IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE THIRD DAY OF NOVEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.15899 of 2003 Between: 1 B.Srinivasa Rao s/o Veeraiah, Sri Harshini Degree College, Lawyerpet, Ongolu, Prakasham District. 2 B.Anitha D/o Nageswara rao, 3 N.Sudha Rani d/o Siva Ramaiah ..... PETITIONERS AND 1 The Government of A.P.rep.by its Secretary, Education Dept., Secretariat Buildings., Hyderabad. 2 The A.P.State Road Transport Corporation rep.by its Regional Manager, Ongolu, Prakasam District. 3 The Divisional Manager, A.P.S.R.T.C., Ongolu, Prakasam District. 4 The Principal, Sri Harshini Degree College, Lawyerpet, Ongolu, Prakasam District. .....RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court be pleased to issue a Writ or order or direction more particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in denying concessional bus passes to the students of 4th respondent college on par with other recognized colleges as arbitrary, illegal and discriminatory and direct the respondents to extend the facility of concessional bus passes to the students of 4th respondent college. Counsel for the Petitioners: MR.P.VEERA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent No.1: GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION Counsel for the Respondent Nos.2 and 3: MR. POSANI VENKATESWARLU, STANDING COUNSEL FOR A.P.S.R.T.C., Counsel for the Respondent No.4: None appeared. The Court made the following: THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION NO.15899 OF 2003 ORDER: In this Writ Petition the action of the respondents in denying concessional bus passes to the students of fourth respondent college on par with other recognized colleges as arbitrary, illegal and discriminatory and to direct the respondents to extend the facility of concessional bus passes to the students of fourth respondent college. Strong reliance is placed on the judgment of this Court in Writ Petition No.28965 of 1997 and batch, dt.15.3.1999 wherein it was laid down: Under the circumstances, the Writ Petitions are disposed of with a direction that the petitioners – students and similarly situate students shall be extended the benefit of scholarships for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and they shall also be issued concessional bus and railway passes in accordance with their respective rules and regulations without reference to the stipulations made by the Intermediate Board in respect of these two benefits while granting recognition. If any applications are already pending before the authorities for extension of these benefits, the same shall be considered in accordance with the rules and regulations. Following the same, present Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the above judgment. No costs. _________________ (V.V.S.RAO, J) 3.11.2004 bnr To 1 The Secretary, Education Department, Government of A.P., Secretariat Buildings, Hyderabad. 2 The Regional Manager, A.P.State Road Transport Corporation, Ongolu, Prakasam District. 3 The Divisional Manager, A.P.S.R.T.C., Ongolu, Prakasam District. 4 Two CCs to the Government Pleader for Higher Education, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (O.U.T). 5 Two C.D. Copies.