ADONI COTTON MILLS ETC. ETC. versus THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD & OTHERS

ADONI COTTON MILLS ETC. ETC.

THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD & OTHERS

August 6, 1976

[A. N. RAY, C.J., V. R. KRISHNA IYER AND JASWANT SINGH, JJ.]

indian E/eC'tricity Act !9110---Secfion 22B-Electricity Supply Act 1948-ScctiOII 18, 49 and 79(j)-Whethcr Sectio'n 49 invalid for excessive deJcgtJtion-,Whetlzer ElectJ•icitY Board can reduce the quota of consumption if tire. Sfafr! Government has done so-Board having determined the quota, whether can further reduce it-Whether Board can (rx the quota without framing regulations-Practice and proaedure-Whether appellant can be allowed to raise a·.new que!l-tion of facts for tile first rlrne.

Section 22B of the Electricity Act, 1910, authorises tho State Government if it is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do for maintaining the supply and securing equitable distribution of energy to; provide by an order for regul.ating the supply, distribution, consumption or use of the electricity.

Section 18 of the El,ectricity SUpply Act, 1948 provides that it shall oo the duty of the Board to provide electricity as soon as practicable to persons requiring such supPly. ·

Under section 49 subject to the provisions of the Act and the regulations if any made, the Board may supply el~tricity to any persoh upon such terms and conditions as the Board tb.inh fit. It further provides that in fixing the tariffs and terms and conditions for the supply of electricity ~ Board shall not show undue preference to any persoh.

Under the prescribed agreement the Board is given unilateral right to vary from time to 'time the terms and conditions of supply under the agree. ment by spechil or general proceedings.

The State Government made an order under s. 228 providing that the maximum demand limit will be 75 per cent of the average monthly maximum demand over certain period. It further Provided that the supply to cons·um-ers who violated the restrictions was liable to be cut off without notice. Without prejudice to the right tP disconnect the supply the· Board was also authorised ta bill tbe energy and maximum demahd utilised in excess of tll.e limits prescribed at double the tariff ratcg. The Order of the State Govern· men) was occasioned because the water position in the Hydro Eleotric Reserv-oirs in the State became very unsatisfactory because of failure of monsoon. Secondly, sufficient power was not available to meet the needs of the State and thirdly it became necessary to conserve available water with a. view to ensure regula: and uniform supply of electrical energy dnrihg the coming months.

The State Electricity Board fixed quotas for cOnsumption because power generated was not adequate to meet the requirements. An extra charge for consumption of energy bcyQod the limits of quotas was also introduced by the Board. The Board further cut the quota and enhanced the extra charg~.

Thereafter, the Board passed an order increasing the power cuts at differ-ent percentage in different industries. The Board .also increased r.harges to be paid for the. excess consumption. This action of the Board was necessitated because of great depletioh of levels in the Hydel reservoirs and: because no assistance was forthcoming from the neighbouring States and hecause there was heavy increase of agricultural loads.

'The appellants filed writ petitions in the Hi.gh Court praying for writ or direction that the respondent should be ordered not to collect from the appellants more thah normal charges for cOnsumption of electricity and not to disconnect 1heir supply and for declaration that the restrictions with regard to the imposition of quota and the levy of penalty charg~s was illegal.

[1977] 1 S.C.R.

The High Court held that the Board has power to fix quotas or otherwise to restrict consumption of electrical energy and coll~ct charges at ~ times the normal rates.

The appellaot5 obtained special leave limited to the question whether under s. 22B of the El~ctricity Act, 1910, it is open to the Board to reduce t.be supply to anything Jess than 75 per cent and levy extra charges for excess supply.

In an appeal by special leave the appellants contended :

1. Section. 22B of 1910 Act empom:rs the Slate Govt. to control the distri-bution abd consumption of energy. The Stllte Gover0111ent exercised its powers and reduced tbe quota to 75%. Ther-efore, any further reduction by the Board would be illegal.

2. Section 49 of the 1948 Act does nOL confer power on the Board to ellect rationing of supply because that would rnvo\ve exceo;.sivc delega-tion of legislative power. Tlrere is no guideline in s. 49 to reduce the supply ahd fuerefore, section is bad.

3. In the alternative, the contention was that unless the Board made r-egulations under s. 79{j) it could not ration the supply in e~rcisc of powers under s. 49.

