The Madras High Court recently dismissed a plea seeking an increase in the number of seats and regularization of the sports quota in higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu, noted that the decision to provide for sports quota is a state policy matter.
Appearing for the petitioner (Salem District Nature and Environment Protection Society), Advocate T. Ganesan contended that there is no regulated quota for sports persons in higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu. He also pointed out that despite many students in the state pursuing sports as a career, they are not being provided with proper reservation or regularized quota, resulting in significant injustice.
The petitioner counsel further highlighted that while the overall number of seats in various courses has substantially increased, the allocation of seats to sports quota has not seen a corresponding increase.
The society emphasized that despite making multiple representations on the matter, no action has been taken, necessitating the formulation of appropriate legislation pertaining to the sports quota in higher educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.
While acknowledging that the issue falls under the purview of policy decisions, Justice Ganesan contended that the authorities’ inaction has adversely affected public welfare.
In such circumstances, the court possesses the authority to intervene for the betterment of the public.
