MAHARASHTRA RAJYA SAHKARI SAKKAR KARKHANA SANGH LTD. ETC. ETC. versus STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

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MAHARASHTRA RAJYA SAHKARI SAKKAR KARKHANA SANGH LTD. ETC. ETC. v. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

APRIL 18, 1995

(R.M. SAHAI, B.P. JEEVAN REDDY AND S.C. SEN, JJ.]

A

B

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Sugarcane Act, 1934/Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 :

S.3(1) ss.22,23-Sugar-cane (Control) Order, 1966:

c

Maharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Area and Regulation of Crushing and Sugarcane Supply) Order 1984 (as amended in 1987)-Sugar· cane-Zoning or reservation of area for supply of sugar-cane to factories a11d fvcation of price for each zone is not violative of the Acts or 1966 Order- Uniform pricing for cane growers (whether non-members or members of co-operative societies) attached to sugar factory in reserved area is D vali<f;-Directions given to improve price structure and to protect interest of cane-growers.

Essential Commodities Act, 1957 : ss.3(2) (f), 3(3)(c)-f'rovisio11S under Maharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Areas and Regulatio11 of E Crushing and Sugar-cane Supply) Order, 1984, directing a sugar-cane to producer in a reserved area to supply sugar-cane to factory concerned does not amount to compulsory sale.

The Government of Maharashtra, in order to ensure supply of cane to sugar factories and mlnlmuoi price to cane-growers, Issued F Maharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Areas and Regulation of Crushing and Sugarcane Supply) Order, 1984. Clause 3 of the Order provided that having regard to the crushing capacity of sugar factories and the yield of sugarcane In the reserved areas and the need for produc· . on of sugar, the area specified In the Schedule to the Order .would be G served for the sugar factory with a view to enabling It to purchase the quired quantity of sugarcane. Sub-clause (2) of Clause 3 prohibited any ugar factory from purchasing cane or accepting supplies of cane from ane growers except from the area reserved for that factory. Sub-clause lA) added to clause 3 and sub-clause (6A) added to Clause 6, by aharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Areas and Regulation of H

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A Crushing and Sugarcane Supply) (Second Amendment) Order, 1987 em powered the licensing authority to allow a sugar factory to manufacture sugar from the sugarcane to be purchased by it from non-members within lhe area reserved for it.

Writ petitions were filed before the High Court challenging the 1984 B Order as being beyond the scope of the Central Sugar-cane (Control) Order 1966 and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. For the cane growers it, was contended that the order in preventing them from selling their sugar-cane at the best price available imposed an un reasonable restriction inasmuch as in the process of reservation they were C deprived of the highest price in the area. The High Court upheld the reservation policy. On behalf of the Government, it was stated before the Court that the Government would follow a fair procedure in order to ventilate grievances of the non-members. The note showing the procedure to be followed, produced before the High Court, was found reasonable but D the Bench opined that it required to be given statutory shape by amending

the 1984 Order.

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Later, In a different case, the High Court held that since the neces· sary amendments were not carried out by the Government as pointed out In the earlier decision, the sugarcane gl'Olftn had a right. to supply E sugarcane to the factory of their choice for better price. On a contrary view being taken by another Bench, the matter was referred to a larger Bench.

The Full Bench of the High Court opined that the issue of depriva tion of sugarcane growers of best price available to them was not debated F in the earlier decisions and held that since there was no power In the State Order to llx the maximum price payable to the cane growers, the cane growers, who were not members of any cooperative society, were not bound by the price fixed by the State Government. The High Court also held that the supply by the cane growers belDK in the nature of compulsory sale, the cane growers were entitled to supply the sugarcane at the market rate. The G High Court for 1993·94 r1Xed the market price at Rs. 740 atonne as against 340 to Rs. 400 rlXed by the Government, and directed that (I) the non-mem ber cane-growers would be paid market price prevailing In the locality; (II) the market rates would be as agreed between the sugarcane growers and the respective factories; and (iii) no unauthorised deductions on any H account should be made by factory from the price to be paid to the

MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KAR KHAN Av. STA TE

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sugarcane growers. Aggrieved, the Sahkari Sakkar Karkhana, Private A Sugar factories and the State Government filed the appeals.

