WP/11624/2026 of M.PALANIVEL Vs THE CHAIRMAN

W.P.No.11624 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 02.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.No.11624 of 2026 And W.M.P.Nos.12679 and 12680 of 2026 M.Palanivel ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Chairman, TANGEDCO/ Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Ltd., Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 2.The Chief Engineer (Personnel), Electricity (AURY), No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 3.The Superintending Engineer, Direct (Distribution), TNPDCL, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 4.The Financial Controller (General), TNPDCL, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. ... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of Ind ia to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11624 of 2026 pertaining to the impugned proceedings vide Memo No.D(D)/EA/F Manpower-Summer/ D.No.18/2026-2 dated 13.02.2026, quash the same and direct the respondents to recruit / engage the existing petitioners/ contract workers for their requirements o f respondents casual works. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Manohar For Respondents : Mr.Venkatesh Prasad AP for M/s.Advit Law Chamber O R D E R The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the proceedings vide Memo No.D(D)/EA/F Manpower-Summer/ D.No.18/2026-2 dated 13.02.2026, quash the same and direct the respondents to recruit / engage the existing petitioners/ contract workers for their requirements of respondents casual works. 2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submit ted that the petitioner is the General Secretary of TNEB Gene ral Contract Labourers Progressive Federation (TNEBGCPF). The members of TNEBGCPF worked as contract labourers for several year s, however, 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11624 of 2026 their services were not regularized, thereby, TNEBGCPF made representation to the Joint Commissioner of Labour and the same was rejected by the Joint Commissioner of Labour. Thereafter, the members of TNEBGCPF filed W.P.No.30714 of 2019 and this Court vide order dated 15.04.2025 granted liberty to the petitione rs therein to work out the remedy in the manner known to law, pursu ant to which, they approached the Authority under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (Conferment of Permanent Status to Work men) Act and the same is pending. In the meanwhile, the respond ents passed the impugned order engaging additional manpower. The learned counsel further submitted that the respondents passe d the impugned order inorder to deprive the rights of the members of TNEBGCPF for regularization of their services. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that the members of TNEBGCPF are not employees of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and they are only contract labourers and further submitted that mere pendancy of the issue before the Authority under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (C onferment of Permanent Status to Workmen) Act, will not deprive t he rights of the respondents to engage additional manpower inorder to ensure the 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11624 of 2026 uninterrupted quality power supply to the consumers an d to face the unexpected incidents triggered by this summer. 4.Heard the arguments advanced on either side and per used the materials available on record. 5.The members of TNEBGCPF are not employees of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and they are only contract labourers. Mere pendancy of the issue before the Authority under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (Conferment of Permanent Status to Workmen) Act, will not deprive the rights of the respondents to engage additional manpower inorder to ensure the uninterrupted quality power supply to the consumers and to face the unexpected incidents triggered by this summer. 6.The writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 02.04.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11624 of 2026 To 1.The Chairman, TANGEDCO/ Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Ltd., Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 2.The Chief Engineer (Personnel), Electricity (AURY), No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 3.The Superintending Engineer, Direct (Distribution), TNPDCL, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 4.The Financial Controller (General), TNPDCL, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.11624 of 2026 M.DHANDAPANI,J. pri W.P.No.11624 of 2026 And W.M.P.Nos.12679 and 12680 of 2026 02.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis