Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary and Anr. vs the State of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary and Ors.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

WRIT PETITION NO. 1932 OF 2026

Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary And Anr V/s The State Of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary And Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO. 1934 OF 2026

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Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary And Anr V/s. The State Of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary And Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO. 1935 OF 2026

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Yashodeep Shikshan Khadi Gramodyog Va Bahu-uddeshiya Pratishthan Thr. Secretary And Anr. V/s. The State Of Maharashtra Thr. The Principal Secretary And Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO. 1936 OF 2026

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Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary And Anr V/s. The State Of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary And Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO. 1937 OF 2026

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Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary And Anr V/s. The State Of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary And Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO. 1938 OF 2026

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Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary And Anr V/s. The State Of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary And Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION (ST) NO.3481 OF 2026

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Lavel Vibhag Shikshan Prasarak Mandal V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO.1876 OF 2026

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Swami Viveknand Vidyalaya & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION (ST) NO.3479 OF 2026

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Datta Shikshan Prasarak Mandal & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra &

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Ors

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION (ST) NO.3593 OF 2026

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Smt. Rukminibai Mate Shikshan Sanstha, Kamathe & Ors V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION (ST) NO.3591 OF 2026

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Sane Guruji Shikshan Prasarak Mandal Janashi & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO.3609 OF 2026

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Mangalwedha Education Society Mangalwedha, Dist. Solapur & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO.1875 OF 2026

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Phaltan Urdu Education Society & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION NO.1807 OF 2026

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Noor-UI-Huda Education Society & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors.

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WITH

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WRIT PETITION (ST) NO.3622 OF 2026

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Anjuman Targheeb-E-Taleeem Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Akkalkot & Anr V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Ors

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Mr. Utkarsh Desai i/b. Mr. P. S. Bhavake, Advocate for petitioners. Mr.Arvind G. Ambetkar, Advocate for petitioners (in WP No.3609/2026) Mr. Narendra V. Bandiwadekar, Senior Advocate (thr. V.C.) a/w Sagar Mane, Advocate for petitioners in WP/1932/2026, WP/1934/2026, WP/1935/2026, WP/1936/2026, WP/1937/2026, WP/1938/2026. Mr. V. M. Mali, Ms. Tejas Kapre, Mr. S.B. Kalel, Mr. A.A. Naik, AGP for respondents-State in respective petitions.

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——————

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Coram : Madhav J. Jamdar & Pravin S. Patil, JJ. Date : April 29, 2026.

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ORAL JUDGMENT (PER: PRAVIN S. PATIL, J.)

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1. By these petitions, the challenge is to the Government Resolutions

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dated 01.04.2026 and 02.04.2026, whereby the State Government, has disqualified Primary and Secondary Schools permanently from receiving grant-in-aid from State Government, as those schools repeatedly failed to satisfy the norms of assessments and directed them to submit applications under the provisions of the Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the “Self-Finance Act”) on or before 30.04.2026. It is further clarified in the said Resolutions that, in case the managements/schools failed to submit

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their applications on or before 30.04.2026, their recognition shall stand

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cancelled automatically, and the students in such schools will be absorbed into nearby grant-in-aid schools or other schools run by local authorities.

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The relevant extract of G.R. dated 01.04.2026 is reproduced as under :

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" वकायमिवनाअनुदानत्वावरमा्यतािदले्यातथाि� मु्यांकना्याअनुदाना्यािनकषांम्येवारंवारअ�ारझाले्या खाजगीराथिमकशाळावतुकडयांबाबत.

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महाराटरशासन

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शालेयिशषणवरीडािवभाग

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शासनिनण.यरमांक: माशाअ२०२५/र.र. ५२/एसएम-४,

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मंरालय, मुंबई४०००३२,

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िदनांक :- ०१एिरल, २०२६

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शासनिनण.य

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१. रा्यशासनावारेवेळोवेळीमु्यांकनहोवूनहीवारंवारअ�ारठरले्यायाशासनिनण.यासोबतजोडले्यार�र- अवबम्येनमूद

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राथिमकशाळावतुकडयांनावेतनअनुदानाकरीताकायम्वु�ीअ�ारघोिषतकर्यातयेतआहे.

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शाळेचा्त्र राथिमक	शाळा( र�रअ) ४३३	शाळांवरीलतुकडया( र�रब) ३३( शाळांवरीलतुकडया)

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२. र�र-अवबयेथेनमूदशाळांना् वयंअथ.सहािFयतअिHिनयमातीलतरतुदंनुसारशासनमा्यतेसाठीअज. कर्याकरीता िद.३०.०४.२०२६�ावेतोअखेरचीमुदतदे्यातयेतआहे. सदरिदनांका�ूवJ र�र-अवबम्येनमूदशाळांनी् वयंअथ.सहािFयत त्वावरमा्यतेसाठीिशषणसंचालक (राथिमक), महाराटररा्य, �ुणेयांचेकडेअज. दाखलकरणेअिनवाय. राहील. याशाळांना वयंअथ.सहािFयतत्वावरमा्यतादेताना् वयंअथ.सहािFयतअिHिनयमा्याकलम४मHीलदानिनHीचीतरतूदतसेच अिHिनयमा्याअनुसूची "क" मHील�िर्छेदर.१२येथीलजमीनीबाबत्यातरतूदीमHुनसुटअनुञेयराहील.