It was contended for the appellants that the decision of the High Court would result in collapse of zoning system and gradual erosion of cooperative movement; that payment of market price would result in closing down of smaller units as price structure was correlated with yield B and not with the market and that the High Court was not justified in interfering with matters of economic policy and the directions given by the High Court were violative of the scheme of the Act.

Disposing of the appeals, this Court

c

HELD : 1.1 Zoning or reservation of areas for supply of sugarcane to factories and fixation of price for each zone under the Maharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Areas and Regulation of Crushing and Sugar-cane Supply) Order, 1984 as amended by 1987 Order is not ar- . bitrary or violative of Sugar-cane (Control) Order, 1966. The directions of D the Full Bench of the High Court, given in paragraph 25 of its judgment shall stand set aside. (391-D, 425-A)

Satara Sahkari Sakkar Karkhana Ltd. & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra

and Ors., AIR (1989) Bombay, overruled.

The Rahuri Sahkari Sakkar Karkhana Ltd. & Anr. v. Slate of

Maharashtra & Ors., AIR (1987) Bombay 248, approved.

E

1.2. Price Oxation in a controlled economy may not be bad so long as it Is in accordance With the policy formulated by the Government and the decision by the Committee of experts is not found to be arbitrary. The F price fixation machinery is to be determined by the State Government or under the Central Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 in the manner provided therein. So long as the price fixation does not suffer from any infirmity or it is held to be prejudicial to cane grower so as to benefit the State or the financial institution it cannot be held to be bad. (411-B, Cl G

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1.3. In the State of Maharashtra, the exercise of pricing is under taken by the Committee in accordance with the guidelines provided after taking into consideration various factors so that the price of sugar does not escalate and caite ·growers are not deprived of good return to dissuade them from going for alternative crop. The price determined by the Committee is H

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A notified every year but no objection was ever received. Price flXlition for the cooperative societies under bye-law 64 either by the Director of Factories or by the State Government was not challenged to be ultra-vires, either before the High Court or this Court. No cane growers can thus legitimat!ly claim that the price ftxed for the cane was not fair or just or was not productive. It cannot , therefore, legitimately be urged that it was violative of the Control Order or Zoning Order or it was arbitrary. [407·B, C, 405-A]

B

1.4. Price fixation cannot be assailed only because cane growers of one area are getting better price than the other. The dllTerence In price arising due to application of principle uniformly Is neither bad nor C arbitrary. It may be that since the price is linked with yield It may cause hardship to one set of growers as they might be deprived of better price as compared to his neighbour due to deficient functioning of the factory but in a welfare State and controlled economy Individual hardship cannot override the larger social Interest. [ 408·CJ

D

1.5. So long as the determination of price is fair and just and. based on relevant mdterlal It cannot be held to be not applicable to one cla11 of growers, namely, non-members In the zone because they are not members or the cooperative societies. Otherwise It would be defeating the enllre purpose of enforcing controls. If the exercise of power Is not bad fot members of.the E society It cannot be held to be bad for non-members, unless It Is found to be arbl!rary. So Car as cultivation of cane and payment of price are concerned the two are similarly situated. (405-G, H, 406·A)

1.6. Further, the production of sugar being of primary concern the Government ensured that the growers were not denied the minimum. The F Additional Cane price or final State Advised Price are paid n a matter of Incentive.And what is incentive for one year becomes the mlnimum·prlce for next year. The concept of market price, better price or higher price thus ·hlll no place in the scheme. There is no reason why such fixation should not be held to be binding on non-members as in the scheme of price fixation no

