Judgment Case ID: 5663

Judgment:
DICTION: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 55 of 1987 etc. (Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India) Soli J. Sorabjee	 S.N Kacker	 section Nariman	 R.K Jain	 Singh	 Ranjit Kumar. Dhananjay Chandrachud	 Rakesh Khanna	 R.P. Singh	 L N Sinha for the appearing parties 318 The Judgment of the Court was delivered by DUTT	 J. In these writ petitions and civil appeals	 Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change	 Patna	 a Society registered under the 	 and its Registrar	 Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 have challenged the constitutional validity of two ordinances being Bihar ordinances Nos. 15 of 1986 and 30 of 1986 replaced by the Bihar Private Educational Institutions (Taking over) Act	 1987	 hereinafter referred to as 'the Act '. Dr. Jagadanand Jha has further challenged the validity of the order of termination of his service as the Registrar of the Institute dated April 21	 1986 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 439 of 1987. As disposal of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 431 of 1987 wherein the constitutional validity of the Act has been challenged and Writ Petition (Civil) No. 439 of 1987 in which the legality of the order of termination of service of the said Dr. Jagadanand Jha has been challenged will virtually mean disposal of the other writ petitions and appeals	 we propose to deal with these two writ petitions. The Institute	 Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change	 Patna	 hereafter referred to as 'Institute '	 was initially named Bihar Institute of Economic Development and was started in 1973 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Jagannath Mishra	 the then Minister of Irrigation and later on the Chief Minister of Bihar. It was named as Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change to commemorate the memory of late Shri Lalit Narayan Mishra	 once upon a time	 Union Railway Minister. It may be noticed at this stage that the name of the Institute and the name of the Society are the same. The Institute was basically started as a research institute. In 1974	 the Magadh University recognised the Institute for the purpose of research. Subsequently	 Ranchi	 Patna and Bihar Universities also granted recognition to the Institute as a research institute. In March	 1977	 the Magadh University declared the Institute as an autonomous Institute under section 73 of the Bihar State Universities Act	 1975. on April 19	 1986	 the State Government of Bihar promulgated ordinance No. 15 of 1986 whereby the Institute was taken over. It is alleged that the ordinance was promulgated and the Institute was taken over at the instance of the then Chief Minister of Bihar Sri Bindeshwari Dubey. The petitioner Society has also alleged mala fides on the part of the Chief Minister of Bihar in taking over the Institute 319 by promulgating the ordinance. On the day the ordinance was promulgated	 possession of the Institute was taken	 and the services of Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 who was the Registrar of the Institute	 were terminated by the impugned order dated April 21	 1986. Besides contending that the ordinance and the order of termination of the petitioner Dr. Jagadanand Jha are illegal and invalid	 the petitioner society and the said Jagadanand Jha allege that all these have happened because of the personal enmity of the Chief Minister against Dr. Jagannath Mishra the Chairman of the Society and the Institute. The petitioners filed writ petitions before the Patna High Court challenging the validity of the said ordinance No. 15 of 1986 and the order of termination of services of Dr. Jagadanand Jha. The Patna High Court	 however	 by its judgment dated August 26	 1986 dismissed both the writ petitions. Both the Society and Dr. Jagadanand Jha have preferred two appeals by special leave being Civil Appeal No. 4142 of 1986 and Civil Appeal No. 4141 of 1986 respectively against the said judgment of the Patna High Court. The Society and Dr Jagadanand Jha have also challenged the ordinance No 30 of 1986 by Writ Petition (Civil) No 55 of 1987 and	 as stated already	 they have also challenged the constitutional validity of the Act replacing these ordinances. At this stage	 it is necessary to refer to the provisions of the Act which are the same as that of the two successive ordinances Nos 15 and 30 of 1986. Some submissions have been made at the Bar on the Preamble to the Act which reads as follows: "To PROVIDE FOR TAKING OVER BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE STATE OF BIHAR . WHEREAS	 the State of Bihar has bright prospects of rapid growth of Industrial and Economic Development	 the relevancy and importance of specialised knowledge of Business Management has assumed great importance; AND	 WHEREAS	 for that purpose it is necessary to ensure a high level of educational and training facilities and the co ordination of the training with important industrial and business units; AND	 WHEREAS	 it has been resolved to nationa 320 lise this branch of education in phases. " Clause (a) of section 2 of the Act defines "Private Educational Institutions" as follows: "section 2(a). "Private Educational Institution" means a private educational college	 institute or school	 affiliated to any University of the State of Bihar or recognised by the State Government and imparting education	 and/or training in Business Management or Business Administration or matter connected with Economic and Social Development and/or conducting degree or diploma course in one or the other branch of education mentioned above;" Chapter II of the Act relates to taking over of Private College/ Institute. Section 3 of chapter II runs as follows: "section 3(1) With effect from the date of this Act	 the institution as specified in the Schedule of this Act shall stand transferred to and shall vest absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances. (2) The State Government may from time to time by a notified order amend the Schedule by the inclusion of any institution and the same shall stand vested and transferred to in the State Government with effect from the date mentioned in the notification. (3) All the assets and properties of the institution	 Governing Body/Managing Committee/Association	 whether movable or immovable including lands	 buildings	 workshop	 stores	 instruments	 machinery	 vehicles	 cash balance	 reserve fund	 investment	 furniture and others shall on the date of taking over	 stand transferred to and vested in the State Government free from all encumbrances. " Section 4(1) of the Act provides that the Commissioner shall be deemed to have taken charge of the Institution which stands vested in the State Government under the provisions of the Act. Section 6 relates to the determination of terms of services of the teaching staff and the other employees of the Institution. The Schedule to the Act specifies the name of the Institute	 namely. "L.N. Mishra Institute of 321 Economic Development and Social Change	 Patna" in terms of section 3(1) of the Act. Under the Preamble to the Act	 it is necessary to rationalise private education relating to business management in view of a very good possibility of a rapid industrial and economic development of the State of Bihar. The nationalisation has been resolved to be made in phases. It has been already noticed that under section 3(1) of the Act	 the Institution mentioned in the Schedule will be transferred to the State Government and will be actually vested in it free from all encumbrances. The Schedule mentions only one Institute and in view of section 3(1) it has vested in the State Government. It is said that the first phase relates to the taking over of the Institute and that has been done. Section 3(2) also provides for amendment of the Schedule by including any institution. In other words	 the other institutions which answer the description of private educational institutions as defined in clause (a) of section 2 of the Act will also be nationalised	 not at a time	 but in phases	 the first phase having started with the take over of the Institute. This	 in short	 is the scheme of the Act. The first attack to the validity of the Act and the said two ordinances is founded on the plea of violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. It is submitted by Mr. Sorabjee	 learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner Society	 that while it is true that Article 14 forbids class legislation	 it does not	 however	 forbid reasonable classification. We are reminded of the principle of law as laid down in State of Rajasthan vs Mukandchand	 ; ; Maganlal Chaganlal (P) Ltd. vs Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay	 ; and in re The Special Courts Bill	 1978	 In all these cases	 it has been laid down that in order to satisfy the test of permissible classification under Article 14	 two conditions must be fulfilled	 namely	 (1) that the classification must be founded on an intelligible differentia which distinguishes persons or things that are grouped together from others left out of the group and (2) that the differentia must have a rational relationship to the object sought to be achieved by the statute in question. It is urged by the learned Counsel that the impugned Act on the face of it does not disclose any basis or principle for singling out the Institute and for treating it as a class by itself. It is submitted that neither in the preamble nor in the provisions of the Act is there the slightest indication for treating the Institute as a class by itself. Much reliance has been placed by the learned Counsel for the petitioner on the decision of this Court in Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia vs Shri Justice S.R. Tendolkar & Ors.	 ; In that case	 the 322 Central Government in exercise of its power under section 3 of the Commissions of Enquiry Act	 1952	 issued a notification dated December 11	 1956 appointing a Commission of Enquiry to enquire into and report in respect of certain companies mentioned in the Schedule attached to the notification and in respect of the nature and extent of the control and interest which certain persons named in the notification exercised over these companies. Das	 C.J. speaking for the Court observed that it was not established that the petitioners and their companies had been arbitrarily singled out for the purpose of hostile and discriminatory treatment and subjected to a harassing and oppressive enquiry. It was further observed that nowhere in the petitions was there even an averment that there were other persons or companies similarly situated as the petitioners and their companies. Certain principles of law have been laid down in that decision. These principles still hold the field and are helpful in considering the constitutionality of a statute. One of these principles is that a law may be constitutional even though it relates to a single individual if	 on account of some special circumstances or reasons applicable to him and not applicable to others	 that single individual may be treated as a class by himself. The other decision that has been relied upon by the petitioner is B.S. Reddy vs Chancellor	 Osmania University	 ; What happened in that case was that section 5 of the Osmania University (Second Amendment) Act	 1966 introduced into the Osmania University Act	 1959 a new section 13A whereby it was provided that the person then holding the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University could only hold that office until a new Vice Chancellor was appointed	 and that such new amendment must be made within 90 days of the commencement of the said amendment Act whereupon the old Vice Chancellor would cease to hold office. It was held by this Court that there was no justification for the impugned legislation	 that is	 the provision of section 13A	 resulting in a classification of the Vice Chancellors into two categories	 namely	 the appellant as the existing Vice Chancellor and the future Vice Chancellors to be appointed under the Osmania University Act. It was held that both these categories constituted one single group or class	 and that even assuming that the classification of these two types of persons as coming under two different groups could be made	 nevertheless	 it was essential that such a classification must be founded on an intelligible differentia which would distinguish the appellant from the Vice Chancellors appointed under the Osmania University Act. The Court held that there was no intelligible differentia on the basis of which the classification could be justified. 323 On the basis of the above principles of law as laid down by this Court	 it is submitted by the learned Counsel for the petitioner that while it is true that a single individual may be treated as a class by himself on account of some special circumstances or reasons applicable to him as laid down by this Court in Dalmia 's case (supra)	 such classification must be founded on an intelligible differentia which distinguishes the person classified from others falling outside the classification. It is urged that even though nationalisation of institutes is permissible in a phased manner	 and a single institution like the Institute with which we are concerned may be singled out as a class by itself	 it must be founded on an intelligible differentia that distinguishes it from other institutions and such differentia for classification must have a rational nexus to the object sought to be achieved by the Act. It is the case of the petitioner Society that there are eleven other similar institutes	 which have been specifically named in the petition and there is nothing in the Act to indicate why the Institute has been singled out. Moreover	 there is also nothing to indicate either in the Preamble or in the provisions of the Act that the singling out of the Institute from the other institutions and treating it as a class by itself	 has a reasonable relation to the object sought to be achieved by the Act. It is	 accordingly	 submitted that the Act and the ordinances are discriminatory in nature and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution and should be struck down on that ground. The contention made on behalf of the petitioner Society is wholly misconceived. The ordinances were not promulgated and the Act was not passed for the purpose of nationalisation of the Institute only. It is apparent from the provisions of the ordinances and the Act that the private educational institutions as defined therein are to be taken over for the purpose as mentioned in the Preambles to the ordinances and the Act in a phased manner. All the institutions which answer the description as given in section 2(a) of the Act are to be nationalised. It is	 therefore	 not correct to say that the Institute has been singled out for the purpose of nationalisation. There can be no doubt that when nationalisation has to be done in a phased manner	 all the institutions cannot be taken over at a time. The nationalisation in a phased manner contemplates that by and by the object of nationalisation will be taken over. Therefore	 in implementing the nationalisation of private institutions in a phased manner	 the Legislature has started with the Institute. Therefore	 the question of singling out the Institute or treating it as a class by itself does not arise	 for as the provisions of the Act and the ordinances go	 all the 324 private educational institutions	 as defined in section 2(a) of the Act	 A will be nationalised in a phased manner. It is the legislative decision that the Institute should be taken over in the first phase of the nationalisation. The Legislature has not left it to the discretion of the executive Government for the purpose of selecting the private educational institution for the first phase. It is very difficult to assail a legislative decision. Of course	 there can be no doubt that a legislative decision can be assailed if it is violative of any provision of Part III of the Constitution. So far as Article 14 is concerned	 we do not think that it has any manner of application inasmuch as the question of discrimination does not arise as soon as it is conceded that it is case of nationalisation in a phased manner and for the first phase the Institute has been chosen by the Legislature itself. The decision of this Court in the cases of Dalmia (supra) and Osmania University (supra) have no manner of application because in those two cases the question of discrimination did really arise. But	 in the instant case	 there cannot be any discrimination when nationalisation has to be made in phased manner. It is	 however	 submitted that there was no justification to pick and choose the Institute even for the first phase. As has been stated already	 the Institute has been chosen by legislative process. It is true that the ordinances were promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution of India	 but it cannot be characterised as an executive act. In any event	 ultimately the Legislature itself has passed the Act with the inclusion of the Institute in the Schedule thereto as the only Institution to be nationalised in the first phase. Even assuming that the question of discrimination may arise also for the purpose of selection for the first phase	 we are of the view that there are justifiable reasons	 which will be stated presently	 for selecting the Institute for the first phase of nationalisation. Mr. Kacker	 learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the Chief Minister of Bihar	 has placed before us two resolutions of the Education Department of the Government of Bihar dated June 10	 1975 and November 21	 1975. By the first mentioned resolution	 it was decided to rename the Bihar Institute of Economic Development as Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change to commemorate the memory of late Shri Lalit Narayan Mishra	 who was the Railway Minister	 and to enlarge the working scope of the Institute and to develop it into a significant and useful memorial. 