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र�र- अवबम्येनमूदशाळांनीखालीनमूदकागद�रेअजा.सोबतजोडणेआव्यकराहील;

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१) शाळामा्यताआदेश

२) अययावतआHारिर�ोट.

३) आरटीईमा्यता

िवहीतमुदतीत�िर�ूण. अज. सादरकरणा्याशाळांना् वयंअथ.सहािFयतअिHिनयमातीलतरतूदंनुसारमा्यताअनुञेय

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राहील.

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३. र�र-अवबम्येनमूदशाळां�ैकी् याशाळा�िर्छेदर. २म्येनमूदके्यारमाणेिवहीतमुदतीतसंचालक (राथिमक), राथिमकिशषणसंचालनालय, �ुणेयांचेकडेअज. दाखलकरणारनाहीत, अशाशाळांबाबतसंदभ. र. १येथीलशासनिनण.यातील �िर्छेदर.१२मHीलतरतूदंनुसारअशाशाळांचीमा्यताआ�ोआ�रदहोईल. याशाळांमHीलिवयांयाVचेसमायोजनसोयीनुसार नजीक्याखाजगीअनुदािनत / थािनक / नागरी् वरा्यसं्थे्याराथिमकशाळांम्येिवहीतकाय.�्दतीनुसारकर्यातयावे. संबंिHतिशषणािHकारी (राथिमक / मा्यिमक) यांनीिविहतकाय.�धतीनुसारअशाशाळांमHीलिवयांयाVचेसमायोजन कर्याबाबतचे�िर�ूण. िनयोजनिद.०१.०५.२०२६तेिद.३१.०५.२०२६याकालावHीत�ूण. करावेवसुटी्याकालावHीम्ये र्यषसमायोजनाचीकाय.वाही�ूण. करावी.

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४. मा्यतारदझाले्याशाळा UDISE + �ोट.लमHूनकमीकर्याबाबतचार्तावसंबंिHतिशषणािHकारीयांनीरा्यरक्� संचालक, महाराटरराथिमकिशषण�िरषद, मुंबईयांनािद.३१.०५.२०२६�ावेतोसादरकरावा. रा्यरक्�संचालक, महाराटर राथिमकिशषण�िरषद, मुंबईयांनीअशारकारेरातझाले्यार्तावा्याअनुषंगानेकाय.वाहीकरावी. तसेचमा्यतारदझाले्या शाळासरल�ोट.लमHूनकमीकर्याबाबतचार्तावसंबंिHतिशषणािHकारीयांनीआयुत (िशषण), महाराटररा्य, �ुणेयांनासादर करावा. सदरर्तावा्याअनुषंगानेआयुत (िशषण), महाराटररा्य, �ुणेयांनी१०िदवसांतकाय.वाहीकरावी.

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५. सदरशासनिनण.यमहाराटरशासना्या www.maharashtra.gov.in यासंकेत्थळावरउ�ल्H कर्यातआलाअसून्याचा

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संकेताक२०२६०४०११८२६२१५३२१असाआहे. हाआदेशिडजीटल्वाषरीनेसाषांिकतकुनकाढ्यातयेतआहे.

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महाराटराचेरा्य�ालयांचेआदेशानुसारवनावाने,”

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2. The petitioners approached before this Court by raising various grounds to challenge the policy framed by the Government. However, their prime submission is that though the drastic action is taken by the State Government, no hearing opportunity were granted to them. Therefore, it is their submissions that on the sole ground of non-grant of hearing opportunity, the impugned drastic action of disqualification of

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concerned schools to receive grant-in-aid is unsustainable and same deserves to be quashed and set aside.

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3. According to the petitioners, as per the settled principles of law, every action of the State must be informed by reasons. Any action not supported by reasons amounts to arbitrary action and, therefore, they are entitled to question the same before this Court to redress their grievance.

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4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader has strongly objected to the submissions made by the petitioners. According to the learned AGP, the perusal of the Government Resolution, itself demonstrates that the State Government while framing guidelines to provide grant-in-aid has already prescribed a due procedure. It is also pointed out that the present petitioners’ Managements/Schools failed to satisfy the assessment criteria laid down in the Government Resolution dated 15.11.2011 and, therefore, by giving opportunity to the present petitioners, the said action was taken by the Government. According to the learned AGP, there is no substance in the submission of the petitioners and, therefore, petitions deserve to be dismissed.

