Former SC judge writes to CM over Plus-One seat shortage in Kerala

Malappuram: Following a speech he made in Malappuram during a felicitation ceremony for high-achieving students, former Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Markandeya Katju has sent an email to the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Legislative Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer highlighting the seats deficit in Plus-One seats in Malappuram district, and emphasizing his concerns for the students of the district who passed class 10 with flying colours but are unable to secure admission for higher education due to the shortage of seats.

In his email, which he posted on social media too, Justice Katju urged the Chief Minister to resolve the seat issue as soon as possible and warned that failing to do so should result in the Chief Minister's resignation.

In addition, Katju warned of strong move against the administration if an acceptable solution could not be found, adding that the government would suffer serious repercussions if the letter went unanswered.

Katju further criticised the drawn-out plus-one admittance procedure, saying that he considers "this as a big crime, since you are destroying the lives of these youngsters."

In Malappuram district, even students who have A-plus and A-one marks across the board are unable to enrol in their desired streams.

Only a section of the candidates have obtained allotments so far in the Malappuram district and various representations, protests and seat adjustment attempts have been going on in the last few weeks. The government is seized of the gravity of the issue, but does not do enough to solve the issue, critics allege.