PIL 1/2011 BEFORE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MADAN B. LOKUR HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE C.R.SARMA This Public Interest Litigation was initiated on the basis of a letter dated 1.1 .2011 received by one of us (Chief Justice) to the effect that students belongin g to some Scheduled Tribes in Karbi Anglong District are finding it difficult to take part in the HSLC Examination, 2011 due to the distant location of the exam ination center and the travel time involved. It is also stated that it would be more appropriate if the examination is held in a Center in Ulukunchi, Amri Block . On notice having been issued, we are glad to note that all the parties before us namely, the Deputy Commissioner, Karbi Anglong, Diphu, the Board of Secondary E ducation, Assam (SEBA), Inspector of Schools, Diphu, Superintendent of Post Offi ces, Nagaon, the School authorities as well as the Tribal Youth Forum, Ulukunchi and others have taken a very pragmatic and positive approach and have agreed af ter mutual discussions, to hold the examination in the Amri High School in Uluku nchi. On our suggestion, a meeting was held on 5.2.2011 in the office chamber of the D eputy Commissioner, Karbi Anglong, Diphu regarding opening of an examination cen ter and the Minutes of the meeting have been handed over to the Court. Registry should take these Minutes on record. The Minutes of the meeting read as follows:- The meeting presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, Karbi Anglong, Diphu. At the out set of the meeting the Deputy Commissioner told that the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court has passed an order on 3.2.2011 regarding allotment of HSLC Examinat ion Centre at Amri (Amri H.S.) and suggested to convene a meeting between the DC , Inspector of Schools, KA, Diphu and SEBA on or before 5.2.2011. In this regard this meeting was convened amongst the representative of SEBA, I.S., representat ive of the Council Authority, Police authority, Supdt. Of Post Office, Nagaon, a nd the representative from the local school authority etc. The meeting discussed about the arrangement of security during the time of exami nation and transportation of confidential documents i.e. answer scripts from the examination center to Jagiroad Post Office which is about 70 K,M, away from the examination center. In this regard the representative from the Superintendent o f Police Hamren Police District Mr. Dhaniram Tisso, DSP told that the security a rrangement will be made from their side but the expenditure of the vehicle carry ing the confidential papers (answer scripts) along with security personnel will be borne from the venue In-charge. It was agreed by the Venue In-charge. The Deputy Commissioner told that one Executive Magistrate will be detailed for the days of Examination till completion of whole process of examination. The Superintendent of Post Offices, Nagaon told that he will give necessary inst ruction to the Postmaster Jagiroad to keep open the post office upto 5 P.M. thou gh the booking time is upto 3 P.M. to take the confidential packets preferably o n the same day of the examination to the respective addresses and accordingly it was agreed. The sitting arrangement i.e. desks, bench with the invigilators to conduct the e xamination will be made from the Venue In-charge. It was agreed by the Venue In- charge. The representatives of the local organization demanding the HSLC center as well as school authority assured that the sanctity of the examination will be maintai ned and will extend full coopeation for the smooth running of the examination. At the end the Deputy Commissioner told that cooperation from all concern should be made so that the examination is passed off peacefully in a very backward pla ce. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the Chair. In view of the mutually satisfactory solution arrived at, nothing furthe r survives in this writ petition. However, learned Amicus Curiae submits that the expenditure for the vehicles car rying the confidential papers (answer scripts) along security personnel, though being borne by the school authority, the ultimate burden will fall on the studen ts. Learned counsel for the District Administration very fairly submits that under t hese circumstances vehicles will be requisitioned for this purpose by the Distri ct Administration and that any expenditure thereon will be borne by the District Administration. As mentioned above, we appreciate the positive stand taken by all the parties in the matter. We hope and trust that with the cooperation of all concerned, the e xamination process will pass off peacefully in Karbi Anglong. The writ petition is disposed of. For the services rendered by the learned Amicus Curiae, the Assam State Legal Se rvices Authority is directed to remunerate him to an extent of ‘5000/-. The learned Amicus Curiae submits that the remuneration be deposited on his beha lf with the Indian Law Institute, Assam Chapter. A copy of this order be given to learned counsel for the parties immediately.