HC sets aside Centre's order

Madras High Court today set aside the Centre's order rejecting the request of a private dental college for renewal of permission for 2013-14 but declined to direct it to consider the plea as the academic year had already commenced.
Justice K.K.Sasidharan, however, directed the Union Government to consider the application of the Asan Dental College and Hospital for renewal of permission for academic year 2014-15.
"The petitioner was not given a copy of the report of the second committee which inspected the institution. Similarly the institution was not given an opportunity to submit its written representation and to rectify the deficiencies. Therefore the proceedings of DCI (Dental Council of India) not to renew the permission violates the provisions of DCI Act."

"The Central Government which passed order on the recommendation of DCI has failed to give an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner," the judge said.
However, the Judge expressed his inability to direct the Central Government to consider the matter of renewal afresh for the academic year 2013-14 as the academic year had already commenced.
While directing the Government and DCI to conduct inspection of the Institution for the renewal permission for the academic year 2014-15 on or before November 29, the judge said if there were any deficiencies,necessary intimation and reasonable time should be given to rectify them.
The judge further directed that in any case the total process for the extension of permission should be completed by January 31 next.

Asan Memorial association, which runs the institution had challenged the order of rejection of renewal for the academic year 2013-14.