband of the petitioner died on 04.10.2009, while he was in service. The sudden death of the employee resulted in penurious circumstances and therefore, the petitioner submitted an application seeking appointment on compassionate ground. The application submitted by the petitioner was forwarded.
- The petitioner further states that she has completed X standard in April 1997 and registered her name in District Employment Office at Chennai. The application was rejected through the impugned order by the second respondent on the ground that the husband of the petitioner died before granting the benefit of regularization and therefore, he died as a temporary employee and thus, the claim of compassionate appointment cannot be extended to the family of the deceased employee. It is specifically stated that the husband of the petitioner died on 04.10.2009 and the Government issued the order granting regularization on 03.02.2010 i.e. after the death of the husband of the petitioner and therefore, the scheme of compassionate appointment cannot be applied for the temporary employees.
- The learned counsel for the petitioner strenuously contended that the Court has considered several cases for compassionate appointment and more specifically, by taking a lenient view. He relied on certain orders of this Court, wherein, the respondents were directed to consider or reconsider the applications submitted by the legal heirs of the deceased employee seeking appointment on compassionate ground and therefore, similar consideration has to be shown to the petitioner also.
- Regarding the orders relied on by the petitioner that the Courts have directed to consider the application for providing compassionate appointment, this Court has to look into the principles settled and the consequences of issuing such directions to consider the representation or otherwise.
- The Courts are expected to decide the issues on merits at all circumstances. Merely issuing a direction to consider the cases would do no service to the cause of justice. Litigants will be back again to the Courts by way of another litigation and thus, the issues are to be settled in the interest of the parties and in the interest of justice. The growing practice is that the litigant approaching the Court are repeatedly approaching in respect of the same grievance by filing several writ petitions and contempt petitions. Such multiplicity of proceedings on the same grievance would result in harassment and the litigant may loose faith on the judicial system. Thus, the High Court cannot encourage such practice of multiplicity of litigations on the same cause or by the same litigant regarding the grievances. Once a litigation is instituted, the Court must resolve the issues by deciding the disputes between the parties. Then alone, the level of confidence can be maintained amongst the public at large, which is a constitutional principles. Contrarily, the Courts issuing a direction in a routine manner without deciding the issues will certainly result in multiplicity of litigations and therefore, this Court is not inclined to issue any such direction to consider the case of the petitioner, since the respondents filed counter affidavit contesting the case. Once the respondents have appeared and contested the case by filing counter, then, the counter statements are to be taken into consideration for resolving the issues. In the event of issuing a direction to consider the representation even after filing of counter by the respondents, the respondents will quote the very same reasons stated in the counter and reject the application once again, which will cause unnecessary mental agony to the litigants. This is how the multiplicity of litigation has arisen.
- In the present case, the respondents have not only filed counter affidavit, but, also filed additional counter affidavit dated 18.02.2021 reiterating the grounds raised in the original counter affidavit filed in the year 2017.
- As far as the case of the petitioner is concerned, it is not in doubt that the petitioner had lost her husband at young age and the family would be suffering. However, the fact remains that the husband of the petitioner was a temporary employee and his service was not regularized and before the grant of regularization, the husband of the petitioner died. The question arises as to whether the scope of the scheme of compassionate appointment can be expanded in order to take a lean view for the purpose of providing public employment. In the event of the Court taking a lenient view in the matter of public employment, no doubt, the same will result in unconstitutionality, as lakhs and lakhs of poor, downtrodden and meritorious candidates are longing to secure public employment through open competition process.
- In the case on hand, the petitioner may plead that she is a poor person. However, the Constitutional Court in order to uphold social justice, which is mandate of the constitution, must ensure that all such similarly poor people get an equal opportunity in public employment by applying the rule of reservation and under priority categories. In the event of issuing a direction to provide compassionate appointment by this Court, undoubtedly, the other eligible persons, who are all similarly placed are denied appointments, which will result in infringement of their fundamental right of equal opportunity in public employment, which is ensured under the Constitution of India.
- Scheme of compassionate appointment is a concession and cannot be claimed as an absolute right. Scheme being an exception, cannot be expanded for the purpose of providing appointment on compassionate grounds in a larger manner. Large scale compassionate appointment would result in infringement of the Fundamental Rights of the eligible citizen, who all are aspiring to secure public employment through open competitive process. Scheme of compassionate appointment being a concession, to be implemented in a restricted manner, so as to provide appointment only to the families, who all are genuinely in penurious circumstances and in this regard, the authorities competent are bound to conduct field inspections and ascertain the imminent circumstances, warranting an appointment on compassionate grounds. It is not as if one appointment is to be granted to the family of the deceased employee and it is not as if every legal heir can submit the application and thereafter, the appointment is to be considered. Once an application is filed by any one of the legal heir of the deceased employee and the said legal heir became ineligible, it is not as if that other legal legal heir can submit an application irrespective of the length of time. In the event of entertaining such repeated applications for compassionate appointment, the very purpose and object of the scheme would be defeated. The very purpose and object of the scheme of compassionate appointment is to mitigate the circumstances arising on account of the sudden death of an employee. Therefore, the scheme cannot be expanded nor any consideration is to be shown on misplaced sympathy, which would result in denial of Fundamental Right to all other eligible candidates, who all are longing to secure public employment. Thus, the Courts are not expected to grant compassionate appointment on misplaced sympathy. Such sympathy would result in unconstitutionality. Scheme being violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, since there is no merit assessment of the applicant and there is no application of rule of reservation, there is no other assessment is made for appointment on compassionate grounds. In the event of large scale compassionate appointment, the efficiency level in the public administration will also be in stake. The Rule of Reservation, merit assessment and no other assessment has been made and therefore, the large scale appointments causing inefficiency in public administration, which would result in violations of the Constitution provisions, since the Constitution mandates an efficient public administration.