4. The Board cannot fix different percehtae;es of cuts in the supply to <tifferent consumers nor can the Board impose penalty.

Dismissing t1re appeal,

HELD : ( 1) Section 49 which requires the Board nOt to show undue prefer-ence to any person embodies the principle enumerated in Article 14 of tho Constitution. It is the principle of equity or non-discrimination. However, it is fairly settled tllat equality before law does not me:~n that tho things whic;h were different will be treated as tbou&h they were the same. It does not mean an economical equal treatment. It would be justifiable to rreat different industries and iJlStitutiOns with reference to their urgency, social utility and also the impact on the ronservatioh and economies in the available strpply of electric power. [142 B-E]

(2) The recognition of the fact thab the Board can introduce rationing bY making regulation under s. 79(j) of the 1948 Act necessarily involves conCI!s'sio'n tJrat the Board has power to enforce rationing and to enunciate the principle and scheme of such. rationing. The making of regulation is not new source of power but is the exercise of power which exists. The langua{!e of s. 48 "if any" shows that the power can be e:-;ercised without making any regulation. The powers conferred on the State Government under s. 22B do not exhaust the power of the Board under s. 49 of the 1948 Act. There is' no conflict in the existence of power at different levels. The higher authority may have the power to ovcnide the order of the lcwer authority. Powers under s. 22B of the 19'10 Act and s. 49 of the 1948 Act mav l1ave 'SOme overriding features. Section 49', ho~ver, contains much larger power be-cause the Board is the authority primarily charged with all aspects of develop-ment and supply under the 1948 Acl [142 E.G, 143 A-D]

(3) The appellants cannot bo allowed to raise the COntention which was not raised in the High Court that the cut imposed by the State Govcrnmeht under s. 22B was effective throughout. If such facts were pl-eaded in the i~h Court. the Board could have produced materials denying such allegations. [143-D-Fl

(4) The crders of the Government and the Board wcr;: cumulative and not contradictory. The Board is empowered to fix different rates "h ~1.vi·n, regard to" the peographical position of any area, the nature of the supply and purpose for which supply is required and any ocher relevant factors. The expressiorv "anv other relevant factors" is not to be constnted <'imdem r:cncris because there is no genus o( the relevant factors. 1144 B·O, E-F] ·

ADONI coTTON MILLS V. ANDHRA PRADESH (Ray, C.J.)

(5) lf there is. shortage of clect:icity. there ha.s to be rewictiun on supply. · Board can d1sconne~t supplY' If .the quota IS exceeded. The Board can 'fhe 3150 impose higher is only to sanction rat~s If the the ngour ~uota IS of exceeded. ration The by making imposition persons of higher who exratesd the quota liable cce to pay higher rates. [144 G-H, 145 A] CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : CiviL APPEALS NOS : 1241, 12[45 ][1506-1525 ][& ][1770-1771/75-(Appeals ][by ][Special Leave from ]the iudgment and. Ord~r. dated 26.8.1975 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Wnt Petitions Nos : 874/75, 5894175, 7068174, 876/ 75, 1661, 930, 2326, 149, 3385175, 6891174, 825, 2247, 2409, 3021 6931/75, 6932, 7106, 7178174, 123, 133, 235, 2241, 7170, 731/75 respectively) and

.( I t t

CIVIL APPEALS NOS :-1242, . 1253, 1443, 1456-1461 1664-1666, 1772, 1774-1775, 1995-1996175 & 164-165176:-(Appeals by Special Leave from the Judgment and Order dated 26.8.1975 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Writ Petitions Nos :-6796174, 5886/74, 732175, 1583/75, 7297/74, 512/75, 6121/ 74, 6902/74, 6791174, 215175, 6287/ 74, 5854/74, 2871175, 2871175, 6890175, 1634/75, 525175, 5843174, 1635175, 2053/ 75, 159. 311, 2298/75, 6478174, 2218175, 3360175, 1509, 2040, 202, 244175, . respectively) and

