M.Karpagam v. Commissioner For Welfare Of Differently

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05.09.2024

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.D.KRISHNAKUMAR ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.B.BALAJI M.Karpagam ... Petitioner -vs1. Commissionerate for the Welfare of Differently Abled No.5, Kamarajar Salai, Lady Wellington College Campus, Chennai-600 005.

2. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to forthwith issue the free laptops to the students with disabilities, who are studying and have studied from 2018 onwards in Government Special Schools.

For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Prabhakaran For Respondents :

Mr.T.K.Saravanan Govt. Advocate ***** 1/4

O R D E R

(By the Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice) This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the respondents to forthwith issue free laptops to students with disabilities, who are studying and have studied from 2018 onwards in Government Special Schools.

2. When the matter is taken up for hearing, learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents has filed the Status Report of the 1st respondent, wherein in Paragraph No.6, it has been stated as follows: "6. It is further submitted that the 1st respondent is already distributing Digital Daisy Player for the benefit of differently abled students. The cost of each Digital Daisy Player is Rs.10,815/-. Further, the Government has announced in the last legislative assembly session that the following assistive devices will be distributed to the differently abled students:

Standard Assistive Materials/Devices 1 to 5

1. Tactile materials related to text books.

2. Universal Braille Kit (Braille Slate, Stylus, English & Tamil Trainer Plate, Geometry Set, White Cane (Four Fold), Word Block (5), Cube, Tracer Wheel, Paper (20), Taylors Frame, Abacus, Type Sets Manual) 6 to 10 Tactile materials related to text books.

(Science, Maths, History and Geography).

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3. Recording the Status Report filed by the 1st respondent, this Writ Petition is disposed of, with a direction to the respondents to identify eligible persons and ensure that the electronic devices and other materials are distributed to them at the earliest point of time, but not later than four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

[D.K.K.,ACJ.] [P.B.B,J.] 05.09.2024 Index: Yes / No Internet: Yes / No Speaking Order/Non Speaking Order ar To:

1. The Director, Commissionerate for the Welfare of Differently Abled No.5, Kamarajar Salai, Lady Wellington College Campus, Chennai-600 005.

2. The Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

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HON'BLE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE, AND P.B.BALAJI,J., ar 05.09.2024 4/4