M.Balan v. The Chairman Of Equivalence Committee
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :08.09.2020
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.KRISHNAKUMAR W.P.(MD) No.7828 of 2020 M.Balan
...Petitioner
Vs 1.The Chairman of Equivalence Committee, Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Chennai.
2.The Member Secretary, Tamilnadu State Council for Higher Education Department, Kamarajar Salai, Triplicane, Near Lady Willington College Campus, Chennai - 5. ...Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 2nd respondent to place the petitioner's representation before the equivalence committee and pass resolution by granting equivalence status to his educational qualification (D.Tech Mechanical Engineering) acquired through Open Distance learning mode from IGNEOUS's approved St.Peter's University on par with the qualification acquired through regular stream for the purpose of employment in the light of the Honble Apex Court Judgement in WP (C).NO.382/2018 dated 11.03.2019, by considering petitioner's representation dated 26.02.2020. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Senthil Kumaraiah For Respondents : Mr.C.Ramesh Special Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition is filed to direct the 2nd respondent to place the petitioner's representation before the Equivalence Committee and pass resolution by granting equivalence status to his educational qualification (D.Tech Mechanical Engineering) acquired through Open Distance learning mode from IGNEOUS's approved St.Peter's University on par with the qualification acquired through regular stream for the purpose of employment in the light of the Honble Apex Court Judgement in WP (C).NO.382/2018 dated 11.03.2019. 1/3
2.The grievance of the petitioner, with the relief sought for in the prayer, though he made a representation dated 26.02.2020 before the respondents, so far no action has been taken. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.
3.In reply, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 26.02.2020, would be considered on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
4.Having regard to the limited scope of the prayer made by the petitioner and in view of the submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, is inclined to pass the following directions:- i) the respondents are directed to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26.02.2020, by placing the same before the Equivalence Committee and thereafter, the Equivalence Committee shall take a final decision and pass appropriate orders on such representation, by taking note of the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in WP.(C).No.382 of 2018 dated 11.03.2019; ii) the respondents are also directed to communicate the final orders, which has to be passed by the Equivalence Committee on such representation, to the petitioner;
iii) the aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; 5.This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above directions. No costs.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-I) // True Copy // / /2020 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) mm Note: In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.
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To 1.The Chairman of Equivalence Committee, Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Chennai.
2.The Member Secretary, Tamilnadu State Council for Higher Education Department, Kamarajar Salai, Triplicane, Near Lady Willington College Campus, Chennai - 5.
+1 CC to SPL GP ( SR-16362[F] dated 09/09/2020 ) W.P.(MD) No.7828 of 2020 08.09.2020 VB (15.09.2020) 3P 4C 3/3