E N PASLEIN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Mr. H. S. Thangkhiew, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. P. Dey, learned CGC representing the respondent Nos. 1 to 4.

(2.) THE petitioner promoted a Food Processing Unit at Amlarem in Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya and as per the schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the petitioner applied for financial assistance for setting up his Food Processing Industry. The Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) recommended the application of the petitioner for grants-in-aid vide its communication dated 21. 02. 2001.

(3.) HOWEVER, since at the relevant time the 9th Plan Scheme was in force under which only soft loan assistance was admissible to the entrepreneurs in the private sector, the Ministry vide communication dated 7. 10. 2002 wrote to the petitioner rejecting the request for financial assistance. In the said communication it was indicated that the project has already been implemented and the means of finance is fully tied up and that no financial assistance can be provided for repayment of loans or any reduction of promoters' equity. However, it was left open to the entrepreneurs to make application in future for assistance for expansion of the set up project, with fresh appraisal report.