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5. In light of the submissions of both the parties, we have first perused the policy of Government whereby norms of assessment to provide grant-in-aid to schools is laid down. The Government Resolution dated 15.11.2011, is the basic resolution by which guidelines were

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framed for assessment of the Primary and Secondary Marathi Schools, for their entitlement to grant-in-aid. The State Government, accordingly, under the chairmanship of Secretary, School Education Department constituted a Committee to implement the said guidelines for assessment. The perusal of the Government Resolution further demonstrates the fact that at every District Level, the Committee of 7 members has been constituted. The District Education Officer was made the chairman of the said Committee. As per the Annexures ‘A’ and ‘B’, enclosed with Government Resolution provides the format under which the Management has to submit their applications giving details of the school. The Committee members have to allot the marks to the school on the basis of availability of facilities in the school, by visiting the school and verifying the details stated by them in their application.

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6. The Government Resolution dated 15.11.2011 further provides that after the verification of proposal by the District Level Committee, it is required to forward to the Verification Committee of which the Deputy Director of Education of the Region is the Chairman along with other two members. Then Education Officer is required to publish the list of qualified and disqualified schools within a period of one month after the decision of Verification Committee headed by Deputy Director of Education and also to communicate the marks obtained by each school. It

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is also clarified that those Schools which are for three consecutive year

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failed to satisfy the norms of assessment for receiving grant in aid will be held disqualified. It will be relevant to reproduce the relevant extract of

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G.R. dated 15.11.2011 as under :

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" रा् यातील कायम िवना अनदानु त् वावर �रवानगी िदले् या राथिमक व मा् यिमक शाळांना ( इरजीं मा् यमा् या शाळा वगळून ) अनदानु सरू लाग कर् यासाठी मू् याकनाचं िनकष िनिaत करण .

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महाराटर शासन

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शालेय िशषण व रीडा िवभाग

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शासन िनण.य, रमांक- माशाअ २००९/ (५९९/०९)/मािश-१

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मंरालय िव्तार भवन, मुंबई-४०० ०३२.

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िदनांक : १५ नो्हंबर, २०११.

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शासन िनण.य -

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(१) िवना अनुदान त्वावर असणा-या राथिमक व मा्यिमक शाळां्या ( इंरजी मा्यमा्या शाळा वगळून ) करीता सुHारीत मु्यांकन

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िनकष िनिaत कर्याचा व सुHारीत िनकषानुसार �ार ठरले्या शाळांना सन २०१२-१३ �ासून अनुदान लागू कर्याकरीता अनुदान सुर िनिaत कर्याचा िनण.य शासनाने मंरीमंडळा्या मा्यतेने घेतला आहे. ्यानुसार शाळा ्या वषJ मू्यांकनात �ार ठरतील ्या वषा.�ासून २० टके, ्या�ुढील वषJ अनुरमे ४० टके, ६० टके, ८० टके व १०० टके या रमाणात अनुदान अनुञेय कर्याचे सुर लागू राहणार आहे.

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( २ ) शाळांची �ारता -

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या शाळांनी खालील नमूद बाबंची �ूत.ता केलेली आहे केवळ अशाच शाळांचे र्ताव मु्यांकनाकिरता ्वीकार्यात येतील. ्या शाळा

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खालील बाबंची �ूत.ता करणार नाहीत अशा शाळांचे र्ताव मू्यांकनाकिरता िवचारात घे्यात येऊ नयेत.

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अ. शासनाने खाजगी शाळेला मा्यता दे्याबाबत वेळोवेळी िनिaत केलेले िकमान �ारता िनकष �ूण. करणे आव्यक राहील.

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ब. मु्यांकनासाठी अज. करतेवेळी शाळांम्ये कम.चारी िनयुतीसंदभा.त आरषण Hोरणाचे �ालन केलेले असणे आव्यक आहे. (अ्�सं्याक शाळा वगळून)

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क. शाळेतील कम.चा-यांची संचमा्यता व मंजूर �दांची वैयितक मा्यता झालेली असणे आव्यक आहे. अनुदानासाठी करावया्या

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ऑनलाईन र्तावासोबत मागील तीन वषा.्या संच व िशषकेतर कम.चा-यांची वैयितक मा्यता जोडणे अिनवाय. राहील.

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ड. िवनाअनुदान त्वावरील ्या शाळा अनुदानावर अया�ही आले्या नाहीत अशा शाळांचे मू्यांकन देखील सुHािरत िनकषानुसार कर्यात यावे.

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( ३ ) मु्यांकन िनकष व गुण िवभागणी -

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िवनाअनुदािनत राथिमक व मा्यिमक शाळांना वेतन अनुदान दे्यासाठी करावयाचे मु्यांकनातील १०० गुणांची बाब िनहाय गुणिवभागणी खालीलरमाणे, तर मु्यांकन िनकषाचा सिव्तर त�शील समोर दश.िवले्या व या शासन िनण.यासोबत्या र�रारमाणे राहणार आहे.