- Lapse of time would also provide a ground to draw a factual inference that the penurious circumstances aroused on account of the sudden death of an employee became vanished. Thus, Courts have repeatedly held that compassionate appointment cannot be granted after several years.
- Even to ascertain the indigent circumstances, the pensionary benefits are also to be taken into consideration. The Supreme Court in the case of Union of India and others Vs. Amrita Sinha in C.A.No.7640 –7641 of 2021 dated 11.12.2021 (2021 15 Scale 174) held in paragraph no.10 as follows :
“The monthly pension which was payable to the respondent was required to be taken into account in the award of merit points. The Tribunal, however, came to the conclusion that pension is paid for past service rendered by the employee and, hence, denial of compassionate appointment on that basis was not justifiable. This reasoning of the Tribunal is fallacious. Undoubtedly, pension is not an act of bounty, but is towards the service which has been rendered by an employee. However, in evaluating a claim for compassionate appointment, it is open to the authorities to evaluate the financial position of the family upon the death while in service. Compassionate appointment is not a vested right. It is provided in order to enable a family to tide over a financial crisis caused by the death of its wage-earner while in service. If the scheme requires that the family pension must be taken into account in evaluating the merits an application, it has to be followed.”
- In this regard, the Supreme Court, recently on 05.09.2022, in the case of Ahmednagar Mahanagar Palika vs. Ahmednagar Mahanagar Palika Kamgar Union reported in [2022 LiveLaw (SC) 739], wherein in paragraph no.8 of its judgment, reiterated the principles to be adopted for providing appointment on compassionate grounds as under:-
“8. Even otherwise, such an appointment to the heirs of the employees on their retirement and/or superannuation shall be contrary to the object and purpose of appointment on compassionate grounds and is hit by Article 14 of the Constitution of India. As observed and held by this Court in a catena of decisions, compassionate appointment shall always be treated as an exception to the normal method of recruitment. The appointment on compassionate grounds is provided upon the death of an employee in harness without any kind of security whatsoever. The appointment on compassionate grounds is not automatic and shall be subject to the strict scrutiny of various parameters including the financial position of the family, the economic dependence of the family upon the deceased employee and the avocation of the other members of the family. No one can claim to have a vested right for appointment on compassionate grounds. Therefore, appointment on compassionate grounds cannot be extended to the heirs of the employees on their superannuation and/or retirement. If such an appointment is permitted, in that case, outsiders shall never get an appointment and only the heirs of the employees on their superannuation and/or retirement shall get an appointment and those who are the outsiders shall never get an opportunity to get an appointment though they may be more meritorious and/or well educated and/or more qualified.”
- Even in yet another recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA vs. NITIN reported in [2022 LiveLaw (SC) 690], wherein in paragraph nos.20 and 21, it has been held as under:-
“20. It is well settled that compassionate appointment is an exception to the rule of equality, which enables the dependent family members of a medically incapacitated employee who has no option, but to retire, or a deceased employee, to tide over the immediate crisis caused by the incapacitation or death of the breadwinner. Compassionate Appointment excludes equally or more meritorious candidates, much in need of a job, from the zone of consideration. Consideration for compassionate appointment must, therefore, be strictly in accordance with the prevalent rules for compassionate appointment applicable to the deceased/prematurely retired employee.
- In this case, there is a financial criteria of eligibility for compassionate appointment under the Compassionate Appointment Scheme. Rules which provide for a financial criteria for appointment on Compassionate ground are valid and lawful rules which have to be construed strictly, as otherwise the quota reserved for compassionate appointment would be filled up excluding others who might be in greater and/or far more acute financial distress.”
- The principles are broadly considered by the Supreme Court in Umesh Kumar Nagpal Vs. State of Haryana and Others [(1994) 4 SCC 138], in which, the Supreme Court has ruled as follows:
“As a rule, appointments in the public services should be made strictly on the basis of open invitation of applications and merit. No other mode of appointment nor any other consideration is permissible. Neither the Governments nor the public authorities are at liberty to follow any other procedure or relax the qualifications laid down by the rules for the post………The whole object of granting compassionate employment is thus to enable the family to tide over the sudden crisis. The object is not to give a member of such family a post much less a post for post held by the deceased. What is further, mere death of an employee in harness does not entitle his family to such source of livelihood. The Government or the public authority concerned has to examine the financial condition of the family of the deceased, and it is only if it is satisfied, that but for the provision of employment, the family will not be able to meet the crisis that a job is to be offered to the eligible member of the family. The posts in Classes III and IV are the lowest posts in non-manual and manual categories and hence they alone can be offered on compassionate grounds……..It must be remembered in this connection that as against the destitute family of the deceased there are millions of other families which are equally, if not more destitute. The exception to the rule made in favour of the family of the deceased employee is in consideration of the services rendered by him and the legitimate expectations, and the change in the status and affairs, of the family engendered by the erstwhile employment which are suddenly upturned.
- For these very reasons, the compassionate employment cannot be granted after a lapse of a reasonable period which must be specified in the rules. The consideration for such employment is not a vested right which can be exercised at any time in future”.
- In context of the principles, this Court is of the considered opinion that the respondents 1 and 2 in the present writ petition has to look into the scheme of compassionate appointment as of prevailing in the State of Tamil Nadu and reconsider the same by taking note of the Government of India scheme of compassionate appointment and other public sector institutions including nationalized banks, insurance companies, etc. A review of the scheme is warranted on account of the fact that lakhs and lakhs of public servants are working in the Government of Tamil Nadu in various departments and large number of deaths are recorded and under these circumstances, the State of Tamil Nadu has to think over as to whether it is possible to provide appointment on compassionate ground to such large number of candidates, who all are the legal heirs of the deceased employees. The number of applications pending in various departments and other relevant factors are to be taken into consideration for the purpose of reviewing the scheme of compassionate appointment.
