AMANDA ANDREA MENEZES Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner by the present petition is seeking to quash and set aside letter/order no. MPGSS/01/2023/695, dtd. 12/9/2023 and the lists drawn up by the Director of Health Education including the list of candidates selected under Manohar Parrikar Goa, Scholars Scheme for the academic year 2022-2023. The petitioner further seeks issuance of directives required to be followed in accordance with the Screening Criteria laid down in Clause IX of the Scheme be held to be in contravention to Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India with other ancillary reliefs.

(2.) The instant petition has been filed by Ms. Amanda Andrea Menezes who is presently pursuing a PHD program in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA. Prior to enrolment in this program, the petitioner had attained a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy followed by a Master's degree in Pharmacy in November 2021. Post-completion of her post-graduate degree program, she joined the Goa Chief Minister's Fellowship Program in January 2022.

(3.) The petitioner had applied vide application registration number 2022230117 to respondent no. 3 for an award of scholarship under the Manohar Parrikar Goa Scholars Scheme 2018 (hereinafter referred to as "the scheme") for the academic year 2022-2023, for the program she is presently enrolled in. Under the scheme, there is a screening process that conducts shortlisting of candidates in phases. After the publishing of the initial scrutiny list, the petitioner stood on serial number 142 out of 172.