- (1.) This batch of writ petitions has been filed by various educational institutions of district Mathura complaining that the Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, U.P. Allahabad(The Board) has allocated examination centres for conducting the ensuing Board Examinations of the students of their institutions that are situated at a considerable distance. It is urged that the allocation of the examination centres at a distance beyond 5-8 kms. is contrary to the guidelines laid down in the Government Order dated 14.10.2015. In case of S.B.S. Inter College, Kheriya Neem Gaon, Mathura Writ-C No.3882 of 2016, it is urged that D.C. Vaidik Inter College, Gajju, Mathura (Code No.1012), which has been allocated as an examination centre, is situated at a distance of 21 kms. In support of the said contention, a report of Lekhpal, Neem Gaon has been brought on record certifying that the distance between the institution and the examination centre is 21 kms. Another report of Assistant Engineer, Construction Division I, P.W.D., Mathura dated 19.1.2016 certifies the distance between the two places as 21 kms on a motorable road. In case of Sri Bankey Bihari Uchchatar Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Nagariya Sherani, Mathura Writ-C No.3880 of 2016, it is urged that the distance between the institution and D.C. Vaidik Inter College, which has been allocated as examination centre, is 20 kms. The report of the Lekhpal and Assistant Engineer, P.W.D., Mathura certifying the said fact have been brought on record. In case of Sri Premchandrawati Inter College, Ranhera, Chhata, Mathura Writ-C No.6364 of 2016 the contention of the petitioner is that the distance between the institution and the examination centre is more than 24 kms. Another institution Sri Mansingh Atardevi Inter College, Owa Shergarh, Mathura Writ-C No.6362 of 2016 contends that the examination centre allocated for students of Intermediate is more than 20 kms. away. Jawahar Inter College, Oal Mathura Writ-C No.5382 of 2016 claims that the examination centre allotted for the students of the institution namely, Rajkiya Kanya Inter College, Parkham, Mathura for High School examination is at a distance of 15 kms. and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Inter College, Farah, Mathura for Intermediate examination is at a distance of 20 kms. In respect of the institution Maharshi Dayanand Senior Secondary School, Radha Kund Road, Rall, Mathura Writ-C No.5353 or 2016, the specific case of the petitioner is that Kishori Raman Inter College, Mathura, the examination centre allotted for students of the institution is at a distance of 20 kms.
(2.) All the petitioners in their respective writ petitions have pointed out various institutions located in the close vicinity but which had not been assigned as examination centre for their students. The prayer made in all the writ petitions is for commanding the respondents to allocate an examination centre in close vicinity as per the provisions of Government Order dated 14.10.2015.
(3.) The State Government had issued a Government Order dated 14.10.2015 laying down the norms for designating institutions as examination centres for conducting the Board Examinations. The Government Order places considerable emphasis on allotting an examination centre which is in close vicinity of the institution. Under Clause 1 (Pa) of the Government Order, it is provided that the examination centre should as far as possible be located within a distance of 5-8 kms. In case the geographical situation of the institution or non-availability of an institution in the vicinity, does not make it feasible to allocate an examination centre within a distance of 5-8 kms., then in such cases, in respect of High School students the distance can go upto 8 kms., whereas in case of Intermediate students it could be 12 kms. Clause 1 (Pha) provides that in rural areas where girl students are appearing, effort should be made to designate the institution as self centre and in case it is not possible, the examination centre should be located within a distance of 5 kms. Special provisions have been made for handicapped and disabled students by providing that effort should be made to allocate a self centre for such students and where it is not possible, they should be adjusted in the nearest educational institution. A District Level Committee with the District Magistrate as its Chairperson, District Inspector of Schools as Member secretary and three other members namely Basic Shiksha Adhikari, two senior most Principals, out of which one should be from rural area and Sub Divisional Magistrate of the concerned division are the members. The aforesaid Committee prepares a tentative list, publishes the same, invites objections and thereafter, sends its recommendation to the Regional Level Committee. The Regional Level Committee is presided over by the Regional Commissioner as its Chairperson, Regional Joint Director of Education as Member secretary and two other members. It reviews the recommendations of the District Level Committee and thereafter, forwards its recommendations to the Board, which, in turn, forwards the same to the State Government for its approval. The Regional Level Committee is invested with the power to make recommendations for modification/amendment in the proposals made by the District Level Committee and the State Government has been empowered to make necessary amendments on such recommendation.;