- In the opinion of this Court, the scheme of compassionate appointment has to be restricted only to the genuine and more deserving families after conducting thorough enquiry regarding the indigent circumstances. As of now, practice prevailing in Government Departments are that Tahsildars are issuing indigent certificate without conducting proper field enquiry. Such appointments are provided by the competent authorities on many occasions on extraneous considerations. Such illegal and irregular practices have to be controlled and therefore, the respondents 1 and 2 are bound to look into the seriousness involved in public employment under the constitutional schemes and initiate all appropriate steps to review the scheme of compassionate appointment in a practical and pragmatic manner so as to provide employment only to the more deserving families and by strictly following the terms and conditions, which are all to be clearly stipulated. Large number of writ petitions are filed before the High Court seeking employment on compassionate ground. If the ratio of compassionate appointment increases, undoubtedly, the efficiency in public administration would be lost. Therefore, the respondents 1 and 2 are directed to look into the consequences and the repercussions involved in compassionate appointments and take all appropriate actions and review the scheme and ensure that the object and the purpose of the scheme is met with. The very purpose and object of the scheme of compassionate appointment is to mitigate the circumstances arising on account of the sudden death of an employee. As the scheme of compassionate appointment is being in force for several years and now, it is being abused or misused by several persons, despite the fact that they are having sources of income. In this context, the respondents 1 and 2 are bound to reconsider the entire scheme of compassionate appointment and initiate all appropriate actions.
- As far as the present writ petition is concerned, the husband of the petitioner died as a temporary employee and the scheme of compassionate appointment cannot be applied for the family members of the temporary employees and thus, the relief of appointment on compassionate ground cannot be granted to the petitioner. More so, the employee died in the year 2009 and already 13 years lapsed.
With the above observations and directions, this writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Connected W.M.Ps. are closed.
29.09.2022
Index: Yes
Speaking
nsd
To
1.The Secretary to the Government,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Department of Labour and Employment Training,
Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.
3.The Deputy Director/The Principal,
Government Industrial Training Institute,
North Chennai – 600 021.
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
nsd
W.P.No.28788 of 2016
29.09.2022
29.09.2022
![https://x.com/sekarreporter1/status/1728020902586319331?t=rN9_hiPgM9BxOVoDfqIbjg&s=08 sekarreporter1: In a Writ Petition filed by the Resident of Sundaram Colony, Tambaram, Chennai, The Madras High court has held that granting of permission to construct multi storied buildings and other buildings on the OSR (open space reserved) land is wrong and directed the concerned authorities to consider the representation given and pass orders in this regard. Earlier Sundaram Colony Layout with earmarked OSR land was approved by Tambaram Municipality in the year 1969 under 1920 Act. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS RESERVED ON : 30.01.2023 PRONOUNCED ON : 18.10.2023 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P.No.25440 of 2015 D.S.Madhavan … Petitioner vs. 1.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District, Kancheepuram. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tambaram, Kancheepuram District. 3.The Thasildar, Tambaram, Kancheepuram District. 4.The Commissioner, Tambaram Municipality, Tambaram, Chennai 600 045. 5.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Trust, Rep.by its Trustee Ajay Bagga 6.Suvasini Apartments Owners, Association, Tambaram (R5 impleaded vide Order dated 03.08.2022 made in WMP.No.8769/2021) (R6 impleaded vide Order dated 14.10.2022 made in WMP.No.24336 of 2019) … Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th respondent Commissioner to pass orders on the petitioner’s representation dated 07.06.2014 on the basis of the proceedings of the second respondent dated 02.03.2015 and the 3rd respondent dated 02.04.2015 by producing/issuing a copy of the order of de-reservation said to have been passed in the year 1969 with regard to the public lands measuring an extent of 29.9 grounds in Sundaram Colony, East Tambaram, Chennai 600 059. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Ramesh For R1 to R3 : No Appearance For R4 : Mr.P.Srinivas For R5 : Mr.K.Ravi Anantha Padmanaban For R6 : M/s.T.S.Baskar O R D E R This writ petition has been filed to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th respondent Commissioner to pass orders on the petitioner’s representation dated 07.06.2014 on the basis of the proceedings of the second respondent dated 02.03.2015 and the 3rd respondent dated 02.04.2015 by producing/issuing a copy of the order of de-reservation that is said to have been passed in the year 1969 with regard to the public lands measuring an extent of 29.9 grounds in Sundaram Colony, East Tambaram, Chennai 600 059. 2. The present writ petition viz., W.P.No.25440 of 2015 was earlier heard partly on 28.07.2022. It was informed that there are two connected writ petitions in W.P.Nos.26255 and 11367 of 2013. At the request of the learned counsel for the petitioner, these two cases were directed to be listed for common disposal. 3. Details of the writ petitions filed by the petitioners herein apart from this writ petition are detailed as below:- W.P.No/Date of disposal Petitioner Respondent Prayer No.28856 of 2012 dated 15.10.2012 Sundaram Colony Association represented by D.S.Madhavan a)State of Tamilnadu b)Tambaram Municipality c) CMDA\ d) The Director of Town and Country Planning Writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent (CMDA) to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 26.09.2012 regarding land usage in Sundaram Colony No.28857 of 2012 dated 15.10.2012 Sundaram Colony Association represented by D.S.Madhavan a)State of Tamilnadu b)Tambaram Municipality c) CMDA d)The Director of Town and Country Planning. Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002. Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent (Tambaram Municipality) to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 29.08.2012 regarding land usage in Sundaram Colony No.11367 of 2012 Dated 16.04.2013 a) D.S.Madhavan b) B. R.Rajamani c) S.V.Balasubramanian d) D.O.R.Venkatraman 1)State of Tamilnadu 2)Tambaram Municipality 3) CMDA 4)Director of Town Planning and Country Planning 5) V.Krishnamoorthy 6) S.Usha 7) T.Usha i) Writ of Mandamus directing 2nd and 3rd respondents to consider representation dated 07.04.2013 regarding land usage in Sundaram Colony 8) A.M.Thangam 9) T.P.Rangachari 10) S.Sathiyamurthy 4. However, it was later informed that the said two writ petitions were specially ordered and were to be listed before the then Honb’le Mr.Justice ( who later retired as the Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice Mr.T.Raja). However, no further orders have been passed in W.P.Nos.26255 and 11367 of 2023. They are said to be still pending. 