MEENAKSHI COLLEGE FOR WOMEN Vs. UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Meenakshi College for Women represented by its Principal has filed this writ petition for issue of a mandamus directing the University of Madras, the first respondent herein, to confer autonomous status for the petitioner college, based on the report of the Second Inspection Commission headed by Justice P. Venugopal (Retd.), for a period of five years from the current academic year 1989-90 after getting the concurrence of the State of Tamil Nadu and the Chairman, University Grants Commission, respondents 2 and 3 herein.

(2.) The petitioner college was started in, the year 1975-76 and is affiliated to the first respondent University. At present, it is having nine under-graduate courses and seven postgraduate courses plus M.C.A. Course. It has been adopting the curriculum issued by the University and following the University Syllabus. By a communication dated 21-3-1989, the University informed the petitioner of the launching of a programme of "autonomous Colleges" and its contemplation to invite applications from affiliated colleges which wish to be considered for autonomous status. Much reliance is placed on this communication by the petitioner and it is worthwhile to extract the relevant portions thereof :-

(3.) Though the communication specified 7/04/1989 as the last date for receipt of proposals/application from the college, the latter replied only by a letter dated 26-4-1989. It was stated in that letter that the delay was due to the fact that the Committee of Management could meet only on 24/04/1989 and give its consent for asking autonomous status for the college. It was stated that the college would be accordingly applying for autonomy with effect from the academic year 1989-90 for all the courses conducted in that college, and the detailed particulars in the prescribed questionnaires are under preparation and would be sent to the University shortly. A request was made to include the college in the list of colleges to be considered by the University for conferring autonomous status in that year. The copies of the proposals were actually received by the University on 5-6-1989 without any covering letter or the prescribed fee of Rs. 5,000/-. By letter dated 12/06/1989, the University pointed out the same to the college. A reply was sent by the College on 21-6-1989 along with a Demand Draft for Rs. 5,000/- towards the prescribed fees and a copy of the covering letter.