A KARUPPANAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The reliefs sought for in all the writ petitions are identical. Therefore, the writ petitions were heard together and are being disposed of by this common order.

(2.) The challenge is to a notification issued by the second respondent in G.O.(Ms) No.57, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (PR-1), dated 20.05.2019, pertaining to reservation of seats in District Panchayat Wards under the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 (hereinafter, referred to as "the Act").

(3.) The petitioner Mr.A.Karuppanan submits that he is a native of Thoppampatti Village, Manapparai Taluk, Tiruchirappalli District, which comes under Thoppampatti Village Panchayat Ward No.I in Manaparai Panchayat Union. This Ward was declared as a reserved constituency for scheduled caste candidates for more than four tenures. It is submitted that as per the Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Reservation of Seats and Rotation of Reserved Seats) Rules, 1995, (hereinafter, referred to as "the Rules), the State Government should have followed the rotation basis and declared the constituency as a general category. However, in the impugned Government Notification, Thoppampatti Village Panchayat Ward No.I was declared as a reserved seat for SC General. It is contended that the petitioner sent a representation to the respondents and requested them to re-allot the seats of the Ward. But, a reply was sent stating that already the Ward has been reserved for Scheduled Caste and therefore, the petitioner is questioning the impugned notification.