5. After hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Advocate for the first to third respondent, learned counsel for the fourth respondent and the learned counsel for the fifth respondents, this writ petition was earlier disposed on 02.09.2022 by directing the fourth respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner and pass orders on merits. 6. After the aforesaid order was passed, there was a mention and it was brought to the knowledge of the Court that an application was filed by 6th respondent for impleading the 6th respondent in W.P.M.No.24336 of 2019. However, same was not listed on 02.09.2022 when orders were passed disposing the present writ petition. 7. Under these circumstances, order dated 02.09.2022 disposing the present writ petition was recalled. Therefore, the present writ petition was thereafter listed on 07.09.2022. Since the portfolio changed, the same could not be taken up for hearing earlier. W.P.No.24336 of 2019 filed by the 6th respondent was allowed. Therefore, this case was listed on 02.12.2022 for arguments. 8. Elaborate argument was advanced by the learned Senior Counsel for the sixth respondent/ who had filed WMP.No.24336 of 2019 on 14.10.2022 to implead itself in the present writ petition. 9. It was argued that under the Scheme of Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920, the land which was earmarked for open space was allowed to be sold to a private person in the year 1969 under the provisions of the said Town and Country Planning Act, 1920 (Madras Act No.VI of 1920). Thus, there has been new development and therefore there is no merits in the present writ petition. 10. The learned counsel for the fifth respondent would submit that the crux of the issue is that prior to the coming into force of the new Town & Country Planning Act, 1971, there was no mandatory provision to leave the open space for providing the lay out. If the public authority wanted such open space, the same area should be purchased by it from the land owner. Hence, the fourth respondent – Tambaram Municipality passed a resolution that due to non-availability of funds, it was returning those 29.9 acres to the builder, thus resulting in automatic de-reservation or dereservation by default. 11. The learned counsel further submits that in the writ appeals and SLPs, this position was culled out and a clean chit has been given for granting the planning permission by holding that prior to the new Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, it was not mandatory to allot an open space by the builder or lay-out promoter. Also, G.O.Ms.No.743 dated 10.05.1975 exempts 10% reservation of open space reserved area as on mandatory condition. In fact, one of the SLPs filed by the pre-predecessor Association member of the petitioner, the donor o the 5th respondent’s property, namely Mr.Balaji was impleaded as one of the respondents in the SLP Civil No.2881 of 2002 and the entire issue has been settled by the Supreme Court, which is binding on the petitioner. In the same place, their apartment has also been built and several buildings have been built in and around the vacant property of the 5th respondent. 12. The learned counsel further submitted that in W.A.Nos.407 & 723 of 1996, the Hon’ble Divsion Bench of this Court has observed as follows:- 5. As already stated, the lay out was sanctioned in the year 1981. In 1989, the Municipality passed a resolution that they are not willing to take over the land left by the promoter as open space for paucity of funds. Subsequently, the lay out was revised. Then, there is no further dispute that the open space reserved had been dereserved. When once the de-reservation had bee made automatically, it vests with the land owner and the local Authority has no control over the same. Hence, the promoter had dealt with the lands after the de-reservation. When that be the case, the order of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority rejecting the application for the planning sanction on the ground that the space falls within the reserved ‘open space’ cannot be sustained. Consequently, the Government has taken into consideration of all these facts and granted exemption under the impugned proceedings on the ground that the appellant in W.A.No.407 is a bonafide purchaser for value and the fact remains that the land left for open space had been de-reserved. When these facts are not disputed by the respondents 1 to 6, we are of the view that there is no need to interfere with the impugned proceedings in the writ petition. 6.Though the learned Single Judge of this Curt has elaborately discussed the provisions of the Act, he has over looked the facts pertaining of the writ petition. Hence, we are not inclined to deal with the order of the learned Single Judge elaborately as we find that the Government Order granting exemption to the appellant in W.A.No.407 of 1996 is on the basis of the dereservation of the open space ear-marked under the original sanctioned lay out in 1961 and especially the de-reservation is in 1969, it is not open t the Authorities to deal with the land or to insist the land owner to leave it as the open space. Further, the new Town and Country Planning Act that was enacted in the year 1971 came into force in 1975. As the land under dispute was de-reserved much earlier to the new Act came into force, the new Act has no application for deciding the issue involved in this case. If at all, the new Act is applicable, it can be applicable only to the sanctioning of the building plan and it cannot be taken that the open space already de-reserved has to be maintained as open space which will, in turn, amount to contrary to the decision already taken by the local Authority.” 13. The learned counsel for the fifth respondent further submitted that the SLPs preferred against these writ appeal orders also got dismissed. As stated above since the donor to the fifth respondent was made a party resulting in affirming the above order of the Division Bench, the present writ petition has no legs to stand and it has to be dismissed. Subsequently, another bench order was passed relying upon and following the above order passed in W.A.No.407 of 1996. Therefore the present writ petition is liable to be dismissed with a further direction to the official respondents to grant planning permission to the fifth respondent trust, who only wants to build a mediation centre for the good of the public in that area for carrying out bhajans and its allied acts only . 