APHC010486712026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3457] WEDNESDAY, THE 30th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 26554/2026 Between: 1. ST. ANNS GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL, CANTONMENT VIJAYANAGARAM REP.BY ITS CORRESPONDENT,SR. . T.SHOURILU ANNAMMA, D/O FRANNCIS REDDY,AMARAVATHI ROAD, R/O D.NO.4-15-44/A/2,ST. ANN'S CONVENT, BHARATH PET, 7TH LINE, GUNTUR, A.P. 2. ST ANNS GIRLS PRIMARY SCHOOL, VIJAYANAGARAM REP.BY ITS CORRESPONDENT,SR. T.SHOURILU ANNAMMA, D/O FRANNCIS REDDY,AMARAVATHI ROAD, R/O D.NO.4-15-44/N2,ST. ANN'S CONVENT, BHARATH PET, 7TH LINE, GUNTUR, A.P. ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP.BY ITS PRL. SECRETARY, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 2. THE COMMISSIONER AND DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL EDUCATION, A.P., VENKATADRI TOWER, ATMAKUR, MANGALAGIRI MANDAL, GUNTUR DISTRICT 3. THE REGIONAL JOINT DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL EDUCATION, VISAKHAPATNAM. 4. THE DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, OFFICE OF DEO, VIJAYANAGARAM DISTRICT 5. THE STATE OF AP, REP.BY.ITS. PRL. SECRETARY, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toissue any appropriate Writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents in not releasing the arrears of maintenance grant at the rate 6 PERCENT on the teaching grant payable to the petitioners schools in accordance with law in terms of judgment rendered by the Hon'ble High court in recognized school management Association, A.P. Vs Govt. of A.P., Educational Department and another reported in 1997 (3) ALD 40 and judgment in W.P.No. 3449 of 2004, dt. 30-9-2016 as illegal, arbitrary and consequently direct the respondents to release the arrears of maintenance grant payable to the petitioner schools as 2 per the law in accordance with the judgment of this court reported in 1997 (3) ALD 40 and the judgment in W.P.No. 3449 of 2003, dt. 30-09-2016, IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased direct the respondents herein to release the maintenance grant to the petitioners schools at 6% on teaching grant in terms of the judgment of this Hon'ble High Courts, pending disposal of the above writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. DEVI PRASAD MANGALAPURI Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR EDUCATION 2. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING The Court made the following: 3 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 26554 of 2026 ORDER : Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for School Education and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Finance appearing for the respondents. 2. The instant Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents to release the maintenance grant to the petitioners-Institution for the academic year 2025-26. 3. When the matter has been taken up for consideration today, both the learned counsel submitted that the issue involved in the present Writ Petition is squarely covered by the earlier Judgments rendered by this court in W.P.No.3449 of 2003 dated 30.09.2016 wherein it was held that: …..“21.In any view of the matter, the contention of the learned Government Pleader is that the petitioner is not entitled to maintenance grant in view of G.O.Ms.No.320, which was struck down by this Court in the Judgment referred supra. Even otherwise, the discriminatory attitude of the Government giving concession to one educational institution and denying benefit to the petitioner’s educational institution cannot be encouraged by the Courts, since it is arbitrary and discriminatory in not releasing grant-in-aid to the petitioner’s association whose object is to provide free education. In those circumstances, this Court has no option except to hold that the inaction of the respondents is arbitrary in not releasing the maintenance grant-in-aid to the petitioner’s educational institution and consequently, I hold that the petitioner is entitled to all the benefits as decided in Recognised Schools Managements 4 Associations case. Hence, the respondents are directed to work out maintenance grant @6% and arrange to pay the same within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order to the petitioner’s educational institution, on par with other Schools. 22. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is allowed.” 4. Following the above order, this Writ Petition is allowed, in terms of the observations and directions of this Court in the said case. There shall be no order as to costs. 5. Registry is directed to append a copy of the order passed by this court in W.P.No.3449 of 2003 dated 30.09.2016 to this order. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. ____________________ JUSTICE HARINATH.N Dated 29.09.2026 KGM Whether the order is: Speaking Reasoned ☑ Reportable Non-reportable ☑ 5 141 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION No.26554 of 2026 Dated 29.09.2026 KGM