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T.Justin Prabhu vs The Secretary To Government
2025 Latest Caselaw 4603 Mad

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 4603 Mad
Judgement Date : 28 May, 2025

Madras High Court

T.Justin Prabhu vs The Secretary To Government on 28 May, 2025

Author: G.Jayachandran
Bench: G.Jayachandran
                                                                       W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                       BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

                                             Reserved on : 30.04.2025

                                            Pronounced on : 28.05.2025

                                                        CORAM :

                                  THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN

                                                            AND

                                    THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA


                                W.A.(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025
                                                  and
                     C.M.P(MD)Nos.5338, 5340, 5342, 5344, 5343, 5347, 5354, 5336, 5353,
                                          5360, 5351 of 2025

                     W.A.(MD)No.792 of 2025

                     T.Justin Prabhu                              ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                              Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.

                     1/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.85 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.793 of 2025

                     M.Hemalatha                                 ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.



                     2/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.86 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.794 of 2025

                     S.Usha                                      ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.


                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.


                     3/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.87 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.795 of 2025

                     C.Shivakkumaar                              ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.


                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.


                     4/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.88 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.796 of 2025

                     G.Rajakumari                                ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.


                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.


                     5/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.89 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.797 of 2025

                     C.Reema                                     ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.


                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.


                     6/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.90 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.798 of 2025

                     R.Latha Selvabai                            ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.


                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.


                     7/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.91 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.



                     W.A.(MD)No.799 of 2025

                     K.Senthil Vadivelan                         ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.

                     8/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents

                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.92 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.



                     W.A.(MD)No.800 of 2025

                     A.Jenanthul Firthous                        ... Appellant / Review Applicant

                                                             Vs.


                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.


                     9/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents

                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.98 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.801 of 2025

                     M.Shanmugasundaram                          ... Appellant / Review Applicant

                                                             Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     10/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents


                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.99 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this Court

                     and allow the present writ appeal.


                     W.A.(MD)No.802 of 2025

                     A.G.Sivaraj                                 ... Appellant / Review Applicant

                                                             Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.



                     11/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents
                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to
                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in
                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.101 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this
                     Court and allow the present writ appeal.

                     W.A.(MD)No.803 of 2025

                     M.Harihara Krishnan                         ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents

                     12/28


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                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.102 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this

                     Court and allow the present writ appeal.


                     W.A.(MD)No.329 of 2025

                     S.Robert Kennedy                            ... Appellant / Review Applicant


                                                             Vs.

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,
                       Office of the Director of School Education,
                       Chennai - 6.

                     3.The Chief Educational Officer,
                       Ramanathapuram District,
                       Ramanathapuram.

                     4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits)
                       School Educational Department,
                       Madurai – 2.

                     5.The Headmaster,
                       Government Higher Secondary School,
                       Nainarkovil,
                       Ramanathapuram District.            ... Respondents/ Respondents



                     13/28


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                                                                            W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

                     Prayer: This Writ Appeal is filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to

                     set aside in so far as 50% recovery is concerned the order passed in

                     Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.100 of 2024 dated 06.06.2024 on the file of this

                     Court and allow the present writ appeal.


                     (In all writ appeals)
                                       For Appellants        : Mr.V.Panneer Selvam
                                       For Respondents : Mr.V.Omprakash
                                                               Government Advocate


                                                  COMMON JUDGMENT

(Judgment of this Court was delivered by R.POORNIMA, J.)

These writ appeals are preferred against the common order passed

by the learned Single Judge dismissing the review application of the

appellant / review applicant seeking to set aside the order in so far as

50% recovery is concerned.

2.The appellants filed writ petitions with a prayer to quash the

order, dated 11.06.2016 passed by the 2nd respondent and consequential

order dated 28.06.20216 passed by the 3rd respondent in respect of

recovery of incentive increment paid.

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3. The learned Single Judge after considering the fact partially

modified the impugned order and directed to recover 50% of the amount

paid from the 2003 to 2012 and to grant the benefit of incentive

increment from 18.01.2013 and also to refix the consequential

pensionary benefit.

4. Being aggrieved over the same, the writ petitioners filed Review

Applications Rev.Apl W.(MD)Nos.85 to 92 and 98 to 102 of 2024

seeking to review the order, dated 26.09.2022, passed in W.P.(MD)Nos.