G distinction is made between members and non-members. (406-B, CJ

1.7. Reason for Government intervention to fix the price was to increase sugar production. While doing so the Government ensured stable and assured income to the growers. The role or price control is not merely to reduce distortions which would otherwise have been prevalent resulting H in exploitation or cane growers particularly when there was surplus

MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE

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production of cane but to promote his financial and social condition. The A fruits of controlled economy for the weaker and poorer cannot be doubted. In agricultural sector the price control as an instrument of policy has boosted the economy. To denounce it, therefore, may not be in the interest of the cane growers. The Full Bench of the High Court too did not find any flaw in price fixation, nor it held it to be unremunerative. In absence of any material it cannot be assumed that the Directors of Sugar Factories who are none else than cane growers themselves would opt for a lesser price for their cane because the sugar factories of which they are members were under an obligation to pay their dehts. (408-B, F, G, 409-B]

B

2.1. There is no machinery in the State to determine the State Advised Price for non-members as 95% of the sugar factories being in cooperative sector, the fixation of price under the bye-laws was always considered to be legal. And rightly, so. Therefore, determination of price by an authority under the bye-laws is valid for cane growers attached to a sugar factory in reserved area. Absence of any machinery in the State Orders for hearing non-members could n0t destroy effectiveness of pricing. [ 405-D, E, 408-B]

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2.2. The non-members have not organised themselves so as to entitle their representative to be invited. Hearing of every individual grower even otherwise is physically impossible. Presence of representative of cane growers' cooperative society before the Committee fixing the price makes it broad based. Such representative would bargain for better price for cane growers irrespective of whether such a cane grower is a member of the cooperative society or not. No representative would agree for lower price for members of the society. Therefore, absence of individuals or non-mem bers of cooperative society before the Committee fixing the price cannot reDect adversely on the price fixation. Besides, the price fixation should be F observed in broad perspective. If every individual has to be heard the entire system may fall for sheer non-practicability. (407-D, E, G]

E

2.3. Practically, there is no difference between members and non members of cooperative societies in relation to cane price; In the licence for crushing cane issued under clause 4(5) of the State Order it is provided G in Form B clause (xvii) that the factories shall be bound to pay same cane price to non- members as members. A non-member is also entitled to share the profits which are worked out at the end of the season. A member is no doubt entitled to some facilities such as running of other business or availing the education facility etc. run the cooperative societies but that H

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A has nothing to do with cane price or its supply. As a matter of fact the sale of by-products etc. is shown as receipt while calculating additional price or final State Advised price. [406-F, E, G]

2.4. The Court's responsibility is to construe the provision which may advance the cooperative movement in the State. The amendments in B Sections 22 and 23 of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act have facilitated the membership. Notwithstanding the right of a cane grower to become a member or cooperative society, the provisions cannot be con strued so as to result in nullifying the whole system of control devised to improve production of the sugar in the country. For sake of more profit ,C to few individuals the society cannot be made to suffer. Ours is mixed economy. Competition and control have been blended to reduce economic imbalance. If the individual growers, who do not constitute more than 20% otherwise get the same profit as a member of cooperative society then there appears no justification to construe the provision to give them a bit more profit when it is fraught with danger of small units closing down and the

D entire zoning system coming to a crash. [ 420-C to El

3.1. Zoning or reservation and fixation of price for each zone are inter-linked. Even under the 1966 Order the fvcation of minimum price is factory-wise. Thus each factory has been considered to be one zone. Reser

E vation or zoning and fixation of price for each zone is valid. (417-E]

Shri Malaprabha Coop. Sugar Factory Ltd. v. Union of India & Anr. [1994) 1 SCC 648 and Anakapa//e Coop. Agrl. and Industrial Society Ltd. Etc. Etc. 1·. Union of India and Ors., (1973] 3 SCC 435, relied on.

