( 1 ) THE only question arising in this batch , of Writ Appeals, Writ; petitions, and Contempt Appeals relates to the, constitutional validity of andhra Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Grant-in-aid (Regulation) act, being Act 22 of 1988. For a proper appreciation of the said question it is necessary to examine the circumstances and events which led to the passing of the Act.

( 2 ) BESIDES the schools and Colleges established and maintained by the State and local authorities, a number of Schools and Colleges have been established in the State by various individuals, societies, and other institutions. Which can be referred to as "private educational institutions". Many of these private educational institutions have been receiving aid from the state, called grant-in-aid . The aid is given not only for paying salaries to the teaching staff, but also to non-teaching staff, and for building, library, and various other purposes. In 1977 the Government took a policy decision contained in G. O. Ms. No. 725, Education (F) Department - dated 7-7-1977. The decision was two-fold, namely, (i) to admit to grant- in-aid, according to a phased programme spread over three