14. In other words, the act of passing the resolution amounts to de-reservation, W.P.No.2771 of 1986 was filed by six persons namely K.S.Venkatramani, K.P.Suryanarayanan, G.Srinivasarangan, T.S.Sundararajan, M.V.Natarajan and S.Goindarajan. In W.P.No.2771 of 1986, these persons had challenged G.O.Ms.No.69 dated 10.01.1986 issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department. 15. There is a long history to this Litigation. Facts indicate that Sundaram Colony in Tambaram was approved by the then Tambaram Municipal Council in the year 1961 vide D.Dis.No.16981/61 dated 28.12.1961. It was promoted by one Sundaram Ayyangar . 16. On 25.04.1969, Tambaram Municipal Corporation is said to have passed a resolution to the effect that due to insufficient fund, it was not possible to purchase the land meant for public purpose and therefore it was decided to grant permission for construction of a Marriage Hall. A clean copy of the aforesaid resolution dated 25.04.1969 was filed before this Court. It reads as under:- “epjpg;gw;whf; Fiwapdhy; nkw;go ,lj;ij th’;Ftjw;F ,aytpy;iy vd;W jPh;khdpg;gnjhL fy;ahz kz;lgk; fl;l m’;fPfhpf;fg;gl;lJ. epge;jidia ePf;fp tplt[k; jPh;khdpf;fg;gl;lJ.” 17.Whether indeed such a resolution was based or not is debatable. In any event, the stand of the erstwhile Municipal Council has to be viewed from the perspective of the Tamil Nadu Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920 (Madras Act No.VI of 1920) the Madras Town and Country Planning Rules, 1920 as it stood as of 25.04.1469. 18. In this writ petition, this Court is concerned with the land that was meant construction of a marriage/community hall which was to be sold to one R.Krishnamoorthy by the promoter Sundaram Ayyangar. 19. The said R.Krishnamoorthy had purchased the land from the said promoters Sundaram Ayyangar and had built a Marriage Hall ( Kalyanamandapam). 20. Later, the said R.Krishnamoorthy had later brought down the Marriage Hall and has sold undivided share in the land to members of the 6th respondent association for putting up a multi-storied apartment. 21. Earlier, W.P.No.4426 of 1983. W.P.No.4426 of 1983 was filed by K.S.Venkatramani and five others namely K.P.Suryanarayanan, G.Srinivasarangan, T.S.Sundararajan, M.V.Natarajan and S.Govindarajan for a Mandamus to direct the third and fourth respondents therein to enforce the regulation to prevent illegal construction on the land reserved for open space in the layout. 22. It appears that W.P.No.4426 of 1983 filed earlier was dismissed by this Court. Therefore, W.A.No.646 of 1987 was filed before the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court. The then Director of Town and Country Planning in his communication dated 17.11.1987 addressed to the Government Pleader has described the application DTP.No.21/1974 as follows:- a) TP/DTP 178/61 : 1. No. of House sites. 2. A piece of land has been reserved for public purpose and another for children play ground and 3. A part of layout area has been reserved for commercial purpose and a piece of land has been reserved for shops. b) TP/DTP 202/65 1. No.of House sites. 2.The land reserved for public purpose and children play ground has been changed as”Open” with slightly increasing the area. 3. The area reserved for commercial purpose has been retained as it is and one more shopping area has been provided. 4. The width of road DD D1 D1 has been reduced” 23. It has been further stated that approved plan was further revised as follows:- c) TP/DTP 103/69:- In the revised layout area reserved for commercial purpose in the original layout has been converted as house sites with reservation for children playground and shops. d) TP/DTP 174/72: It appears that the area shown in the layout does not fall within the approved layout area. However, a copy of the same is furnished. 24. Relevant portion of the aforesaid communication further read as under:- As per Section 176 of Tamilnadu District Municipalities Act, 1920 and local body may sanction or refuse the layouts received from the individuals who intends to make or layout a new private street based on the grounds given in that section. As per G.O.No.1920 dated 26.05.1939 the local body shall consult the Director of Town and Country Planning and obtain his technical opinion on the layouts. The Department taking into consideration the existing circulation pattern and the needs for common amenities such as children pray space, open spaces etc., offer its views on the layouts received or suitably revise the layouts and furnish the same to the local body. The local body is the final authority to sanction the layout under the provision of the Tamilnadu District Municipalities Act 1920, whenever the applicant has any grievances on the layout approved by the local body, the local body in turn refer such representations to the Director of Town and Country Planning for advise. Based on the merits of the representation and the availability of amenities, the department furnish revised layouts or amended layouts on the local body. As seen from the layouts approved TP/DTP 178/61 and the revised layout 202/65 it is noted that no reservation was agreed to be deleted and converted into house sites. In the layout approved by the Department in TP/103/69 the area reserved for commercial purpose had been agreed to be converted as house sites with reservation for children play ground and shops and a portion of it is retained for commercial purpose. In this layout also no area reserved for public purpose has been agreed to be converted for house sites by the department. The connected files relating to the approval of the above layouts were destroyed as the department used to retain it only for 10 years after furnishing the layout to the local body.” 25. The TP-TDP No.178/1961 of the Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning has laid down the following stringent condition at the time of approval of the Sundaram Colony lay out :- 4.mqf;Pfhpf;fgg;l;l tiuglj;jpw;F fhl;lg;gl;Ls;s ve;j xU kidiaAk; nghJ thhpaqf;Sf;fhf njhpT nra;agg;l;l kidfisj; jtpu FbapUgG; tPL flL;tjw;F kl;LNk gad;gLjj;g;gl Ntz;LNkayy;hJ fil gz;lfrhiy kw;Wk; FbapUgG; my;yhj myy;J FbapUg;igr; rhhe; ;j cgNahfj;jpw;fpy;yhj fl;blk; flL;tjw;F gad;gLj;j$lhJ. nghJ trjpfSf;fhf nra;ag;gl;Ls;s ,lq;fs; ahTk; mqf;Pfhpf;fgg;l;l tiuglq;fspy; Fwpgg;plg;gl;Ls;s cgNahfqfSf;fhf kl;LNk gad;gLjj;g;gl Ntz;Lk.; 6.mqf;Pfhpf;fgg;l;l tiuglj;jpy; fhl;lg;gl;Ls;s njUf;fNshL fl;bl tuk;G 10 mbfF;f; Fiwahky; nfhLff; NtzL;k.; kidapy; vy;iyf;Fk; fl;bl tuk;Gf;Flg;l;l epyg;gFjpapy; njUtpd; cahf;l;blj;jpypUe;J 5 mb caujj;pwF; Nkwg;lhj Rw;Wr;Rth; my;yJ Ntyp jtpu vtt;pj fl;blNkh RtNuh flL;jy; $lhJ. 9.kidapd; gug;gpy; 50 rJuj;JfF; Nky; fl;blk; fl;lg;glf;$lhJ. fll;hky; tplgg;Lk; jpwe;j ntspia Njhl;lkhfNth jpwe;j Kww;khfNth jdpgg;l;l cgNahfj;jpw;fhf Rfhjhukhd epiyapy; Jg;Gwthf guhkhpj;jy; Ntz;Lk;.” 