Decide on quota for central forces kids in state schools: Madras HC

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to take a decision to provide reservation for children of retired para-military personnel in admission into educational institutions.

When a petition filed by P. Santhakumar of Tirunelveli came up for hearing before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M. Sundar, the bench directed the secretary,  department of health and family welfare, Tamil Nadu, to ensure that the benefit to be availed by such persons from the academic year 2017-2018.

The petitioner stated that persons like him, who are retired personnel from paramilitary forces like the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashatra Seema Bal, Assam Rifles, National Security Guard, are not being considered in the reserved category for retired army personnel in the admission into educational institutions.

The Union ministry of home affairs has already issued a communication on November 23, 2012, by extending suitable benefits to the retired personnel of paramilitary forces. However, there was no response from the state. His representations were pending before the state government. Meanwhile, the next academic year 2017-2018 is fast approaching.

The bench directed the secretary, department of health and family welfare, Tamil Nadu, to take a necessary decision in pursuance of the communication of the Central Government to extend reservation to the children of retired personnel from para-military forces from the academic year 2017-2018.