325 It was also resolved that the entire expenditure of the Institute would be borne by the State government (Education Department) and for this purpose annual grants would be sanctioned. A steering committee under the chairmanship of the Education Minister was constituted. It is not disputed that since June	 1975 every expenditure for maintaining and running the Institute has been incurred by the State of Bihar. It is submitted by Mr. Kacker that the facts disclosed in the writ petition have brought out prominently the interest the State had taken in not only financing	 but also controlling the entire development and running of the Institute. The total amount of money spent by the State Government in nurturing the Institute works out to about Rs.1.60 crores. Facts also disclose that not only the State had changed the name of the Institute	 but also provided the site for the Institute	 got the building constructed through its own agencies and funds and even supervised the prescription of syllabi. There is much force in the contention of Mr. Kacker that in a sense the State Government was running the entire Institute without nationalisation and when it decided to nationalise such institutions for the purposes mentioned in the Preambles of the Act and ordinances	 this Institute was chosen to be the very first with all sense of justification and propriety. In considering the propriety of legislative wisdom in selecting the Institute in the first phase of nationalisation	 we cannot exclude the fact that since 1975 it is the State of Bihar which has been nurturing the Institute spending a considerable sum of money and exercising necessary control over it	 as contended on behalf of the petitioner Society. The facts stated above	 in our opinion	 fully justify the propriety of legislative wisdom in selecting the Institute as the subject matter of nationalisation in the first phase. It is	 however	 complained on behalf of the Institute that since April 19	 1986 when the first ordinance was promulgated	 no other institution has been added to the Schedule	 though nearly two years have passed in the meantime. It is submitted that this fact demonstrates that the professed object of nationalisation in phases is a mere pretence and a colourable device to single out the Institute for discriminatory treatment. The taking over of the Institute is an act of legislation and not an act of the Government. The question to be considered is whether at the time when the ordinances were promulgated or the Act was passed	 the same suffered the vice of discrimination or not. There can be no doubt that on the date the ordinances were promulgated and the Act was passed	 the same could not be challenged on the ground of non implementation of the legislative intent in nationalising similar institutes by amending the Schedule. If a 326 legislative enactment cannot be challenged as discriminatory on the date it is passed	 it is difficult to challenge the same as violative of Article 14 of the Constitution on the ground of inaction of the executive in implementing the purposes of the Act	 regard being had to the fact that it was the Legislature which had made the selection for the first phase of nationalisation. If no such selection had been made by the Legislature and the entire thing had been left to the discretion of the Government	 it might have been possible to contend of discriminatory treatment. The respondents have	 however	 given an explanation for not including the other similar institutions in the programme of nationalisation	 to be precise	 in the Schedule to the Act. In paragraph 24 of the counter affidavit of the respondents Nos. 1	 3 and 4 affirmed by Shri Ram Shankar Prasad	 Deputy Secretary	 Department of Education	 Government of Bihar	 it has been stated	 inter alia as follows: "Since the validity of the Act is under cloud	 being the subject matter of challenge before this Hon 'ble Court	 the State Government has not yet taken over other Institutes. However	 it is submitted that the proposal to take over two other institutes in the second phase is at the final stage and is awaiting the final decision with regard to the validity of the Act. When the cloud is cleared	 further step for taking over other institutes imparting education in similar branch will be taken. " It is common knowledge that when any litigation ensues and remains pending	 the Government generally does not take any step till the final disposal of the litigation. It is also the case of the respondents that because of the pendency of the litigation challenging the validity of the ordinances and the Act	 the Government did not take any steps for nationalisation of similar institutes for the second phase. A grievance has been made on behalf of the petitioner Society that even after the promulgation of the ordinances	 three other Institutes	 the details of which have been set out in the additional affidavit	 have been recognised. An explanation for the recognition of the three Institutes has been given in paragraph 25 of the counter affidavit of the respondents Nos. 1	 3 and 4. The explanation is that the affiliation is granted under the Bihar State University Act by the University with the approval of the State Government. Three Institutes mentioned in paragraph 4 of the additional affidavit of the petitioner Society were 327 recommended by the concerned university for affiliation. The State Government has concurred in the grant of temporary affiliation subject to certain conditions and only for two sessions. In other words	 the explanation is that permanent affiliation has not been granted by the State Government. It is also the case of the said respondents that these institutions are not imparting training in the various courses which are being taught in the Institute. The Institute has sponsored and taken out various research programmes and training in computer which are not available in the three institutions named in paragraph 4 of the additional affidavit. It is thus apparent that in view of the pendency of litigations	 the State Government has granted approval to only temporary affiliation to the three institutions and that too on certain conditions. If the State Government had no intention of taking over other institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Act	 in that case	 the Government would have sanctioned permanent affiliation to the three institutions. It is made clear in the affidavit of the respondents Nos. 1	 3 and 4 that the State Government	 after the disposal of the litigations	 that is to say	 after the disposal of these writ petitions and the civil appeals	 would go on with the nationalisation of other institutions by the amendment of the Schedule to the Act. Therefore	 although there has been delay in implementing the provisions of the Act	 such delay is unintentional and because of the pendency of litigations. In the circumstances	 we are unable to accept the contention made on behalf of the petitioner Society that the professed object of nationalisation in phases is a mere pretence and a colorable device to single out the Institute or that the facts of exclusion of eleven similarly situated Institutes and the subsequent recognition of the three other Institutes impart vice of discrimination to the impugned Act. As has been stated already	 the question of discrimination or discriminatory treatment of the Institute does not arise and the contention of the petitioner Society in this regard is rejected. The next attack of the petitioner Society to the impugned Act is founded on violation of the provision of Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution. It is urged on behalf of the petitioner Society that in taking over the Institute	 there has been an infraction of the fundamental right of the Society to form association. It is contended that by the impugned Act the management of the Society has been totally displaced and its composition changed. All assets and properties are vested in the State Government and the Commissioner is deemed to have taken charge of the Institute. It is submitted that all incidents of ownership and management have been taken over by the State and what is being left to the company is paper ownership and management and	 as 328 such	 in substance and effect the right of association of the Society is clearly affected. It is submitted that the Act is not saved under Article 19(4) of the Constitution because the fundamental right of the Society to form association has been interfered with not in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order or morality. At this stage	 it may be pertinent to refer to the fact that by the impugned ordinances and the Act	 what has been taken over is the Institute. Although the name of the Society and of the Institute is the same	 these are two different entities. It is not disputed that by the impugned legislations the Institute and not the Society has been taken over. No restriction whatsoever has been imposed on the functioning of the Society. Indeed	 the provisions of the ordinances and the Act do not refer to the Society but to the Institute. The entire argument of the petitioner Society is founded on the infraction of the fundamental right of the Society to form association. The question	 therefore	 is whether the fundamental right of the petitioner Society	 as conferred by Article 19(1)(c)	 has been infringed or not. It has been stated already that the Society has not been taken over by the impugned Act or ordinances. The Institute has been established by the Society in implementation of one of its objects. In other words	 the Institute constitutes one of the activities of the Society. The question naturally arises whether the fundamental right to form association	 as contained in Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution	 also includes within it the concomitants or the activities or the objects or purposes of an association. Our attention has been drawn to the principles laid down in two decisions of this Court relating to the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution	 namely	 Sakal Papers (P) Ltd. vs Union of India	 ; and Dwarkadas Shrinivas of Bombay vs Sholapur Spinning & Weaving Co. Ltd.	 ; In these two decisions	 it has been laid down that while considering the nature and content of the fundamental rights	 the Court must not be too astute to interpret the language of the Constitution in so literal a sense as to whittle them down	 but must interpret the same in a manner which would enable the citizens to enjoy the rights guaranteed by it in the fullest measure subject	 of course	 to permissible restrictions. Further	 in construing the Constitution it is the substance and the practical result of the act of the State that should be considered rather than its purely legal aspects	 and that the correct approach in such cases should be to enquire as to what in substance is the loss or injury caused to the citizens and not 329 merely what manner and method has been adopted by the State in placing the restriction. The above principles	 as laid down in those two decisions	 are well settled and no exception can be taken to them. It is true that the provisions of the Constitution	 particularly the provisions relating to the fundamental rights	 should not be construed in a pedantic manner	 but should be construed in a manner that would enable the citizens to enjoy the rights in the fullest measure. But	 that does not surely mean and it was not the intention of this Court to lay down that in construing the provisions relating to fundamental rights	 it should be stretched to the extent of covering even certain extraneous matters which would be far from the ambit and scope of the fundamental rights. Article 19(1)(c) confers a right on the citizens to form association. In exercise of such a right the petitioner Society has constituted itself into an association. That right of the Society remains unimpaired and uninterfered with by the impugned Act and ordinances. It is	 however	 complained that the only activity of the Society was its right of management of the Institute which was founded in implementation of its objects. Having been taken over	 the Society only exists in paper. Such interference with the activity of the Society is really	 interference with the right of the Society to form association. It is submitted that Article 19(1)(c) not only guarantees the fundamental right to form association	 but also its continuation. It is further submitted that in law interfering with or divesting the management of the Society of the Institute is clear interference with its right to continue the Association. In support of the above contentions	 reliance has been placed on behalf of the petitioner Society on Sholapur Spinnig & Weaving Company 's case (supra). In that case	 the question that came up for consideration was whether by the impugned ordinance there was deprivation of the rights of the Company in violation of Article 31(2) of the Constitution. It was the contention of the Government that it had taken over the superintendence of the affairs of the Company and that the impugned legislation was merely regulative in character. In rejecting the said contention	 this Court observed that the promulgating the ordinance the Government had not merely taken over the superintendence of the affairs of the Company	 but in effect and substance had taken over the undertaking itself and	 in the circumstances	 practically all incidents of ownership had been taken over by the State and nothing was left with the Company but the mere husk of title. In the premises	 the impugned statute had over stepped the limits of legitimate Social Control Legislation and infringed the fundamental right of 330 the Company guaranteed to it under Article 31(2) of the Constitution and is	 therefore	 unconstitutional. This Court found as a fact that the undertaking itself was taken over in the guise of regulatory legislation in violation of Article 31(2) of the Constitution. The facts of that case are completely different from those of the present case. There can be no doubt that the Institute has been taken over by the provisions of the ordinances and that Act. It is true that with the taking over of the Institute	 the Society lost its right of management and control of the Institute	 but that is the consequence of all acquisitions. When a property is acquired	 the owner loses all control	 interest and ownership of the property. Similarly the Society	 which was the owner of the Institute	 has lost all control and ownership of the Institute. It may be equally true that the Institute was the only activity of the Society	 but we are concerned with the right of the Society to form association. So long as there is no interference with the Society	 its constitution or composition	 it is difficult to say that because of the taking over or acquisition of the Institute	 which was the only property or activity of the Society	 the fundamental right of the Society to form association has been infringed. Mr. Sorabjee	 learned Counsel for the petitioner Society	 has placed strong reliance upon the decision of this Court in Damyanti Naranga vs Union of India	 ; In that case	 by a legislative enactment	 namely	 the 	 the institution known as the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan was declared an institution of national importance. By the said Act a statutory Sammelan was constituted as a body corporate by the name of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. Under section 4(1) of the Act	 the Sammelan was to consist of the first members of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan	 which was a registered Society founded for the development and propagation of Hindi and all persons who might become members thereafter in accordance with the rules made in that behalf by the first governing body to be constituted by the Central Government by notification. The Act provided for vesting in the Sammelan of all property	 movable or immovable	 of or belonging to the Society. The constitutionality of the Act was challenged accordingly on the ground that it interfered with the right of the petitioners to form association under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution. It has been held that the Act does not merely regulate the administration or the affairs of the Society; what it does is to alter the composition of the Society itself. The result of this change in composition is that the members	 who voluntarily formed the Society	 are now compelled to act in that Association with other members who have been imposed as members by the Act and in whose admis 331 sion to membership they had no say. Further	 it has been observed that the right to form association necessarily implies that the persons forming the Society have also the right to continue to be associated with only those whom they voluntarily admit in the Association. Any law by which members are introduced in the voluntary association without any option being given to the members to keep them out or any law which takes away the membership of those who have voluntarily joined	 will be a law violating the right to form association. It has also been held that the right guaranteed by Article 19(1)(c) is not confined to the initial stage of forming an association	 but it also includes within it the right to continue the association. The decision in Damyanti 's case (supra) has no manner of application to the facts of the present case. In that case	 the composition of the Society was interfered with by introducing new members	 which was construed by this Court as interference with the fundamental right of the Society to form association and to continue the same. In the instant case	 the composition of the Society has not been touched at all. All that has been done is to nationalise the Institute of the Society by the acquisition of the assets and properties relating to the Institute. The Society may constitute its governing body in accordance with its rules without any