P V BALAKRISHNAN NAIR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition under Art.226 of the Constitution of India presents yet another dimension, of the doctrine of estoppel which as the judicial decisions demonstrate, has many facets.

(2.) The petitioner, the owner of Kamala International Hotel Cannanore, approved by the Tourism Department of the Government, seeks to compel the respondents to pay Rs. 5.03 lakhs of subsidy under the Central Investment Subsidy Scheme, promised under the letter No.F.C. F3/32598/89, dated 28th September 1989 (Ext. P-2) written on behalf of the respondents 1 and 2, who are respectively, the State of Kerala, and the General Manager of the District Industries Centre. The respondent No. 3 is the Union of India. The facts are set out in Para.3 to 6 below.

(3.) According to the petitioner, the respondents 1 and 2 by their letter No. F.C. F3/32598/89, dated 28th September 1989 (Ext. p-2) and acting under the Scheme promised that the amount of Rs. 5.03 lakhs will be released to the petitioner through the District Cooperative Bank, Cannanore, towards the aforesaid subsidy.