ANANDAKRISHNAN P Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner seeks a direction to the competent Authority of the University of Kerala to adjudge him as the "Best N.S.S Volunteer " and to include him in Ext.P8 list; thus awarding him the same, in the programme which is scheduled on 16/11/2022.

(2.) Sri.P.M Girijavallabhan - learned counsel for the petitioner, submitted that his client achieved 240 hours of voluntary participation under the National Service Scheme (NSS) from August, 2019 to August, 2021 and hence the certificate to such effect, namely Ext.P6, would entitle to him to be considered for the Award this year, namely 2021-2022, alone. He argued that, however, his client has not been included in the list of candidates eligible to the Award, under a misdirection of the University; and hence prayed that the reliefs sought for in this writ petition be granted.

(3.) In response, Sri.Thomas Abraham - the learned Standing Counsel for the University, submitted that a statement has been filed on record, averring that Ext.P6 Certificate would entitle the petitioner to the "NSS Award " only in the year, 2021, and not 2021-2022, since it clearly shows that he participated during the period from 2019-2021. He then added that, on assessment of the petitioner's accomplishments by the competent Authority namely the 4th respondent, except in the area of planting of trees saplings, the others were not found to be remarkable. He thus prayed that this writ petition be dismissed.