Telangana high court junks pleas by colleges seeking extra computer science engineering seats

Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Thursday dismissed a batch of appeals filed by the Malla Reddy group of engineering colleges, which had sought state approval for additional intake in computer science engineering courses.The colleges argued that they had received requisite approvals from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), and therefore the state should permit them to fill the additional seats. However, advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy, representing the state, contended that the govt has a responsibility to ensure that educational growth remains balanced, proportionate, and based on local needs.Previously, a single judge had dismissed the pleas. Challenging that decision, the colleges filed appeals.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara heard the matter. The appellants contended that additional seats had been granted to other institutions and alleged discrimination against Malla Reddy colleges due to political reasons. The bench, however, rejected these claims.

Arguing on behalf of the technical education department and the higher education council, the AG clarified that the state had considered all relevant factors, including regional demand. He said that all the appellant colleges are located in Kandlakoya area, which has already reached saturation in terms of engineering seats. Therefore, no additional intake was permitted.He further pointed out that the college cited by the appellants as having received an additional intake of 60 seats is located outside the Kandlakoya region, and hence, not comparable.Agreeing with the state’s arguments, the bench held that the decision-making process was neither illegal nor irrational. Consequently, all the appeals filed by the colleges were dismissed.