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G

3.2. Zoning is beneficial to the cane growers and it bas been resorted not only to ensure regular cane supply to sugar factories but also to protect the cane growers who may otherwise have been seriously affected. It is a well established feature in the country. Once a zone is reserved for a factory the cane grower bas au obligation to supply cane to the factory and the factory has a corresponding obligation to lift the cane from the field, crush it, produce sugar and pay to the grower not 9nly the minimum price but also share the profit with him. [ 412-B, CJ

4.1. Clause 3 of the 1984 Order either on the Language or in its effect expressly does not purport to be an order under Section 3(2)(!) of the H Essential Commodities Act. It is not an order of the nature as was issued

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MAHARASHTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE .

383

by the Central Government ror sale or levy sugar. It does not direct a cane A grower to sell its cane to the Government or to any person specified in the Order. In abse!lce or any provision the Order cannot be held to be an order directing the producers to sell the cane so as to make it a compulsory sale under clause (f) or sub-section (2) or s.3 or 1957 Act. [416-C, DJ

4.2. Section 3(2)(1) contemplates a specific order. It applies in those B

cases where any essential commodity is directed to be sold or parted with in pursuance or an order or the Government. It bas DO application to supply in a reserved area. Further, under clause 5 or Zoning Order, the cane under orders or the Director can be supplied to other factories. The provision completely demolishes the argume.nt or compulsory sale. [416-H, 417-A]

C

4.3 Section 3(3)(c) or the 1957 Act contemplates an order or a compulsory sale and not a compulsion arising out of enforcement of restrictions under the provisions or controlling, distribution and supply. A cane grower in a reserved area gets the price ror supply or bis cane to a specified factory. This price is payable both to members and non-members. D The orders only restrict that the supply could not be made to any factory outside the area. The reservation may result in confining the choice but it cannot be construed as an order or sale. (418-G, H, 419-A]

Union of India & Anr. v. Cynamide India Ltd. & Anr., (1987] 2 SCC E

720, rererred to.

4.4. Economics or pricing in a controlled economy is entirely dir rerent rrom a rree market. The equilibrium in the latter is reached by interaction or supply and demand. Its graph keeps on moving up and down governed by the principle of scarcity. But the controlled economy does not F operate on demand and supply. The production, distribution and the supply are regulated and controlled by the Government in public interest. Such orders are issued in social interest for the common benefit and fair price ror the needy and poor. Legality or such order cannot be tested on cost structure or rree economy or maximum profit theory. (417-F]

G

M/s. New India Sugar Works Etc. Etc. v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.

Etc. Etc., (1981] 2 SCC 293, relied on.

Andhra Sugars Ltd. and Anr. Etc. v. State of Andhra Pradesh and Ors., (1968] 1 SCR 705 and Vishnu Agencies (Pvt.) Ltd. Etc. v. Commercial Tax H

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A Officer & Ors. Etc., (1078] 2 SCR 433, referred to.

S. Deductions made under bye-law 65, being for the general welfare of the society, and as such it cannot be said that they are either bad or they sulTer from any infirmity. The deposits deducted from non-members are refundable and they carry same interest as is paid to members. A B non-member who is sharing in profits of the sugar production cannot be beard to say that be has no obligations towards the society because he is not a member of any cooperative society. [ 420-A, BJ

6. Even though the supply made by the non-members could not be c considered to be compulsory sale within meaning of Section 3(2)(1) and, therefore, the provisions of Section 3(3)(c) are not attracted, yet the methodology adopted by the State for fixing price requires to be rationalised as various discrepancies have surfaced for which there is no satisfactory explanation. The Full Bench of the High Court felt thal there was something grievously wrong with pricing system in the State. The D o...r.f_!~e price structure of cane is founded on two basic factprs, one, the recovery percentage and other the incentive for sharing profit arrived at by working out receipt minus expenditure. And that is neither co11tt&irJ' !n law nor unfair. But the wide disparity in the price paid by two factories is certainly glaring and is apt to create misgiving. (420-F, 421-H, 422-A]

