P VEERARAGAVAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition has been filed for a writ of certiorari to quash the impugned notification in G. O. Ms. No. 168, Revenue (R. A. I (1)) Department dated 19. 04. 2002, and for a mandamus to direct respondents 1 to 3 to issue orders for continuation of Ariyalur District with Headquarters at Ariyalur.

(2.) HEARD learned counsel for the parties.

(3.) THE petitioner has stated that he is a Senior Citizen and permanent resident of Ariyalur, and he is also an active member of the various social and cultural organizations working for the development of Ariyalur District. He further alleged that this writ petition has been filed in the interest of the general public, who are very much affected by the impugned notification and the consequent merger of Ariyalur District with Perambalur District. It is alleged in paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition that citizens who wanted the bifurcation of Perambalur district and the formation of a separate Ariyalur District held agitations. Thereafter, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu announced the formation of Ariyalur District with its headquarters at Ariyalur in a public function on 16. 05. 1999. The Government of Tamil Nadu appointed a one-man committee to examine the various aspects of the issue relating to the creation of a new District with headquarters at Ariyalur. After receiving the recommendations of the one-man committee the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G. O. Ms. No. 679, Revenue (RA-I) Department, dated 24. 12. 1999, for the creation of a separate district called Ariyalur District with its headquarters at Ariyalur, which consisted of three revenue divisions. Thereafter, the Government of Tamil Nadu in exercise of its power under Section 1 of the Tamil Nadu District Limits Act, 1865 issued G. O. Ms. No. 656, Revenue Department, dated 29. 12. 2000 notifying the bifurcation of Perambalur District with headquarters at Perambalur, consisting of one revenue division and three taluks, and Ariyalur District with headquarters at Ariyalur, consisting of two revenue divisions and three taluks. The Government has also sanctioned the necessary funds for the newly formed Ariyalur District in G. O. Ms. No. 657, Revenue, dated 29. 12. 2000. The newly formed Ariyalur District was inaugurated on 01. 01. 2001. It is further alleged that after the formation of the Ariyalur District the administrative functions are going on smoothly and the maintenance of law and order became easier.