CtVJL APPEALS NOS : 1244, 1462-1465, 1467-1498, 1500-1505, 1662, 1667, 1776-1780, 1991-1994/75 ... ~ 166/ 76 : (Appeals by Special Leave from the Judgment and Order dated 26.8.1975 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court itl writ Petitions Nos. 5890/74, 5109/74 6859174, 185/ 75, 554175, 1274, 1943, 2366, 2254, 1015. 1114, 764, 296, 2584175, 6952, 5880j74, 6505, 2272175, 6922174, 205, 114,251, 6318, 194, 2365, 1567, 6482, 897, 620/75, 6520, 6753/ 74, 673, 2409, 1395175, 6724174, 2760, 231, 1603/ 75, 6082/74, 2245/ 75, 29175, 29175, 356/75, 7042, 1649175, 29, 2113, 707, 1603, 1194, 1194, 3354/75, 6836/ 74, 2670/75, 5889/ 74 respectively) and CIVIL APPEALS Nos: 1526-1530, 1663 & 1997 OF 1975 (Ap-peals by Special Leave from the Judgment and Order dated 26.8.1975 of the Andbra Pradesh High Court in Writ Petitions Nos :-230, 276, 354, 355, 596, 230 and 230/ 75 respectively.

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 1532 OF 1975 (Appeal by special Leave from the Judgment and Order dated 26.8.1975 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Writ Petition No. 4320174).

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 1533 OF 1975 (Appeal by special Leave fr?m the Judgment and Order dated 26.8.1975 of the Andhra Pradesh H1gh Court in Writ Petition No. 2311175).

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 1534 & 1661 OF 1975 (Appeals by Special leave from the Judgment ami order dated 26.8.1975 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Writ Petitions Nos. 6926174, and 2019!75).

.1· K. Sen, (In CA. 1245/ 75), B. Sen (In CA 1506/75) K. ~rtmvammurthy, Naunit L{l/ and (Miss) Lalita Kohli for the appellants 10 Cas. 1241, 1245, 1506-1525, 1770-1771175.

[19771 1 s.c.R.

M. C. Bhandare (InCA 1242!75), Eswara Prasad (InCA 1443-1446), A. L. Lakshminarayana (In 1243, 1447-1451/75), A. Pandu-ranga Rao (In CA. 1460-1461, 1995-1996/75), D. Sudhakar Rao (In CA 1242/75) B. Kanta Rao for tbe Appellants in CAs. 1242, 1243, 1443-1454, 1456-1461, 1664, .1666,_ 1772, 1774-1775, 1995-1996!75 and 164-165/76. ·

B. Sen (C.A. 1462!75) Sachin Chaudhry (CA 1244/75) for the appellants in C.A. Nos. 1244, 1462-1465, 1467-1498, 1500-1505, 1662, 1667, 1776-1780, 1991-1994/75 and 166/76.

Subodh Markandaya for the appellants in Cas 1526-1530, 1663 and 1997/75. A. V. Rangam and (Mi;s) A. Subhashani, for the Appellant in C.A. 1532/75. .

A. K. Sanghi for the Appellant inCA 1533/75.

A.' Subba Rao for the App_ellants in Cas. Nos. 1534 and 1661/75.

Lal Nara.in Sinha, Sol. Gen. T. Anatha Babu, K; R. Chaudhary, S .. L. Setia and (Mrs. V eena Khanna for the Respondents in all the appeals. ·

. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

RAY, C.J . .:_These appeals 'are by special leave from the judgment dated 26 August, 1975 of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.

The special leave was granted as follows :-

"During the period in question there was an order of the State Government under section 22-B of the Electri-city Act, 1910 limiting the ·supply of electridty to 75 per cent of the previous consumption. The quotas fixed by .the Board are very often below 7 5 per cent and sometimes as low as 30 per cent. Special leave should be granted limited to the question whether in the facts of the order p under section 22-B it is open to reduce the supply to any-thing less. than-75 per cent and charge penalty of extra charges for that quantity."

· The State· Electricity Board referred to for brevity as the Board supplies electricity of two varieties. One is high tension. . The other is low tension. Power is generated by hydro electrical inethod by use of river waters and also by thermal. method using coal. The Board fixed quotas for consumption with effect from March 1972 because power generated was not adequate to meet the requirements. · For shortperiod between 7·Juty, 1972 and 16 August, 1972 these j quotas were lifted. The restrictions were re-imposed. An extra charge for consumption of energy beyond the limits of quotas was introduced on 25 February, 1973. . The charge was double the usual rate. This continued till 1 August, 1974. The Board introduced on _29 J:uly,. 1974 further cut in quotas . and enhanced t~e extra charges. The extra charges were double the usualrates, if the excess consumption was 20 per cent or below that limit over the newly intra-

duced quotas. If the total consumption was in excess of 20 per cent, the extra charge w.as four times the total exces~ consumption. The Board on 20 March, 1973 reduced the quotas still further re-taining the pattern of extra charges. Weekly quotas instead of monthly ones, were introduced. restriction was imposed to the effect that for every 5 per cent ~f excess consumption there would be one day's cut

It may be stated here that on 29th April, 1971 the usual tariffs both (or high tension and low tension energy were enhanced. The Board on 1 June, 1974 removed the slab system and uniform rate of 14 nP per unit was introduced. The appellants filed writ petitions in the High Court for writ, direction or order to collect from the appellants normal charges for consumption of electricity and · not to disconnect their supply and further order declaring the restrictions with regard to imposition of quota and the levy of penalty charges as iUegal. The High Court . held that the Board has power to fix quotas or otherwise restrict consumption of electrical energy and collect charges at four times the normal rates.

The appellants obtained leave limited to the question whether under section 22-B of the Electricity Act, 19 I 0 re[errcd to as the_1910 Act it is open to the Board to reduce the supply to any-thing less than 75 per cent and levy extra charges for excess supply. The State Government on 6 April, 1972 made an order under · section 22-B of the 1910 Act, inter alia, as fo1lows :-. "AU consumers of electricity (both high tension and low tension) being billed under high tension ca.tegories I (both normat and alternative tariffs) II and Ill and Jow Tension category \' shall so r"egu!ate ~h~ir u.se of electricity as not to exceed m any month, the lrmrts of maximum demand and energy specified hereunder :

The maximum demand limit wrll be 75% of the average monthly maximum demand over the period from March 1~71 to February 1972. The Jimit for energy consumption wrJI be 75% of the average monthly consumption (number of units) over tile period from March, 1971 to February, 1972. The supply to consumers who violate the restric-tions being imposed hereunder will be liable to be cut off without notice. Without prejudice to the right to discon-nect supply, the ~oard. will also bill the energy and maxi-m~m demand utihsed rn excess of the limits above pres-cnb7d, at do~~le th<: tariff . rates. Consumers of High tensron electrrcrty betng btlled under alternative tariff und~r Category I will further pay for the excess energy con-sumed, energy charges at the rate of 20 paise per unit and M.D. charges at twice the tariff rate.

X X X X 11- 1003 SCf/76

The restrictions shall not apply to (i) Railways, (ii) Hospitals including nursing homes and Doctors Clinics, (iii) water supply, (iv) for sanitary arrangements for the · public, (v) Radio Stations (vi) Telephone Exchanges and other categories totalling 15 in number.

In the case of consumers who have not availed supply during the entire period of March, 1971 to February, 1972 because their loads were seasonal or for some other reason, the average monthly limits for maximum demand and energy will be computed with reference to the period between March, 1971 and February 1972 during which supply was availed of."

This order of the State Government in 1972 was occasioned by three features as recited in the order. First, the water position· in the Hydro-Electric reservoirs in the State became very unsatisfactory be-cause of failure of monsoon. Second, sufficient power was · not available to meet the needs of the State. Third, it became necessary to conserve the available water with view to ensuring regular and uniform supply of electrical energy during the coming months.

On 8 August, 1975 the State Government stated that the Govern-ment issued several orders commencing 6 April, 1972 and ending 31 July, 1975 placing certain restrictions on the consumption . of electricity "in view of the critical power supply position." There were several orders on 6 April 1972, 3 May 1972, 16 May 1972, 22 May 1972, 29 May 1972, 9 June 1972 and 22 September 1972. The Government cancelled these orders on 8 August 1975 with effect from 7 July, 1972. ·

