Rajalakshmi, v. The Registrar,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 24-03-2015 Coram :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.S. SIVAGNANAM WP No. 5130 of 2015 Rajalakshmi .. Petitioner

Versus

1. The Registrar Bharathidasan University Palkalaiperur Tiruchirapalli Pin Code - 620 024

2. The Chairman Equivalence Committee Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Frazer Bridge Road Park Town, Chennai - 600 003 .. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to issue the "Equivalence Certificate" to the petitioner based on the G.O. Ms. No.232, P&AR (R) Department dated 22.09.1998 that the petitioner's decree of M.Sc., (Bio-Technology) is equal to M.Sc., (Zoology).

For Petitioner :

Mr. S.I. Muthiah For Respondents :

Mr. V. Govardhan for M/s. Rao & Reddy for R1 No appearance for R2

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned standing counsel appearing for the first respondent. Even though notice has been served on the second respondent, none appears for the second respondent.

2.

The petitioner seeks for issuance of a Mandamus directing the respondents to issue Equivalence Certificate to her certifying that the M.Sc., Bio Technology degree is equalent to M.Sc., (Zoology) on the basis of G.O. Ms. No.232, P&AR (R) Department dated 22.09.1998.

3.

The petitioner completed B.Sc., (Zoology) during the year 2003 with first class. Subsequently, she completed Post Graduate degree in M.Sc., (Bio-technology) during 2006 by securing first

class and also M.Phil (Bio-Technology) in the year 2007 in first class. The petitioner also appeared in National Eligibility Test of Lectureship during 2009 and qualified for lectureship. According to the petitioner, she registered her name with the above qualification with the Employment Exchange for Post Graduates. While she was waiting for employment opportunity, in the year 2012, the Government Arts College for Women (Autonomous), Pudukottai invited applications for direct recruitment for filling up the vacancies in the post of Guest Lecture. The petitioner submitted her application and received a call letter for the interview on 19.11.2012. However, the petitioner was not considered for appointment on the ground that she has not produced equivalence certificate to certify that the M.Sc., Bio Technology degree is equalent to M.Sc.

, (Zoology) degree. In this regard, the petitioner referred to G.O. Ms. No.232, P&AR (R) Department dated 22.09.1998 wherein the Government clarified that M.Sc., (Life Science) with specialisation in Plant Science and Micro-biology is equivalent to M.Sc., (Botany) and M.Sc., (Life Science) with specialisation in Bio-Technology and Animal Science is equivalent to M.Sc., (Zoology). On the basis of this Government Order, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 31.10.2014 to the respondents and sought for issuance of an equivalence certificate, but there is no order passed thereof. 4.

The learned standing counsel appearing for the first respondent university submits that it is for the equivalence committe to take a decision in the matter. It is further stated that so far as the government order is concerned, it is restricted to the subject M.Sc., Life Science. In any event, the claim of the petitioner for grant of equivalence certificate will be placed by the first respondent before the committee for taking a decision. 5.

In the light of the above, the first respondent is directed to consider the representation dated 31.10.2014 of the petitioner which has been sent by her through speed post on the same day, pass orders on merits and in accordance with law in terms of G.O. Ms. No.232, P&AR (R) Department dated 22.09.1998 within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioner is also directed to send a copy of the representation dated 31.10.2014 to the first respondent along with a copy of this order, forthwith.

6.

The writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar rsh

To

1. The Registrar Bharathidasan University Palkalaiperur Tiruchirapalli Pin Code - 620 024

2. The Chairman Equivalence Committee Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Frazer Bridge Road Park Town, Chennai - 600 003 + 1 cc to M/s. Raw & Reddy, Advocate SR.16586 + 1 cc to Mr.S.I. Muthiah, Advocate Sr.16787 WP No. 5130 of 2015 TM(CO) Eu 10.04.2015