26. The above contention was in consonance with Rule 76 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Rules, 1920. The facts on records indicate that rampant unauthorized construction were made in the aforesaid layout based on the sale deed executed by the promoters of the layout namely Sundaram Iyyangar. In the counter filed before this Court in W.P.No.4426 of 1983 by the first respondent therein, the Commissioner, Tambaram Municipality stated as follows:- “I submit that further actions have been taken by Tambaram Municipality under Section 216 of the Tamilnadu District Municipalities Act against the unauthorized construction vide unauthorized Construction 38A/82, 130/82, 134/82 & 19/1983 and therefore the averments of the petitioner that the unauthorized constructions made with connivance of the first respondent and under the very eyes and active co-operation of the 1st respondent and the constructions are coming up in violation of the statutory provisions winked at by the 1st respondent under the benevolent grace of the first respondent are absolutely false and baseless and are hereby specifically denied by me. 27. Para 13, 15 and 16, it was stated that action have been taken against the following persons:- Name Date ROC/UAO Remarks Sundaram 12.5.1982 792/82 Charge sheet has been filed before the Judicial Second Class Magistrate Court, Saidapet. Krishnamoorthy* 12.5.1982 7291/82 Charge sheet has been filed before J.S.O Magistrate Court, Saidapet. Rangachari 12.4.1982 3B1/82 – do- K.G.Lakshmi 12.4.1982 92/83 Charge sheet has been filed before the Judicial SubDivisional Magistrate Court, Saidapet and Judgment copy is awaited. T.R.Lakshmi 29.07.1982 130/82 -do P.R.Mahadevan – – O.S.No.1449/82 and 1124/1982 before the District Munsif Court, Poonamallee and the same is pending. ∗ The person who had put up illegal construction for the 6th respondent association. 28. After the case was heard at length and the case was reserved for passing orders, one Mr.James Ponniah filed an application before the Authority to exempt the property purchased by him from the rigor of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. 29. The said James Ponniah appears to have purchased the property located in the open space in the layout and wanted exemption from Rule 14 of the Tamil Nadu Development Control Rules relating to open space under Section 113 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. 30. By G.O.Ms.No.69 was issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department Notification dated 10.01.1996 in favour of the said James Ponniah. G.O.Ms.No.69 dated 10.01.1996 issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department granted to exemption to the said James Ponniah from Rule 14 of the Tamil Nadu Development Control Rules. 31. Pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.69 of the Housing and Urban Development Department, the said James Ponniah was allowed to put up construction of a building in S.Nos.96 to 108 in Sundaram Colony, Selaiyur Village, Tambaram in the open area under the provisions of the then existing Development Control Rules. 32. Rule 14 (c)of the then existing of Development Control Rules read as under:- 14. Open Space and Recreational Zone :- a) In the open space and recreational zone, buildings or premises shall be normally permitted for the following purposes and accessory uses:- iAll public and semi-public, recreational uses and open spaces, parks and playgrounds, zoological and botanical garden, nurseries, water front developments, museums and memorials: ii.Installation of electric motors of not exceeding 5 horsepower may be permitted for pumping water for gardening purposes. (b)The following uses may be permitted with the special sanction of the Authority :- (i)Transportation terminals, cinemas, theaters and open air theaters, exhibitions, circuses, fairs and festival grounds, public utilities. (ii)Incidental residential uses for essential staff required to be maintained in the area : (iii)All activities incidental to recreational use including beach cottages as may be decided by the authority : (iv)Installations that may be necessary for the uses mentioned above : (v)All agricultural uses : (vi)Burial and / or burning grounds or crematoria. (c)All uses not specifically mentioned under sub-rule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited. (d)For buildings in the area same regulations in respect to extent of plot, floor space index etc. shall be applicable in accordance with the table given under respective zones. 33. Thus, there was a prohibition. However, G.O.Ms.No.69, dated 10.01.1986 issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department granted exemption to James Ponniah. G.O.Ms.No.69, dated 10.01.1986 issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department granting exemption in favour of the said James Ponniah was rightly quashed by this Court vide its order dated 27.02.1996 in W.P.No.2771 of 1986 with the following observations:- “37. I may state that the State in particular has a duty to protect the environment and therefore, it has to shed its extravagant unbridled sovereign power. In this case, the first respondent-State has failed to do so. 38. In the result, I hold that the Notification dated 10.01.1986 issued by the first respondent is violative of Article 226 of the Constitution of India, and it is arbitrary, and I quash the same accordingly. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, I also hold that the petitioners are entitled to their costs, which is quantified at Rs.5,000/- ( Rupees five thousand) payable by respondents 1, 2 and 3. The writ petition is allowed with costs as indicated above”. 34. While quashing G.O.Ms.No.69, dated 10.01.1996, learned Single Judge had made the following observation in para 20 of the order dated 27.02.1996 in W.P.No.2771 of 1986:- “20. On merits of the case, by exempting the second respondent from Rule 14 of the Development Control Rules, it is for the State to show it has applied its mind and it is not a favoritism shown to him. When a layout and scheme are approved by the third respondent, such reservation is intended for the benefit of the Public. It was held in T. Chet Ram Vashist v. Municipal Corpn. of Delhi, (1995) 1 SCC 47 Reserving any site for any street, open space, park, school etc. in a layout plan is normally a public purpose as it is inherent in such reservation that it shall be used by the public in general. The effect of such reservation is that the owner ceases to be a legal owner of the land in dispute and he holds the land for the benefit of the society or the public in general. It may result in creating an obligation in nature of trust and may preclude the owner from transferring or selling his interest in it.” 35. Aggrieved by the order dated 27.02.1996,of the learned Single Judge in W.P.No.2771 of 1986, the said James Ponniah, (the second respondent therein) filed W.A.No.4407 of 1998. The State of Tamil Nadu also filed a separate appeal in W.A.No.723 of 1996. 