Industrial plot resumption upheld for prolonged breach of allotment conditions and no scope for writ interference.

Long, unexplained breach of the essential conditions of an industrial plot allotment justified resumption by the competent authority. The allotment was granted at concessional rates for industrial development, but the allottees failed for about twenty years to complete construction and commence production as required by the allotment terms. The SC accepted the concurrent findings of default, rejected the plea of hardship for want of sufficient cause, and held that reliance on other cases could not create negative equality under Article 14. In the absence of procedural illegality, serious infirmity, or manifest error, interference in writ jurisdiction was unwarranted and the resumption stood.

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Issues: Whether resumption of the industrial plot for failure to complete construction and commence production for a long period warranted interference under writ jurisdiction.

Analysis: The allotment was made at concessional rates under the industrial policy to promote industrial development and employment generation, and the allotment letter required construction within the stipulated period and commencement of production. The allottees failed to comply with these conditions for about twenty years, and the authorities recorded concurrent findings of breach. The plea of hardship was not accepted, as the reply to the show-cause notice did not establish any sufficient cause for the prolonged default. The Court also held that reliance on other cases could not assist the appellants because Article 14 does not permit negative equality. In the absence of any procedural illegality or serious infirmity, interference with the resumption order was unwarranted.

Conclusion: The resumption of the plot was upheld and the challenge failed.

Final Conclusion: Long, unexplained non-compliance with the essential conditions of an industrial plot allotment justified resumption, and the concurrent findings of the authorities called for no interference.

Ratio Decidendi: Where an industrial plot is allotted subject to strict conditions for timely construction and commencement of production, persistent and unexplained breach of those conditions entitles the competent authority to resume the plot, and courts will not interfere absent illegality, procedural violation, or manifest infirmity.

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