JUDGMENT :

SUMAN SHYAM, J.

1. Heard Mrs. N. Saikia, learned counsel for the petitioner. I have also heard Mr. R.K.D. Choudhury, learned Assistant Solicitor General of India appearing for the respondent No. 1 and Mr. A. Kalita, learned Standing Counsel, Industries & Commerce Department, Assam appearing on behalf of respondent Nos. 2, 4 and 5. The name of respondent No. 3 has been struck off from the array of parties.

2. The petitioner herein is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 having registered office at Silchar. The petitioner’s bakery unit is engaged in manufacturing of breads, biscuits, cakes, cream buns and variety of other bakery items. The National Mission for Food Processing (NMFP) had earlier floated a scheme for providing financial assistance to the food processing units. The objective of the scheme was to increase the level of food processing by reducing wastage and value addition as well as enhancing the income of farmers as well as to increase exports thereby promoting overall development of food processing sector. As per the guidelines issued by the National Mission for Food Processing (in short NMFP) the eligible units were entitled to apply for financia