On 20 March, 1915 the Board in its order of that date referred to its previous orders in the years 1973 and 1974 and the order of 2 January, 1975 and stated as follows : Because of greatly depleted levels in the Hydel Reservoirs on account of the low rainfall in the catchment a£eas the hydel generation in the Andhra: Pradesh grid has come down very much. No assistance was forthcoming from the neighbouring State as from the monsoon of 1974. Two new sets of Kothagudem Thermal Power Station have not stabilised. Besides, normal load there bas been heavy increase of agricultural loads during the last month due to the onset of summer. This has resulted in the load going far beyond the system capability. The graded tariff which was introduced expecting it to act as sufficient deterrant to the consumers against exceeding the quotas fixed has not given relief to the extent expected. It has become impossible to meet the agri-cultural demand and save the standing crop at this crucial stage. The Board in this background decided to raise power cuts on demattd and energy consumption and ordered that all high tension and low ten-H sion consumers should so regulate their use of electricity as not to exceed in any month the limits of maximum demand and energy specified against each category.

Categories mentioned in the order of the Board dated 20 March, 197 5 are the Priority Industries, Continuous Process Industries, Other ·Industries, Essential Services, Low tension Category-Domestic Supply, Low Tension Category non-Domestic Supply and Public Lighting. The industries which had been exempted from power cut before like Ferti-lizer Industries, Oil Refineries, Pesticides Manufacturing Industries, All India Radio were also subjected to 20 per cent cut both on maximum demand and energy consumption. The cem.ent industry which was havinw 100 per cent quota was subjected to 20 per cent cut. The sugar mills and rice and RoUer Flour Mills continued to be subjected to 10 per cent cut both on maximum demand and energy consumption For closer control over consumption and for disconnecting those that exceed the quotas, the system of weekly quotas was revived <.tnd was to be implemented. The proportional quota for the week would be one-c fourth of the monthly quota already fixed. Besides the penal charges· alre?dy existing, the Board decided that the services of the consumers would be liable to be discol)nected if they exceeded the quotas fixed by anything beyond 5 per cent. For every 5 per cent of excess over the quota the disconnection would be fqr one day.

The Board did not subject the low tension domeStic supply cate-D gory to any restriction. In priority industries the existing quota of 70 per cent was reduced to 55 per cent. In food products industries the maximum demand of 50 per cent was not reduced but the energy consumption was reduced from 60 to 50 per cent. In Continuous Process.Industries the maximum demand and energy consumption were reduced from 65 per cent to 55 per cent. In other industries not covered bY. those categories the existing cut of 50 per cent was not subjectc~ . to further cut.

The appellants contend as follows: First, section 22-B of the 1910 Act gives powers to the State Government to .control the distribution and consumption of energy. The State Government exercised its powers under section 22-B of the 1910 Act and reduced the quota to 75 per cent on 6 April, 1972. Therefore any further reduction by the Board would be illegal. Second, section 49 .of the Electricity Supply Act, 1948 referred to as the 1948 Act does not confer power on the Board to effect rationing of supply because that would involve excessive delegation of legislative powe~. Further, there is no gui-dance in section 49 of t}le 1948 Act to reduce the supply, and there-fore, section 49 is bad. The alternative contention of the appellants is that unless. the Board mad~ Regulations under section 79 (J) ofi the 1948 Act it could not ration the supply in exercise of powers under section 49 of the Act The appellants contend that the Board had to lay down the principles in the regulations which the Board is em-powered to make under section 79 (J) of the 1948 Ad and) unless the regulaions lay down the principles under section 79 (J) of the 1948 Act the Board cannot exercise power under section 49 of the 1948 Act.

The appellants also contend that the State Government notification dated 6 April, 1972 regulating and restricting the consumption of

-(1977] 1 S.C.R.

140 SUPREME COURT REP.ORTS

electricity on the basis of 75% of the average maximum demand of consumer between the period March 1971 and February 1972 remained in force till 2 August 1975, and, therefore, the Board could not exercise the power .of regulating and controlling supply and consumption of electricity because it was e~erciscd by the State.

The relevant provisions of the 1948 Act are as follows:-Section ·18: "General duties of the Board : Subject to the provisions of this Act the Board shall be charged with gcneraly duty .. and it shall be the duty of the Board .... (c) td supply electricity as soon as practicable to aoy other licen-sees or persons requiring such supply and whom the Board may be competent under this Act so to supply.'_'

Section 49: "(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of regulations, if any, made in this behalf, the Board may supply e1ectricity to any person ...... upon such terms and conditions as the Board thinks fit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ( 4) In· fixing the tariff and terms and conditions for the-supply of electricity, the Board shall not show undue preference to any person.''