E

F

7. In the Zoning Order clause S empowers sugar factory to accept cane from other zone as well but no similar right has been given to cultivators. The State Government may suitably amend the Zoning Order so as to provide that in a case where any of the three circumstances mentioned in Clause S(d) are present it would be open to the cane growers to apply to the specified officer for permission to supply his cane outside the zone. In such an event, it may be open to the officer to designate the factory to which the grower should sell his cane ensuring that the grower gets a price which is not less than a price obtained in his zone. (422-B, 423-F]

G

8.1. Although the price fixation has not been found to suffer from any infirmity and the order issued by the Government determining price for each factory is upheld, the State Government would be well advised to get the matter examined by an Expert Committee comprising of economists and financial experts well versed in price fixation, particularly in agricultural sector. This exercise has become imperative after the H enforcement of Zoning Order. The price equation since 1984 has under-

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE

385

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gone tremendous upsurge. The escalation is manifold. Benefit of higher A price of sugar must percolate to growers as well. Therefore, the Committee may examine : [424·G, 423·H, 424-A

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(a)

(b)

If the fixation of State Advised Price uniformly for the entire State as it is being done in other States, or at least separately for different zones, as the normal recovery in the zones varies, B would be more fea•ible; [424-B]

If the additional price worked out in the manner indicated in Schedule II of Control Order of 1966 is more advantageous and beneficial to the growers. If it be so it may opt for the c same as it would avoid tedious exercise by the Ministerial Committee and have the benefit of uniformity; [ 424-C]

(c) Whether Rs. 600 which has been paid by the factories to the non-growers under interim order passed by this Court would not be a reasonable minimum price for 1995-96 and may D furnish the basis for fixation of price for future years; [424-D]

(d)

If the shortcomings point.d out by the Full Bench in other regard can be rectified and rationalised; and [ 424-F]

(e) Whether bye-law 65 should be appiietl :o ;,c~-members or not; E

[424-G]

(0

It may also suggest ways and means for improving yield by the sugar factories and reducing overhead expenses and eliminating, possible, paper loss; [424-E]

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8.2. It is further directed that :

(i) The State Government may take appropriate steps to amend Clause 5 of the Zoning Order so as to protect the cane growers; [425-A]

(ii) The amount paid by the factories consequent upon the interim orders granted by this Court shall not be liable to recovery from the cane growers. But the bank guarantee furnished by the appellants or sugar factories shall stand discharged. [425-D]

""

F

G

It is made clear that the direction not to recover Rs.600 from H

t

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A non-growers would not entitle any member of the cooperative society or the cooperative society itself to claim that it was liable to be paid Rs. 600 for its cane during the years in dispute. [425-E]

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 522 ol

1989 Etc. Etc.

B

From the Judgment and Order dated 23.9.88 of the Bombay High

Court in W.P. No. 263 of 1988.

F.S. Nariman, K.K. Venugopal, G. Ramaswamy, S.K. Dholakia, AM. Singhvi, Rajiv Dhavan, Subhash Sharma, Ranjit Kumar, S.B. Patil, Ms. Bina C Tamta, Ms. Anu Mohia, S.R. Hegde, G.B. Sathe, S.M Jadhav, AS. Bhasme, D.M. Popat, P.H. Parekh Arvind Kumar Sharma, Bhavesh V. Pajwani, Ms. Lucy, H.A. Raichura, AM. Khanwa, K.R. Chaudhary, AM. Khanwilkar, Pradip Patil, M.D. Adkar, Ejaj Maqbal, B.K. Misra, Ms. Rashmi Kathpalia, S.D. Mudaliar, Uday U. Lalit, N.A Siddiqui, S.V. D Tambwekar, S.V Despande, Ms. V.D. Khanna, G.B. Sathe, S. Kushreshtha,

Manoj Swarup and Kailash Vasudeva for the Appearing parties.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

R.M. SAHAI, J. These are two sets of appeals filed by various E Sahakari Sakkar Karkhanas, that is, Co-operative Societies of Sugarcane growers, Private Undertakings, Joint Stock companies producing sugar in the State of Maharashtra and the State itself one, directed against direction by a Full Bench of the Bombay High Court in Satara Sahakari Sakkar Karkhana Ltd. & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors., AIR (1989) Bombay F 53 that the cane growers who were not members of any Co-operative society but who were required to supply their cane under reservation order or control Orders to sugar factories with which they were attached were entitled to market price instead of price fixed by the Government, and other directed against fixation of market price for 1993-94 by the High Court at Rs. 740 as against Rs. 340 to Rs. 400 fixed by the Government.