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अ.र.	बाब	गुण	र�र
I	शाळेची शैषिणक गुणवता	५०	अ
II	शाळेत असले्या भौितक सुिवHा	३५	ब
III	समु�देशन कंर	३	क
IV	शाळेतेm सामािजक िवकासा्या अनुषंगाने आयोिजत कर्यात येणारे िविवH काय.रम	३	क
V	शाळेतील िवयांयाVचा सह-शालेय उ�रमांत(को-करी्युलर अॅ q्टीि्हटीजम्ये) सहभाग	५	ड
VI	शाळांतेm इको रंडली उ�रम,रेन वॉट हावm्टंग,अ�ारं�ािरक उजा.,�ा्याचा �ुन.वा�र, याकरीता केलेले रय्न	४	ड
	एकूण	१००

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( ४ ) अनुदान �ारतेसाठी आव्यक गुण -

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अंितमतः मु्यांकन िनकषानुसार आिदवासी उ�योजना षेर व आिदवासी उ�योजना बायषेरातील (टी.एस.�ी व ओ.टी.एस.�ी.) व १०३ शैषिणक ृष्या मागास गटातील ्या मा्यतारात िवनाअनुदािनत राथिमक/मा्यिमक शाळांना एकूण १०० गुणा�ैकी ६५ गुण तर इतर गटाम्ये ७० गुण रात होतील, ्या शाळा अनुदानासाठी �ार ्हणून घोिषत कर्यात येतील. तथाि�, याकरीता शाळेची शैषिणक गुणवता याबाबीसाठी िविहत ५० गुणा�ैकी ७५ टके गुण रात करणे अिनवाय. राहील, ्यािशवाय शाळा कोण्याही अनुदानासाठी �ार ठरणार नाही.

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( ५ ) ्वयंमु्यमा�नासाठी अज. कर्याची �्दत -

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अनुदानासाठी इ्छूक शाळेने �िर्छेद तीन मHील िनHा.िरत िनकषानुसार ्वतःचे मू्यमा�न कुन िवभाग सूिचत करील या संकेत्थळावर ऑनलाईन �्दतीने आ�ला अज. सादर करावा. (यासाठी िनिaत संकेत्थळ ्वतंर �िर�रकावारे घोिषत केले जाईल)

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( ६ ) शाळा मू्यांकनासाठी सिमती -

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१ संबंिHत िज्हयाचे िशषणािHकारी (राथिमक शाळांसाठी िशषणािHकारी (राथिमक) तर मा्यिमक शाळांसाठी अ्यष
िशषणािHकारी (मा्यिमक))
२संबंिHत तालु्याचे गटिशषणािHकारी सद्य
३संबंिHत िज्हयाचे िज्हािHकारी यांनी नामिनदmिशत केलेले अिHकारी (सदर अिHकारी िशषण िवभागाशी सद्य
संबंिHत नसावेत)
४ संबंिHत िज्हयाचे मु्य काय.कारी अिHकारी यांनी नामिनदmिशत केलेले अिHकारी (सदर अिHकारी िशषण सद्य
िवभागाशी संबंिHत नसावेत)
५िज्हा �िरषद राथिमक/मा्यिमक शाळेतील काय.रत मु्या्या�क /िशषक (कंर/रा्य आदश. �ुर्काररात) सद्य
(राथिमक ्तरावर राथिमक शाळा तर मा्यिमक ्तरावर मा्यिमक शाळांमHील िशषक मु्या्या�क / िशषक)
६ �ालक िशषक संघातील �ालकांचे ३ रितिनHी (शाळेम्ये िशकत असले्या िवयांयाVचेच �ालक या सिमतीचे सद्य
सद्य राहतील)
७रा्य शासनाकडून घोिषत कर्यात आले्या ्वयंसेवी सं्था /एनजीओ �qनलमHील एक रितिनHी (याबाबत सद्य
वतंर�णे यादी रिस्द केली जाईल)

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टी� : अ.र. ५ व ६ येथील रितिनHी नामिनदmशनांचे अिHकार िशषणउ�संचालक यांना तर अ.र. ७ रितिनHी नामिनदmशनांचे अिHकार संबंHीत िज्हयाचे िज्हािHकारी यांना राहतील.

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( ७ ) मु्यांकन सिमतीची जबाबदारी -

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ऑनलाईन रणालीमाे. त िशषणािHकारी यांना र्ताव रात झा्यानंतर तो िवभागा्या संकेत्थळावर रिस्द कुन ्यावर लोकां्या हरकती मागिवणे आव्यक राहील व ्यासाठी रिस्दीनंतर िकमान १५ िदवसांचा कालावHी िनिaत कर्यात यावा. यारमाणे रात झाले्या सव. अजा.ची त�ासणी मु्यांकन सिमतीकडून केली जाईल. (यासाठी िनिaत संकेत्थळ ्वतंर �िर�रकावारे घोिषत केले जाईल) यानंतर सव. रात अज. मु्यांकन (गुणदान) त�िशलासह त�ासणी सिमतीकडे �ाठिव्यात यावेत.