36. These two writ appeals were taken up together and decided by a Division Bench of this Court vide common order dated 10.09.2001. The Division Bench allowed W.P.No.4407 of 1998 filed by James Ponniah and dismissed W.A.No.723 of 1996 filed by the State. Relevant portion of the common order dated 10.09.2001 of the Division Bench reads as under:- 4. As already stated, the layout was sanctioned in the year 1961. In 1969, the Municipality passed a resolution that they are not willing to take over the land left by the promoter as open space for paucity of funds. Subsequently, the layout was revised. Then, there is no further dispute that the open space reserved had been de-reserved. When once the de-reservation had been made automatically, it vests with the land owner and the local Authority has no control over the same. Hence, the promoter had dealt with the lands after the de-reservation. When that be the case, the order of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority rejecting the application for the planning sanction on the ground that the space falls within the reserved ‘open space’ cannot be sustained. Consequently, the Government has taken into consideration of all these facts and granted exemption under the impugned proceedings on the ground that the appellant in W.A.No.407 of 1996 is a bonafide purchaser for value and the fact remains that the land left for open space had been de-reserved. When these facts are not disputed by the respondents 1 to 8, we are of the view that there is no need to interfere with the impugned proceedings in the writ petition. 5.Though the learned single Judge has elaborately discussed the provisions of the provisions of the Act, he has over-looked the facts pertaining to the case, which are more relevant for the disposal the writ petition. Hence, we are not inclined to deal with the order of the learned Single Judge elaborately as we find that the Government Order granting exemption to the appellant in W.A.No.407 of 1996 is on the basis of the de-reservation of the open space earmarked under the original sanctioned layout in 1981 and especially, the de-reservation is in 1969, it is not open to the Authorities to deal with the land or to insist the landowner to leave it as the open space. Further, the new Town and Country Planning Act that was enacted in the year 1971 came into force in 1975, as the land under dispute was de-reserved much earlier to the new Act came into force, the new Act has no application for deciding the issue involved in this case. If at all, the new Act is applicable, it can be applicable only to the sanctioned of the building plan and it cannot be taken that the open space already de-reserved has to be maintained as open space which will, in turn, amount to contrary to the decision already taken by the local Authority. Consequently, both the writ appeals are allowed. The order of the learned Single Judge is set aside. 37. Meanwhile, the first respondent in W.A.Nos.407 & 423 of 1996 filed another W.P.No.12386 of 1994 (the original petitioner in W.P.No.2771 of 1996). W.P.No.12386 of 1994 was filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus restraining the State from permitting the conversion or sub-dividing the open space. However, W.P.No.12386 of 1994 was also dismissed on 13.09.2001 by this Court. SLP.No.2881 of 2002 filed against the order of this Court in W.P.No.12386 was also dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 08.09.2010. 38. Section 36 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920 read as under:- Section 36:-Power of Councils to make any agreement: A municipal council shall be competent to make any agreement with any person in respect of any matter which is to be provided for a town – planning scheme subject to the powers of the [State Government] to modify or disallow such agreement, and unless it is otherwise expressly provided therein, such agreement shall take effect on and after the day on which the scheme comes into force. Provided that if the agreement be modified by the [State Government], either party shall have the option of avoiding it if he so elects within the prescribed period.” 39. Coming to the provisions of the Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920, as per Section 4 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920, the Town Planning Schemes may provide for all or any of the following matters:- (a) the laying out of land as building sites; (b)the construction, diversion, extension, alteration, improvement or closure of streets, roads and communications; 40. The power was vested with the Government under Section 44(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act. 1920 to make Rules consistent with the provision of the Act. 41. This provision is similar to Section 128 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. Section 9 (2)of the Madras Town- Planning Act, 1920 which reads as under:- Section 9(1)Every municipal council which intends to make a town-planning scheme, in respect of any land within the municipal area or in it vicinity outside such area, or to adopt, with or without modifications, a draft scheme proposed by all or any of the owners of any such land shall, by resolution, declare its intention. The chairman shall then have a plan prepared showing the area proposed to be included in the scheme, the surrounding lands and any existing streets. 42. Section 10 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1920, read as under;_ 10. (1) The resolution under section 9 shall be published by notification in the prescribed manner by the chairman; and such notification shall state that a copy of the plan is kept for the inspection of the public at all reasonable hours at the municipal office. (2)If within sixty days from the date of such publication a person likely to be affected by such scheme communicates in writing any objection or suggestion relating thereto the municipal council shall consider such objection or suggestion. (3)The municipal council may then finally resolve upon making or adopting the scheme with or without modifications, and the chairman shall publish the resolution by notification in the prescribed manner. 43. Section 45(1) of the Madras Town-Planning Act, 1920 reads as under:- 45(1) Every resolution passed under section 44 shall be submitted through the district educational council to the Governor in Council 44. Section 50 (2) of the Madras Town-Planning Act, 1920 contemplates Trust. The constitution of Trusts under Chapter IX of the Act, was deemed to be a Local Authority for the purpose of borrowing money under the provisions of that Act and making execution of scheme under the Act shall be deemed with work. Section 50(2) of the Madras Town – Planning Act, 1920 reads as under:- Section 50(2):- A trust constituted under this chapter shall be deemed to be a local authority, as defined in the Local Authorities Loans Act, 1914, for the purpose of borrowing money under the provisions of that Act, and the making and execution of a scheme under this Act shall be deemed to be a work which a local authority is legally authorized to carry out.” 45. Section 52 deals with vesting with the Municipal Council of streets layout and open space provided by the Trust under the scheme. As per Section 52 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920 when any open space for purposes of ventilation or recreation has been provided by the trust