SINGARAVELAN Vs. GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner herein - Othuvar in Arulmighu Thiru Ilanjikumarar Thirukovil, Ilanji, via Tenkasi, Tirunelveli District, alleging that he has been paid a very meagre salary, has approached this Court seeking a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the second respondent in RP.No.114/2014/D2, dated 06.07.2015 and quash the same and further direct the respondents to re-fix the petitioner's salary as per G.O.(Ms)No.141, dated 21.05.2004 and G.O.(Ms)No.257, dated 30.06.2010.

(2.) It is the case of the petitioner that he belongs to the traditional Othuvar family, who dedicated their services to Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga. They perform chanting of 'Thirumuraigal' in the temples in Tamil Nadu. The petitioner is working as Othuvar in the third respondent temple from 03.01.1980. Though he had put in 37 years of service as Othuvar, he has neither been regularised nor given service increments.

(3.) He further stated that the Government vide G.O(Ms)No.141, dated 21.05.2004, fixed the salary for various staff members working in the temples and according to the said Government Order, the scale of pay for Othuvar is fixed as L 2000-60-2300-75-3200. The said Government Order came into force by the first respondent, by order dated 04.06.2004, giving effect from 01.07.1997. Despite several reminders, the claim of the petitioner was not attended so far. Thereafter, the third respondent, by order dated 05.04.2000, recommended the case of the petitioner for fixation of salary as per G.O(Ms)No.141, dated 21.05.2004, with effect from 01.07.1997.