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The direction issued by the Full Bench are as under :

"We are therefore, of the view, that unless provisions for the following are made in it, the State Order will not be valid -

(i) The sugarcane growers who are not members of the factory

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.) 387

or factories to which they are required to supply their sugarcane A shall be paid for the sugarcane supplied by them the price calcu lated at the market rate prevailing in the locality at the date of the sale;

(ii) The market rate may be as agreed between the parties, namely, the sugarcane grower and the factory or factories con- B cerned. If there is any dispute over it, the same should be resolved by.an independent authority which may be created under the Order such as the one under clause 12 of the present Order. The authority concerned should decide the dispute expeditiously after hearing the parties and by a speaking order;

C

(iii) No unauthorised deductions on any account should be made by the factory from the price to be paid to the sugarcane grower withcut his consent. The State Order should provide for a machinery similar to the above to hear and grant to the sugarcane grower, expeditious relief if he has any complaint in that behalf." D

The reasons for these directions were two fold, one the non-members were not bound by the price fixed under bye-laws framed under the Cooperative Sugar Act and other that there was no machinery in the Zoning Order issued by the State Government to hear tho non-members before the price E was fixed. Before examining whether these reasons are well founded in law leading to the impugned directions it is necessary to narrate in brief the necessity which impelled the Central Government to grant protection to sugar industry and consequently to control, supply and distribution of the sugarcane without sacrificing the interest of cane grower.

F

Sugar is an item of daily use in every household, rich or poor. Use of white sugar has increased with rolling of years, growth of population, rise in income etc. Today it is somewhere 134 lakh tonnes. Even in 1931 the requirement was more than 9 lakh metric tonnes. But the production was nearly 1.8.lakh metric tonnes only. And there was an import of more than 8 lakh metric tonnes. The Government, therefore, decided to grant G protection to the sugar industry. The Bhargava Commission appointed by the Central Government in 1970 in Chapter I of part I of its report has traced the growth and development of the sugar industry and observed that till 1930-31 there were only 29 sugar factories producting 1.22 lakh tonnes of sugar in the country. That was, however, not adequate to meet the H

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A

B

internal requirement and nearly 8 lakh tonnes of sugar was imported in the year. In 1932 protection was granted the sugar industry. Following this there was a phenomenal expansion of the industry and the number of sugar factories increased to 111 in 1933-34 and to 137 in 1936-37. The sugar import which was about 8 lakh tonnes in 1930-31 was almost stopped from 1936-37. Thereafter there was little development of the industry upto 1951-52. The development and regulation of the sugar industry came under the control of Government of India for the first time from May 1952 when the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 came into force. All the 138 sugar factories which were working before 1952 were registered under the provisions of Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, c 1951. New sugar factories were established thereafter under licences granted by the Central Government. Another important feature of post 1951 development noticed by the Commission was setting up of sugar factories largely in the cooperative sector due to Government policy of giving preference to cooperative societies in the matter of licensing. In respect of State of Maharashtra the Commission observed that sugar industry in Maharashtra was progressing very fast and the sugar production in Maharashtra was expected to reach 16.37 la!:h metric tonnes and the State was to become the largest producer of sugar in the country. Today the State accounts for nearly 30% of the sugar output. The national output of sugar for 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94 was 134, 106 and 96 lakh metric E tonnes respectively. The output of Maharashtra was 42, 36 and 27 lakh

D

tonnes for the corresponding years.

