D NAMASIVAYA MUDALIAR Vs. STATE OF MADRAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE questions for determination in all these writ petitions are the same and so we shall deal with them together.

(2.) THE relevant facts are these: Investigations carried out by the Geological survey of India revealed that large deposits of brown coal or lignite lay in and around Cuddalore and Vridhachlam taluks in South Arcot District. The Government decided to mine this coal and for that purpose it was necessary for them to get control over the lignite bearing areas. Meantime speculators attempted to buy up lands in the area at low prices in the expectation that prices would rise by the time government decided to acquire the lands; they hoped that they would be able to sell the lands to the Government at a large profit. On 6-10-1948 the Government issued a press note which said inter alia:

(3.) ON 7-1-1953 Government published the statement of objects and reasons relating to a Bill which subsequently became Madras Act XI of 1953. Paragraph 2 of that statement runs as follows: