ORISSA PRIVATE ENGINEERING COLLEGE ASSOCIATION (OPECA) Vs. ALL INDIA COUNCIL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND TEN OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The paper book of this case is very voluminous, parties are many and learned counsel have advanced lengthy arguments, but the point involved in this petition in short is whether the University or its constituent colleges are required to take approval of the All India Council for Technical Education (for short 'AICTE') for increase in the number of seats for admission of students or opening of new branches in their institutions.

(2.) The petitioner, Orissa Private Engineering College Association (for short 'OPECA') is an association of professional and technical colleges in the State of Odisha and has filed this writ petition for a direction to the AICTE not to accord approval in respect of the increased intake of students by the institutions owned by the State Government, its Universities and constituent colleges, unless they fulfill all the requirements prescribed by the AICTE. It is further prayed for passing directions to ensure that no institution be allowed to increase its intake of students and open/add new courses and programmes and admit students without valid approval of the AICTE for the session 2015-16 onwards.

(3.) Opposite party No.1 is the AICTE which regulates the professional and technical institutions; opposite party No.2 is the State of Odisha; opposite parties No. 3, 5, 6 and 11 are the constituent colleges of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (B.P.U.T.); opposite party No.4 is a Government College affiliated to B.P.U.T.; opposite party No.7 is Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla; opposite party No.8 is the 'Policy Planning Body'; opposite party No.9 is the Orissa Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) Committee and opposite party No.10 is B.P.U.T.