The Madras High Court has on yesterday rejected the plea filed by Salem District Nature and Environment Protection Society seeking an increase in the number of seats and regularization of the sports quota in the higher studies in the State of Tamil Nadu.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu observed, “Providing for the sports quota is a matter of policy decision of the State. The representation of the petitioner is already decided. It is for the petitioner to take appropriate steps as may be permissible under law with regard to the order passed on his representation.”

Advocate T. Ganesan appeared on behalf of the petitioner while State Government Pleader P. Muthukumar, Special Government Pleader R. Anitha, and Advocate S. Santhosh Kumar appeared on behalf of the respondents.

In this case, a petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to take appropriate action to increase the number of seats and regularize the sports quota in the higher studies in Tamil Nadu by considering the petitioner's representation within a stipulated time.

The High Court in the above context noted, “The petitioner seeks increase in sports quota. The petitioner had given representation dated 15.2.2023 with a request to increase the sports quota. The Government has taken a decision on 26.5.2023, as communicated by the Principal Secretary, Higher Education (G1) Department to the State Government Pleader. The communication is placed on record.”

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the writ petition.

Cause Title- Salem District Nature and Environment Protection Society v. The Chief Secretary to the Government & Ors.

Click here to read/download the Order