(1.) This judgment will dispose of Civil Writ Petitions Nos. 6698, 6143, 6699 to 6710, 6866 to 6873, 6920 to 6923, 6997, 305, 7329, 7530, 7720 and 9626 of 1987, 193, 2525, 4317, 4505 and 10085 of 1988 and CW 274 of 1989 as these rest on similar facts and involve same legal controversy.
(2.) In brief the factual matrix of the case is that Punjab Small Scale Industries and Export Corporation Ltd. (hereinafter referred as Corporation) gave an advertisement (Annexure P-1), which was published in 'The Daily Tribune' dated 23.1.1984 inviting applications for allotment of industrial plots on free hold basis at S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali under 'Self Financing Scheme'. The industrial plots were to be allotted at the rate of Rs. 80/- per square yard. However, the final cost to the eligible entrepreneurs after availing land subsidy was held to be Rs. 28/- per square yard. It was further directed that the applications should be made on prescribed forms along with a copy of terms and conditions of the 'Self Financing Scheme' which are available with the office of Chief Engineer of the Corporation and can be obtained on payment of Rs. 10/- in cash or bank draft etc. These applications were required to be submitted by or before 30th of January, 1984 along with 10 per cent of the tentative sale price at the rate of Rs. 80/- per square yard. Thereafter, vide notice dated nil (Annexure P-2), the Corporation extended the date of receipt of applications under this scheme upto 31.3.1984, on the ground that public faced inconvenience in submitting their applications in time because of disruption in the normal functioning of the banks.
(3.) In the terms and conditions of the allotment under 'Self Financing Scheme' (Annexure P-3) which formed part of the application, the allotment was to be made within two years of the last date of the receipt of the applications in accordance with the policy already approved by the Government and it was also stated that in case scheme is not taken up due to unforeseen reasons the money shall be refunded without interest within three months after the last date of the acceptance of the application.