F

While granting protection to the sugar factory the Government did not ignore the interest of sugarcane growers. It is the basic rather the only raw material for sugar. It is grown by cultivators who were usually exploited or at least were in danger of being exploited. Therefore, the Government agreed for fixing price of cane. At a conference called by the Government of India in 1933 representatives of canegrowers asked for a minimum price. The Government accepted the demand and in 1934 passed the Sugarcane Act, 1934 which conferred powers on the then provincial governments to flX minimum price for the cane. Since 1950 it is being done under Control Orders issued from time to time. The last Order known as Sugarcane (Control) Order was issued by the Central Government in 1966. The main features of the Order are two-fold · one, that it broadened the base for price fixation by providing that the minimum price of cane shall be flXed H having regard to the cost of production of sugarcane, the return to the

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MAHARAsHTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE(R.M.SAIW,J.] 389,

grower from alternative crops, the availability of sugar to consumer at fair A price, the price at which sugar produced from sugarcane is sold by producer of sugar and the recovery of sugar from sugarcane. The other is that it regulates distribution and movement of sugarcane by empowering the Government to notify in the Gazette and reserve any area where sugarcane is grown for a factory having regard to the crushing capacity of the factory, the availability of sugarcane in the reserved area and the need for production of sugar with a view to enable the factory to purchase the quantity of sugarcane required by it. The Order thus attempts to assure supply of cane to sugar factories and ensure minimum price to canegrowers.

B

c

The Bhargava Commission in Chapters I and II of Part II dealing with price fixation and stabilisation of supply of cane after examining pros and cons of the various competing interests was of the opinion that the need for steady and adequate supply of cane to the sugar indu•try from year to year could not be over- emphasised. It felt that an assured and D adequate supply of cane was essential for the working of the sugar industry on an efficient and economic level. The Commission observed that sharp increase and decrease in cane supply from year to year were the bane of the Indian sugar industry. Therefore, it felt that it was imperative that some kind of stability in the matter of supply of raw material to the industries E should be brought about. It, therefore, recommended that provisions should be made for agreement between cane growers and factories. The Commission suggested t1'e• where Cane Growers' Societies Union operated it would be desirable to have tripartite agreements involving factories, the societies and the growers. It suggested that minimum price be fixed for sugarcane related to a basic recovery of 8.5% with a premium for every 0.1 % increase in recovery on proportionate basis. It also recom- mended that the sales realisation from sugar after expenses should be shared with the cane growers who execute agreement for supply of cane and fulfil their contract. Both the.se recommendations were accepted. The latter has been incorporated as paragraph 5A in the Sugarcane (Control) G Order, 1966 ('1966 Order' for short). The minimum price for cane is fixed for growers throughout the country and recommendations of Bhargava Commission are being following both in fixing minimum price of cane, and payment of additional price accordance with formula framed by it ap- pended as Schedule II to 1966 Order.

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In the State of Maharashtra it was the experience of the Government that there were cyclic ups and downs in sugarcane production in the State which adversely affected some of the sugar factories, particularly those which were identified as sick and financially weak. The Government found in the absence of statutory that in times of shortoge of sugarcane crop, B provisions earmarking areas for drawal of cane it became difficult for certain factories to get adequate quantity of cane thereby affecting their obligations towards the cane growers for payment of cane price, employees and worked for paym•.nt of their salaries and wages etc. In such situations the State ·Government was required to assist the factories with huge amounts for enabling them to discharge their obligation by diverting funds C with considerable stress and strain on the State Exchequer. The Govern ment found that at time some of the factories starved of sugarcane whereas others exceeded their crushing capacity. In order to find out some solution to these problems the State Government appointed a Committee as an Experts Committee under Government Resolution dated 28th April, 1980 in exerciser of the powers delegated to it by Notification issued by the Central Government in 1966. The said Committee was requested to take review of the work in the past in regard to the formation of zones for Sugar factories; to identify the limitations due to which the object of formation of zones could not be achieved; and to suggest remedial measures in E various matters. The Committee submitted its Report in October 1983. After considering the Report the State Government on 12th September 1984 issued the Maharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Areas and Regulation of Crushing and Sugarcane Supply) Order, 1984. In the Preamble to the Order it is mentioned that the Notification was issued to implement the rewmmendations of the Experts Committee appointed by it and also to ensure economic viability of large number of sugar factories. The order mentions that since the Government of India had granted letters of intent for establishment of new sugar factories and has stipulated therein that the conversion of the letters of intent into industrial licences shall, inter alia, depend on the State Government notifying the zones for drawal of G sugarcane by new sugar factories. The Order defines 'cane grower' either as 'owner' or as a 'tenant including a body corporate such as a company registered under the Companies Act, 1955 (1 of 1956), a society registered under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 (Mah. XXIV of 1961), any body corporate, set up under any law for the time being in H force, including an organisation owned or controlled by the Government

