S.Soundharya, v. State Of Tamilnadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF MADRAS
DATED : 28.11.2024
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND and WMP.Nos.19409 & 19410 of 2018 S.Soundharya ...
Petitioner Vs 1.State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Secretary to Government, Agricultural Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3.The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, Chennai - 600 003.
4.The Registrar Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
...
Respondents PRAYER: The writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent to consider the candidature of the petitioner to the post of Assistant Engineer (Agricultural Engineering) notified in Notification No.16/2017 dated 05.07.2017 issued by the third respondent treating the petitioner's Educational Qualification of B.E (Agricultural and Irrigation 1/6
Engineering) as equal to B.E/B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering), within a time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court.
For Petitioner ... Mr.S.Sathia Chandran For Respondent ... Mr.C.Jayaprakash No.1 Government Advocate For Respondent ... Mr.L.S.M.Hasan Fizal No.2 Additional Government Pleader For Respondent ... Mr.I.Abrar Mohamed Abdullah No.3 Senior Counsel For Respondent ... Mr.V.Meenakshi Sundaram No.4
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed to direct the third respondent to consider the candidature of the petitioner to the post of Assistant Engineer (Agricultural Engineering) notified in Notification No.16/2017 dated 05.07.2017 issued by the third respondent treating the petitioner's Educational Qualification of B.E (Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) as equal to B.E/B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering). 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 2/6
offered by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University or not. 3.Admittedly, the petitioner possessed B.E. (Agricultural and 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.1 has placed a copy of G.O.(Ms).No.208, Higher Education (J1) Department, dated 27.11.2024. 3/6
6.On perusal of the abovesaid G.O., it appears that the 29th 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. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. Internet:Yes/No 28.11.2024 Index:Yes/No sms To 4/6
1.State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Secretary to Government, Agricultural Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3.The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, Chennai - 600 003.
4.The Registrar Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
BATTU DEVANAND,J.
sms 5/6
and WMP.Nos.19409 & 19410 of 2018 28.11.2024 6/6