Section 59 : "The Board shall not as far as practicable .... carry ou its operations under this Act at loss and shall adjust its charges accordingly from time to time."

It is also appropriate at this stage to refer to the provisions in the Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board Power Tariffs contained in Part dealing with general terms and conditions of supply. The relevant provisions are claus~s 6.7 and 6.8 of Power Tariffs which are set out hereunder:-·

Clause 6.7: "The Board shall have the unilateral rigb,t to vary from time to time, the terms and conditions of supply by special or general proceedings. In particular, the Board shall have the right to enhance the rates chargeable for supply of electricity according to exigencies.''. Clause 6.8: "The Board ~hall endeavour to afford conti-G nuous supply and to restore interrupted supply as early as possible. . The Board shall have the right to stagger consu-mer or consumers according to operational and other exi-gencies. The Board shall not be responsible for any loss or incovcnience occasioned to any consumer, by any interrup-tion of supply of any kind, whatever be the reason therefor, unless the interruption is exclusively attributable to the negligence of the Board."

Reference is also necessary to the form of agreement for purchase of electricity supply consumption. There are forms and agreements

ADONI COTTON MILLS v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Ray, C.J.) 141 for high tension as well as low tension. The relevant terms in the form of high tension agreement are as follows:-"Clause 5 : Obligation to comply with requirements of Acts, and Terms and Conditions of supply: IjWe further undertake to comply with all the requirements of the Indian Electricity Act, the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, the Rules thereunder and the terms and conditions of supply notified by the Board from time to time." "Clause 10 : Board's right to vary terms of Agreement : IIWe agree that the Board shall have the unilateral right to vary, from time to time, the terms and conditions of supply under tllis agreement by special or general proceedings." r The Low Tension agreement contained inter alia the following: Clause 9: "Obligation of consumer to pay all charges levied by Board: From the date tllis agreement comes into force, IIWe shall be bound by and shall pay the Board maximum demand . charges, energy charges, surcharges, meter rents and other . charges, if any, as prescribed in the terms and conditions of supply notified by the Board: from time to time for the ; particular class of consumer to which I/We belong. "In particular, the Board shall have the right to enhance th~ rat~s ~?argeable for supply of electricity according to E. exigencies. Clause 10: ·"Board's right to vary terms of Agreement: l/We agree that the Board shall have the unilateral right to vary, from time to time the terms and conditions of supply under thi~ agreement by special or general proceedings." These provisions indicate that the Board is under· duty to supply electricity to consumers who enter into contracts with the Board. The duty to supply however is inherently limited by its capacity. . If the Board is unable to supply electricity to meet the full demand of consu· mers thep necessarily it can only make limited supply. Clause 6.8 of the Terms and Conditions of the Power Tariffs establishes these features. The first part of clause 6.8 speaks of the i dutv of the Board to make all endeavours to meet the whole demand of the consumers. Clause 6.8 also confers power on the Board to stagger supply. It is' obvious tbat if the Board cannot generate the energy required to meet the full demand of the consumer it will have to curtail the supply. ·

The appellants realise that the Board has power to curtail supply. But the appellants contend that the Board has no power to exempt certain categories of consumers and impose different percentage o£ cut.

