RAHUL PRADHAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. B. Pradhan, learned Counsel for the petitioner. Mr. B.N. Nayak, learned Central Government Counsel on behalf of opposite party Nos. 1 to 3 and Mr. Bhuyan, learned Addl. Government Advocate on behalf of opposite party No. 4. Challenge in the writ application has been made to Clause-9 of the Prime Minister's Scholarship' Scheme operated by Kendriya Sainik Board for the Academic Year 2015-16. Clause 9 of the said scheme is quoted hereunder:

(2.) Mr. Pradhan, learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that a scheme has been prepared under the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) with the avowed objective of providing facility since the Academic Year 2006-07 to encourage higher technical and professional education for the dependant wards of Ex Servicemen/Ex-Coast Guard Personnel and their widows (below officer rank only) and dependent wards/widows of Ex-Servicemen/Ex-Indian Coast Guard Personnel who died/disabled in harness due to causes attributable to Military Service/Coast Guard Service, irrespective of rank. The scheme was created to enable 400 students to be selected for such scholarship. It has been latter amended or enhanced to cover 5500 and eligibility criteria has been fixed etc.

(3.) Mr. Pradhan, further submits that whereas under the eligible courses as mentioned in Clause-8 quoted hereunder cover most professional degree courses. In so far as scholarship for integrated course is concerned as noted hereinabove in clause-9 though the scholarship is available for pursuing LL.B. course, B.A.+LL.B course has been denied the same opportunity.