On Thursday (March 29th), the Manipur government informed the Delhi High Court that it has no plans to provide transportation for students from hill districts to UPSC Civil Services Exam centers located outside the state. It said that if students travel outside the State for exams, the State will reimburse such candidates for their travel and accommodation.
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NEW DELHI: The Manipur government informed the Delhi High Court on Thursday that it would not be facilitating transportation for students residing in hill districts to reach UPSC Civil Services Exam centers located outside the State.
Citing concerns over security, the Manipur government emphasized that transporting a group of students could potentially make them vulnerable targets. It suggested that students arrange for their own transportation and accommodation, with the government offering reimbursement for these expenses.
These statements were made in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by the Zomi Students Federation, urging the government to provide necessary facilities and security measures for candidates traveling to UPSC exam centers located outside the State.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora upheld the arguments presented by the State.
The Court acknowledged the government’s decision to provide financial assistance to students from the hill districts of Manipur who had initially chosen Imphal as their exam center but now wished to opt for centers outside the state.
“Transporting 30-40 students together in a convoy will create a security situation. We will provide monetary assistance to students who are opting for centers outside the state,”
-stated the Manipur government’s counsel before the Bench.
The Court endorsed this submission, recognizing the security challenges prevailing in the hill State and the government’s assessment of the situation.
“Let us be clear on this, the State as custodian will have to take a decision and we will have to have some confidence in the State. We must accept their call on security measures. Let us not superimpose our judgment on it. Let us leave it to people on the ground. They know when one becomes a target. They will provide you assistance and I think that should be enough,”
-remarked the Court.
On Thursday, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) informed the Court that candidates hailing from the hill districts of Manipur, who initially selected Imphal as their examination centers, would now have the opportunity to opt for alternative centers such as Aizawl, Kohima, Dispur, Jorhat, Kolkata, and Delhi. The UPSC portal is slated to reopen from April 8 to April 19 to facilitate this selection process, as disclosed during proceedings.
Furthermore, UPSC pledged to share pertinent details, including application numbers, mobile numbers, and email addresses, of candidates from Manipur’s hill districts with the state government, as confirmed before the Court.
A letter from Manipur’s Chief Secretary affirming the state’s commitment to providing financial assistance to candidates was presented to the Court during the proceedings.
Addressing concerns over security, the Manipur government articulated that arranging transportation for candidates via government-conducted convoys could pose potential risks. Consequently, it was advised that candidates make their own arrangements for transportation and accommodation.
Concurring with this standpoint, the Bench presiding over the case resolved the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) accordingly.
“It is clarified that the Petitioner Federation shall be at liberty to approach this Court for variation/ modification/ clarification of the present order by filing an appropriate application,”
-appended the Court, providing the Petitioner Federation with the option to seek further clarity or alterations to the current order.
CASE TITLE:
Zomi Students Federation v Union Public Service Commission & Ors.
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