IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.J.CHELAMESWAR & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.N.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR WEDNESDAY, THE 7TH APRIL 2010 / 17TH CHAITHRA 1932 WP(C).No. 11543 of 2010(S) ------------------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------ ANTONY MATHEW T.V, RETIRED HEADMASTER THATTARASSERY HOUSE, CHIRAKKAKOM,VARAPUZHA ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.GEORGE POONTHOTTAM RESPONDENTS: ---------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE TEXT BOOK OFFICER TEXT BOOK BRANCH,PADMAVILASOM ROAD FORT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. KERALA BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS SOCIETY KAKKANAD, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR. BY SR.GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.BENJAMIN PAUL THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/04/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: J.Chelameswar, C.J. & C.N.Ramachandran Nair, J. ------------------------------------------ W.P.(C) No.11543 of 2010 ------------------------------------------ Dated this the 7th day of April, 2010 JUDGMENT C.N.Ramachandran Nair, J. This public interest litigation is filed challenging the policy decision of the Government to arrange for delivery of text-books directly from the Printing Press to the co-operative societies of the schools. The previous practice was to transport the text-books to the regional and district depots first and from there distribution used to be made to various co-operative societies of the schools. 2. However, the learned Government Pleader submitted that the Government adopted the new policy to avoid unnecessary labour charges towards loading and unloading by arranging transportation of text- books directly from the Printing Press to the co-operative society of every school. Even though the petitioner does not challenge the policy decision as such, learned counsel expressed apprehension about the practical difficulties. According to his information, the State has not so far made any arrangement for despatch of text-books though classes for Standards W.P.(C) No.11543 of 2010. - 2 - in IX and X are scheduled to commence by the middle of May, 2010. 3. We do not think there is any justification for this Court to go into the propriety or legality of the policy decision adopted by the State. However, we make it clear that the Government will ensure that the text- books would reach the students before or atleast simultaneous to the commencement of classes so that books are available with them when they go to school. If found necessary, priority has to be given for transportation of text-books of Standards IX and X where the classes are scheduled to commence by the middle of May, 2010. We, therefore, dispose of the writ petition by directing the State authorities to ensure that text-books reach the students without any delay, whatever be the pattern adopted for transportation and delivery. J.Chelameswar, Chief Justice C.N.Ramachandran Nair, Judge vns