IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI THURSDAY, THE 31ST JANUARY 2008 / 11TH MAGHA 1929 WP(C).No. 3063 of 2008(M) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ SALEENA.T.K., HOUSE NO.14/1871, THUNDIPARAMBIL, CHULLIKKAL, KOCHI. BY ADV. SRI.K.JAJU BABU RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, PATTOM, TRIVANDRUM, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 2. THE DISTRICT OFFICER, KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, DISTRICT OFFICE, KAKKANAD, ERNAKULAM. 3. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, GOVT.SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. 4. LBS CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, REGIONAL UNIT, KALAMASSERY, HMT JUNCTION, NAD ROAD, ERNAKULAM-683 104, REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR. BY ADV. SRI.ALEXANDER THOMAS,SC,KPSC GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. BEJOY CHANDRAN SC FOR LBS SRI.P.B.SURESH KUMAR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 31/01/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI, J ------------------- W.P.(C).3063/2008 -------------------- Dated this the 31st day of January, 2008 JUDGMENT Applications were invited by the first respondent, PSC, for appointment to the post of L.D.Typist in various departments, as evidenced by Ext.P1. One of the qualifications prescribed in that regard is a pass in Computer word processing, in cases where the person concerned has passed the KGTE (Lower) in English prior to January, 2002. Apparently, petitioner had attended a course offered by the fourth respondent, LBS Centre for Science and Technology, in M.S.Office on being sponsored by the Cochin Corporation, as is evidenced from Ext.P2. Duration of the course is from 31.3.1999 to 7.6.1999. Ext.P3 shows that the Assistant Director of the fourth respondent issued a certificate to the effect that syllabus of the course M.S Office, conducted by the fourth respondent includes the topics of Computer Word Processing, theory and practical. 2. On instructions, the learned Standing Counsel for the W.P.(C).3063/2008 2 PSC submits that there are two objections as regards Exts.P2 and P3. Firstly, programme in M.S.Office is not strictly a course in Computer Word Processing as contemplated by the notifications. Secondly, even assuming that it could be treated as an equivalent qualification, the duration of the course should necessarily be at least three months. This was that was clarified by the PSC in its subsequent clarifications issued on 15.12.2006 and 30.7.2007. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner Mr.Jaju Babu submits that the minimum duration of the course does not seem to be contemplated by Ext.P8 Government Order which only refers to lower grade certificate in typewriting English (KGTE) and in Computer Word Processing or its equivalent. Course offered by the fourth respondent has been considered as equivalent by the PSC and therefore, the duration of the course does not seem to be a prescription in Ext.P8. W.P.(C).3063/2008 3 4. I am unable to accept the submission. Ext.P8 Government Order prescribes what is the qualification that is required for the post. As to what could be the equivalent qualification, is a matter that could either be decided by the Government or by the PSC, if it has reserved unto itself the power to do so in terms of the notification. It is in exercise of the authority so reserved that the PSC issued notifications on 15.12.2006 and 30.7.2007 declaring that the course in Computer Word Processing, offered by certain enumerated institutions (enumerated in the notification dated 30.7.2007) will be considered as a qualification which is equivalent, in terms of the notification. In considering certain qualifications as equivalent, PSC prescribed a minimum three months' duration for the same. This is within the competence of the PSC and obviously such notifications are not under challenge in this writ petition. 5. In the result, I do not think there is any error in the stand taken by the PSC to the effect that the petitioner W.P.(C).3063/2008 4 is not qualified in terms of the notification. Writ petition is bereft of merit and the same is dismissed. V.GIRI, Judge mrcs