IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI THURSDAY, THE 23RD JULY 2009 / 1ST SRAVANA 1931 WP(C).No. 18934 of 2009(J) ---------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------------------ K.MURALI,KUZHICHALIL HOUSE, KURICHIYIL P.O.,TELLICHERRY,KANNUR DISTRICT. BY ADVS. MR.K.V.SOHAN, SMT.SREEJA SOHAN.K. RESPONDENT(S): --------------------------- 1. THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION OFFICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. R1 & R2 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER MR. P.NARAYANAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 23/07/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: Kss V.GIRI,J. ------------------------- W.P ( C) No.18934 of 2009 -------------------------- Dated this the 23rd July,2009 J U D G M E N T Petitioner, a diploma holder in Engineering and is now employed as Draughtsman Gr.II in the office of the Soil Conservation, Tellicherry. He has approached this Court alleging that sufficient opportunity was not granted to eligible persons to apply for B.Tech Degree (Evening) Course 2009. Ext.P1 prospectus was issued along with G.O (Rt) No.630/09/H.Edn dated 11.5.2009. According to the petitioner, there was inadequate publicity in inviting applications for the B.Tech (Evening ) Course even in the website. There was also inadequate publicity in the newspapers. Hence the writ petition praying for the following reliefs. “(a) Call for the records connected with the case; and (b) Issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ or order directing W.P ( C) No.18934 of 2009 2 the first respondent to take a decision on Ext.P2 representation forthwith” 2. A statement has been filed by the learned Government Pleader pursuant to the direction issued by this Court. It is asserted in the statement that the notification inviting applications for admission to B.Tech Degree (Evening) Course 2009 was published in almost all editions of leading daily newspapers both in Malayalam and English as per notification dated 28.5.2009. Originally the last date for receipt of application was fixed at 18.6.2009 till 5 p.m Later it was extended to 3.7.2009. On account of the fact that there was shortage of valid applications it was decided that the courses need not be conducted in the TKM College of Engineering Kollam, Government Engineering College, Kannur and the Chemical Branch in Government Engineering College, Thrissur in terms of clause 13 of the prospectus. 3. I heard Sri.K.VSohan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri.P. Narayanan, learned Senior Government Pleader. W.P ( C) No.18934 of 2009 3 4. I am not in a position to accept the contention that there was inadequate publicity of the notification inviting applications. But I also cannot ignore the fact that there are persons who are still interested in joining the evening course. Petitioner is an illustration in point. There would be other interested persons also. That there has been shortage of applicants is affirmed by the 1st respondent also. 5. Accordingly, the 1st respondent shall consider the question as to whether there should be a fresh notification inviting applications from eligible persons for the B.Tech Degree (Evening) Course-2009 and if a decision is taken in that regard, it must be ensured that there is adequate publicity for further notification in leading newspapers, including all editions published in the northern part of Kerala as well. I am constrained to issue this direction taking note of the complaint raised by the petitioner that the notification lacked adequate publicity in the editions in the northern part of Kerala. W.P ( C) No.18934 of 2009 4 6. The Director shall take a decision in this matter after taking note of Ext.P2 representation which though addressed to the Hon’ble Minister for Education has been marked to the 1st respondent also. Petitioner shall produce a copy of this judgment forthwith before the Director along with a comprehensive representation, if necessary. Writ petition is disposed of as above. (V.GIRI,JUDGE) ma W.P ( C) No.18934 of 2009 5 W.P ( C) No.18934 of 2009 6