15231 of 2016 etc., batch in so far as 50% recovery and re-fixation are

concerned. The learned Single Judge after considering the fact declines

to entertain the review applications and dismissed all the review

applications.

5.Aggrieved by the common order passed in all review

applications by the learned Single Judge , these writ appeals are filed on

the following among other grounds :-

a.The Government issued order in G.O.(1D).No.18

School Education dated 18.01.2013, sanctioning the Incentive

increment for M.Phil., and Ph.D.,. That be so, the same cannot

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override by the proceedings or letter. But the Government letter

No.129 dated 17.07.2013 was issued by overriding the

Government order and the same is impermissible. Hence, the

order of the learned Judge is liable to be

b.The learned Judge passed the order only on the basis

of the Government Letter No.129 dated 17.07.2013. The letter

was quashed by this Hon'ble Court in W.P.(MD)No.9563 of

2014 dated 03.09.2021 and the same was upheld by the

Division Bench in W.A.(MD)No.94 of 2022 dated 11.02.2022.

Hence, the order of the learned Judge is liable to be

c.The appellants are entitled to get all the benefits as per

the Government order as well as the decision of the Hon'ble

Court and the same was not considered. Hence, the order of

the learned Judge is liable to be set aside in so far as 50%

recovery is concerned.

d)The incentive increment was granted and there is no

dispute about the eligibility and other criteria. There is no

misrepresentation on the part of the appellants. Therefore, the

order of recovery is illegal, arbitrary and the same is liable to

be set aside.

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e)As per the Government order incentive increment has

to be given from the day following the last day of the

examination. Therefore, there is no illegality in sanctioning the

incentive increment to the appellants from the date of passing

of the higher qualification. Hence, the order of the learned

Judge is liable to be set aside.

f)The authorities accepted the eligibility of the

appellants and there is no illegality in sanctioning the

incentive increment. Now they raised objection on the basis of

the Letter No.129 dated 17.07.2013 that the appellants are

eligible to get the incentive increment only from the date of

Government Order. The issue is settled by this Hon'ble Court in

several decisions that the letter cannot override the

Government Order. The letter was set aside by this Hon'ble

Court and recovery was also set aside and the issue is covered

by decision of the Hon'ble Division Bench. Hence, the

impugned orders are liable to be set aside.

g)The learned Judge accepted the case of the appellants

and set aside the impugned order of recovery in part i.e., 50%.

That be so, direction to recover the 50% amount is totally in

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contradiction and liable to be set aside.

f)The scheme of incentive increment for teachers

introduced the year 1969 in G.O.Ms.No.42 Education

Department dated 10.01.1969. The Government Order is very

clear that the incentive increment may be given from the day

following the last day of the examination in higher

qualification. It is made clear that the entitlement is from the

date of degree. The same was not considered. Hence, the

impugned order is liable to be set aside.”

Therefore, prayed to set aside in so far as 50% recovery is

concerned, the common order in batch of review applications dated

06.06.2024 and allow these Writ Appeals.

6. Heard the learned counsels on either side and perused the

materials available on record.

7.The petitioners were awarded with second incentive increments

for possessing an M.phil., degree as per G.O(MS)No.18 dated:

18.01.2013. They were drawing pay, including the incentive increment

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from the day following the last date of examination as per the terms of

Fundamental Rule 26 which provides that a Government servant is

entitled to an incentive increment from the day following the last day of

examination of degree and that a Government servants deemed to have

acquired a degree from the day following the last date of examination

which he had passed.

8. However the Government in a clarification letter bearing No.129

dated 17.07.2013, stated that the second incentive increment should be

payable only on or from 18.01.2013.

9. Based on the clarification latter, the writ petitioners were

directed to refund the incentive increment paid from the earlier period,

against which the aggrieved persons filed writ petitions in W.P(MD)Nos.

13832, 15229 to 15233 and 15235 to 15241 of 2016 and in the writ

petitions the learned single Judge modified the recovery order partially

by directing the respondents to recover for 50% and waived the balance

50% against which the review petitions were filed by the petitioners and

the same was dismissed.

