MP HC issues notice on ending management quota

Jabalpur, Aug 11 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a notice, returnable by August 13, to the government on a petition challenging abolishing of management quota in private engineering colleges.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A K Patnaik and Justice Ajit Singh issued the notice on a petition filed by the Federation of Professional Institutes of Madhya Pradesh challenging Private Educational Institution (Admission and Fixation of Fees) Act, 2007.

Principal Secretary (Technical Education), Director (Technical Education), Engineering Admission Counselling Incharge, Registrar of Rajiv Gandhi University of Technical Education were made respondents in the case.

Petitioner's counsel Vivek Tankha told the court that the legislation enacted by the assembly on July 24 was unconstitutional, as it will infringe on the basic rights of the Private Engineering College and it would be against natural justice.

He said it would pave the way for partial state takeover of unaided private professional educational institutions. A move has been made for partial or full nationalisation of institutions without paying any compensation.

Mr Tankha also prayed for the annulment of the legislation besides directing the counselling authority to enroll students for 2007-08 session.

He gave an undertaking that the institutions would abide by the court directive on levying or refund of the fees.

UNI