ORDER
V. Eswaraiah, J.
1. The petitioners filed the Writ Petition to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to treat the course studying by them as B. Tech (Dairy Technology) instead of B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) and issue degree certificate of B. Tech (Dairy Technology).
2. It is the case of the petitioners that Osmania University vide its proceedings dated 9-6-1982 approved the award B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) degree for the students who were admitted in B.Sc (pass) and B.Sc (Hons.) (Dairy Science) course during 1978-79 1979-80 and 1980-81 requiring them to undergo 11/2 years of Service Plant Training as prescribed in the syllabus for B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) course and the duration of the batches were treated as 41/2 years. The petitioners submit that they are also entitled for the same treatment by permitting them to study B. Tech (Dairy Technology) instead of B.Sc. (Dairy Technology).
3. Admittedly, the petitioners were studying III and IV year B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) in Government Arts and Science College, Kamareddy, Nizamabad District, affiliated to Osmania University. They got admission pursuant to the Entrance Examination for the said B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) course. It is the case of the petitioners that B.Sc (Dairy Technology) course was started for the first time in the year 1991-92. The syllabus for B. Tech (Diary Technology) Course and B.Sc., (Dairy Technology) course is almost the same by 75% and the Principal of the Kamareddy Government College recommended their case for conversion but the same was not considered.
4. The respondents filed counter that the B.Sc course was introduced in Government Degree College, Kamareddy during the year 1978-79 with Dairy Science as one of the subject. The Osmania University permitted the students of B.Sc to appear for one extra paper along with six months Dairy Inplant Training to award B.Sc (Dairy Technology) 4 1/2 years degree before the first batch of students came out in the year 1982.
5. It is stated that separate Entrance Test was conducted for admission into B.Sc (Dairy Technology) course during the year 1991-92 vide G.O.Rt.No. 1327 dt. 18-6-1991. The qualification prescribed by the Government is Intermediate (MPC). But the said B.Sc (Dairy Technology) course is discontinued with effect from 1995-96 academic year and 4 years B. Tech (Dairying) course is introduced from the same academic year as per G.O.Rt.No. 952 dated 28-6-1995. Thus, it is stated that B.Sc., (Dairy Technology) was not converted into B. Tech (Dairy Technology). B.Sc., (Dairy Technology) was discontinued from 1995-96 and B. Tech (Dairy Technology) course was introduced afresh from the same academic year.
6. It is further stated that pursuant to the interim direction granted by this Court on 5-11-1996 in W.P.M.P. No. 28983/1996 in W.P.No. 23481/1996, a representation filed by the petitioners was considered by the University. The Expert Committee examined the issue in detail and submitted its report stating that the request of the petitioners for awarding the B. Tech (Dairying) to the students of B.Sc (Dairy Technology) cannot be agreed for the following reasons:
(1) The students of B.Sc. (Dairy Techology) were admitted on the basis of a separate Entrance Test conducted by the University, whereas admissions to B.Tech (Dairy Technology) are made through EAMCET. Hence the level of competition in these examinations cannot be compared.
(2) The B.Sc (Dairy Technology) comes under the faculty of Science while B. Tech (Dairy Technology) comes under faculty of Technology. Hence, the candidate admitted to a particular degree under a particular faculty cannot be awarded degree in a different faculty.
(3) The rules of promotion, the scheme of instruction and examination for B.Sc (Dairy Technology) and B.Tech (Dairy Technology) are quite different.
7. It is further stated that the Osmania University recommended the request of the B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) candidates to the A.P. Agriculture University to consider their case for admission into P.G. course and the University pursuing the matter with the Agriculture University authorities through the APSCHE and Secretary, Education, Andhra Pradesh.
8. The prayer of the petitioners to treat their course of B.Sc (Dairy Technology) into B.Tech (Dairy Technology) cannot be considered in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case as the said courses are different and distinct as per the report of the Expert Committee. Therefore, the contention of the petitioners to convert B.Sc. (Dairy Technology) into B.Tech (Dairy Technology) is untenable and the respondents considered their case for conversion and rightly rejected.
9. The Writ Petition is devoid of any merit and it is accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.