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10. The petitioners submitted that the authority had accepted the

eligibility and sanctioned the incentive increment, there is no

misrepresentation on the part of the appellants. Now, the respondents has

raised objection based on the letter No.129 dated 17.07.2013 stating that

the petitioners are entitled to receive the incentive increment only from

the date of the Government Order viz., 18.01.2013. the Government

latter overriding the Government Order in G.O (1D) No. 18 School

Education dated: 18.01.2013 the same is impermissible and the order of

the learned single Judge is liable to be set aside.

11. In this connection the petitioners referred earlier judgement in

W.P.No.9563 of 2014 dated 03.09.2021, in which, the learned Single

Judge quashed the Government letter No.129 dated: 17.07.2013.

12. In the above Judgment the learned Single Judge referred the

judgment in Nand Kishore Sharma and Others vs. State of Bihar and

Others reported in 1995 Supp (3) SCC 722, in which, the Apex Court

considering the question of recovery of amount paid by mistake, it was

observed:-

“2.....but at the same time, we are of the view that

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the appellant cannot be blamed. The anomaly committee recommended grant of higher pay scale to them. The finance department also concurred with the same and as a result, thereafter the appellants were given the pay scales and were disbursed the arrears as a lump sum. Having paid arrears to the appellants, the state government could not have reversed the same without complying the rules of natural justice.....” (emphasis added) 12.5. In (2001) 2 SCC 186..(E.S.p. Rajaram and others versus union of India and others) while negativing the claim regarding entitlement of higher elements, the Supreme Court observed:-

“23.... Howe in our considered view, it will be just unfair to clarify that any amount drawn by such employees either in the basic post(traffic apprentice) or in a promotional post will not be required to be refunded by the employee concern as a consequence of judgement. This position also follows as a necessary corollary from the observation made by this court in para eight of judgement in M.Bhaskar case.” 12.6 Similar view is expressed by the Supreme Court in (2007) 6SCC 180-Babu Lal Jain versus State of MP and by the Madras High Court in 2006 (1) MLJ 143 palavesamuthu vs Tamil Nadu administrative tribunal.

13. On a perusal of these decisions, it is apparent that where excess payment is made not on account of any erroneous representation of the employee, but on the basis of error committed by the authorities, the Supreme Court has invariably directed that recovery need not be made.

14. In the present case, there is nothing to indicate that the present appellant had made any misrepresentation in the matter. Since the amount had already been paid and obviously spent by the appellant thinking that she was entitled to such amount, it would cause undue hardship if

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at a distant point of time such amount is recovered.

13. The learned Single Judge therefore held in para 4 and 5 of the

judgment that,

“4.... the appellant therein is entitled to get incentive increment for having entered into service with higher qualification, the petitioner in the present petition is also entitled to succeed. The Hon’ble Division Bench, after considering the object behind the grant of incentive increment to the teachers for acquiring higher qualification, as specifically held that if the incentive increment was granted to a lower qualified persons for acquiring higher qualification after entering into service. Such incentive increment should be granted to a person who possessed higher qualification at the time of appointment.

5. The petitioner, who had M.Sc., and M.Phil., at the time of entry into service, is also entitled to incentive increment. Hence, this writ petition is allowed as prayed for. The impugned order of the first respondent Lr.No.129 School Education (Paka5(2)2013-1, dated 17.07.2013 and consequent impugned order of the third respondent in Na.Ka.No. 4797/A3/2013 dated 16.07.2013, are quashed. The respondents are directed to fix the pay and increment of the petitioner, taking into account the higher qualification acquired by the petitioner from the date of her joining as B.T Assistant ie., on 23.03.2007.”

14. Subsequently, in another W.P.No.2912 of 2016, the learned

Single Judge in his order dated: 09.01.2023 quashed the Government

letter No.129 dated 17.07.2013, with the following observation:

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'6. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that when the Government Order in G.O.(1D).No.18 provides for grant of second incentive increment for possessing higher educational qualification, the same cannot be taken away by way of clarification through a letter.

7. I find some force in the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioners. F.R.26 Ruling 2 reads as follows:-

“ (2) In cases where the passing of an examination or test confers on a Government servant the title to any right, benefit or concession, such title should be deemed to have accrued on the day following the last day of the examination or test which he passed. In cases where the examination or test can be passed in installments, the title to the right, benefit or concession will be deemed to have accrued on the day following the last day of the examination in the subject or subjects in which he has passed. ”

8. What has been ordered in G.O.(1D).No.18, cannot be given a go~by by way of clarification and the object of the Government Order, cannot be watered down through a letter.

