IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3331]

WEDNESDAY ,THE THIRTY FIRST DAY OF JULY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FOUR

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI

WRIT PETITION NO: 15929/2024

Between:

Kiran Kumar Reddy Gunturu ...PETITIONER

AND

The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others ...RESPONDENT(S)

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1.THANDAVA YOGESH

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1.GP FOR SERVICES IV

The Court made the following interim order:

The above writ petition is filed to declare the action of the respondents in not considering the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) as degree in Medicine for the post of Food Safety Officer as per the Notification No.11 of 2022 dated 26.09.2022, as illegal and arbitrary.

Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is holding Degree in Master of Dental Surgery. The petitioner applied to the post of Food Safety Officer pursuant to the Notification No.11 of 2022 dated 26.09.2022.

Learned counsel would submit that written examination was conducted on 03.10.2023 and 04.10.2023. Petitioner was invited for certificate verification and he attended for verification of certificates on 21.12.2023 and submitted all the relevant documents. Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission released final selection notification on 04.07.2022. In final selection, the petitioner's Hall Ticket was not shown and replaced another hall ticket number. Learned counsel would submit that the petitioner's candidature is not considered on the ground that the petitioner possessed MDS Degree. He would also submit that the authorities are not treated the MDS Degree as Degree in Medicine. Learned counsel placed reliance upon the judgment of Madras High Court in W.P.(MD) No.4882 of 2023 and batch dated 23.03.2023.

Learned Single Judge of Madras High Court directed the authorities therein to consider the petitioners' case who possessed degree in Siddha/BDS for the post of Food Safety Officer.

Learned standing counsel appearing for the APPSC would submit that the degree in BDS is not the degree in Medicine in view of the instructions issued by the Director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India dated 12.10.2022.

Whether the petitioner who possessed degree in BDS/MDS is entitled to be considered for the post of Food Safety Officer requires consideration.

In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, the respondents shall reserve one post in the recruitment of Food Safety Officer pursuant to the Notification No.11 of 2022, dated 26.09.2022 in OC category.

Learned counsel for the petitioner is permitted to take out personal notice to the 4th respondent by registered post with acknowledgment due and file proof of service in the Registry.

List the matter on 28.08.2024.

________________________ SUBBA REDDY SATTI, J

Dated 31.07.2024 KA