Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Standing Counsel through video conferencing.
Notices on behalf of respondent nos. 1 to 4 have been accepted by the Office of the Chief Standing Counsel.
By means of the instant petition, the petitioners pray for a direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the opposite parties to open the scholarship website enabling the petitioners to upgrade their bank account numbers and also to disburse and credit the scholarship in updated bank accounts of the petitioners.
It is submitted that the petitioners belong to schedule caste category and are pursuing their B.Ed course from Brahaspati Degree College, Kidwai Nagar, Kanpur. They have applied for post matric scholarship online. In the online application form, petitioners had mentioned their respective bank accounts. On 01.03.2021 the Principal Secretary, Social Welfare had issued a time schedule for verification of reimbursement of post matric scholarship fee but during the aforesaid schedule time no information was received by the petitioners. It is only on 01.03.2021 that the petitioners became aware that their scholarship has not been credited in their bank accounts and they have for the said reason approached the authority concerned. It was informed to the petitioners that since their bank account numbers have not been updated thus, the scholarship for the year 2020-21 has not been credited in their bank accounts. It is further submitted that petitioners had preferred a representation with a request to seek permission to upgrade their bank accounts. Learned counsel for the petitioners has also drawn attention of the Court to a copy of the letter dated 26.03.2021, a copy of which has been brought on record as Annexure No. 8. The said letter has been sent by the District Social Welfare Officer addressed to the Director, Social Welfare indicating that number of students, who otherwise eligible, but on account of their bank accounts not being verified their reimbursement has not been made. A request was also made by the said Officer to permit the said students to login and verify their bank accounts. In this view of the matter, the petitioners have approached this Court seeking the relief as mentioned.
Learned Addl. Chief Standing Counsel has submitted that the District Social Welfare Officer has already made a letter to the authority concerned which is yet to be considered.
Considering the nature of the controversy involved and the facts of the matter, the decision is yet to be taken by the Director, Social Welfare, Lucknow, U.P. accordingly, this Court, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, is of the opinion that no gainful purpose will be served in keeping this petition pending and ends of justice can be met by permitting the petitioners to make a fresh representation before the respondent no.2-Director, Social Welfare, Lucknow, U.P., by enclosing the letter dated 26.03.2021 as well as raising their grievances within a period of 10 days from today. In case such a representation is moved, the respondent no.2 shall take a decision thereon within a period of three weeks thereafter.
Accordingly, the instant writ petition is disposed of.
Order Date :- 8.4.2021 Mohit