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( ८ ) त�ासणी सिमतीची रचना -

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१ संबंिHत िवभागीय िशषण उ�संचालक अ्यष २ िवभागीय िशषण उ�संचालकांनी नामिनदmिशत केलेले �ालक िशषक संघाचे एक रितिनHी (शाळेम्ये िशकत सद्य असले्या िवयांयाVचेच �ालक या सिमतीचे सद्य राहतील तसेच हा सद्य ्या िवभागातील मु्यांकन सिमतीचा सद्य नसावा.)

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३ िवभागीय आयुतांनी नामिनदmिशत केलेले अिHकारी (्या शाळेचे मू्यांकन करावयाचे आहे ती शाळा या सद्य िज्हयात आहे ्या िज्हयाबाहेरीत असावेत तसेच सदर अिHकारी िशषण िवभागाशी संबंिHत नसावेत)

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( ९ ) त�ासणी सिमतीची जबाबदारी -

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त�ासणी सिमतीने मू्यांकनासाठी रात झाले्या एकूण अजा.�ैकी २० टके अज. त�ासावेत. सिमतीने कोणते २० टके अज. त�ासावेत यात संिद्Hता राहू नये या हेतूने �ुढील काय.�्दती असावी.

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"त�ासणी सिमतीने एकूण रात अजा.ना अनुरमांक यावेत. या अनुरमांका्या िचया टाकून लॉटरी �्दतीने सव. सिमती सद्यां्या समष २० टके िचया काढा्यात. या �्दतीने िनवड झाले्या अनुरमांका्या र्तावाची त�ासणी सिमतीने करावी.”

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यानंतर त�ासणी सिमतीने आ�्या िवभागातील मु्यांकनानंतर अनुदानासाठी �ार शाळांची यादी शासनाकडे सादर करावी.

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( १० ) अनुदानासाठी �ार / अ�ार शाळांची घोषणा -

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मू्यांकनानुसार अनुदानासाठी �ार ठरले्या शाळांची यादी शासन घोिषत करील व यादी घोिषत झा्यानंतर �ार / अ�ार शाळां्या संदभा.त एक मिह्या्या आत िशषणािHकारी (राथिमक/मा्यिमक) यां्यामाे. त संबंिHत शाळांना िनकषिनहाय रात गुण कळिव्यात येतील.

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( ११ ) अनुदान हा शासनाचा ्वे्छािHकार -

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अ ) अनुदानासाठी शाळा �ार झाली ्हणजे ्या शाळेस अनुदानाचा हक रात होत नाही. संबंिHत शाळांना अनुदान लागू करणे हा शासनाचा ्वे्छािHकार असून िनHी्या उ�ल्Hेनुसार शासन िनकष�ार शाळांना अनुदान लागू करील. हे अनुदान भूतल्यी रभावाने लागू केले जाणार नाही. तसेच शाळांना िवना अनुदान त्वावर कोण्याही शैषिणक वषा.त मा्यता िदलेली असली तरी, शासन वेळोवेळी उ�ल्H होणारी आिथक संसाHने व रा्या्या गरजा व ्यांचा रा्यमरम िवचारात घेवून अनुदाना्या सुरात बदल करील व ्या शाळांना अनुदान स ु कर्यात आले नाही, ्या शाळांना जे्हा अनुदान स ु करावयाचे असेल ्यावेळेचे अनुदान सुर ्यांना लागू राहील. ब ) अनुदानासाठी �ार ठरले्या शाळांना िनHी्या अनु�ल्Hेमुळे अनुदान स ु होवू शकले नसेल आिण जे्हा िनHी उ�ल्H होईल व जे्हा�ासून अनुदान स ु कर्यात येईल ्यावेळी अशा शाळांना ्या ट््यावरील अनुदान देय राहील ्या ट्यावरील अनुदान लागू कर्यात येईल. त्�ूवJचे कोणतेही अनुदान अनुञेय असणार नाही.

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क ) अनुदानाचा �ुढील ट्�ा के्हा लागू करावा याबाबत संरम राहू नये व रा्यात सव. िज्हयात याबाबत अंमलबजावणीत एकवा्यता राहावी ्हणून ्�ट कर्यात येते की, िनकष�ार कोण्याही शाळेस ्या आिथक वषा.त ्या ट््यावरचे अनुदान स ु कर्यात येते,

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या�ुढील ट्�ा �ुढील आिथक वष. स ु झा्यानंतर लागू कर्यात यावा.

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( १२ ) एखादी शाळा सतत तीन वषm मु्यांकनात अ�ार ठर्यास ्या शाळेची �रवानगी ंकवा मा्यता आ�ोआ� रद होईल.

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( १३ ) मु्यांकन िनकष व अनुदान सुरासंदभा.त या�ूवJचे सव. शासन िनण.य अिHरिमत कर्यात येत असून या�ुढील काळात या शासन

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िनण.यारमाणेच काय.वाही कर्यात यावी.

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( १४ ) दर्यान या दो्ही सिम्यां्या अशासकीय सद्यांना यावयाचा रवासखच. व बैठकभते याबाबत िवत िवभागा्या सहमतीने

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वतंर�णे आदेश िनग.िमत केले जातील.