interference by the Government. In this connection	 we may refer to a decision of this Court in All India Bank Employees ' Association vs National Industrial Tribunal	 ; Ayyangar	 J	 speaking for the Court	 observes that the right guaranteed by Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution does not carry with it a concomitant right that unions formed for protecting the interests of labour shall achieve their object such that any interference to such achievement by any law would be unconstitutional unless it could be justified under Article 19(4) as being in the interests of Public order or morality. The right under Article 19(1)(c) extends only to the formation of an association or union and in so far as the activities of the association or union are concerned or as regards the step which the union might take to achieve its object	 they are subject to such laws as may be framed and such laws cannot be tested under Article 19(4). This observation supports the view we have taken that the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c) does not extend to or embrace within it the objects or purposes or the activities of an association. In other words	 it does not carry with it a further guarantee that the objects or purposes or activities of an association so formed shall not be interfered with by law except on grounds as mentioned in Article 19(4)	 namely	 sovereignty and integrity of India or Public order or 332 morality. In the circumstances	 the contention made on behalf of the petitioner Society that because of the acquisition of the Institute	 the Society lost its right of management over the Institute and the Institute being the main or the only activity of the Society	 the impugned legislations interfere with the right of the Society to form and continue the association and	 as such	 unconstitutional and void under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution	 is unsound and rejected. Another ground on which the validity of the Act and ordinances has been assailed is absence of legislative competence of the State Legislature. It is submitted by the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner Society that the professed aims and objects of the Act are to ensure the high level of educational and training facilities and to nationalise this branch of education and	 accordingly	 having regard to the pith and substance of the Act	 it falls within Entry 66 of List I. Entry 66 is as follows: "66. The co ordination and determination of standards in institutions or higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions. " We may also refer to Entry 25 of List III which runs as follows: "25. Education	 including technical education	 medical education and universities subject to the provisions of Entries 63	 64	 65 and 66 of List I; vocational and technical training of labour. " Counsel submits that Entry 25 of List III and Entry 66 of List I must be harmoniously construed	 but to the extent of overlapping the power conferred by Entry 66 must prevail over the power of the State under Entry 25. On the other hand	 it is submitted by Mr. Kacker that the impugned legislation does not even purport to deal with co ordination and determination of standards in taking over institution of higher education. Counsel submits taking over of such institutions would affirmatively be covered under Entry 25 itself and	 negatively	 what is carved out is only co ordination and determination of standards. It is submitted that Entry 25 of List III is enough to sustain the Act. By the impugned Act	 the Legislature has not laid down any law relating to the subjects mentioned in Entry 66	 List I	 or in Entry 25	 List III. The Act only provides for the taking over of private educa 333 tional institutions in phases and has taken over the Institute to start with for the first phase. It may be that the purpose of such taking over or nationalisation of private educational institutions is to ensure a high level of educational and training facilities and the co ordination of the training with important industrial and business units. An Entry in any of the Lists of Seventh Schedule will apply when a law is enacted by the Legislature on any of the subjects mentioned in the Entry. In the instant case	 as has been noticed already	 the impugned Act does not lay down any law touching the subject referred to in Entry 66	 List 1	 or Entry 25	 List III. In our opinion	 therefore	 neither of these two Entries applies. Even assuming that one of these two Entries applies. then it is Entry 25	 List III	 and not Entry 66	 List I; as contended on behalf of the respondents. The impugned legislation if held to be one on education or technical education	 is surely not relating to any matters referred to in Entry 66	 List I. We are	 however	 of the view that Entry 25 also has no application. The Entry that applies to the impugned legislation is Entry 42 of List III pertaining to acquisition and requisition of property. The taking over of the private educational institutions and of the Institute in the first phase is nothing but acquisition of property. The Institute was the property of the petitioner Society and by the impugned Act the property stands transferred to and vested absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances. Thus	 the Institute has been acquired by the impugned legislation and	 therefore	 the only Entry which is relevant is Entry 42 of List III. As soon as Entry 66 of List l is excluded	 it is quite irrelevant which of the Entries 25 or 42 of List III is applicable. Therefore	 whether it is Entry 25 or Entry 42	 in either case	 the State Legislature is competent to make enactment There is	 therefore	 no substance in the contention made on behalf of the petitioner Society that the Act is invalid because the State Legislature lacked competence in passing the Act. Now the question is whether after the repeal of Article 31(2) by the Constitution (Forty Fourth Amendment) Act	 1978	 any compensation is compulsorily payable for acquisition of property. The question may arise	 as it is held that the impugned Act is really a legislation relating to acquisition of property within the meaning of Entry 42 of List III. Indeed	 while urging that the Act falls within the ambit of Entry 66 of List I and	 as such	 beyond the competence of the State Legislature	 Mr. Sorabjee submits that it does not come within the purview of Entry 42 of List III	 as no compensation for the acquisition of the Institute has been provided for. He has drawn our attention to 334 the observation of Chandrasekhara Aiyar	 J. in the State of Bihar vs Maharajadhiraja Sir Kameshwar Singh of Darbhanga	 (1008) that payment of compensation is an essential element of the valid exercise of the power to take. Besides drawing our attention to the said observation	 the learned Counsel has not pursued the point; on the contrary	 it is submitted by him that as on the date of the decision in Kameshwara Singh 's case (supra)	 that is	 before its amendment by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act	 1956	 Entry 42 related to "principles on which compensation for property acquired or acquisition for any other public purpose is to be determined and the form and the manner in which such compensation is to be given"	 so the said observation was made. This means that the learned Counsel is of the view that after the repeal of Article 31(2) of the Constitution	 no compensation is compulsorily payable for the acquisition of property. In other words	 the point is not ultimately pressed. In the circumstances	 we are not called upon to decide the point or express any opinion on the same. Now we may deal with the case of Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 Registrar of the Institute. The first ordinance	 namely	 ordinance No. 15 of 1986	 was promulgated by the Governor on April 19	 1986 and the service of Dr. Jha were terminated by an order dated April 21	 1986 which is extracted below: "The Governor of Bihar in exercise of power under section 6 and sub sections (2)	 (3) &(4) of Bihar Private Educational Institutions (Take over) Ordinance	 1986 and Bihar Ordinance No. 15 of 1986 and Education Department Notification No. 99/C has considered the report of the Committee and has come to the conclusion appointment and promotion of officers and workers was not done as per rules of the University	 nor in accordance with Government directions and notifications and their stay in the Institute was not in the interest of the said Institute. Therefore	 the services of following persons are dispensed with immediate effect: 1. Dr. Jagannath Mishra Chairman cum Director General. Sri Jagadanand Jha Registrar. " Paragraph 6 of the ordinance	 which is verbatim the same as 335 section 6 of the Act	 reads as follows: A "6. Determination of terms of services of the teaching staff and other employees of the institution. (1) As from the date of the notified order	 all the staff employed in the institution shall cease to be the employee of the institution; Provided