in executing any scheme, it shall, on completion, be transferred to the municipal council by resolution of the trust. It shall thereupon vest with the Municipal Council. It shall be maintained at the expense of the Municipal Council. As per Section 52 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920, read as under:- Section 52 (1): Whenever the municipal council is satisfied- (a) that any street laid out or altered by the trust has been duly levelled, paved, metalled, flagged, channelled, sewered and drained in the manner provided in the scheme sanctioned by the Local Government under this Act and (b) that such lamps, lamp-posts, and other apparatus as the municipal council may consider necessary for the lighting of such street and as ought to be provided by the trust have been so provided, and (c) that water and other sanitary conveniences ordinarily provided in a municipality have been duly provided in such street, the municipal council, after obtaining th assent of the trust, or failing such assent, the assent of the Local Government under subsection (3), shall, by a written notice affixed in some conspicuous position in such street, declare the street to be a public street; and the street shall thereupon vest in the municipal council, and shall thenceforth be maintained, kept in repair, lighted and cleansed by the municipal council. (2)When any open space for purposes of ventilation or recreation has been provided by the trust in executing any scheme, it shall, on completion, be transferred to the municipal council by resolution of the trust and shall thereupon vest in, and be maintained at the expense of, the municipal council; Provided that the municipal council may require the trust, before any such open space is so transferred, to enclose, level, turf, drain and lay out such space and provide foot-paths therein, and, if necessary, to provide lamps and other apparatus for lighting it (3)If any difference of opinion arises between the trust and the municipal council in respect of any matter referred to in the forgoing provisions of this section, the matter shall be referred to the Local Government, whose decision shall be final. 46. As per Rule 76 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Rules, 1920 framed under sub-section (1)(2) of 44 of the said Act, when any street or other work has been constructed or when any open space for purposes of ventilation or recreation or any site for a public purpose has been provided (or acquired) by the responsible authority, it shall on completion be transferred to the concerned Municipal Council by order of the responsible authority and shall thereafter be maintained by the concerned Municipal Council.” 20. Rule 76 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Rule , 1920 reads as under:- “When any street or other work has been constructed or when any open space for purposes of ventilation or recreation or any site for a public purpose has been provided (or acquired) by the responsible authority it shall on completion be transferred to the concerned Municipal Council by order of the responsible authority and shall thereafter be maintained by the concerned Municipal Council.” 47. Thus, if any open space for purposes of ventilation or recreationor any site for a public purpose has been provided (or acquired), it shall on completion be transferred to the concerned Municipal Council by order of the responsible authority and shall thereafter be maintained by the concerned Municipal Council.” there is no power conferred under the aforesaid Rule on the Tambaram Municipal Corporation represented by itself Council to transfer the rights to a third party to put up the construction . 48. Thus, it emerges that the constructions were made without proper authorization for converting of land ear-marked for public purpose by the promoters of lay out namely T.S.Sundaram Ayyengar. The promoters of lay out namely T.S.Sundaram Ayyengar sold the land to several persons including Krishnamoorthy, who later constructed a Marriage Hall viz. kalayana Mandapam. 49. The said Kalayana Mandapam that was put up by the said V.Krishnamoorthy, was demolished. He later decided to put up as a residential apartment by selling into the members of the sixth respondent herein who have been subsequently impleaded. 50. The members of the 6th respondent Association who are the owners of Suvasini Apartments at Plot No.1A, Periyalwar Street, East Tambaram, Chennai-59 have purchased UDS from the said Mr.V.Krishnamurthy and his son Raja K.Moorth contrary to Rule 76 of the Madras Town and Country Planning Act, 1920. 51. They decided to develop the land into a residential complex and had submitted a plan before CMDA and other authorities for approval. The authorities concerned had also approved for construction. After obtaining a planning permit vide B/Spl.Bldg/381 A to C.2012 dated 21.09.2012 by CMDA and also building planning approval 663/12 dated 05.10.2012 issued by the Tambaram Municipality, the said V.Krishnamurthy had developed the property along with a builder. 52. On completion of the said building, CMDA has also issued “ Completion Certificates” confirming that the flats have been constructed strictly in accordance with the planning permit and planning approval. 53. The local authority and electricity board also provided all amenities. The members of the 6th respondent Association purchased flats in the apartments complex developed by Mr.V.Krishnamurthy. It appears that there are 23 flats who have been constructed over the property, in Plot No.1A. 54. The Court have repeatedly stated that no fresh construction can be permitted in the area meant for public purpose. A part of the property which was earlier ear-marked for public purpose has been developed into a residential apartments. Such construction ought to have been permitted. 55. Thus, there are sufficient reasons for the Court to issue a writ of Mandamus to direct the 4th respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the representation of the petitioner and their predecessor’s to take steps to remove illegal construction that have been put up in layout. 56. The 4th respondent shall pass appropriate orders on merits without getting influenced by any of the observation contained herein and decide the case on merits on the strength of the documents to be filed. The said exercise shall be carried by the respondent, within a period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 57. This writ petition stands allowed with the above observation. No costs. 18.10.2023 Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No kkd C.SARAVANAN,J. kkd To 1.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District, Kancheepuram. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tambaram, Kancheepuram District. 3.The Thasildar, Tambaram, Kancheepuram District. 4.The Commissioner, Tambaram Municipality, Tambaram, Chennai 600 045. Pre-delivery Order in W.P.No.25440 of 2015 18.10.2023 .](https://sekarreporter.com/wp-content/themes/hueman/assets/front/img/thumb-medium-empty.png)