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(१५) सदर शासन िनण.य महाराटर शासना्या संकेत्थळावर (www.maharashtra.gov.in) उ�ल्H असून ्याचा सांकेतांक रमांक 201111151136546 असा आहे.

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महाराटराचे रा्य�ाल यां्या आदेशानुसार व नावाने,”

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7. In the present case, the submissions of the petitioners is that they were never communicated any decision by Education Officer of the District. On the contrary, one group of the petitioners stated that their proposals of grant-in-aid has been accepted by the State Government and the schools were held entitled for grant-in-aid. For this purpose, the petitioners have relied upon the Government Resolution dated 06.02.2023. By this Resolution, the State Government has declared the names of the schools, which are entitled for grant-in-aid. In the said Resolution, it is also mentioned that non-declared schools (v?kksf”kr ‘kkGk) would be entitled for 20% grant-in-aid. Hence, the submission of one group of the petitioners is that once the State Government has held them entitled for grant-in-aid, then without granting opportunity of hearing, the Government cannot take adverse decision against them in the matter. The same is in violation of principles of natural justice.

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8. The second group of the petitioners submits that, they have forwarded their proposals in terms of Government Resolution dated 15.11.2011 and subsequent Government Resolution to the District Level

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Committee. According to them, their proposals are till date under process. The State Government till date not rejected their proposals nor communicated about the rejection of their proposals. Therefore, holding them disqualified by alleging that the respective schools repeatedly failed to satisfy the assessment criteria is per-se illegal. Therefore, according to them, impugned action de-hors the provisions of law and liable to be quashed and set aside.

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9. The third group in the present petitions alleged that as per the policy of the State Government, their proposals for grant-in-aid are ready but the District Level Committee is not accepting their proposals. As such, till date, no proper assessment of their schools has been done. According

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to them, in absence of any assessment done by the District Level Committee, the State Government cannot disqualify them on the ground that they repeatedly failed to fulfill the assessment norms and, thereby permanently disqualified for grant-in-aid.

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10. The perusal of Government Resolutions dated 01.04.2026 and 02.04.2026 shows that the State Government by its Resolution dated 01.04.2026 has disqualified 433 Primary Schools and 33 additional Classes running on non grant-in-aid basis of various schools. Likewise, as per the Government Resolution dated 02.04.2026, 324 Secondary Schools and 412 additional classes running on non-grant in-aid basis are

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held to be disqualified permanently from receiving grant-in-aid. Most of these Primary and Secondary Schools are Marathi Medium Schools and few schools are from other mediums. These schools are situated in a rural areas and some schools in a remote area, wherein the students have been admitted long back and the Management is discharging public function of providing education to the students of such Primary and Secondary Schools.

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11. It is further pertinent to note that in each Primary and Secondary Schools, the management has already appointed the staff and with the help of those staff members, they are discharging public function of imparting education to the students at rural area. Therefore, State Government ought to have considered the fact that due to this drastic action, students at large and also the teaching and non-teaching staff working in the schools would be adversely affected. However, there is no consideration to this material aspects in the matter.

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12. The perusal of the provisions of Self-Finance act, 2012 clearly demonstrates the fact that it is the prerogative of the management for moving an application to the State Government to start the schools under

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the provisions of Self-Finance Act 2010. It is well settled position of law, by executing order, statutory provisions can not be over-ride. On this count also we found that the directions given by the State Government to

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the schools, to move appropriate application under the provisions of the

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Self Finance Act, 2012 to run the school is not justified in the matter.

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13. It is noted by this Court from the submission made by the parties that their schools received the permission from the State Government long back and after granting permission, Education Department has granted recognition to the schools by invoking the powers available under the provisions of Secondary School Code. As such, as on date, their status is of recognized schools. Under the provisions of Secondary School Code, the mechanism is provided for withdrawal of recognition of the schools. However, in the present case, without taking the recourse of said provisions, directly, the State Government has passed the order of withdrawing their recognition and absorbing the students in the other schools. In our considered opinion, before taking such decision, the respective schools and the teachers as well as students, who are prosecuting their studies in the schools, the fate of staff working in the schools, whether there are availability of neighboring schools to absorb the students ought to have been looked into the matter and for this purpose, hearing opportunity ought to have been granted to them. For the perusal, the details of the school when it was permitted to start and present status is reproduced as under:

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Writ Petition No.	Name of Educational Institution	Name of the School	Date of permission /recognition	Status of grant-in-aid	Sr. No. in impugned Government Resolution
WP/1807/2026	Noor-Ul-Huda Education Society, Akkalkot	Urdu Secondary School, New Shelagi	04.09.1987	Held Eligible for partial grant-in-aid vide Government Resolution dated 06.02.2023	02.04.2026 Sr. No. 156
WP/1875/2026	Phaltan Urdu Education Society, Phaltan	Urdu primary School, Phaltan	14.06.2016	Proposal for Grant-in-aid is pending	01.04.2026 Sr. No. 212
WP ST/3481/2026	Lavel Vibhag Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Lavel	Vishwanath Vidyalaya Va Kai. Pa Shri Tatha Anna Saheb Behere Kanishtha Mahavidala	17.12.2007	Proposal for Grant-in-aid is pending	02.04.2026 Sr. No.208
WP ST 3479/2026	Datta Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Panutre	y, Vitthal Patil Madhyamik Vidyalaya Va Junior Cll Kl	01.09.2009	Proposal for Grant-in-aid is pending	02.04.2026 Sr.No.222
WP ST 1876/2026	Sharada Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Yadhwantnagar	oege, ae Swami Vivekanand Vidyalaya,	30.08.2002	Proposal for Grant-in-aid is pending	02.04.2026 Sr. No. 230
WP ST 3593/2026	Rukminibai Mate Shikshan Sanstha, Kamathe	1. Ma. Balaso Mate Madhya. V. Uccha Madhya. Vidyalaya, Kamathe 2. New English School and Junior College, Pachad- Shiral	15.10.2009 13.01.2010	Proposal for grant in aid rejected. Writ Petition is pending challenging rejection	02.04.2026 Sr. No. 198 Sr No. 200
WP ST 3591/2026	Sane Guruji Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Janashi	Sane Guruji Vidya Mandir and P.B.Chavan Arts and Commerce (Combined) College, Jhi	25.07.2008	Proposal for Grant-in-aid is pending	02.04.2026 Sr. No. 259
WP ST 3622/2026	Anjuman Targheeb- E-Taleeem Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Station Raod, Akkalkot	anas Anglo Urdu Primary School, Akkalkot	20.03.2002	Proposal for Grant-in-aid is pending	01.04.2026 Sr. No.174
WP ST 3609/2026	Mangalwedha Education Society, Mangalwedha, Dist. Solapur	Jawaharlal Urdu High School Mangalwedha, Dist. Solapur	27.08.2009	The Education Officer (Secondary), Zilla Parishad, not accepting proposal of evaluation/assessment to li tiid	2nd April 2026 Sr. No.152
WP 1932/2026	Sahyandri Shikshan Sanstha	Sahyandri Shikshan Sanstha Sanchalit Primary School (Sawarde)	07.03.2003	reeasng gran-n-a. Held eligible for grant-in- aid by G.R. dated 01.07.2016 (Pg 37-40) Name of School at Se. No.20	G. R. 01.04.2026 Sr. No.203
WP 1938/2026		New English School and Junior College (Kherdi)	27.07.2012	Name of School not included in G.R. sanctioning grant-in-aid. Hence Petitioners have filed Writ Petition No.10565 of 2024 for direction to sanction grant-in-aid. WP is pending.	G.R. 02.04.2026 Sr. No.199
WP 1937/2026		Govindrao Nikam	Additional	Name of School not	G.R.
		Secondary and Higher Secondary	Divisoins 16.11.2013	included in G.R. sanctioning grant-in-aid.	02.04.2026 Sr. No.201

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	School, (Sawarde)		Hence Petitioners have filed Writ Petition No.9536 of 2024 for direction to sanction grant-in-aid. WP is pending
WP 1936/2026	New English School and Junior College, Ambdas	09.12.1991	--	G.R. 02.04.2026 Sr. No.207
WP 1934/2026	Vasant Shankar Desai Secondary and Higher Secondary School (Asurde Ambatkhot)	Std. 11^thArts 25.07.2008, Additional Divison Std. 11^th Commerce on unaided basis 04.09.2015 Std. 12^thArts Additional Division 28.10.2015	Proposal seeking grant- in-aid not accepted by Education Officer for want of individual approval orders of teachers.	G.R. 02.04.2026 Sr. No.202
WP 1935/2026	Shrinath Vidyalaya and Junior College of Science	10.07.2008	Recommendation made for sanction for grant-in- aid by respondent No.4, respondent No.3 and respondent No.2 to respondent No.1 (pg-43 to 49) but no final decision taken by respondent No.1	G.R. 02.04.2026 Sr. 465

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From these details, it can be seen that all these schools are having due permissions from State Government as well as recognition from Education Authorities. No record is available to the effect that before disqualification of them, for consecutive three years schools failed to satisfy the norms of assessment to receive grant-in-aid. The institutions are imparting education. The institutions are functioning for several years. Therefore, before taking a drastic action against them, without granting opportunity of hearing, is certainly illegal in the facts and circumstances of the matter.

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14. It is noted by us that by these Government Resolutions, most of the

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school from 433 Primary Schools and 324 Secondary Schools are providing the education in Marathi medium at various places and more particularly, in rural areas are likely to be closed down by the impugned order. The State Government at one hand is insisting that Marathi language should be given importance in the entire State and on the other hand, by said action, trying to close down Marathi schools. As such, this action is not in accordance with the object, which State is trying to achieve in the State of Maharashtra. So also, the students, who belongs to poor family and prosecuting their studies in Marathi Medium Schools or other Medium Schools cannot be deprived from primary and secondary education, which the private management is trying to provide them through their institutions.

