HC gives govt. time to reply to contempt plea

The Madras High Court has granted time to the Tamil Nadu government till April 23 to file a reply to a contempt petition seeking to punish the Health Secretary, Director of Medical Education and the MCI for allegedly disobeying a court order of September 10 last year relating to increasing the number of MBBS seats for ex-servicemen’s children.

The First Bench comprising the Chief Justice S.K.Kaul and Justice M.M.Sundresh passed the order on a petition by one M.Arjunan, an ex-serviceman, and a member of the Chellakuttapatti Panchayat in Krishnagiri district.

The petitioner submitted that he had filed a writ petition seeking five per cent reservation for ex-servicemen’s children in the total number of MBBS seats available in the State. At present, only two seats were reserved in government colleges for the category. There were 19 government and 13 private medical colleges with a total intake of 3,165. Considering the increase in the number of seats over the years, reservation for ex-servicemen’s children was not adequate, he said.

Last September, the court said it would not like to specify any percentage of seats for the category. The government may examine the issue. The petitioner had already made representations to various authorities. Mr.Arjunan said this order was not complied with. Hence, the present contempt petition.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that in Karnataka, 10 per cent of seats had been reserved for the category.

The Government Pleader sought time to file a reply. M.T.Arunan took notice for the MCI.

The Bench posted the matter for further hearing on April 23.