Madras High Court
WA/196/2024 of Jaya Vs Valarmathi on 9 September 2026
WA No.196 of 2024
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09-09-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM
AND
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNASWAMY GOVINDARAJAN
WA No.196 of 2024
and
CMP No.1153 of 2024
Jaya
... Appellant
Vs
1. Valarmathi
2. The Director of Social Welfare,
Chepuak, Chennai – 600 005.
3. The District Collector,
Dharmapuri District,
Dharmapuri – 636 705.
... Respondents
Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, praying to allow the Writ Appeal and set aside the order dated 21.06.2023 made in W.P.No.32027 of 2017.
For Appellant
: Mr.P.Thirumalaivasan
For Respondents
: Mr.Dhanasekar
for M/s.R.Thamaraiselvan [R1]
Mr.K.Rajesh
Government Advocate [R2 & R3]
*****
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WA No.196 of 2024
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JUDGMENT
(Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam J.) The present Writ Appeal has been instituted by the 3rd respondent in the writ petition.
2. The 1st respondent Smt.Valarmathi filed a writ petition challenging the appointment of the appellant to the post of Noon Meal Organizer in Panchayat Elementary School, Kattuvalavu, Pocharampatty, Pennagaram Panchayat Union, Dharmapuri District. The Writ Court allowed the writ petition holding that the criteria fixed for appointment has to be re-visited by the competent authority to find out the correctness of the marks awarded under the distance criteria. Till such time the process is completed, the appellant was allowed to continue in service. In implementation of the order, the authorities have though issued an order of termination, allowed the appellant to continue in service in pursuance to the directions in the writ order impugned.
3. The only dispute arouse in the present litigation is that whether the appellant herein is residing within the radius of 3 kilometres from the
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WA No.196 of 2024
noon meal centre as per the G.O. issued in G.O.Ms.No.163, Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department, dated 18.08.2010.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the appellant would submit that the distance between the noon meal centre and the residence of the appellant is 2 kilometres. However, the learned counsel appearing for the 1st respondent and the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 2 and 3 would oppose by stating that the appellant is residing beyond the distance of 3 kilometres and therefore, the award of mark under the distance criteria was improper.
5. To resolve the issues, the respondents 2 and 3 are directed to measure the correct distance between the Noon Meal Centre and the residence of the appellant and verify the marks awarded for distance criteria under G.O.Ms.No.163, Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department, dated 18.08.2010. If the residence of the appellant is falling within the radius of 3 kilometres, then she may be allowed to continue as Noon Meal Organiser in Panchayat Elementary School, Kattuvalavu, Pocharampatty, Pennagaram Panchayat Union,
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WA No.196 of 2024
Dharmapuri District. If the residence of the appellant is falling beyond the permissible limit of 3 kilometres, then the termination order issued will hold good and to be implemented. Thereafter, the authorities shall conduct a fresh selection by inviting applications from all the eligible candidates for selection and appointment to the post of Noon Meal Organiser in the subject centre. Till such time the process is completed, the appellant may be allowed to continue in service.
6. With these directions, this Writ Appeal stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (S.M.S.,J.) (K.G.R.,J.) 09-09-2026 Index: Yes Speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No sp
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WA No.196 of 2024
To
1. The Director of Social Welfare, Chepuak, Chennai – 600 005.
2. The District Collector, Dharmapuri District, Dharmapuri – 636 705.
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WA No.196 of 2024
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J. AND KRISHNASWAMY GOVINDARAJAN, J. sp WA No.196 of 2024 and CMP No.1153 of 2024 09-09-2026
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