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2002 Supreme(Mad) 1571

High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE E. PADMANABHAN
Master J.Rajkumar Minor - Appellant
Versus
The Secretary Educational Department Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat & Others - Respondents
Writ Petition No.36781 of 2002 and WPMP No.55294 of 2002
Decided On : 30 December 2002

Advocates Appeared:For the Petitioner:E. Omprakash for M/s. Ramalingam Associates. For the Respondents: V.R. Rajasekaran Spl. Govt. Pleader.

The main legal point established in the judgment is the mandatory nature of Section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, which requires all Government and aided educational institutions to reserve not less than 3% seats for persons with disabilities in all courses of study.

Headnote:

Mandamus - Reservation for Persons with Disabilities - Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, Section 39 - Summary of Acts and Sections: The court discussed the mandatory provisions of Section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, which requires all Government educational institutions and other educational institutions receiving aid from the Government to reserve not less than 3% seats for persons with disabilities. The court emphasized the binding nature of this provision and directed the State Government to reserve 3% seats in all Government and aided educational institutions for physically disabled individuals in all courses of study.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner, a physically handicapped minor, sought a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to implement 3% reservation for persons with disabilities as provided under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and allot an MBBS seat to the petitioner. The petitioner was placed as No.5 in the waiting list for MBBS admission but was offered a seat in BDS in the payment category. The petitioner argued that the respondents failed to give effect to the mandatory provisions of Section 39 of the Act, resulting in denial of admission.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the State Government had only reserved three seats for physically handicapped individuals, which was far less than the reservation provided for in the Central Legislation. The court held that Section 39 of the Act is mandatory, and the State Government is obligated to reserve 3% seats in all Government and aided educational institutions for persons with disabilities. The court directed the respondents to admit the petitioner to the first year MBBS course against the 39 seats reserved for disabled individuals.

Issues: The issues before the court were: (A) Whether a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to implement 3% reservation for persons with disabilities in terms of Section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 has to be issued. (B) Whether the petitioner is entitled to a direction directing the respondents to admit the petitioner for admission under the Act.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that Section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 is mandatory, and the State Government is bound to reserve not less than 3% seats for persons with disabilities in all Government and aided educational institutions. The court emphasized that the reservation should be subject to the individual's eligibility and suitability to pursue the course of study.

Final Decision: The writ petition was allowed, and the court directed the respondents to admit the petitioner to the first year MBBS course against the 39 seats reserved for disabled individuals. The State Government was further directed to implement Section 39 of the Act for all educational institutions established and run by the State Government and aided educational institutions by issuing necessary orders.

Judgment :-

(Writ petition filed under Art.226 of the constitution of India praying for the issue of a writ of mandamus, as stated therein.)

The writ petitioner, a minor and a minor and a physically handicapped, represented by his father has come before this court praying for the issue of a writ of mandamus directing the third respondent to implement 3% reservation for persons with disabilities as provided under the persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 and allot MBBS seat to the Petitioner herein for the year 2002-2003.

2. All the respondents have entered appearance through the Special Government Pleader (Education). With the consent of counsel appearing on either side, the writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal.

3. The petitioner, a physically handicapped, who applied for the first year MBBS/BDS course selection was placed as No.5 in the list of candidates selected under the category of physically Handicapped Students, was asked to appear for counseling on 19.9.2002 for BDS Payment Seat. On verification, the petitioner came to know that he was not allotted MBBS Seat and if at all he may apply for BDS, but on payment category. The petitioner was place No.5 in the list of handicapped persons selected. But, only three students have been admitted to the MBBS course. 3% reservation has not been made in all educational institutions including Medical/Dental and if the said principle is applied 39 seats have to be reserved for handicapped persons in the whole of the State. 3% reservation has been made mandatory by the Provisions of the Central Legislation namely. The persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1995. The said Act provides that all Government Educational Institution and other Educational Institutions receiving aid from the Government shall reserve not less than 3% seats for persons with disabilities. The said enactment is passed on the world Human Rights Proclamation, to which India is a signatory. The provision is mandatory and till date, the respondent-State Government has not provided 3% reservation in the commission to Educational Courses in the State. Hence the present writ petition.

4. The petitioner relies upon Section 39 of the said Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995. According to the petitioner, the respondents have failed to give effect to the said mandatory provisions. Ignoring the said mandatory provision only three seats have been reserved which is far less than the reservation provided for in the Central Legislation. The petitioner having secured 285.37 out of 300 marks has been denied and deprived of admission. Hence the present writ petition seeking for a direction to reserve 3% of the seats in all Government Medical colleges established and run by the State and Government aided Medical Colleges and admit him.

5. Per contra, on behalf of the respondents, the third respondent has filed a counter affidavit. According to the third respondent the State Government has approved the admission procedure provided for reservation of certain number of MBBS/BDS seats for various special categories for the year 2002-2003 and physically handicapped are one among the categories of the persons for whom three seats are reserved for admission to MBBS course under the Special Category. The petitioner was not selected for admission as he was not within the zone of consideration since he has secured 285.37 marks, while others admitted, have scored more marks. It is contended that the reservation of 3% seats as provided in the Central Act 1/96 could not be given effect to in all courses as the Government has to necessarily keep in view the type of course and the suitability of the physically handicapped persons to undergo such course, such as Medicine.

6. If the extent of disability is more that would put the physically handicapped pers





























































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