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15. At the cost of repetition, we again reiterated that while closing down the schools, various factors are required to be considered by the State Government. Such as, whether the schools can be converted as the Self-Finance Schools by the direction under the Government Resolution, particularly when provisions of Self-Finance Act is having altogether different procedure to grant permission. Secondly, whether the teaching and non-teaching staff working in the Marathi Primary and Secondary Schools can be absorbed in the Self-Finance School, particularly there is no provisions of absorption of staff working in non grant-in-aid school.

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Thirdly, if the students, those are in large numbers can be accommodated in the nearby schools, particularly, when in the rural and remote area, there are no sufficient schools for the students to prosecute their studies. Whether the medium in which students are prosecuting their studies can be continued in same medium in other schools. However, these facts are totally ignored by the State Government while taking this decision. Therefore, in our considered opinion, it is absolutely necessary for the Government to conduct the individual hearing of each schools before taking any drastic action against them by at least adopting the procedure which is contemplated under the Government Resolution dated 15.11.2011.

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16. It would be relevant to refer the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case of S.G. Jaysinghani Vs. Union of India reported in AIR 1967 SC 1427 . The Hon’ble Supreme Court has specifically observed in this judgment that in a system governed by rule of law, discretion, when conferred upon the executing authorities, must be confined within clearly defined limits. The decision should be made by application of known principles and rules and, in general, such decisions should be predictable and the citizens should know where he is. If a decision is taken without any principle or without any rule, it is unpredictable and such decision is the antithesis of a decision taken in

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accordance with the Rule of law. It would be relevant to refer the paragraph No.14 in this regard, wherein observation made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court as under.

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“14. In this context it is important to emphasize that the absence of arbitrary power is the first essential of the rule of law upon which our whole constitutional system is based. In a system governed by rule of law, discretion, when conferred upon executive authorities, must be confined within clearly defined limits. The rule of law from this point of view means that decisions should be made by the application of known principles and rules and, in general, such decisions should be predictable and the citizen should now where he is. If a decision is taken without any principle or without any rule it is unpredictable and such a decision is the antithesis of a decision taken in accordance with the Rule of law. (See Dicey Law of the Constitution -10th Edn., Introduction ex). "Law has reached its finest moments," stated Douglas, J. in United States v. Wunderuck, "when it has freed man from the unlimited discretion of some ruler.... Where discretion, is absolute, man has always suffered". It is in this sense that the rule of law may be said to be the sworn enemy of caprice. Discretion, as Lord Mansfield slated it in classic terms in the case of John Wilkes, "means sound discretion guided by law. It must be governed by Rule, not by humour: it must not be arbitrary, vague, and fanciful.”

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17. In view of this decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and subsequent catena of judgment, it is time and again held that any adverse order passed by the Government, though need not contain the reasons like the Court order but, it must contain reasons to disclose as to how they arrived at such decision showing application of mind. As such,

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appropriate reasons are necessary for a valid order in support of action or decision taken by the authority or by the State.

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18. In the present matter, learned AGP failed to point out from the impugned Government Resolution that any such hearing opportunity was given to the petitioners in the matter, the factors which we have noted above are considered and after due consideration of the relevant aspects the decision is taken in the matter. The lame attempt has been made by stating that the Government has issued one letter dated 20.12.2022, whereby the petitioners were given one month notice to satisfy the deficiencies in their assessment proposal. However, the petitioners came with a specific submission that no such notice of any kind was issued to them by the State Government. It is clear from the record that said notice which is relied by the State Government came to be issued before issuing the Government Resolution dated 06.02.2023, by which most of the schools were held entitled for grant-in-aid. Here the challenge is to the Government Resolutions dated 01.04.2026 and 02.04.2026 which are issued about 4 years later than the communication dated 20.12.2022, which according to us is not related in the matter.

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19. In light of the above reasons, we are satisfied that the action taken under the impugned Government Resolutions dated 01.04.2026 and 02.04.2026 of closing down the primary schools without granting them

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opportunity of hearing is in violation of principles of natural justice, hence, both these Government Resolutions are held to be not applicable to the extent of petitioners. Government is hereby directed, to delete the names of petitioner institutions from the list of the schools which is published along with the Government Resolutions dated 01.04.2026 and 02.04.2026.

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20. Needless to mention that the petitioners would continue their respective schools and no action as contemplated under the Government Resolutions dated 01.04.2026 and 02.04.2026 can be initiated against them in the matter.

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21. In terms of above directions, the Writ Petitions stand disposed of. No order as to the costs.

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[Pravin S. Patil, J.] [Madhav J. Jamdar, J.]

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Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary and Anr. v. the State of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary and Ors.

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Sahyadri Shikshan Sanstha, Sawarde Thr. Secretary and Anr. v. the State of Maharashtra Thr. Principal Secretary and Ors.

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