that they shall continue to serve the institution on an ad hoc basis till a decision under sub section (3) and (4) is taken by the State Government. (2) The State Government will set up one or more Committees of experts and knowledgeable persons which will examine the bio data of each member of the teaching staff and ascertain whether appointment	 promotion or confirmation was made in accordance with the University Regulation or Government direction/circular and take into consideration all other relevant materials	 such as qualification	 experience	 research degree etc. and submit its report to the State Government. (3) The State Government on receipt of the report of the Committee or Committees	 as the case may be	 will decide in respect of each member of teaching staff on the merits of each case	 whether to absorb him in Government service or whether to terminate his service or to allow him to continue on an ad hoc basis for a fixed term or on contract and shall	 where necessary	 redetermine the rank pay	 allowance and other conditions of service. (4) The State Government shall similarly determine the term of appointment and other conditions of service of other categories of staff of the Institution on the basis of facts to be ascertained either by a committee or by an officer entrusted with the task and the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to such case. Under paragraph 6(1)	 all the staff employed in the institution shall cease to be the employees of the Institute from the date of the notified order. Under the proviso	 however	 such employees will continue on an ad hoc basis till a decision under sub paragraphs (3) and (4) is taken by the Government. Under sub paragraph (2) of para 336 graph 6	 the State Government is to set up one or more committees of experts and knowledgeable persons for the purpose of ascertaining whether or nor appointment	 promotion or confirmation of each member of the teaching staff was made in accordance with the University Regulation or Government direction/circular and to submit its report to the State Government. Sub paragraph (3) of paragraph 6 enjoins the State Government to decide in respect of each member of teaching staff on the merits of each case whether to absorb him in Government service or to terminate his service or to allow him to continue on an ad hoc basis for a fixed term or on contract etc. Subparagraphs (2) and (3) relate to the members of teaching staff of the concerned institution. Sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 of the ordinance deals with the cases of other categories of staff of the institution. It provides that the State Government shall similarly determine the term of appointment and other conditions of service of other categories of staff of the institution. It is clear that there is some distinction between sub paragraph (3) and sub paragraph (4). While under subparagraph (3)	 the State Government is to decide	 among other things	 whether the service of a member of teaching staff will be terminated or not	 under sub paragraph (4)	 the State Government has not been enjoined to decide whether the service of any member of a nonteaching staff will be terminated or not	 all that has been directed to be decided by the State Government under sub paragraph (4) relates to the term of appointment and other conditions of service. Admittedly	 the petitioner Dr. Jagadanand Jha was not a member of the teaching staff	 but	 as noticed already	 he was the Registrar of the Institute	 which comes within the expression "other categories of staff" under sub paragraph (4). It is true that under sub paragraph (4) it has been provided that sub paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis but	 such application will be limited to the term of appointment and other conditions of service of a member of non teaching staff of the institution. In other words	 the State Government may appoint a committee for the purpose of considering the term of appointment and other conditions of service of the members of the non teaching staff and the State Government has to decide accordingly. It is thus apparent that the State Government proceeded on the basis that under sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 of the ordinance	 the State Government was to consider the question of termination of the services of members of non teaching staff as in the cases of members of teaching staff	 as provided in sub paragraph (3) of paragraph 6 337 of the Ordinance. Even then	 we are not impressed with the manner and haste in which the order of termination has been passed. the ordinance was promulgated on April 19	 1986 and the order of termination was made on April 21	 1986. Although it is alleged that a Committee was formed and the State Government terminated the services of the petitioner on the report of the Committee	 we fail to understand the necessity for such haste and	 in the circumstances	 it will not be unreasonable to infer that the Committee or the State Government had not properly applied its mind before the order of termination of the services of Dr. Jha was made. There can be no dispute that when there is a legislative direction for termination of the services of employees	 the compliance with the principles of natural justice may not be read into such direction and	 if such terminations are effected without giving the employees concerned an opportunity of being heard	 no exception can be taken to the same. But	 in the instant case	 sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 of the ordinance does not contain any direction for the termination of services of the members of non teaching staff. Even in spite of that	 if the State Government wants to terminate the services of the petitioner Dr. Jha	 it cannot be done without giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard	 for such act on the part of the State Government would be an administrative act. In this connection	 we may refer to our decision in K.I. Shephard v Union of India & Ors.	 ; wherein it has been held that the scheme making process under section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act	 1949 being administrative in nature	 the rules of natural justice are attracted	 as the scheme provides for the termination of services of the employees. It is clear from the provision of sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 that the services of the members of non teaching staff have been intended to be continued. The petitioner Dr. Jha has been working in the post of Registrar of the Institute for a pretty long time. We are	 therefore	 of the view that his services cannot be terminated without giving him an opportunity of being heard. The learned Counsel	 appearing on behalf of the respondents	 also do not seriously oppose the view that in such circumstances	 the petitioner Dr. Jha should have been given an opportunity of being heard. It is alleged in the impugned order of termination that the appointment and promotion of the petitioner were not done as per the rules of the University nor in accordance with the Government directions and notifications and his stay in the Institute was not in the interest of the Institute. If the Petitioner was given an opportunity to 338 make a representation	 he could substantiate that the above findings were erroneous. In any event	 as the petitioner was not given an opportunity of being heard	 the impugned order of termination of the services of the petitioner cannot be sustained. Before parting with the cases	 we may record that both the Society and Dr. Jha have not been able to substantiate the allegation of mala fide against the then Chief Minister of Bihar. Even assuming	 although holding to the contrary	 that the Chief Minister had acted mala fides	 the same cannot vitiate the legislative process in the exercise of which the impugned Act and ordinances were respectively passed and promulgated. The respondents also have failed to prove the alleged mismanagement of the Institute by the Society or by Dr. Jha. Indeed	 they have not pressed the allegation of mismanagement. For the reasons aforesaid	 the impugned order of termination dated April 21	 1986 of the petitioner Dr. Jagadanand Jha is quashed. Writ Petitions (Civil) Nos. 87 of 1987 and 439 of 1987 and Civil Appeal No. 4141 of 1986 in so far as they relate to the said order of termination of services of the petitioner Dr. Jagadanand Jha are allowed. The State Government will be at liberty to consider the question of termination of service of the petitioner after giving him a reasonable opportunity to make representation. The Writ Petitions (Civil) Nos. 55 of 1987 and 431 of 1987 and Civil Appeal No. 4142 of 1986 are dismissed There will be no order for costs in any of these matters.

Summary:
% In these writ petitions and civil appeals	 Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change	 Patna	 a registered society	 and its Registrar	 Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 challenged the constitutional validity of Bihar ordinances Nos. 15 of 1986 and 30 of 1986	 replaced by the Bihar Private Educational Institutions (Taking over) Act	 1987 ( 'The Act '). Dr. Jagadanand Jha further challenged the validity of the order of termination of his services as the Registrar of the Institute	 dated April 21	 1986 in the writ petition (Civil) No. 439 of 1987. As disposal of the writ petition (Civil) No. 431 of 1987 wherein the constitutional validity of the Act was challenged and the writ petition (Civil) No. 439 of 1987 above said would virtually mean the disposal of the other writ petitions and appeals	 the Court dealt with those two writ petitions. On April 19	 1986	 the State Government of Bihar promulgated ordinance No. 15 of 1986	 whereby the Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change	 Patna ( 'Institute ') was taken over. On the day the ordinance was promulgated	 possession of the Institute was taken over and the services of Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 the Registrar of the Institute were terminated by the impugned order dated April 21	 1986. The petitioners filed Writ Petitions before the High Court	 challenging the validity of the said ordinance and the order of termination of the services of Dr. Jagadanand Jha. The High Court dismissed the writ petitions	 Both	 the Society and Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 preferred two appeals by special leave being Civil Appeal No. 4142 of 1986 and Civil Appeal No. 4141 of 1986 respectively. The Society and Dr. Jagadanand Jha also challenged the ordinance No. 30 of 1986 by Writ Petition (Civil) No. 55 of 1987 and the constitutional validity of the Act replacing the said two ordinances. 312 Allowing the writ petitions (Civil) Nos. 87 of 1987 and 439 of 1987 and Civil Appeal No. 4141 of 1986	 in so far as they related to the order of termination of the services of Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 and dismissing the writ petitions (Civil) Nos. 55 of 1987 and 431 of 1987 and Civil Appeal No. 4142 of 1986	 the Court	 ^ HELD: The provisions of the Act are the same as those of the two ordinances Nos. 15 and 30 of 1986. The first attack on the validity of the Act and the ordinances was founded on the plea of violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. It was contended that the Act and the ordinances were discriminatory in nature and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India and should be struck down. The contention was wholly misconceived. The ordinances were not promulgated and the Act was not passed for the purpose of nationalisation of the Institute only. It was apparent from the provisions of the ordinances and the Act that the private educational institutions as defined therein were to be taken for the purpose as mentioned in the Preambles to the ordinances and the Act in a phased manner. All the institutions which answered the description given in section 2(a) of the Act were to be nationalised. It was not correct to say that the Institute had been signled out for nationalisation. [319E; 321D; 323D F] There can be no doubt that when nationalisation had to be done in a phased manner	 all the institutions cannot be taken over at a time. The nationalisation in a phased manner contemplates that by and by the object of nationalisation will be taken over. In implementing the nationalisation of the private institutions in phased manner	 the Legislature had started with the Institute	 and the question of singling out the Institute or treating it as a class by itself did not arise. It was the legislative decision that the Institute should be taken over in the first phase of nationalisation. The Legislature had not left it to the discretion of the executive government for the purpose of selecting the private educational institution for the first phase. It was very difficult to assail a legislative decision. Of course	 a legislative decision can be assailed if it is violative of any provision or part III of the Constitution. So far as Article 14 was concerned	 the Court did not think that it had any manner of application inasmuch as the question of discrimination did not arise as soon ss it was conceded that it was a case of in a phased manner and that for the first phase the Institute had been chosen by the Legislature itself. The Institute had been chosen by the legislative process. It was true that the ordinance Were promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution	 bot it could not be characterised as an executive act. In any even	 ultimately	 the Legislature itself had 313 passed the Act with the inclusion of the Institute in the Schedule thereto as the only institution to be nationalised in the first phase. Even assuming that the question of discrimination might arise also for the purpose of selection for the first phase	 there were justifiable reasons for selecting the Institute for the first phase of nationalisation; the State had changed the name of the Institute	 provided the site for the Institute	 got the building constructed through its own agencies and funds and supervised the prescription of syllabi. The fact could not be excluded that since 1975 it is the State of Bihar nurturing the Institute	 spending money and exercising necessary control over it	 and these facts fully justified the propriety of legislative wisdom in selecting the Institute for nationalisation in the first phase. [323G H; 324B C; 325C E] There could be no doubt that on the date the ordinances were promulgated and the Act was passed	 the same could not be challenged on the ground of non implementation of the legislative intent in nationalising similar institutes by amending the Schedule. If a legislative enactment cannot be challenged as discriminatory on the date it is passed	 it is difficult to challenge the same as violative of Article 14 of the Constitution on the ground of inaction of the executive in implementing the purposes of the Act	 regard being had to the fact that it was the Legislature which had made the selection for the first phase of nationalisation. If no such selection had been made by the Legislature and the entire thing had been left to the discretion of the Government	 it might have been possible to complain of discriminatory treatment. It is common knowledge that when any litigation ensues and remains pending	 the Government generally does not take any step till the final disposal of the litigation. It was apparent that in view of the pendency of litigations	 the State Government had granted approval of only temporary affiliation to the three institutions mentioned in the additional affidavit of the petitioner society and that too on certain conditions. If the State Government had no intention of taking over other institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Act	 it would have sanctioned permanent affiliation to the three institutions. The Court could not accept the contention of the petitioner society that the professed object of nationalisation in phases was a mere pretence and a colourable device to single out the Institute or that the facts of exclusion of eleven similarly situated Institutes and the subsequent recognition of the three other Institutes imparted vice of discrimination to the impugned Act. The question of discrimination or discriminatory treatment of the Institute did not arise and the contention of the petitioner society in this regard was rejected. [325G H; 326A B; F; 327E F] 314 The next attack of the petitioner society to the impugned Act was A founded on violation of the provision of Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution. The question was whether the fundamental right of the petitioner society	 as conferred by Article 19(1)(c)	 had been infringed or not	 and	 further	 whether the fundamental right to form association	 as contained in Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution	 also included within it the concomitants or the activities or the objects or purposes of an association. [327F; 328E ] Article 19(1)(c) confers a right on the citizens to form association. In exercise of such a right	 the petitioner society had constituted itself into an association. That right of the Society remained unimpaired and uninterfered with by the impugned Act and ordinances. There was no doubt that the Institute had been taken over by the provisions of the ordinances and the Act. It was true that with the taking over of the Institute	 the Society had lost its right of management and control of the Institute	 but that is the consequence of all acquisitions. When a property is acquired	 the owner loses all control	 interest	 and ownership of the property. Similarly	 the Society	 which was the owner of the Institute	 had lost all control and ownership of the Institute. It might be equally true that the Institute was the only activity of the Society	 but what was concerned was the right of the Society to form association. So long as there was no interference with the Society	 its constitution or composition	 it was difficult to say