D. Devakumar, v. The Principal Secretary To

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25.09.2015

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.SATHYANARAYANAN W.P.No.30158/2015 D.Devakumar ..

Petitioner

Versus

1. The Principal Secretary to Government Higher Education Department Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.

2. The Chairman

3. The Equivalence Committee, ..

Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking for a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner representation dated 15.07.2015 and determine equivalency of the subject Aquaculture against the subject Zoology and accordingly the Degree in M.Sc [Aquaculture] be considered as equivalent against the Degree in M.Sc. [Zoology] for future recruitment for the post of Asst. Professor in the subject of Zoology in Government Colleges and Universities conducted by the Teacher Recruitment Board and other employment opportunities in public office which requires educational qualification in the subject of Zoology. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Pushapkaran For R1 : Mr.R.Vijayakumar, AGP For RR2&3 : Ms.C.N.G.Niraimathi

O R D E R

By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal. The petitioner has passed B.Sc. [Zoology] during the academic year 2004-2006 under 10+2+3 pattern and got Post Graduate degree in M.Sc., [Aquaculture] during the year 2006-2007 and thereafter, he has been awarded Doctorate in Aquaculture - Zoology [Inter-disciplinary] on 28.12.2012 by the Madras University and as

such, he claims that he got necessary educational qualification for the purpose of appointment to th post of Assistant Professor. The grievance now expressed by the petitioner is that the subject Aquaculture is yet to be determined as equivalent to the subject of Zoology. However the syllabus of both the subjects are more or less the same and in this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 15.07.2015 to the 1st respondent and since no orders have been passed, he came forward to file this writ petition. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that though the petitioner is having Doctorate, he is not in a position to get any appointment on account of the fact that the Equivalence Committee is yet to decide the fate of the Doctorate obtained by the petitioner and hence, prays for appropriate orders. Heard the submissions of Mr.R.Vijayakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader who accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Ms.C.N.G.Niraimathi, learned counsel who accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 2 and 3.

Though the petitioner has sought for a larger relief, this Court, in the light of the above facts and circumstances and without going into the merits of the same, directs the 1st respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 15.07.2015 on merits and in accordance with law and pass orders within a period of ten weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and communicate the decision taken to the petitioner. The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs.

AP -s/d- Assistant Registrar(CS-II) True Copy Sub-Assistant Registrar To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government Higher Education Department Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.

2. The Chairman

3. The Equivalence Committee, + 1 cc to Mr.S.Pushpakaran, Advocate SR 52354 + 1 cc to Govt.Pleader SR 52430 ggk(co) prk12/10 W.P.No.30158/2015