The appellants contend that the Board has no power under section 49 of the 1948 Act either to impose different percentage of cuts in the ·supply to consumers or to impose penalty. The appellants contend that only if the Board· introduced principles by making regulations undet section 79 (j) of the 1948 Ac't then the Board could have applied these principles in imposing cuts. The contentions of the appellants are unsound. Section 49 ( 4) of the 1948 Act states ·that in fixing the tariffs and terms and condi-tions for the supply of electricity the Board shall not show undue preference to any person. This section embodies the same principle which is enunciated in Article 14 of our Constitution. The Board is State for the pupose of Part III of our Constitution. In the present case, we, are, however, not concerned with the application of Article 14. All that requires to be appreciated is that the provisions of Article 14 of our Constitution and section 49(4) of the 1948 Act are similar in principle. It is the principle of equality or non-dis-crimination. Section 49(4) of the 1948 Act does not mean mecha-nical equal treatment, It is fairly settled that equality before the law does not mean that things which are different shall be treated as though they were the same. The obligation not to discriminate involves both the right and the obligation to make reasonable classification on the basis of relevant factors. To illustrate, cutting down 50 per. cent of the needs of hospital and the needs of industries producing consu-mer goods cannot be treated on the same footing. It would be justi-fiable to treat them with reference to their urgency, their social utility and also the impact on the conservation and economics in the available supply of electric power. The guidance is clearly furnished by the principles embodied in section 49 ( 4) of the 1948 Act similar to Arti-cle 14 of our Constitution. The~ recognition of the fact that the Board can introduce rationing by making regulation under section 79 (j) of the 1948 Act necessarily involves concession that' the Board bas the power to enforce ration-F ing and to enunciate the principle for determining the scheme of such rationing. regulation can be made only in the exercise of power which exists in the Act. The making of regulation is not new source of power but regulates the exeq::ise of power which exists. Section 49(1) of the 1948 Act therefore gives general power which could be regulated by making of regulation. The language of section 49 of the 1948 Act shows that the power can be exercised without making any regulation. The expression "regulation" occurr-ing in section 49(1) is qualified by the expression "If any". It is, therefore, manifest that if the power is existing, it must be exercised according to valid principles consistent with the provisions of section 49 ( 4) of the 1948 Act. This Court rejected the suggestion that the President or the Governor cannot settle terms and conditions of the public servants without making rules under Article 309 of the Consti-tution_. If regulations were made, such regulation would have to be in conformity with section 49 ( 4) of the 1948 Act and in the exer-cise of its power the Board would have to abide by regulations.

The argument of the appellants that section 22-B of the 1910 Act-A which confers power on the State Government to form an opinion as tp the necessity or expediency of taking action for the maintenance of the supply and securing the equitable distribution of energy, exhausts ~e power of distribution of energy and the Board has no power under section 49 of the 1948 Act to operate upon the field of supply o~ · e)ectdcity is unsound. Section 22-B of the 1910 Act is only enabling while the Board must inevitably curtail supplies. If the Board must curtail supplies it is curious to suggest that the cuts must not be based Qn rational equitable basis consistent with principles of reasonable classification within the meaning of section 49 ( 4) of the 1948 Act. Section 22-B of the 1910 Act was introduced in 1959. It did not expressly .or impliedly repeal or cut down the content of the power of the Board in section 49 of the 1948 Act which was enacted in 1948 and r,eproduced · in 1966. There is no conflict in the existence of power at different levels. The higher authority may have the power to override the order of the lower authority. Powers under section 22-B of the 1910 Act and under Section 49 of the 1948 Act may have some overlapping features. Section 49 contains much larger power because the Board is the authority primarily charged with all aspects of development and supply under sections 18 and 49 of the 1948 Act. It may be stated here that on 6 April, 1972 the State order effected cut in supply. The Board also fixed quotas from March, 1972. Betweeq 7 July, 1972 and 16 August, 1972 there was no cut in supply. The order under' section 22-B of the 1910 Act was not effective after the month of July, 1972. The orders of the Board effecting cut in supply were effective prior to July, 1972 and also from August, 1972. The appellants enjoyed unrestricted supply of electricity at ordinary rates from 7 July, . 1972 to 16 August, 1972. The appellants did not raise any contention in the High Court that the State order of April, 1972 was effective all throughout. If · such facts had been cha-llenged the Board would have given proper materials by way of facts to show tl1at the Board order was to the knowledge~ of everybody not effective after the month of July, 1972. When the Board on 7 July, 1972 decided to remove all the restrictions imposed earlier it is manifest that the Board tried best to maintain the tenns and condi-tions mentioned in clause 6.8 of the Power Tariffs of the State Electri-city Board. The Board filed in the High ·court the statement showing consumer requirement of energy in one column, actual generation in another column, consumers' requirement of demand in· Mega Watts in another column and actual demand in Mega Watts in still another column from tha month of February 1973 ·right! upto June, 1975. The High Court held that the correctness of the statement was not disputed by the appellants and the High Court did not doubt the accuracy of the statement. . The High Court held that tbe actual consumer requirement has all throughout been more than the actual generation. The fact that the actual generation has been lower than the consumers requirements shows that the Board has in fair and just manner imposed cuts whenever situation merited the same.

