HC direction to TN School Education Dept Secretary

The Madras High Court today directed the Secretary, Tamil Nadu School Education Department, to file a reply by June 8 as to whether ultimate selection for Lab Assistants is not based on the marks obtained in the written examination.
"If the marks obtained in the written examination is not taken into account, I am of the prima facie view that selection could not be based on merit," Justice D Hariparanthaman, before whom the petition filed by one candidate P. Sathish of Kancheepuram District, came up.
The Director of School Education had issued a notification on April 22 to fill 4362 vacancies to the post of Lab Assistants in Tamil Nadu.

As per the notification, the process of selection involves written examination and interview, whereas the marks secured in the written exam is not taken into consideration for ultimate selection and the same is taken only to short list the candidates to attend interview. The written examination took place on May 31.
The petitioner challenged the above notification contending that it was ex-facie illegal, arbitrary and against the procedure established by law and violative of Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.
The petitioner further challenged another "violation" in the method of selection made under priority and non-priority candidates. The petitioner alleged that awarding of priority would not be available when the selection is made through open competition.

Granting priority to the candidates belonging to the category of inter-caste marriage, destitute widow, ex-service men, dependants of service personnel, displaced persons due to acquisition, freedom fighters and repatriates would be against the method of selection through open competition, the petitioner contended.
Hence he prayed the court to quash the notification and to direct authorities to select and appointe candidates based on merit.