High Court · 2025

W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURTDATED: 10.11.2025CORAM:THE HON'BLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHAW.P.(MD).No.16314 of 2024andW.M.P(MD)Nos.16917, 14173, 14174 and 14175 of 20241. Murugesan2. M.Gurusamy... PetitionerVs.1. The Tamil Nadu Palm Products Development Board, Represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Kuralagam, 3rd Floor, Chennai-600 108.2. The State Palmgur and Fibre Marketing Co-operative Federation, Represented by its President, 32, Gengu Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 0083. The Madurai-Viruthunagar-Dindigul District Palmgur Marketing Co-operative Federation, Represented by its Special Officer/Administrator, 149, Kamarajar Salai, Madurai-625 0094. The Ramanathapuram-Sivagangai District Palmgur Federation Represented by its Special Officer/Administrator, 25, Miller Bungalow Road, Ramanathapuram-625501.1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 5. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, NVN Natarajan Maligai, No.170, Periyar E.V.R.High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.6. The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Madurai-6250207. I.Boominathan, 8. P.Subas Chandra Bose(R7 and R8 are impleaded vide court order dated 15.7.25 in WMP(MD)No.2269 /25 in WP(MD)No.16314/24 by CSNJ)9. The Principal Secretary, Department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi, Fort. St. George Chennai 600 009. (R9 is suo motu impleaded vide court order dated 19.8.25 in WP(MD)No.16314/24 by CSNJ). ... RespondentsPrayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records related to the impugned proceedings of tender cum auction sale invitation notice vide, Na.Ka.No.11/2018/E dated 12.07.2024 issued by the District Revenue Officer, Madurai vide Madurai District Gazette Special Publication dated 15.07.2024 and quash the same and consequently forbear the respondents from initiating any action to bring the properties belonging to the Madurai-Virudhunagar-Dindigul District Palmgur Marketing Co-operative Federation and Ramanathapuram - 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 Sivagangai District Palmgur Marketing Co-operative Federation for alienation in any form including public auction sale till the Constitution of an elected board for the respective federations and strictly in consonance with the statutory mandate prescribed under Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983 and Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Rules, 1988 only with the prior sanction of the General Body and the Registrar.For Petitioner: Mr.N.Dilip KumarFor R1 to R4: Mr.R.SuriyanarayananFor R5 & R6: Mr.R.Baskaran Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mrs.D.Farjana Ghoushia Special Government PleaderFor R7 & R8: Mr.P.Aswin Rajasimman Standing CounselORDERThis writ petition has been filed for the following relief:-“Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records related to the impugned proceedings of tender cum auction sale invitation notice vide, Na.Ka.No.11/2018/E dated 12.07.2024 issued by the District Revenue Officer, Madurai vide Madurai District Gazette Special Publication dated 15.07.2024 and quash the same and consequently forbear the respondents from initiating any action to bring the properties belonging to the Madurai-Virudhunagar-Dindigul District Palmgur Marketing Co-operative Federation and Ramanathapuram - Sivagangai District 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 Palmgur Marketing Co-operative Federation for alienation in any form including public auction sale till the Constitution of an elected board for the respective federations and strictly in consonance with the statutory mandate prescribed under Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983 and Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Rules, 1988 only with the prior sanction of the General Body and the Registrar.”2. When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the counter filed by the 9th respondent has been produced, wherein it has been stated as follows:-“10. I further respectfully submit that the Government, after due consideration, now proposes a restructured financial approach to settle the dues without outright sale of assets. The proposal envisages monetization of properties through secured loans rather than alienation. The plan includes the following components:-a)The State Palmgur and Fibre Marketing Co-operative Federation, being the apex body, will extend soft loans to the District Federations by accepting pledge of their immovable properties. For this both the State and District Federations should get the sanction of the respective General Bodies resolution and also the concurrence of the Functional Registrar;b)The loan proceeds will be exclusively earmarked for disbursement of retirement and terminal benefits to eligible retired employees and for regularizing pending statutory payments;c)The loans will be structured with minimal interest, repayable over a long-term period from rental income, residual business activity, or future revival of palm product trade;4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 d)The Department will coordinate with the Functional Registrar of Tamil Nadu Palm Products Development Board to provide regulatory clearance for this arrangement under Section 181 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983;e)No Functional District Federation property will be sold to any third party without express permission of this Hon'ble Court.11. I further respectfully submit that the monitoring committee consisting of the Chief Executive Officer (Ex-officio) of Tamil Nadu Palm Product Development Board, Deputy Director (K&VI), Madurai, the Administrator of the State Palmgur Federation, and the administrators of the Madurai & Ramanathapuram District Federations will oversee the implementation of this financial restructuring and ensure proper utilization of loan proceeds. In order to implement the above plan, 6 months time is needed. The Government reiterates its commitment to protecting the assets of the Palmgur Federations and to ensuring that the legitimate dues of the employees are settled in a fair and lawful manner.”3. In the light of the above undertaking that the respondents would implement the plan within six (6) months time period and the plan would also encompass Non Functional District Federation Property, the writ petition stands disposed of. However, it is made clear that the payment shall be made to the impleaded parties within a period of eight (8) weeks there from. 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 4. The writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 10.11.2025NCC :yes/NoIndex :yes/NoInternet:yes/Norgm6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 To1. The Tamil Nadu Palm Products Development Board, Represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Kuralagam, 3rd Floor, Chennai-600 108.2. The State Palmgur and Fibre Marketing Co-operative Federation, Represented by its President, 32, Gengu Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 0083. The Madurai-Viruthunagar-Dindigul District Palmgur Marketing Co-operative Federation, Represented by its Special Officer/Administrator, 149, Kamarajar Salai, Madurai-625 0094. The Ramanathapuram-Sivagangai District Palmgur Federation Represented by its Special Officer/Administrator, 25, Miller Bungalow Road, Ramanathapuram-625501.5. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, NVN Natarajan Maligai, No.170, Periyar E.V.R.High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.6. The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Madurai-6250207. The Principal Secretary, Department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi, Fort. St. George Chennai 600 009. 7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16314 of 2024 P.T.ASHA, J.rgmW.P.(MD).No.16314 of 2024andW.M.P(MD)Nos.16917, 14173, 14174 and 14175 of 202410.11.20258/8