High Court · 2025

WP No. 10324 of 2023IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED: 10-12-2025CORAMTHE HONOURABLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHAWP No. 10324 of 20231. M.ChithraW/o. R.Balakirubakaran, Block No. 24, Door No. G1, Sumeru City Apartments, IAF Road, Selaiyur, Chennai 73Petitioner(s)Vs1. Government of Tamil NaduRep. by its Secretary, Human Resources Management Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 092.Medical Services Recruitment BoardRep. by its Member Secretary, 7th Floor, DMs Building, 359 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 063.CommissionerFood Safety and Drug Administration department, No. 359 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 064.Union Of India,Rep. by Secretary to Government, Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Room No. 156-A, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi - 110011.5.The Director (regulations),Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Kolta Road, New Delhi - 110002. (R4, R5 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 03.04.2023 MADE https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 2023IN WP.10324/2023 BY PDAJ)Respondent(s)Prayer:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to Writ of Certiorarfied Mandamus, declaring the provisional selection list for the post of Food safety officer dated 13.03.2023 bearing No. 02/ MRB/ 2021 in so far as not including the name of the petitioner and in so far as stating that there are no eligible PSTM candidates are available in OC, BC, MBC and DNC , BCM, SC, SC(A) and ST categories for notified vacancies and therefore eligible general candidates of the respective category have been provisionally selected as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to law and consequently direct the respondents to include the name of the petitioner in the list of selected candidates for the post of Food Safety officer under the PSTM category and on that basis consider and appoint the petitioner in the post of Food safety officer.For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Balan Haridas R.Kamatchi SundaresanRespondentsFor R2: Mr.L.Murugavelu, Standing Counsel For RR1 &3 : Mr.P.Kumaresan, AAG, Assisted by Mr.M.Bindran,AGPFor RR4 & 5: Mr.V.Chandrasekaran, SPCORDERThis writ petition has been filed to quash the impugned notification dated 16.02.2023 by Medical Services Recruitment Board (hereinafter referred as “MRB”) and consequently, to direct the MRB to issue / publish a notification afresh for certificate verification by including the petitioner’s name in the cadre of “PSTM Candidates” relating to the recruitment for the post of Food Safety Officer. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 20232.The sum and substance of the petitioner’s grievance articulated in this writ petition are as follows:2.1.The petitioner has completed a medical degree of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) in tamil medium and completed PG Degree in Doctor of Medicine Siddha (MD Siddha) on 08.02.2011 and has also completed her schooling till her medical degree in tamil language only. The MRB had called for direct recruitment for the post of Food Safety Officer vide their publication dated 13.10.2021, in notification No.2/MRB/2021. The petitioner had applied for the above post for which there is 20 percent reservation under the category of PSTM Quota (Persons Studied in Tamil Medium) and as amended by the State Government, under the specific PSTM Act, 2010, for those who have studied in tamil language in their primary, secondary and higher secondary schooling till their graduation, are eligible for government services. One of the qualifications prescribed in the notification for the above post was a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine from the University recognized by the University Grants Commission.2.2.It is the contention of the petitioner that a Bachelor’s Degree in Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) is a degree equivalent to MBBS https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 2023degree in Medicine and is regulated under Sections 2(h) and 35 of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, (hereinafter referred as “the NCISM Act”). It is a recognized medical qualification to practice medical profession. It is the contention of the petitioner that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case Civil Appeal No.4578 of 2021 had observed that the Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery degree is also one among the recognized medical qualifications under Sections 2(h) and 35 of the NCISM Act and under Sections 2(f) and 35 of NCH Act, 2020 with the course duration of 5 1/2 years. These degrees also possess full pledged PG courses and PhD courses similar to that of MBBS and are regulated by the concerned National Commissions.2.3.However, the petitioner’s candidature was not considered and in response dated 23.11.2022 to the RTI query, the Public National Officer / Administrative Officer of the Union of India had communicated that the Graduates in Bachelor’s in Siddha Medicine and Surgery is not mentioned in the FSSAI Act and Rules for the qualification of Food Safety Officer. This clarification is not in sync with the clarification letter dated 12.10.2022 of the Director (Regulations), FSSAI. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 20232.4.Meanwhile, the MRB had released a list of cut off marks and the candidates are called for “certificate verification” including the reservation for the post of Food Safety Officer. In this list, the MRB had mentioned that PSTM candidates are not available in the BC, MBC & DNC, SC, SCA and ST categories. This act clearly emphasizes the fact that the MRB was not considering the candidature of the students who have obtained Bachelor’s Degree in Siddha Medicine and Surgery for the post of Food Safety Officer.2.5.The petitioner aggrieved by this action had made representation to the MRB, to which, there was no response. The certificate verification is also proposed to be held on 22.02.2023 and 24.02.2023. Since the petitioner who is qualified for the said post has been denied an opportunity to participate in the selection process, the petitioner has filed the above writ petition for the relief stated supra.3.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.4.It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Co-ordinate https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 2023Bench of the Madurai Bench of this Court had occasion to consider the very same issue in a batch of writ petitions. The learned Judge, after extracting the qualification for the post of Food Safety Officer and considering the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, and the National Medical Commission Act, 2012, and FSSAI Act and Rules, had observed that the term “medicine” as set out in Rule 2.1.3 of the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, should be given a wider meaning and would include the Indian System of Medicine. After discussing the Rule 2.1.3 of the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, the learned Judge, went on to hold that the very Rule is broad and sweepy and virtually declares any science or medical graduate would be eligible to become Food Safety Officer. Ultimately, the learned Judge, had allowed the writ petitions and had directed that the petitioners shall be considered for the post of Food Safety Officer.5.Thereafter, the MRB had taken up this order in an appeal and the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court, by an order dated 08.10.2025, dismissed the writ appeal and held that the learned Single Judge observations with reference to importance and relevance of Siddha Medicine and other medical degrees was spot on. Apart from the above https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 2023judgment, the Government of India in the Gazette Notification dated 28.03.2025 amended the notification as follows: In the said notification, after paragraph 2, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely:-“3. The other discipline recognised for the post of Food Safety Officer, shall include the following, namely:-Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Sowa Rigpa Medicine and Surgery.”6.Therefore, the equivalence of BSMS to the regular degree of Medicine has been notified. On the conspectus of the above and since the matter has already been considered in detail, this Court is not traversing into the factual matrix of the case. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed as prayed for. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition stands closed.10-12-2025Index:Yes/NoSpeaking/Non-speaking orderInternet:YesNeutral Citation:Yes/Nossa https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 2023To1.Government of Tamil NaduRep. by its Secretary, Human Resources Management Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 092.Medical Services Recruitment BoardRep. by its Member Secretary, 7th Floor, DMs Building, 359 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 063.CommissionerFood Safety and Drug Administration department, No. 359 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 064.Union Of India,Rep. by Secretary to Government, Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Room No. 156-A, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi - 110011.5.The Director (regulations),Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Kolta Road, New Delhi - 110002. (R4, R5 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 03.04.2023 MADE IN WP.10324/2023 BY PDAJ) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10324 of 2023P.T.ASHA J.ssaW.P.No.10324 of 202310-12-2025(2/11)