WP(MD). No.15920 of 2023 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 04.12.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD)No.15920 of 2023 and WMP(MD)No.18730 of 2023 Prasath ... Petitioner versus 1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai -600 009. 2. The Chief Educational Officer, Collectorate Campus, Dindigul, Dindigul District - 624 004. 3. The District Educational Officer, Batlagundu, Dindigul District - 624 202. 4. The Block Educational Officer, Kodaikanal, Dindigul District - 624 101. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD). No.15920 of 2023 5. The Head Master, Panchayat Union Middle School, Palamputhur, Kodaikanal Union, Dindigul District. ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to sanction incentive increment to the petitioner for having acquired higher qualification of M.Sc., (Maths) degree from the date of 20.05.2018 with arrears by considering his representation dated 19.09.2022. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugappan For Respondents : Mr.M.Sarangan, Additional Government Pleader ORDER The petitioner is working as a B.T. Assistant in the 5th respondent Panchayat Union Middle School. At the time of appointment, he was qualified with B.Sc., B.Ed. Thereafter, with prior permission, he acquired higher qualification of M.Sc. (Maths) through distance education from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in the year 2018. For having acquired M.Sc. (Maths), he has submitted a representation dated 19.09.2022 to the respondents, seeking incentive increment. However, 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD). No.15920 of 2023 the petitioner's representation has not been considered. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition, seeking a direction to the respondents to consider his representation dated 19.09.2022 and to grant incentive increment for having acquired M.Sc.(Maths). 2. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that though the Government has provided incentive increment for the master degrees, it has taken a policy decision to stop giving incentive increment, vide G.O.Ms.No.37, Personnel and Administrative Reforms (FR-IV) Department, dated 10.03.2020. Thereafter, the Government has issued a clarification to the said G.O., vide G.O.Ms.No.116, Personnel and Administrative Reforms (FR-IV) Department, dated 15.10.2020, by fixing the cut off date for providing incentive increment upto 10.03.2021. Since the petitioner has submitted the representation only on 19.09.2022, he is not entitled for incentive increment. However, the petitioner is entitled for a lump sum amount as provided in G.O.Ms.No.120, dated 01.11.2021. The Government, by G.O.Ms.No.120, dated 01.11.2021, has ordered for a lump sum payment for higher/additional qualification, if any acquired by the Teachers. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD). No.15920 of 2023 3. In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 3rd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 19.09.2022 and to provide the lump sum amount as provided in G.O.Ms.No.120 dated 01.11.2021, for the master degree obtained by him on 20.05.2018, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 04.12.2025 ogy Index : Yes / No. Internet: Yes / No. NCC : Yes / No. To 1. The Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai -600 009. 2. The Chief Educational Officer, Collectorate Campus, Dindigul, Dindigul District - 624 004. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD). No.15920 of 2023 3. The District Educational Officer, Batlagundu, Dindigul District - 624 202. 4. The Block Educational Officer, Kodaikanal, Dindigul District - 624 101. 5. The Head Master, Panchayat Union Middle School, Palamputhur, Kodaikanal Union, Dindigul District. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD). No.15920 of 2023 B.PUGALENDHI, J. ogy ORDER IN WP(MD) No.15920 of 2023 Date : 04/12/2025 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis