Shital Prasad Patanwar v. State Of Chhattisgarh

NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR WPPIL No. 85 of 2019 • Shital Prasad Patanwar S/o Late Nakchedan Patanwar, aged about 66 years, R/o Ward no. 28, Shivaji Nagar, Tahsil Belha, Thana City Kotwali, Distt. Bilaspur C.G. ----Petitioner

VERSUS

1. State of Chhattisgarh, through the Secretary, Department of School Education, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, New Raipur, Atal Nagar, Police Station Rakhi, District Raipur C.G.

2. Chhattisgarh State Education Board, through the Secretary, Chhattisgarh State Education Board, Raipur, District Raipur, C.G. -------Respondents For Petitioner : Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Sahu, Advocate For Respondents/State : Mr. Sudeep Agrawal, Deputy A.G. Hon'ble Shri P.R. Ramachandra Menon, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Parth Prateem Sahu, Judge Order on Board Per P.R. Ramachandra Menon, C.J.

24/10/2019

1. The grievance of the petitioner projected in this matter styled as a 'public interest litigation' is with regard to the prayer to direct the respondent, particularly, the State, to make 'Chhattisgarhi' language as a compulsory subject to be taught in the primary and middle schools situated in the entire State of Chhattisgarh.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner points out that the grievance as above has already been projected by way of Annexure P/1 representation, which is pending consideration. It is also pointed out that, under similar circumstances, with regard to the prayer to make 'Oriya' as a compulsory subject, the State had already expressed its stand that if a proper representation was submitted, it would be considered and appropriate order would be passed within specified time as discernible from Annexure P/3 judgment passed by this Court. Learned counsel seeks for similar relief.

3. We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned Deputy Advocate General who made similar submissions, as made when the matter was considered leading to Annexure P/3 verdict.

4. On going through the proceedings, we find that Annexure P/1 representation put-forth by the petitioner is before the Hon'ble Chief Minister of the State and not before the Secretary. We presume that, by all probabilities, the said proceedings would have been forwarded to the Secretary. However, the petitioner is set at liberty to file a proper representation before the Secretary as aforesaid within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of copy of the judgment; upon which the same shall be considered and appropriate orders shall be passed after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within 3 months thereafter.

5. The writ petition stands disposed of. The petitioner shall produce a copy of the judgment along with the copy of the writ petition before the 1st respondent for further steps.

Sd/- Sd/- (P.R. Ramachandra Menon) (Parth Prateem Sahu) Chief Justice Judge Pawan