As a matter of fact, G.O.(1D).No.18 is in the mode of an amendment to an earlier G.O.Ms.No.1024 School Education Department dated 09.12.1993 wherein, the higher educational qualification of M.Phil and Ph.D were inserted along with M.Ed. Thus, the very reasoning given by the respondents in the impugned order that G.O.(1D).No.18 will have only a prospective effect, cannot be sustained, in view of the fact that this Government Order is only an expansion of the earlier existing G.O.Ms.No.1024 dated 09.12.1993. Even otherwise, as pointed out by the learned counsel for the petitioners, a Government Letter cannot overrule the Government Order. As such, the impugned order itself cannot be sustained.'

15. The petitioner further referred the judgement in W.P.No.9027

of 2015 dated.02.08.2024. In the above writ petition deals with the

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similar issue and held that;

14. From a reading of the above counter as well as the portion of the Government Order, wherein, it has been set out that the benefit of incentive increment to M.Phil., and Ph.D., was being made in consideration of the long pending demand/ request, would indicate that the above G.O. itself was to remove an anomaly and clarificatory. That being the case, there is merit in the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners that the restriction of the benefit only from the date of issuance of G.O(1D)No.18 dated 18.01.2013 instead of from the day following the last day of examination may not be valid.

15. Yet another reason why the impugned letter is illegal is also in view of the fact that any attempt at curtailing the benefit conferred by G.O(1D)No.18 by granting the same only from the date of the said G.O and not from the day following the last day of passing examination which entitles the candidate to benefit of increment would be contrary to Rule 26 of the Fundamental Rules of the Government of Tamil Nadu, which as seen supra provides in cases where the passing of an examination or test confers on a Government servant the title to any right, benefit or concession, such title should be deemed to have accrued on the day following the last day of the examination or test which he passed.

16. It is trite law that a benefit conferred by a Government Order cannot be curtailed / whittled down / impaired by a

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letter. In view thereof the impugned letter dated 17.07.2023, insofar as it curtails the benefit of second incentive only from the date of the above G.O. instead of granting the benefit from the day following the last day of the examination in terms of Rule 26 of the Fundamental Rules of the Government of Tamil Nadu is thus set aside. In view thereof, the recovery proceeding also cannot be sustained and consequently set aside.

The learned Judge set aside the Government letter dated 17.07.2013.

16. The Government letter No.129 dated 17.07.2013 has already

been quashed, much prior to the present judgment against which

Government preferred an appeal in W.A(MD)No.94 of 2022, that was

also dismissed, confirmed the order of the Single Judge. Once the Court

quash the clarification letter No.129, an order illegal, that order becomes

void and non-existent in the eyes of law. The Government did not filed

any second appeal, it implies acceptance and the quashed order cannot be

reviewed or relied upon. Once the Court set aside the Government order,

it becomes null and void, it is treated as if it never existed.

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17. Therefore the subsequent order passed by the learned Single

Judge in W.P(MD)Nos. 13832, 15229 to 15233 and 15235 to 15241 of

2016, directing the officials for recovery of 50% based on the

Government letter No.129 dated 17.07.2013, which has already been

quashed is not proper and liable to be set aside.

18.Accordingly, we set aside the order passed in the review

applications in Rev.Aplw.(MD)Nos.85 to 92 and 98 to 102 of 2024 and

the writ appeals are allowed. No costs. Consequently, the connected

miscellaneous petitions are closed.




                                                                           (G.J., J.) & (R.P., J.)
                                                                                   28.05.2025

                     Index           : Yes / No
                     NCC             : Yes / No
                     Rm







https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis                   ( Uploaded on: 30/05/2025 05:19:46 pm )
                                                                      W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025




                     To

                     1.The Secretary to Government,
                       School Education Department,
                       Government of Tamil Nadu,
                       Fort St. George,
                       Chennai - 9.

                     2.The Director of School Education,

Office of the Director of School Education, Chennai - 6.

3.The Chief Educational Officer, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

4.The Zonal Accounts Officer (Audits) School Educational Department, Madurai – 2.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/05/2025 05:19:46 pm ) W.A(MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN J.

AND R.POORNIMA, J.

rm

W.A (MD)Nos.792 to 803 & 329 of 2025

28.05.2025

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/05/2025 05:19:46 pm )

 
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