Madras High CourtWP(MD)/10609/2015disposed of

Ponnaiyah Ramajayam v. The Union Of India,

2019-03-20Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan3 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.03.2019

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.10609 of 2015 and M.P.(MD)No.1 of 2015 Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology University, Rep. by its Chancellor, Prof.P.Murugesan, PRIST University Campus, Vallam, Thanjavur District.

... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Union of India, Rep. by the Government of Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Higher Education, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi 110 115.

2. The Director General, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, A-Block, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003, India.

3. The DDG & State Informatics Officer, Tamil Nadu State Centre, E Wing, First Floor, Rajaji Bhavan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600 090. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.11.2011 and 18.03.2015 and provide to the petitioner's University with 1 GBPS Internet connectivity to the petitioner University under National Commission on Education through ICT(NMEICT) scheme. For Petitioner : Mr.K.K.Ramakrishnan For Respondents : Mr.R.Nandhakumar, Central Government Standing Counsel.

***

O R D E R

Heard the learned counsel on either side.

2. The Government of India has implemented two schemes for providing high speed network connectivity of educational and research institutions in India. They are NMEICT project under which MHRD covered private/Government Educational Institutes and NKN Projects under Ministry of Electronics and Communication and Information Technology, covered research and Educational Institutes in India. The petitioner is a deemed University. It approached respondents 2 and 3 in this regard and since no action was taken, this Writ petition has been filed.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Central Government Standing counsel informs this Court that it is the first respondent Ministry that has to grant approval based on which respondents 2 and 3 can provide the connectivity sought for. The petitioner's counsel states that he would submit a fresh application to the first respondent within a period of two weeks.

4. The first respondent shall consider the petitioner's application and dispose of the same on merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. The Writ petition stands disposed of, accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous petition is closed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar // True Copy // Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) To

1. The Union of India, Rep. by Government of Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Higher Education, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi 110 115.

2. The Director General, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, A-Block, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003, India.

3. The DDG & State Informatics Officer, Tamil Nadu State Centre, E Wing, First Floor, Rajaji Bhavan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600 090.

+1cc to Mr.K.K.Ramakrishnan, Advocate, SR.No.55575 +1cc to Mr.R.Nandhakumar, Advocate, SR.No.55709 W.P.(MD)No.10609 of 2015 and M.P.(MD)No.1 of 2015 20.03.2019 PMU KK/SAR/05.04.2019/ 3P- 6C