Madras High Court imposes costs on Adi Dravidar department secretary

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has imposed costs of Rs 15,000 on the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department secretary, observing that the official is "taking time at her sweet will, without caring for the time schedule fixed by the High court."

A division bench, comprising Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh, imposed costs on the official Kannagi Packianathan, for not implementing its order despite a lapse of 18 months from the date of the order.

The court had earlier granted authorities three weeks time to implement its order.

Earlier the court had passed orders on a petition filed by S. Karuppiah, founder of Central and State Government SC and ST Employees Federation at Perungalathur on July 18,2014 directing a high level committee, set up by government, to finalize shortfall in vacancies for SC and STs.

It had directed the committee to send the report on the matter to the government and the entire exercise had to be completed by the authorities, including the Home Secretary, within a period of six months.

Contending that there was no compliance, the Federation filed the contempt application in July 2015. The officials sought time for compliance and the division bench was extending the time several times.

When the matter came up on March 18,2016, the government pleader again sought three more weeks time for implementation of the order which prompted the bench to impose costs.

"We are inclined to grant further time to report compliance of the order, subject to deposit of Rs. 15,000 to the TN Mediation and Conciliation Centre, High Court, as costs, recoverable from Kannagi Packianathan, Secretary of Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare department," the bench said.