Veerapillai Ramesh v. The Union Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 23.03.2021 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY W.P.No.5488 of 2021 Veerapillai Ramesh .. Petitioner Vs.
1.The Union of India, rep. by its Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi - 110 011.
2.National Board of Examination, rep. by its Executive Director, NAMS Building, Medical Enclave, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi- 110 029.
3.The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
4.The National Medical Commission, rep. by its Chairman, Pocket-14, Sector-8, Dwarka Phase-1 New Delhi - 110 077.
.. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issue of Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to provide sufficient additional examination centres and seats therein in the State of Tamil Nadu for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-PG 2021 (NEET-PG 2021) enabling the candidates from Tamil Nadu to exercise their option of the centres in Tamil Nadu.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.Mohamed Ismail For Respondents : Mr.V.P.Raman for respondent No.2 Mr.V.Jayaprakash Narayanan State Government Pleader for respondent No.3 M/s.Subharanjan Anand for respondent No.4
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble Chief Justice) The petitioner claims to be a public spirited lawyer who has been inspired to seek more seats for candidates from this State to take the NEET examination.
2. According to the petitioner, all seats allotted to this State were apparently filled up within a few hours of their opening to be taken up on a first-come-first-served basis. The petitioner says that many candidates have had to seek seats available in other States to take the examination. The petitioner says that in the wake of the second surge of the pandemic, this may not be appropriate and urges the respondent authorities to increase the number of seats available in the State.
3. It is submitted on behalf of the second respondent that in the online system of obtaining seats, if a candidate is unable to obtain a seat in the city or town of his choice, there is an option to indicate other choices, whereupon every effort is made by the authorities to allocate a seat to the candidate at the nearest or closest town or city or at least at some other venue within the State. In respect of such students, the date for intimating them the seat where they are to take the examination is March 25, 2021. The examination is supposed to be held on April 18, 2021.
4. It is too late in the day to take cognizance of the petition and to inject confusion into the already troubled system.
5. W.P.No.5488 of 2021 is disposed of, but the respondent authorities are requested to address the issue in future examinations and ensure that more than necessary seats are allotted in cities and towns in this State so that candidates can enjoy the convenience. There will be no order as to costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-III) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar bbr To:
1.The Secretary, Union of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi - 110 011.
2.The Executive Director, National Board of Examination, NAMS Building, Medical Enclave, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi- 110 029.
3.The Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
4.The Chairman, National Medical Commission, Pocket-14, Sector-8, Dwarka Phase-1 New Delhi - 110 077.
+1cc to Mr.V.P.Raman, Advocate SR.18752 +1cc to Mr.L.Infant Dinesh, Advocate SR.18751 +1cc to the Government Pleader SR.18764 W.P.No.5488 of 2021 SKY(CO) CB(01/04/2021)