Case Note & Summary
The case involved appeals by the State of Himachal Pradesh against a High Court decision that allowed writ petitions filed by trainees of the Dairy Scheme, challenging the exclusion from a training program for Veterinary Pharmacists. The Dairy Scheme, initiated in 1981, aimed to provide training to rural youths in dairy farming, while the Veterinary Scheme, started in 1992, focused on training Gopal Sahayaks to provide veterinary services. The State Government's decision to limit the Veterinary Pharmacists' training to Gopal Sahayaks was contested by Dairy Scheme trainees, who argued that both schemes aimed at self-employment and that their training was broader. The High Court ruled in favor of the trainees, stating that there was no rational distinction between the two groups. The State appealed, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction and that its policy decision was not arbitrary. The Supreme Court found that the classification between the two groups was valid, as the objectives and training provided were distinct. It held that the Dairy Scheme was focused on dairy farming, while the Veterinary Scheme was aimed at veterinary practice, justifying the different treatment. The court set aside the High Court's decision, allowing the appeals without costs.
Headnote
A) Constitutional Law - Article 14 - Discrimination in Training Opportunities - Constitution of India, Article 14 - The court examined whether the refusal to extend training benefits to Dairy Scheme trainees constituted discrimination against them compared to Gopal Sahayaks. It held that the classification between the two groups was rational and based on intelligible differentia, thus not violating Article 14 (Paras 1-6).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the appellant could have, as a matter of policy, made available a facility for additional training exclusively for a particular group of trainees.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's decision, allowing the appeals and affirming the State's policy decision regarding training schemes without any order as to costs.
Law Points
- Article 14
- policy decision
- classification
- discrimination
- administrative policy
- training schemes
