WP(C) 2426/2011 BEFORE THE HON BLE MR. JUSTICE HRISHIKESH ROY Heard Mr. MU Mondal, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. Also heard M r. M Khataniar, learned standing counsel for the Education Department; Mr. S Sar ma, learned standing counsel for the Sarba Siksha Abhijan Mission, Assam (SSA) a nd Mr. HK Barman, learned Govt. Advocate, who appear for the respondents in the case. 2. The petitioner venture schools established between 1978 to 1990 in diffe rent places of Barpeta District are aggrieved by non-consideration of their clai m for Govt. financial assistance by the respondent Authorities. The petitioners contend that their schools were established in backward and erosion prone areas to impart education to the needy students and although eligible, the respondents have not considered the said schools for financial assistance under the State P lan Scheme and have considered grants for less deserving schools. 3. Mr. M Khataniar, learned standing counsel for the Education Department s ubmits that according to the Government policy, financial grants are given to th e venture schools in the State on the basis of the criteria of (i) seniority, (i i) need, (iii) performance, (iv) location of the school, (v) SC/ST/Minority conc entrated area, (vi) girls’ education, etc. and the selection of deserving school is to be made by following the specified norms in accordance with the policy de cision circulated by the Government on 12th January, 2011 (Annexure-2). 4. Responding to the submission of the learned counsel for the respondent A uthorities, Mr. Mondal submits that direction be issued to consider the entitlem ent of the petitioners’ schools on the basis of the notified norms and the Govt. Policy dated 12th January, 2001. The learned standing counsel is not averse to consideration of this prayer by the respondents. 5. Having regard to the above, the claim of the petitioner schools for fina ncial grants is ordered to be considered along with other such venture schools, in light of the applicable norms and the stipulation made in the Notification da ted 12th January, 2011 issued by the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Education (Elementary), Department. It is ordered accordingly 6. The case is disposed of with the above direction.