Summary: The Madras High Court dismissed a petition challenging the recruitment process for Special Teachers (Drawing) in Tamil Nadu, focusing on the PSTM category.
In the case of P. Balamurugan and others vs. the State of Tamil Nadu, P. Balamurugan and the other petitioners questioned the Teachers Recruitment Board’s (TRB) selection process for Special Teachers (Drawing) from 2012 to 2016. They claimed the process was unfair to those who studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM).
The petitioners argued that the TRB did not shortlist PSTM candidates in a 1:2 ratio as required by a notice from July 26, 2017. They wanted the court to direct the TRB to invite them for certificate verification based on their exam scores.
While the main petition was pending, P. Balamurugan and the other petitioners also requested the court to: - Keep three positions open for PSTM candidates. - Stop filling these positions with non-PSTM candidates.
The TRB responded, explaining that: - The minimum scores for PSTM candidates were set, and the petitioners did not meet these scores. - Certificate verification was conducted, and eligible candidates were selected based on their performance.
"The eligible cut off marks to be called for Certificate Verification for the subject Drawing for BC W T is 40 marks, MBC/DNC G T is 51 marks and MBC/DNC WT is 44 marks."
The petitioners referred to a previous case (W.P.(MD) No.10483 of 2018) where the court had addressed similar concerns. The TRB had assured that Tamil Medium students would be considered based on their exam performance.
"The Tamil category students would be shortlisted, based on the performance and the marks obtained in the written examination conducted on 23.09.2017."
Justice Dr. A.D. Maria Clete concluded that the petition lacked merit based on the TRB’s counterarguments. The court dismissed the petition and related interim requests, with no order on costs.
The court decided that the petitioners did not have a strong enough case, and therefore, the petition was dismissed.
