The Madras High Court has directed the Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department to look into the grant of relaxation given to one T Gnanavel, who joined as a ‘fitter’ and now working in the cadre of ‘Executive Engineer’ at the Coimbatore corporation.

Justice S M Subramaniam, on directing the authorities to look into the pleas from other staff seeking similar relaxation, said, “In the event of granting relaxation under Rule 37, the right of the employees, who were appointed in accordance with the rules will also get affected. Such a regularisation granted in a routine manner will affect the equality clause and the constitutional directives in this issue.”

Also, holding that the courts would not normally grant relaxation directly and in the event of injustice, the Court can direct the authorities to consider the cases, the judge said “However, in the present cases, the grant of relaxation in favour of one person, namely, Gnanavel, was a heart burning issue amongst all other employees, who were appointed in the same cadre of fitter.”

“Gnanavel is now working as an executive engineer and all other colleagues, who were appointed as fitters, are unable to get promotions or relaxations on par with him. Such being the factum of the case, the government has to review all such cases and take appropriate decision by reviewing the facts and circumstances,” the judge added.