Synopsis

This judgment by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court allows a writ appeal filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu challenging a Single Judge's order that directed payment of benefits under a defunct marriage assistance scheme. The respondent had applied under the "Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme" in 2019. The scheme was restructured in 2023 into the "Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme," and no further benefits under the old scheme were to be granted. The Single Judge directed the government to pay the original scheme benefits (Rs. 50,000 and 8 grams of gold) due to the delay in processing the application. The Division Bench reversed this, holding that the restructuring of a welfare scheme is a policy decision of the executive and courts cannot substitute their own policy choices. The respondent had not challenged the policy change, and no vested right had accrued. The appeal was allowed, and the writ petition was dismissed.

1. Heading for the judgment

Citation: Government of Tamil Nadu & Ors. v. J. Praveena, WA No. 764 of 2026, decided on 26.03.2026 (Madras High Court - DB)
Coram: Hon'ble The Chief Justice Mr. Sushirut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Hon'ble Mr. Justice G. Arul Murugan (Division Bench)
Core Law: Constitutional Law (Article 226 - Judicial Review of Policy Decisions), Administrative Law (Welfare Schemes, Legitimate Expectation).

Madras High Court sets aside order directing payment under defunct welfare scheme, holds that restructuring of a scheme is a policy decision not amenable to judicial interference unless arbitrary.

2. Legal framework

This judgment deals with the limits of judicial review in matters of government policy and welfare schemes

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