Civil Appeals Nos
2070 to 2074 of 1970
From the Judgment and order dated 4th day of May 1970 of the Bangalore High Court in Writ Petitions Nos
3958 403568 18 and 19 of 1969
VSDesai P C Bhartari J B Dadachanji o c Mathur and R Narain for the appellant
A K Sen and section SJavali and BPSingh for Respondent No 1
section N Prasad and section P Naydt for Respondent Union of India
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by RAY CJ
These appeals are by certificate from the judgment of the High Court of Mysore dated 4 May 1970
The several respondent Co operative Societies filed writ petitions in the High Court for quashing orders dated 11 September 11 1968 passed by the Government of India
The impeached orders granted exemption partially or wholly to the appellant under clause 53 of the Sugar Cane Control Order 1966 hereinafter referred to as the 1966 Control Order 742 from the payment of additional cane price fixed by the Price Fixation Authority under clause 54 of the 1566 Control order
The High Court quashed the orders challenged by the respondents
The use and supply of sugarcane is controlled under the provisions of the 
The Government of India promulgated the Sugar Cane Control order on 27 August 1955
The 1955 Control Order empowered the Government inter alia to fix the minimum price payable by the manufacturer of sugar to the grower of sugarcane
The Government was competent to fix different prices depending on the areas and qualities of sugarcane or on the basis of recovery of sugar from sugarcane
In 1966 the Sugar Cane Control Additional Powers Act 1962 came in existence
In pursuance of powers conferred by the 1962 Act the Central Government amended the 1955 Control order by introducing clause 3A providing for payment of additional price for sugarcane purchased by producers of sugar during each of the four successive years beginning from 1 November 1958
The 1955 Control order was repealed and replaced by the Sugar cane Control order 1966 to which reference has already been made
The 1966 Control order saved all orders made and actions taken under the repealed order
Under clause 6 of the 1966 Control order the Government was competent to denote an area where sugarcane is grown is a reserved area for a factory
The sugarcane grown in that area is required to be sold to the factory allotted
The Central Government determines the quantity of sugarcane to be supplied by the growers in the reserved area and the quantity of sugarcane which the factory requires for crushing during any year
The growers are required to enter into agreements with the factory to supply sugarcane of the quantity fixed under the provisions of the 1966 Control order
Restrictions are placed on the growers from using sugarcane grown by them for other purposes
The Government thus controls all aspects of the use of sugarcane grown hl the reserved area
It can prohibit or restrict or otherwise regulate export of sugarcane from any area except under and in accordance with a permit issued in that behalf
Clause 3 of the 1966 Control order provides for fixation of minimum price of sugarcane payable by manufacturers of sugar to the growers
In determining the minimum price the Government is required to take into account a cost of production of sugarcane b return to the grower from alternative crops and the general trend of prices of agricultural commodities c the availability of sugar to the Consumer at a fair price d the price at which sugar produced from sugarcane is sold by producers of sugar and e the recovery of sugar from sugarcane
Clause 5 of the 1966 Control order provides for payment of additional price
Sub clause 1 of clause 5 provides that in respect of sugarcane purchased by producers of sugar during each of the four successive years beginning from 1 November 1958 the producer is 743 required to pay an additional price in addition to the minimum price A fixed  under clause 31 of the 1966 Control Order
The additional price is fixed accordance with the provisions of the Schedules to the Order
On determination of the price the same is required to be intimate in writing to the producer of sugar growers Cooperative Societies of growers or the local growers association
Sub clause 5 of clause 5 of the 1966 Control order provides for an appeal to the Government of India from the decision determining additional price
The relevant provision for purposes of the present appeals is sub
clause 3 of clause 5 of the 1966 control order
Sub clause 3 is as follows  If the Central Government is satisfied that during any year a factory has made no profit or has made inadequate profit that Government may by order in writing exempt either wholly or partially any producer of sugar from payment of the additional price due from him under sub clause 1 in respect of sugarcane purchased for that factory during that year
The appellant in Civil Appeals No 2070 2074 of 1970 is the factory situate at Hospet manufacturing sugar
The appellant buys sugarcane from growers in the area reserved for the said factory
The respondent is a co operative society of growers of sugarcane who k have supplied sugarcane to the appellant factory
The members of the societies entered into agreement with the appellant factory through the respondent societies for the supply of sugarcane
The societies advanced monies to the grower members for their agricultural operations
The societies are recognised both by the Government of India and the appellant factory for the purpose of the 1966 Control order
The minimum price fixed by the Government of India for the seasons subsequent to 1958 59 was said by the sugarcane growers to be inadequate
The growers felt that the factories manufacturing sugar were making profits from the sale of sugar and that the minimum price fixed by the Government for supply of sugarcane did not bear any rational relation to the market price or to the profits made by the producers of sugar
The growers experienced impact of in crease in the cost of growing sugarcane and the restrictions placed by the Government preventing them from selling sugarcane to persons or at prices of their choice
The growers were also prevented from converting sugarcane to gur except in accordance with the terms of a license to be obtained
In partial redress of the hardship caused to the sugarcane growers Parliament introduced clause 3A to the Sugar Cane Control Additional Powers Act 1962 for fixation of additional prices for sugarcane for four successive years commencing 1 November 1958
The provision was thereafter incorporated in the 1966 Control Order
The relevant Authority under the 1966 Control order on 3 July 1968 fixed the additional price payable by the appellant to the cane 744 growers for sugarcane supplied during the seasons 1960 61 and 1961 62 at Rs 416 and Rs 609 respectively per metric ton
This was made payable in addition to the payments made by the factory to the growers during the said seasons
No appeal was preferred either by the appellant factory or by the respondent Cooperative Societies under clause 5 of the 1966 Control order
The additional price faced by the Authority thereby became final
The appellant however did not pay the additional price
The respondent received copies of communication dated 11 September 1968 sent by the Government of India to the appellant exempting it from making payment of the aforesaid additional price
It appears that the said order was made pursuant to applications made on behalf of the appellant on or about 11 July 1968 seeking exemption on the ground that the appellant had made inadequate profits
The Government communication dated 11 September 1968 stated that it was satisfied that the profits made by the appellant were inadequate
The Government wholly exempted the appellant from paying the additional price form the season 1961 62 and reduced the additional price for the season 1960 61 from 416 to 070 NP per metric ton
The respondent challenged the validity of the order of the Government granting exemption wholly or partially to the appellant
The High Court accepted the contention of the respondent on the ground that the impugned order was violative of principles of natural justice because the Government failed to afford any opportunity to the growers to be heard in the matter
The respondent contended that the power of exemption affected the right of growers to get additional price for sugarcane supplied by them and that the Central Government was required to exercise the power judicially and in conformity with the principles of natural justice
Two questions arise for determination in these appeals
First whether in view of the 1966 Control order opportunity should have been given to the respondent when the Government wanted to grant exemption wholly or partially to the appellant from paying additional price
Second whether the High Court was right in giving direction to the Government to consider giving of an opportunity to the respondent
The appellant sugar factory contends that the cane growers were not required to be heard when the Government grantee exemption to the factories from payment of additional price
The respondent cane growers contend to the contrary
Clause 5 of the 1966 Control order relates to additional price for sugarcane
Clause 5 1 of the order speaks of payment of additional price found due in accordance with the provisions of the Schedule
Clause S3 of the 1966 Control order speaks of exemption from payment of additional price
Clause 54 speaks of appointment by the Central Government of persons for determining the additional price under clause 51 of the 1966 Control order
Clause 745 55 states that any producer of sugar or grower of sugarcane or growers  cooperative society who feels aggrieved by any decision of the person or authority referred to in sub clause 4 may appeal to he Central Government
In the background of these provisions the appellant contends that the power to grant exemption is where the Government is satisfied that in any year a factory has made no profit or has made inadequate profit and the same should be determined from the balance sheet and profit and loss accounts of a company and there is no obligation to hear any party
It is also said by the appellant that the determination of additional price and the exemption from payment of the additional price are separate matters independent of each other
The appellant further contended that right to additional price could not vest in the cane growers until the manner of payment had been decided upon by the Central Government under clause 56 of the 1966 Control order These contentions are unacceptable
The provision for granting exemption is part of the procedure prescribed by clause  of the 1966 Control order
The power to grant exemption cannot be said to be independent of the provisions under clause 5 of the order
The object of the 1966 Control order is to promote sugar industry and to eliminate unnecessary impediments in the production of sugar
It also ensures a fair deal to the growers of sugarcane
The provisions of the Control order are intended to maintain harmony between the growers of sugarcane and the producers of sugar and to enable both of them to share profits reasonably
Therefore the power conferred on the Government is required to be exercised having regard to the viewpoints of the growers of sugarcane as well as the producers of sugar
It is necessary to give opportunity to the growers of sugarcane as well as the producers of sugar to be heard when the Government exercises powers under 1966 Control order for determining the additional price and granting exemption from payment of additional price
The grant of exemption from payment of price affects rights and interests of the growers of sugarcane
The Control order contains elaborate machinery for fixation of additional price having regard to all relevant factors
The additional price fixation authority afforded opportunity to both the growers of sugarcane as well as the producers of sugar to be heard in the determination of the additional price
The subsequent order by the Government granting exemption to the factories for payment of additional price takes away rights which had a accrued in favour of the growers of sugarcane
The manner of payment of additional price under clause S6 of the 1966 Control order does not affect the right and interest of growers
ln providing for payment of additional price the additional price fixation authority takes into account the relevant considerations relating to the conditions of sugarcane growers as well as the promotion of the sugar industry during the relevant period
The additional price fixation authority  also considers the conditions and circumstances relating to the appellant factory in determining the additional 746 price payable
It is therefore necessary for the Government to invite the points of view or objections of the growers on the application made by the factories producing sugar seeking exemption from payment of additional price
It is equally necessary for the Government to hear the growers of sugarcane in order to satisfy itself as to the bona fide and accuracy of the appellant s claim for exemption
The growers should be given an opportunity to show whether the claim by the appellant for exemption from payment of additional price should or should not be granted
