EWS: Anna varsity can’t take stand against TN policy, says Madras HC – Times of India

CHENNAI: The Madras high court pulled up the Centre and the Anna University for introducing 10% EWS reservation in admission to M Tech Biotechnology and M Tech Computational Biology, and thereby creating more confusion.
“The Centre is sponsoring only these two courses. The entire infrastructure is provided by the state government. While so, the university cannot take a stand against the policy of the state,” Justice B Pugalendhi said on Wednesday. “Why are you creating a confusion by introducing EWS quota when the court has already directed the university to follow only 49.5% reservation of the central government?” he asked.
The judge made the observations after the state government brought to its knowledge that EWS quota was being introduced in the admission even though the state has not accepted EWS reservation as a policy.
The government has passed a resolution in the assembly that EWS certificates will be issued only for the purpose of applying for central government jobs and admission to central institutions, Tamil Nadu advocate-general Vijay Narayan said.
Recording the submissions, the judge warned the university of passing stringent orders if a proper reply is not provided. He then adjourned the plea to March 11 for further hearing.
The issue pertains to a batch of pleas moved by students challenging the university’s decision to suspend the courses for the academic year 2020-21 following confusion over the reservation policy.
Since the courses were sponsored by the Centre, it wanted the university to follow its 49.5% reservation policy in admission. However, since the university falls under the state, the state government wanted it to follow 69% state reservation.
On February 19, the court allowed the petitions and directed the university to admit students as per the norms of the central government as the courses are wholly sponsored by the centre.
It further directed the AICTE to coordinate with the university to continue the courses for this academic year without any break.
The department of biotechnology shall complete the selection process and communicate the eligible candidates to the university within two weeks. The AICTE shall accord approval of extension of admission beyond the cut-off date, the court said and closed the pleas. However, since the Centre insisted on the introduction of EWS reservation also in this year, the state once again moved the court seeking clarification.