Ravinder Kaur And Another vs Government College Of Art, Through Its Principal, Sector 10-C, Chandigarh And Other

Arun Palli, J

The petitioners are students of Fine Arts with Government College of Art, Chandigarh (respondent No.1). They are aggrieved by the notice dated 15.09.2020 (Annexure P3), vide which all the students, including the petitioners, were required to deposit second half yearly dues for the period from July 2020 to December 2020, and the last date to deposit the dues with fine was 23.09.2020, whereafter their name(s) could be struck off from the College Roll.

In reference to the letter dated 27.05.2020 (Annexure P1), issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC), it is submitted that in the wake of the prevalent pandemic (COVID 19), the respondent-authorities in the matter concerning payment of annual/semester fee etc. are required to consider the cause of the students sympathetically and consider offering alternative payment options to the students till the situation returns to normal.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Anil Mehta, Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents No.1 & 2. He submits for the petitioners have already moved the respondent-authorities, vide representation dated 18.09.2020 (Annexure P4), in this regard and the matter is under consideration, it would rather be expedient if the petition is disposed of, at this stage, requiring the respondents to consider and deal with the concerns raised by the petitioners. Further, he submits, till any such decision is taken, the respondents shall not resort to any coercive measures nor names of the petitioners shall be struck off from the College Roll owing to non-payment of dues.

In the wake of the above, the petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to consider and decide the concerns raised by the petitioners in their representation referred to above and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, preferably within a period of four weeks from today.