The power to grant exemption to factories from payment of additional price is ultimately connected with the right of sugarcane growers to claim additional price
The situations in which a duty will arise to act judicially according to natural justice cannot be exhaustively enumerated
A duty to act judicially will arise in the exercise of a power to deprive a person of legitimate interest or expectation that additional price would be paid
The factors which power to an exercise of powers judicially are the nature of the interest to be affected the circumstances in which the power falls to be exercised and the nature of the sanction if any involved
It is clear that the purpose and purport of the 1966 Control order the scheme of having sugarcane growing areas reserved for factories and in particular the payment of additional price point to the inescapable conclusion that the sugarcane growers are to be heard not only when additional price is filed but also when any exemption is granted to factories from payment of additional price
For these reasons the judgment of the High Court is affirmed
The appeals are dismissed
Each party will pay and bear its own costs
PHP Appeals dismissed


Summary:
The respondent are co operative societies of growers of sugarcane who supplied sugarcane to the appellant which is a sugar manufacturing factory
The use and supply of sugarcane is controlled under the provisions of the 
The Sugarcane Control order 1955 empowers the Government to fix the minimum price payable by the manufacturer of sugar to the grower of sugarcane
In 1962 the Sugarcane Control Additional Powers Act 1962 came into existence
Pursuant to the Powers conferred by the 1962 Act the Central Government amended the 1955 Control order by introducing clause 3A providing for payment of additional price for sugarcane purchased by the producers of sugar
The 1955 Control order was repealed and replaced by the Sugarcane Control order 1966
The respondent are recognised by the Government of India and the appellant for the purpose of 1966 Control order
Under the 1966 order the Government was competent to denote an area where sugarcane is grown as a reserved area for factory
The sugarcane grown in that area is required to be sold to the allotted factory
The Government controls all aspects of the use of sugarcane grown in the reserved area
The 1966 order provides for fixation of minimum price of sugarcane payable by manufacturers of sugar to the growers
In determining the minimum price the Government is required to take into account i cost of production of sugarcane ii return to the grower from alternative crops and the general trend of prices Of agricultural commodities iii the availability of sugar to the consumer at a fair price iv the price at which sugar is sold by the producers and v the recovery of sugar from sugarcane
The 1966 Control order further provides for payment of additional price in addition to the minimum price
On determination of the price the same  is required to be intimated in writing to the producers of sugar growers Co operative Societies of Growers or the local Growers  Association
An appeal is provided to the Government of India against the determination of the additional price
Clause 53 of the 1966 Control order provides that if the Central Government is satisfied that during any year a factory has made no profit or has made inadequate profit that Government may exempt either wholly or partially any producer of sugar from payment of the additional price
The relevant authority under the 1966 Control order fixed additional price payable by the appellants to the respondent
No appeal was preferred either by the appellant or the respondent
The appellants did not pay the additional price
appellant made applications seeking exemption on the ground that the appellants had made inadequate profits
The Government exempted the appellants from paying whose of the additional price for the year 1961 62 and reduced the additional price for the year 1960 61 without giving any opportunity of being heard to the respondent The respondents challenged the validity of the grant of exemption by filing a writ petition in the High Court
The High Court allowed the said writ petition on the ground that the order of the Central Government was violative of principles of natural justice since no opportunity was given to the respondents to be heard in the matter
741 Dismissing the appeal by certificate  HELD 1 Clause 51 provides for the payment of additional price and II clause 53 provides for exemption from the payment of additional price
Clause 55 provides for filing an appeal to the Central Government by any person feeling aggrieved by the decision of the fixation of additional price
The power to grant exemption cannot be said to be independent of the provisions of clause 5 of tho order
The object of 1966 control order is to promote sugar industry and to eliminate unnecessary impediments in The production of sugar
It also ensures a fair deal to the growers of the sugarcane
The provisions of the control order are intended to maintain harmony between the Growers of sugarcane and the producers of sugar and to enable both of them to share profits reasonably
is necessary to give opportunity to be heard both to the growers of the sugarcane as well as the producers of sugar when the Government exercises powers under 1966 Control order for determining the additional price and granting exemption from payment of additional price
744 H 745 A E 2 The grant of exemption from payment of price affects rights and interests of the growers of sugarcane
The order of exemption takes away rights which had accrued in favour of the growers of sugarcane
It is therefore necessary for the Government to consider the points of view or objections of the growers on the application made by the factories producing sugar seeking exemption from payment of additional price
745F G 746A 3 The situations in which a duty will arise to act judicially according to
natural justice cannot be exhaustively enumerated
A duty to act judicially will arise in the exercise of power to deprive a person of legitimate interest or expectation that additional price would be paid
The factors which point to an exercise of power judicially are the nature of interest to be affected
the circumstances in which the power falls to be exercised and the nature of the sanctions if any involved
746 C 4 It is clear that the purpose and purport of the 1966 Control order point to the inescapable conclusion that the sugarcane growers are to be heard not only when additional price is fixed but also when exemption is granted to factories from payment of additional price
746 D