K. P. SIVASUBRAMANIAM Vs. VICTORIA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the 6th respondent Government appointing a Special Officer to Victoria Technical Institute, the 1st respondent herein under Section 34A of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1973 hereinafter called as "the State Act" .

(2.) The 1st respondent - Victoria Technical Institute is a society which was formed in 1887 and incorporated on 26.03.1889 under The Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Central Act XXI of 1860). The 1st respondent will hereinafter be referred to as "the Society" . After the enactment of The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, under Section 53 of the Act, every society registered under the Central Act, XXI of 1860 shall be deemed to be registered under the State Act and the bye-laws of such society shall, in so far as they are not inconsistent with any provision of this Act, continue in force until altered or rescinded. Hence, by virtue of Section 53 of the State Act, the 1st respondent society deemed to be registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.

(3.) On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty, the Queen Empress Victoria, in 1887, a Central Jubilee Committee was formed in the City of Chennai, to commemorate the Fifty Years of her reign and collections were made. The State Government has also offered a grant to the committee on condition that the Government will appoint one-third of the Governing Body and the President. The committee after accepting the offer made by the Government, formed the eight members Jubilee Committee along with the President and four members nominated by the Government, which constituted its first council of the respondent society. The main objects of the society among others are, establishing technical libraries, museums, colleges, schools, workshops in Madras and throughout South India; making grants-inaid to such technical libraries, museums, colleges, schools, classes or workshops as may be affiliated to the Institute in Madras and throughout South India; training teachers of technical subjects for the whole of South India or granting aid to teachers trained in affiliated and independent institutions; buying and selling or selling on commission articles produced by handicraftsmen or otherwise; selling, leasing and otherwise dealing with any immovable property as the Council may think necessary or advisable for the purpose of the Institute. Now, the respondent society is involved in helping the poor and rural craftsman by purchasing their products directly and displaying exclusive handicrafts items in showrooms. That apart, training centers have been started in various places to impart training in local and rural industries.