P. Chandra Rao, v. The State of Andhra Pradesh
Case brief
What is this about?
Andhra Pradesh High Court, Amaravati; Article 226 writ of mandamus; overseas scholarship for SC/ST/BC/Minority/EBC/Kapu students; Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi (G.O.Ms.No.54 dt.28.06.2013); Minority Overseas Education Scheme (G.O.Ms.No.33 dt.29.09.2016); NTR Videshi Vidyadarana (G.O.Ms.No.29 BC Welfare dt.27.08.2016); EBC Economic Support (G.O.Rt.No.174 dt.07.12.2017); revamped G.O.Ms.No.39 dt.11.07.2022 (top-200 universities, 100%/50% tuition fee, Rs.50 lakhs cap, Rs.8 lakh income limit); e-pass issued; State Level Screening Committee not convened after 2019; post facto sanction directed within four months; disbursement within further two months; legitimate expectation and promissory estoppel pleaded; foreign-university MBBS/higher studies; common order disposing 36 writ petitions (2022-2023 batches).
What did the court decide?
All 36 writ petitions disposed of by common order with directions: (i) respondents to constitute State Level Screening Committees under the respective G.O.s in force prior to G.O.Ms.No.39 dated 11.07.2022 and consider the applicants' cases post facto for grant of financial assistance, preferably within four months of receipt of a copy of the order; (ii) amounts to be disbursed within a further two months if applicants are found eligible; (iii) no order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending to stand closed. No specific scholarship quantum was fixed by the Court for any petitioner.