Delhi High Court
Zomi Students Federation vs Union Public Service Commission & Ors. on 28 March, 2024
Author: Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
Bench: Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
$~58
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(C) 3805/2024
ZOMI STUDENTS FEDERATION ..... Petitioner
Through: Mohd. Nizamuddin Pasha (Through
VC) with Mr. Sidharth Kaushik, Mr.
John Simte, Ms. Aaayushi Mishra and
Mr. Rum Hang Thang Shoute,
Advocates.
versus
UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION & ORS...... Respondents
Through: Mr. Ravinder Agarwal and Mr. Lekh
Raj Singh, Advocates for R-1/UPSC
Mr. Apoorv Kurup, CGSC with Mr.
Gurjas Singh Narual, Ms. Nidhi
Mittal, Mr. Akhil Hasija, Ms. Gauri
Goburdhan and Ms. Aanchal Dubey,
Advocates for R-2/UOI
Mr. Pukhrambam Ramesh Kumar
with Mr. Piyush Beriwal and Mr.
Nikhil Kumar Chaubey, Advocates
for R-3/State of Manipur.
% Date of Decision: 28th March, 2024
CORAM:
HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA
JUDGMENT
MANMOHAN, ACJ : (ORAL)
1. Present public interest petition has been filed seeking issuance of
directions to the Respondents to make adequate arrangements for tribal
candidates from the hill districts in Manipur so as to enable them to take the
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2024 and Indian Forest Service
(Preliminary) Examination, 2024 ("CSE - Preliminary"). The Petitioner
Federation also prays for issuance of directions to the Respondents to set up
examination centres at Churachandpur and Kangpokpi in the hill districts of
Manipur and reopening of application portal/correction window to enable
the candidates to opt for a centre of their choice.
2. After filing of the present public interest litigation, a number of orders
had been passed by this Court.
3. Today, the learned counsel for Respondent No. 1-UPSC (hereinafter
referred to as the 'Commission') has handed over an affidavit dated 27th
March, 2024. In the said affidavit, it is stated that as the Government of
Manipur has expressed its inability to open examination centres at
Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, districts of Manipur, it is not feasible for the
Commission to open and operate examination venues at Churachandpur and
Kongpokpi districts for the UPSC examination.
4. It is also averred in the said affidavit that candidates from the hill
districts of Manipur, who have presently opted for Imphal as their
examination centre can choose any of the following Centres:-
i. Aizawal (Mizoram)
ii. Kohima (Nagaland)
iii. Shillong (Meghalaya)
iv. Dispur (Assam)
v. Jorhat (Assam)
vi. Kolkata (West Bengal)
vii. Delhi
5. Learned counsel for the Commission states that in case these
candidates of the hill district of Manipur opt for any other centre apart from
those, which are noted above, their request shall be duly accommodated. He
assures that the Commission will permit the candidates from the hill districts
of Manipur, who have opted for Imphal as their examination centre to
change their examination centre during the period 8th April, 2024 to 19th
April, 2024 by making a request for change of examination centre at e-mail
I.D: "[email protected]".
6. He states that the Commission would be in a position to share the
details (namely application number, registered mobile number, e-mail ID
and address etc.) of candidates from the hill districts of Manipur, who have
opted for Imphal as their centre of examination, with the State
administration of Manipur, so as to facilitate them in providing transport
facilities, etc. to the candidates from these districts. He also states that
candidates from these districts can, in the event of any need, contact the
Commission's toll-free helpline number 1800118711.
7. Learned counsel for the State of Manipur has handed over a
photocopy of the letter dated 27th March, 2024 written to him by the Chief
Secretary, Government of Manipur. The said letter reads as under:-
"No. H-1701/40/2024-HD-HD
GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR
SECRETARIAT: HOME DEPARTMENT
To,
Shri Pukhrambam Rameshkumar,
Standing Counsel for the State of Manipur,
Supreme Court of India
Subject:- In the High Court of Delhi - W.P(c) No. 3805/2024
[Zomi Students Federation -vs- Union Public Service Commission &
Ors.]
Sir,
In inviting a reference to your email dated 22-03-2024 regarding
communication of order dated 22-03-2024 passed by Hon'ble High Court of
Delhi in the above referred Writ Petition, I am to intimate that State
Government has considered the ground situation and decided to extend
financial assistance in the form of re-imbursement of fare for conveyance
from District Hqs. concerned to the examination center limited to the
maximum of 2nd class sleeper railway fare rates or notified bus fare rate of
the State, whichever is applicable and for fooding and accommodation @ Rs.
1000/- per day for 3 (three) days at the maximum.
2. The State Government will also make arrangement for facilitating
transportation within the district through Deputy Commissioner concerned.
In other exceptional circumstances, matter will be considered on case to case
basis.
3. It is, therefore, requested to kindly take necessary action to appraise the
above before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. Vineet Joshi)
Chief Secretary,
Government of Manipur"
8. The statements/assurances/undertakings given by the learned counsel
for the Commission as well as by the State of Manipur are accepted by this
Court and they are held bound by the same.
9. Recording the aforesaid undertakings/ statements/ assurances, the
present writ petition is disposed of.
10. It is clarified that the Petitioner Federation shall be at liberty to
approach this Court for variation/ modification/ clarification of the present
order by filing an appropriate application.
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA, J
MARCH 28, 2024/rhc
