Karnataka High Court Refuses To Extend Deadline For Submission Of Online Applications Under State's Laptop & Braille Kit Scheme

The Karnataka High Court on Friday (October 31) refused to direct the State authorities to extend the last date for submission of online applications for its 'Laptop and Braille Kit Scheme 2025' by another 60 days. The last date for submission of the application is today i.e. October 31. The court passed the order while hearing a PIL seeking a direction for extension of the last date. A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha disposed of the petition filed by Advocate N Shreyas stating,“Since the deadline is extended twice before, we do not find any reason to direct a further extension of the deadline for filing an application. However, we clarify that this order will not preclude any affected individuals who have been unable to file his application on account of any difficulty to approach this court for seeking appropriate relief. Petition is disposed of.” The portal was opened for receiving applications on September 26 and the last date was September 30. On representation made by certain sections, the respondent authorities had extended the deadline for receiving applications till October 15. On receiving further representation, it extended the deadline for a second time till October 31.The petitioner, a visually impaired person arguing in person, said that it takes some time for visually challenged persons to get the documents as sought for along with the application. He submitted that the PIL was not filed for claiming benefit for himself. To which the court orally said, “It (application) is to be submitted online. The portal has been opened twice. We do not know if anybody has been affected by non-application, if somebody comes before us with impediment, we will consider it. PIL petition is not to supplant over the authorities.”The plea said that the purpose of the Scheme is to promote digital inclusion and educational empowerment of visually impaired learners. However, a rigid adherence to deadlines without reasonable accommodation defeats the very object of the welfare measure.Further, it was claimed that irreversible prejudice would be caused to visually impaired students if the application deadline is not extended. The petition also prayed for a direction to constitute district and taluk level facilitation mechanisms to assist visually impaired students and such measures that publicise or enhance the awareness of the scheme. Case Title: N Shreyas AND State of Karnataka & OthersCase No: WP 32517/2025Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 366

Karnataka High Court Refuses To Extend Deadline For Submission Of Online Applications Under State's Laptop & Braille Kit Scheme

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