There is no conflict between the order of the Government in April, 1972 and the orders of .the Board in the year 1975 for these

reasons. The restrictions imposed by the Government ceased on 7 July 1972 when in the opinion of the Government scarcity condi-tions disappeared. This is manifest from the G?vernment Order dated 2 August, 1975. The appellants cannot be allowed to urge that the Government Order of the year 1972 continued after 7 July, 1972. The appellants acted upon the footing that the restrictions had been lifted and consumption was even more th(l1.a their normal maximum demand on normal rates. Even if the Government Order of 1972 continued the restrictions imposed by the Government Order and the Board Order were cumulative and not contradictory. The Government Order was addressed to the consumers not to consume in excess of 75 per cent of their normal maximum demand. If the appellants sought any relief in respect of consumption in violation ~f the order under section 22-B of the 1910 Act it would be an offence under section 41 of the 1910 Act. Such contention cannot be allowed to be raised. · ·

Section 49 ( 4) of the 1948 Act casts duty on the Board not to show any undue preference in fixing the tariff and terms and condi-tion. Clauses 6.7. and 6.8 of the Power Tariffs show that the Board shall have the right to stagger or curtail supply of electricity to &ny consumer according to operational and other exigencies. The Board can therefore release supply or block the same areawise and has no means of enforcing the quota except through sanctions. Such sanctions can take any reasonable form either disconnection in case of gross and persistent defaults or the lesser sanction of enhanced tariff.

£ The power to enhance the tariff is included in section 49 of the 1948 Act. The expression that the Board "may supply electdcity on such terms and conditions as the Board thinks fit" in section 49 ( 1) is related to the terms and conditions of the agreement referred to above. Section 49 of the 1948 Act in sub-section (1) confers power on the Board to supply electricity to any person not being · licensee upon such terms and conditions as the Board thinks fit. This power contains the power. to regulate and ration supply. The terms and conditions to which reference has been made make explicit what is implicit in the power.

The terms and conditions contain the power of the Board to enhance the dates. Section 49(3) of the 1948 Act states that the Board has power to fix different tariffs for the supply o( electricity having regard to ·the geographical position of any area, the nature of the supply and purpose for whicl1 supply is required and any other relevant factors. The expression "any other relevant factors" is not to be con!>trued ejusdem generis because there is no genus of the relevant factors. The combined effect of section 49 of the 1948 Act and the terms and conditions of supply is that having regard to the nature of supply and other relevant factors particularly when there is shortage of electri-H city the Board has power to enhance the rates. If there is shortage of electricity there is to be restriction on supply. The Board can disconnect supply if the quota is exceeded. The Board can also impose higher rates if the quota is exceed~. The imposition of

· higher rates is only to sanction the rigour of ration by making per-sons who exceed the quota liable to pay higher rates.

The High Court upheld the content of the power of the Board under section 49 of the 1948 Act and also to charge enhanced tariff for exceeding the allotted quota. It is manifest that the requisite power exists in the Board and this Court did not permit the finding of the High Court to be: re-examined; nor the question whether the power had been properly exercised within the limits of section 49 and· the terms of the agreement because the terms were directly co-related to the availability of electricity for being supplied. From 7 July, 1972 up to 16 August, 1972 the appellants enjoyed un-restricted supply at ordinary rates. The appellants took advantage of it. Section 22-B order to the knowledge of everybody was not effective after July, 1972. The appellant cannot assert .the autho-C .,. rity that the Government Order of April 1972 was effective. (See Southeastern Express Company v. W. l. Miller( I). There is no question of exessive delegation because power is conferred by the statute. In Indian Aluminium Company etc. v. Kerala State Electricity Board(?') this Court held that under section 49(3) of the 1948 Act the Board stipulates· for special tariff for supply of electricity at specified ,.. rates from time to time. For the foregoing reasons the conclusion is that the Board has power under section 49 of the 1948 Act to regulate supply and also to fix higher rates for consumpti~n on excess of quota. There is no con.fl ict between section 22-B of the 1910 Act and section 49 of the 1948 Act with regard to regulating or restricting highter con-sumption.

There will be no order as

The appeals are therefore dismissed. There will "' to costs because the High Court n:ade similar order.

\ P.IfP.

Appeal dismissed.

(1) ·68 L. Ed. 541.

(2) [1976] 1 S.C.R. 70.