M.Muthulakshmi v. The State of Tamilnadu

O R D E R This Court had occasion to examine a similar issue in W.P.No. 6205 of 2024 [ Shameer Ahamed A and others Vs. State of Tamil Nadu and others]. That particular Writ Petition has been filed for a Certiorarified Mandamus seeking records relating to proceedings of the respondents dated 17.02.2024 so far as the rejection of the candidature of the petitioner is concerned and to quash the same.

¶2This Court had passed the following order:- "3.It is now contended on behalf of the petitioners that the Government had passed an order in G.O.(Ms.) No.173, Agriculture – Farmers Welfare

(AU) Department, dated 07.08.2024 wherein it had been stated that (i) M.Sc., Agriculture in Economics awarded by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is equivalent to M.Sc., (Agriculture) in Agricultural Economics / M.Sc., Agricultural Economics for the post of Assistant Director of Agriculture (Extension) in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension Service; (ii) M.Sc., (Agriculture) in Agricultural Extension and Communication awarded by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is equivalent to M.Sc., (Agriculture) in Agricultural Extension/ M.Sc., Agricultural Extension for the post of Assistant Director of Agriculture (Extension) in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension Service; and (iii) M.Sc., (Agriculture) in Extension Education awarded by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is equivalent to M.Sc., (Agriculture) in Agricultural Extension / M.Sc., Agricultural Extension for the post of Assistant Director of Agriculture (Extension) in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension Service.

4.In effect, the qualifications acquired by the petitioners are sufficient to be considered for further selection processes for the posts of Agricultural Officer (Extension) in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension Service, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Extension) in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension Service and Horticultural Officer in the Tamil Nadu Horticultural Service.

5.The issue raised in the writ petition has been addressed by the Government through the passing of the aforementioned Government Order. It is contended that the petitioners were also called for the oral test, but subject to the result of this writ petition.

6.Since the qualifications acquired by the petitioners are deemed equivalent to the qualifications required by the respondents, as stated in their notification, no further orders are required to be passed in the writ petition. The respondents may proceed further with the recruitment process and the petitioners may also be considered for the posts they had applied, if they are otherwise eligible.

7.Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed."

¶3The Writ Petitioner in the instant case had also completed her Bachelor Degree in Science / B.Sc., (Agri) in the year 2015-2019 and subsequently also completed M.Sc (Agri) in Agricultural Extension and communication in Agricultural College and Research Institute in Coimbatore in the academic year 2019-2022. She is placed on the very same footing as the petitioners in the aforementioned Writ Petition. The same order therefore ennures to the writ petitioner herein.

¶4A direction is given that the qualification of the petitioner is deemed equivalent to the qualification required by the respondents. No further orders are required. The respondents may proceed further with recruitment process and the petitioner may also be considered for the post she had applied if she is otherwise eligible.

¶5The Writ Petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions stand closed. No order as to costs.

07.04.2025 Index : Yes / No

(4 /4) : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No vsg To

1.Agricultural Production Commissioner & Secretary to Government The State of Tamil Nadu Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Fort St. George, Chennai.

2.The Director of Agriculture Chepauk, Chennai.

3.The Secretary Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission TNPSC Road, Broadway, Chennai.

4.The Registrar Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore. C.V.KARTHIKEYAN,oJ. vsg oo ooo oo W.P.NO.6503oOFo2024 ANDo WMPoNos.o7234o&o7235oOFo2024

07.04.2025 (4/4)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 07.04.2025 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN AND WMP Nos. 7234 & 7235 OF 2024 M.Muthulakshmi ... Petitioner VS. 1.The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. By its Agricultural Production Commissioner & Secretary to Government Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Fort St. George, Chennai. 2.The Director of Agriculture Chepauk, Chennai. 3.The Secretary Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission TNPSC Road, Broadway, Chennai. 4.The Registrar Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the entire records relating to the impugned Phase-II list of the third respondent dated 17.02.2024 in so far as rejection of candidature of the petitioner (Reg.No.0101001042) is concern and quash the same and further directing the third respondent to permit the petitioner to participate in the further selection process for the direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Director of Agricultural (Extension) in pursuant to the notification of the third respondent in Notification No.1/23. *** For Petitioner : Mr.R.Maheswaran For RR 1&2 : Mr.M.Shajahan Special Government Pleader For 3rd Respondent: Mr. Abrar Md. Abdullah For 4th Respondent: Mr.S.Manikandan