CHENNAI: Submitting that there was no willful disobedience of the High Court order relating to conduct of elections to the local bodies, AL Somayaji appearing for the State Election Commissioner (SEC) submitted that the order did not mention whether the 1991 census or subsequent census should be take into account.
All along, 1991 census had been followed and hence, the SEC had a reasonable doubt over delimitation. The government brought out the Ordinance repealing certain provisions of the Act and Rules for purpose of carrying out delimitation, he said. Meanwhile, SEC M Malik Feroz Khan and secretary T S Rajasekar appeared for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
The bench dispensed with the further personal appearance of the duo. Somayaji said that by virtue of repealing sections 28A, 28AA and 28AAA of the TN Panchayat Act, section 26 came into play. As per section 26, delimitation has to be done based on 2011 census. The petitioner also wanted the same in the earlier petition.
Delimitation process was being carried out by the Delimitation Commission headed by the SEC. When there were two reasonable interpretations, then there was no contempt. The SEC did not delay the conduct of election, he said.
There was a doubt whether to follow 1991 census or 2011 census, he added. Notwithstanding the Ordinance, if the court orders SEC to follow 1991 census, the he would go ahead with the election. Moreover, the SEC has tendered an unconditional apology and prayed to the court to discharge him, he added and requested the court to take a lenient view of the matter.
The bench reserved its orders.
SGTs plea for equal pay
Chennai: A writ plea has been made in the HC for a directive to government to extend the benefits of the scale of pay and all other monetary benefits given to secondary grade teachers (SGTs), who were appointed before May 31, 2009, to the SGTs appointed after that cut-off date. Justice T Raja before whom the petition from Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers Association (SSTA), by its general secretary J Robert and two others came up for hearing on Wednesday, directed the Secretaries of Finance (Pay Cell) and School Education departments and the Director of Elementary Education to file their counter-affidavits by December 11. A
ccording to petitioners, there is a vast difference between the salaries of SGTs appointed prior to Mach 31, 2009 and later. Denying equal pay for equal work violated Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution. Both the SGTs had been appointed through TET after May 31, 2009 and the ones appointed before the cut-off date are handling the same Classes 1 to V.
TANGEDCO restrained
Chennai: The HC has restrained TANGEDCO from processing or allotting tenders for supply of 29.88 lakh single phase two wire DLMS compliance 5.20 amps meters. Justice N Kirubakaran granted the injunction while passing interim orders on a writ petition from Capital Power Systems Limited, Noida, on Wednesday. The total value of the tender is `163.76 crore. According to the petitioner, it was already selected for supply of 12 lakh meters. It had completed all formalities.
The price quoted by the petitioner was `453 per metre. While so, TANGEDCO invited the present tender for supply of same type of products. But it was allotted to a third party, who had quoted `495. Petitioner’s bid was rejected. This would cause a minimum loss of `12.50 crore to TANGEDCO. The petitioner has been edged out due to the corrupt practices of TANGEDCO. Awarding the contract to other company was discriminatory and arbitrary, petitioner contended.