SOUNDHA Vs. COLLECTOR DHARMAPURI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner was a cook at the Noon Meal Centre, Government Higher Secondary School, Periyampatti, Karimangalam Block, Dharmapuri District. THE petitioner was suspended by the respondent District Collector by an order dated 07.08.2009, pending further action.

(2.) IN the order of suspension, it was stated that the petitioner's centre was inspected by the Personal Assistant (Noon Meal Scheme) of the District Collector, Dharmapuri on 23.07.2009. As per the register for the food items kept in the centre, it was claimed that food was prepared for 640 students, but only 451 students had their lunch. Therefore, the materials were taken in excess of actual requirement. Further, food was not supplied to those students. It was also stated that from Karimangalam Panchayat Union, the Noon meal Organiser received 640 eggs on that day. Out of which 531 were boiled and only 451 was given to students and the balance 80 eggs were not supplied. There was also shortage of 109 eggs in the centre. It is for this reason the Noon meal organiser S.Sivagami and the cooks M/s. Soundhara, Sarala and Assistant Cooks Savithri, Sathiyaveni and Govindhammal were kept under suspension. The Block Development Officer was directed to give additional charge to the neighbouring staff for carrying out the duties of the centre and also submit a report to the District Collector.

(3.) ON a further direction from this Court as to whether Subsistence Allowance was paid to the petitioner pending the further action, a fax message dated 23.10.2009 was obtained from the District Collector. In that it was stated that since there is no rule for providing Subsistence Allowance, the petitioner was not granted any subsistence allowance.