that because of the taking over or acquisition of the Institute	 which was the only property of activity of the Society	 the fundamental right of the Society to form association had been infringed. The decision of this Court in Damyanti Naranga vs Union of India	 	 had not manner of application to the present case. The observations made in the decision of this Court in All India Bank Employees ' Association vs National Industrial Tribunal	 ; 	 supported the view the Court had taken that the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c) does not extend to or embrace within it the objects or purposes or activities of an association. It does not carry with it a further guarantee that the objects or purposes or activities of an association so formed shall not be interfered with by law except on grounds as mentioned in Article 19(4). In the circumstances	 the contention of the petitioner society that because of acquisition of the Institute	 the Society had lost its right of management over the Institute	 and the Institute being the main or the only activity of the Society	 the impugned legislations interfered with the right of the society to form and continue the association and	 as such	 were unconstitutional and void under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution. was unsound and rejected. [329C D; 330B C	 E; 331E G; 332A B] 315 Another ground on which the validity of the Act and the ordinances was assailed was the absence of legislative competence of the State Legislature	 Counsel for the petitioner society submitted that having regard to the pith and substance of the Act	 the Act fell within Entry 66 of List I and the Entry 25 of List III and Entry 66 of List I must be harmoniously construed	 but to the extent of overlapping	 the power conferred by Entry 66 must prevail over the power of the State under Entry 25. [332C	 F] By the impugned Act	 the Legislature has not laid down any law relating to the subjects mentioned in the Entry 66	 List I	 or in Entry 25	 List III. The Act only provides for the taking over of private educational institutions in phases and has taken over the Institute to start with for the first phase. An Entry in any of the Lists of Seventh Schedule will apply when a law is enacted by the Legislature on any of the subjects mentioned in the Entry. In this case	 the impugned Act does not lay down any law touching the subject referred to in Entry 66	 List I	 or Entry 25	 List III. Therefore	 neither of these two Entries applied. The Entry that applies to the impugned legislation is Entry 42 of List III	 pertaining to acquisition and requisition of property. The taking over of the private educational institutions and the Institute in the first phase is nothing but acquisition of property. The Institute was the property of the petitioner society and by the impugned Act the property stood transferred to and vested absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances. The only Entry relevant is Entry 42 of List III. As soon as Entry 66 of List I was excluded	 it was irrelevant which of the Entries 25 or 42 of List III was applicable	 in either case	 the State Legislature was competent to make the enactment. There was no substance in the contention of the petitioner society that the Act was invalid because the State Legislature had lacked competence in passing the same. [333B F] As it is held that the impugned Act is really a legislation relating to acquisition of property within the meaning of Entry 42 of list III	 the question might arise whether after the repeal of Article 31(2) by the Constitution (Fourty Forth Amendment) Act	 1978	 any compensation was compulsorily payable for the acquisition of property. The point was not ultimately pressed	 and the Court was not called upon to decide the point or express any opinion on the same. [334B D] The Court then dealt with the case of Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 Registrar of the Institute	 whose services were terminated by an order dt. April 21	 1986	 as a result of the ordinance No. 15 of 1986 promulgated on April 19	 1986. [334D E] 316 The petitioner Dr. Jagadanand Jha was not a member of the teaching staff; he was the Registrar of the Institute	 which comes within the expression "other categories of staff" under sub section (4) of Section 6 of the said ordinance. It is true that under sub paragraph (4)	 it has been provided that sub paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis	 but such application will be limited to the term of appointment and other conditions of service of a member of non teaching staff of the institution. In other words	 the State Government may appoint a committee for the purpose of considering the term of appointment and other conditions of service of the members of the non teaching staff	 and has to decide accordingly. It was thus apparent that the State Government proceeded on the basis that under sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 of the ordinance	 it was to consider the question of termination of the services of the members of the non teaching staff as in the case of the members of the non teaching staff	 as provided in sub paragraph (3) of paragraph 6 of the ordinance. Even then	 the Court was not impressed with the manner and haste in which the order of termination had been passed. Although it was alleged that a Committee had been formed and the State Government had terminated the services of the petitioner on the report of the Committee	 the Court could not understand the necessity for such haste; in the circumstances	 it would not be unreasonable to infer that the Committee or the State Government had not properly applied its mind before the order of termination of the services of Dr. Jha was made. [336E H; 337A B] There can be no dispute that when there is a legislative direction for termination of the services of employees	 the compliance with the principles of natural justice may not be read into such direction and	 if such terminations are effected without giving the employees concerned an opportunity of being heard	 no exception can be taken on the same. But in this case	 sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 of the ordinance does not contain any direction for the termination of the services of the members of non teaching staff. Even in spite of that	 if the State Government wanted to terminate the services of the petitioner Dr. Jha	 it could not be done without giving him an opportunity of being heard	 for such an act on the part of the State Government would be an administrative act. It is clear from the provision of sub paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 that the services of the members of the non teaching staff have been intended to be continued. The services of the petitioner Dr. Jha	 who had been working in the post of Registrar of the Institute for a long time	 could not be terminated without giving him an opportunity of being heard. Counsel for the respondents also did not oppose this view. Therefore as the petitioner had not been given an opportunity of being 317 heard	 the impugned order of termination of the services of the petitioner could not be sustained. [337C G; 338A] Both the Society and Dr. Jha were not able to substantiate the allegation of mala fides against the then Chief Minister of Bihar. Even assuming although holding to the contrary	 that the Chief Minister had acted mala fide	 the same could not vitiate the legislative process in the exercise of which the impugned Act and the ordinances had been respectively passed and promulgated. The respondents also had failed to prove the alleged mismanagement of the Institute by the Society or Dr. Jha; the allegation of mismanagement was not pressed . [338B C] The impugned order dated April 21	 1986 of termination of the services of the petitioner Dr. Jha was quashed. Writ Petitions (Civil) Nos. 87 of 1987 and 439 of 1987 and Civil Appeal No. 4141 of 1986 in so far as they related to the said order of termination of the services of Dr. Jagadanand Jha	 were allowed. The State Government would be at liberty to consider the question of termination of the service of Dr. Jha after giving him a reasonable opportunity to make representation. The Writ Petitions (Civil) Nos. 55 of 1987 and 431 of 1987 and Civil Appeal No 4142 of 1986 were dismissed. [338D E] State of Rajasthan vs Mukandchand	 ; ; Maganlal Chaganlal (P) Ltd. vs Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay	 ; ; in re The Special Courts Bill	 1978	 ; Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia vs Shri Justice S.R. Tendolkar & Ors.	 [5969] SCR 279; B.S. Reddy vs Chancellor	 Osmania University	 ; ; Sakal Papers (P) Ltd. vs Union of India	 ; ; Dwarkadas Shrinivas of Bombay vs Sholapur Spinning & Weaving Co. Ltd.	 ; ; Damyanti Naranga vs Union of India	 ; ; All India Bank employees ' Association vs National Industrial Tribunal	 ; ; State of Bihar vs Maharajadhiraja Sir Kameshwar Singh of Darbhenga	 (1009) and K.I Shephard vs Union of India & Ors. 	 ; 	 referred to.