‘Amidst Differences, Elected Representatives Must Work Together For Villagers Benefit’: Madras HC

The Madras High Court recently stated that, while elected representatives may have differences, they must work together for the benefit of the people.

A single bench led by Justice CV Karthikeyan was hearing a petition filed by the Panchayat President of Pattakurichi Village in Tenkasi Taluk challenging a District Collector’s order.

The court noted that the collector issued the impugned order under his emergency powers under Section 203 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act because the President and Vice President were at odds.

“There could be differences within the family. However, they have to be kept aside and the elected representatives must work for the benefit of the villagers. Unfortunately, they did not do, so either as the President or as the Vice President,” the bench remarked.

The single bench noted that the President was constantly at odds with the Vice President, who was also a member of her family. After reviewing the impugned order, the court concluded that the elected representatives had failed to provide basic amenities to the villagers and that necessary work had not been completed.

Justice Karthikeyan also noted that when complaints were made about non-performance of work, a meeting was held, and the collector issued the impugned order directing that the expenses for work execution be paid by the person in charge of the Village Panchayat Fund.

“The impugned order does not suffer from any infirmity. There was an enquiry conducted. Since the President and the Vice President only spread animosity within the Panchayat, the District Collector, as the Inspector of Panchayats, has every right to step in and pass necessary orders rectifying such attitude. Hence, I find no merit in the writ petition,” the bench stated.

As a result, the court dismissed the petition.