W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 and WMP (MD) Nos.15952 & 15955 of 2026 Arulmigu Meenakshi Builders Rep. by its Director Rajalingam ... Petitioner(s) vs. 1. The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi. 2. The Executive Engineer, District Rural Development Office, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District. 3. The Block Development Officer, Karunkulam Block, Thoothukudi District. 4. Adhiyan Infra, Represented by its Proprietor, Sennalpatti, Karunkulam Block, Thoothukudi District. ... Respondent(s) 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining to impugned Rejection order dated 22.07.2026 passed by the 3rd Respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently directed the 3rd Respondent to declare the petitioner as successful bidder in respect of the e- tender notification in Na.Ka.No.A3/417/2026 dated 26.05.2026 of the 3rd respondent in so far as the work order in Serial No.1 is concerned. For Petitioner : Mr. P.Balamurugan For R1 to R3 : Ms.K.R.Shivashankari, Counsel for State O R D E R This writ petition has been filed challenging the rejection order dated 22.07.2026 passed by the third respondent and consequently, to direct the third respondent to declare the petitioner as successful bidder in respect of the e-tender notification in Na.Ka.No.A3/417/2026 dated 26.05.2026 of the in so far as the work order in Serial No.1 is concerned. 2. By consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself. Since no adverse order is going to be passed, notice to the fourth respondent is dispensed with. 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had submitted an application to participate in the tender for the work of construction of a Multipurpose Community Hall at Agaram Village, Vallanadu Panchayat, Karungulam Panchayat Union, Thoothukudi District, under the Natural Calamities Programme, 2025–2026. According to the learned counsel, the petitioner's tender was rejected by the impugned proceedings dated 26.05.2026 on the ground that the petitioner was not registered as a contractor at the Block level. Challenging the said proceedings, the present Writ Petition has been filed. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner is a Class- III contractor and is entitled to participate in tenders throughout the District. It is his contention that insisting upon registration at the Block level is wholly impermissible, since the tender notification did not prescribe any such condition. Therefore, the rejection of the petitioner's tender solely on the ground of non- registration at the Block level is unsustainable in law. Accordingly, he prayed for allowing the Writ Petition. 4.Per contra, the learned Counsel for the State appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submitted that the procedure for registration of contractors is 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 governed by G.O.Ms.No.109, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS-2) Department, dated 27.06.2024. As per the said Government Order, contractors are permitted to register either at the Block level or at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) level, depending upon the area in which they intend to participate in tenders. The learned Counsel for the State further submitted that the rejection was strictly in accordance with the tender conditions and the applicable Government Order. Accordingly, she prayed for dismissal of the Writ Petition. 5. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 6. A perusal of G.O.Ms.No.109, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS-2) Department, dated 27.06.2024, reveals the following: i. The registration of contractors should be done at Block Panchayat and DRDA. Contractors can register at two levels based on the area of operation in which the contractors concerned would like to bid for tenders. ii. Contractors registered at the DRDA are eligible to bid for tenders invited by PD, DRDA, BDO (BP)/BDO (VP) of all the 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 Blocks in the district and by the Executive Authority of any Village Panchayat in the District. iii. Contractors registered at the Block level are eligible to bid for tenders invited by BDO (BP)/BDO (VP) of the Block and by the Executive Authority, of any Village Panchayat in the Block. iv. At the block level, there shall be a common registration of contractors for both BDO(BP) and BDO (VP). No separate registration is required at the Village Panchayat. 7. Admittedly, the petitioner was not registered at the Block level. Though the learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the tender notification did not specifically prescribe registration at the Block level as an eligibility condition, the said contention cannot be accepted. A reading of G.O.Ms.No.109, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS-2) Department, dated 27.06.2024, makes it clear that contractors intending to participate in tenders at the Block level are required to possess registration at the Block level, whereas contractors registered at the DRDA level are eligible to participate in tenders throughout the District. The said Government Order governs the field and 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 forms the basis for determining the eligibility of contractors to participate in the tender process. Therefore, even in the absence of an express stipulation in the tender notification, the petitioner was bound to satisfy the eligibility criteria prescribed under the said Government Order. Since the petitioner admittedly did not possess registration at the Block level, this Court does not find any illegality or arbitrariness in the impugned proceedings warranting interference of this Court. 8. Accordingly, this writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 29.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes PKN 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 To 1. The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi. 2. The Executive Engineer, District Rural Development Office, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District. 3. The Block Development Officer, Karunkulam Block, Thoothukudi District. 7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 M.DHANDAPANI ,J. PKN ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.21451 of 2026 DATED : 29.07.2026 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis