A.Ayyanar v. Manonmaniam Sundaranar
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.01.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.KUMARESH BABU A.Ayyanar
...Petitioner
Vs 1.Manomaniam Sundaranar University, Represented by its Registrar, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli - 627 012.
2.The Government of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Secretary, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
... Respondents (R-2 is impleaded vide Court Order dated 09.01.2025 in W.M.P.(MD) No.542 of 2025 in W.P.(MD)No.14298 of 2017) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the respondent in Ref: MSU/RES/R5/EQC/3382/2017, dated 21.07.2017, quash the same and direct the respondent to re-issue the Ph.D. Degree certificate to the petitioner in Economics instead of Mathematical Economics as done in the case of one Ms.Jayanthi (Registration No. 1/6
3381).
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Subramanian For Mr.A.Robinson For R-1 : Mr.M.Mohamed Nihal For M/s.Ajmal Associates For R-2 : Mr.J.K.Jayaselan Government Advocate
O R D E R
Heard the learned counsels on either side.
2. The prayer sought for in the writ petition is to quash the orders of the first respondent wherein the petitioner's request for change of Phd., certificate was not complied with.
3. An application has also been taken out by the petitioner seeking to implead the second respondent which was also ordered by this Court.
4. The petitioner claims that he was granted a Ph.D. certificate in Mathematical Economics instead of Economics. He further submits that similarly placed individuals, who were also registered as research scholars under Mathematical Economics, were granted a Ph.D. solely in 2/6
Economics upon their request. Relying upon the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.72 dated 30.04.2023, the petitioner contends that Mathematical Economics is considered equivalent to Economics. Therefore, he submits that the certificate issued to him for Mathematical Economics can be converted to Economics, and a corrected degree certificate should be issued by the first respondent.
5. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent submits that the petitioner had registered himself solely for Mathematical Economics and had submitted a thesis titled "An Economic Analysis of Labour Force Participation in Tamil Nadu and India." The said topic was related to Mathematical Economics, and the petitioner was only assessed by experts in the field of Mathematical Economics. Therefore, the counsel submits that the petitioner's request cannot be considered, and there is no infirmity in the impugned order.
6. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the impleaded second respondent submits that the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.72 dated 30.04.2023 was issued after a committee deliberated and 3/6
recommended certain subjects as equivalent to others, specifically for the purpose of filling teaching posts in School Education. Therefore, the Government cannot extend this Order to aid the petitioner.
7. I have considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record.
8. The petitioner primarily relies on the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.72 dated 30.04.2013 to treat his Ph.D. awarded in Mathematical Economics as a Ph.D. in Economics and to be granted a revised certificate indicating that he has completed a Ph.D. in Economics. The claim of the petitioner to have the Ph.D. degree in Mathematical Economics recognized as a degree in Economics can be appropriately considered by the second respondent, who is the competent authority in this matter. In such circumstances, I am of the view that, to meet the ends of justice, the second respondent can be directed to consider the petitioner's case for granting equivalence of the Ph.D. in Mathematical Economics to a Ph.D. in Economics. 4/6
9. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's case and refer the Ph.D. granted to the petitioner in Mathematical Economics to a Committee. Thereafter, the second respondent is directed to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with the law. There shall be no order as to costs.
09.01.2025 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no Nsr To:
1.The Registrar, Manomaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli - 627 012.
2.The Secretary, The Government of Tamil Nadu, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
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K.KUMARESH BABU , J.
Nsr 09.01.2025 6/6