S.Soundharya v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF MADRAS
DATED : 28.11.2024
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND S.Soundharya ...
Petitioner Vs 1.The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, Chennai - 600 003.
2.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
...
Respondents (R2 impleded as per order dt.14.12.2023 in CMP.No.34774 of 2023 in W.P.No.20692 of 2018 by VBSJ) PRAYER: The writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to constitute an Equivalence Committee and refer the petitioner's degree, B.E.(Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) to the Equivalence Committee in order to assess its equivalence with B.E/B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) degree and issue a certificate of Equivalence accordingly, within a time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court based on the petitioner's representation dated 02.08.2018. 1/6
For Petitioner ... Mr.S.Sathia Chandran For Respondent ... Mr.I.Abrar Mohamed Abdullah No.1 Senior Counsel For Respondent ... Mr.C.Jayaprakash No.2 Government Advocate
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondent to constitute an Equivalence Committee and refer the petitioner's degree, B.E.(Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) to the Equivalence Committee in order to assess its equivalence with B.E/B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) degree and issue a certificate of Equivalence accordingly, within a time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court based on the petitioner's representation dated 02.08.2018. 2.The only issue is considered in this writ petition is, whether B.E (Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) degree offered by the Anna University is equivalent to B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering) degree offered by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University or not. 3.Admittedly, the petitioner possessed B.E. (Agricultural and 2/6
Irrigation Engineering) Degree. Whether these two degrees are equivalent or not is not considered in the G.O.(Ms).No.271, Higher Education (J1) Department, dated 03.12.2019. 4.In view of the same, during the pendency of this writ petition, this Court by its order dated 10.09.2024 directed the second respondent to submit clarification in consultation with the Expert Committee constituted in this regard, whether the B.E. (Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) degree offered by the Anna University is equivalent to B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering) degree offered by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University or not.
5.In response to the same, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent No.2 has placed a copy of G.O.(Ms).No.208, Higher Education (J1) Department, dated 27.11.2024. 6.On perusal of the abovesaid G.O., it appears that the 29th 3/6
Equivalence Committee, in its meeting held on 20.11.2024, passed a resolution stating that these two degrees are not equivalent. A copy of the said G.O. is placed on record.
7.In view of the above factual position, as the competent authority has decided these two degrees are not equivalent, in the considered opinion of this Court, nothing survives in the present writ petition for further adjudication and accordingly, it is liable to be dismissed. 8.For the above reasons, this writ petition is dismissed. However, it is open to the petitioner to challenge the G.O.(Ms).No.208, Higher Education (J1) Department, 27.11.2024, if so aggrieved and advised in proper forum in accordance with law. No costs. Internet:Yes/No 28.11.2024 Index:Yes/No sms To 1.The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, Chennai - 600 003.
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2.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
BATTU DEVANAND,J.
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