STATE OF MEGHALAYA Vs. BRIGHTSTARWELL MARBANIANG

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In view of the good grounds shown, the delay of about 25 days in preferring the appeal is condoned and the appeal is taken up for immediate consideration.

(2.) The issue in this appeal pertains to an amendment effected by the State government to the set of executive guidelines that it has issued to educational institutions to which it grants financial aid.

(3.) At the outset, it must be appreciated that even though the guidelines are in the form of a set of rules and have been amended by a formal publication in the official gazette on April 8, 2021, the guidelines are not issued under any specific law and, as such, such guidelines may not have any statutory force. Yet the guidelines are effective; in the sense that an educational institution seeking grant-inaid may not avail of such facility if it does not conform to the guidelines; or, any infraction of its part to adhere to the guidelines may entail the government stopping the grant-in-aid.