SUCHIT KUMAR SAHOO Vs. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner calls in question the letter of the Administrative Officer, Orissa Maritime Academy informing him not to take admission, in view of the guidelines of the Director General of Shipping, changing the upper age limit for entry to Pre Sea Rating Training (General Purpose) since he is crossing the prescribed age limit on the date fixed for admission.

(2.) THE petitioner, a diploma holder in Mechanical Engineering and had passed +2 Science Examination, applied for admission to Pre Sea Rating Training (General Purpose) in Orissa Maritime Academy, Paradip (hereinafter called 'Academy'), pursuant to the 'Admission Notice' issued by the Academy in daily newspaper 'Samaj' dated 17th April, 2002, copy whereof is Annexure 1 to the writ petition. In letter dated 19th July, 2002, he was intimated by the Administrative Officer of the Academy to report to the Principal on 12th August, 2002 at 8.00 A.M. along with required documents in original for appearing at an English test both written and oral for selection, which he complied with and took the test.

(3.) OPPOSITE parties have filed their return denying the claim of the petitioner on very many grounds. However, the factual averments made in the writ petition are not in dispute. It is stated in the Court that the Academy had issued a combined advertisement on 17.4.2002 for selecting candidates for the course for 13th and 14th batches to commence from 1.9.2002 and 1.2.2003 respectively as is their normal practice and advance notice of selection and admission was given to ensure that candidates who are aged 241/2 years and had been selected should be able to undergo the training. M.S. Notice 24 of 2002 was received and came into effect. But such candidates who were above 21 years became ineligible for admission in view of the M.S. Notice No. 24 of 2002 issued by the Director General of Shipping copy whereof is Annexure A/1 to the counter.