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MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [RM. SAHA!, J.] 391

B

of any State or Government of India'. It defines the 'reserved area' to mean, A the area reserved for a factory as specified in the schedule pertaining to the factory. Clause (3) of the Order provides that having regard to the crushing capacity of sugar factories and the yield of sugarcane in the reserved areas, and the need for production of sugar, the area as specified in the schedule, shall be reserved for the sugar factory with a view to enabling it to purchase quantity of sugarcane required by it. Sub-clause (2) of Clause 3 prohibits any sugar factory to purchase cane or accept supplies of cane from cane growers except from the area reserved for that factory. The only exception to it is contained in clauses 4 and 5 of the Order. Clause 4 deals with grant of licence and Clause 5 regulates supply of sugarcane empowering a permit officer to allow a sugar factory to purchase cane c areas other than the reserved for it under Clause 3 provided he is satisfied that the circumstances mentioned in the clause existed. The order was amended in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Sub-clause (lA) was added after sub- clause (1) in Clause 3 of the Order issued in 1984 by the Maharashtra Sugar Factories (Reservation of Areas and Regulation of Crushing and D Sugarcane Supply) (Second Amendment) Order, 1987 and it is provided that the area specified in each of the schedules and reserved for the factory mentioned in that schedule in accordance with sub-clause (1) of the clause shall be reviewed by the State Government after every three years and in Clause 4, sub-clause (6A) was added after sub-clause (6) which empowered the licensing authority to allow a sugar factory to manufacture sugar from E the sugarcane to be purchased by it from non-members which is grown in the area reserved for it which is overlapping or common with other factories if such factory has entered into contracts for purchase of cane from such growers and if the sugarcane does not exceed the requirements of the factory based on its licensed crushing capacity during any crushing F season.

Trouble appears to have started after the Notification was issued by the State Government in 1984. Writ petitions were filed by cooperative societies and sugarcane growers challenging the Order as being beyond the scope of the Act and the 1966 Order. It was claimed that the Order was violative of the rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitu- tion. The challenge on behalf of the growers was that the Order in prevent- ing the cane growers from selling their sugarcane at the best price available imposed an unreasonable restriction. It was claimed that in process of reservation they have been deprived of the highest price in the area, H

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SUPREME COFRT REPORTS

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therefore, it was liable to be struck down as arbitrary. The prohibition in the Order on enrolment of the members was also challenged. A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Ihe Rahuri Sahakari Sakkhar Karkhanu Ltd. & A11r. v. Stolt ·,f Mahaiashtra & Ors., AIR (lQ87) B0mbay 248 held that the Order was not violative of the provisions of the Constitu tion or the Central Government Order of 1966 and the Essential Com- B modities Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'). Nor did the Bench find any merit in the claim that the reservation policy was violative of any constil utional guarantee as the Order ha,ing been issued in view of the scarcity of non-availability of sugarcane and for securing the equitable distribution the Order was squarely covered in the Directive Poli.cy un- C folded by clause (b) of Article 39 of the Constitution. The Bench did not find any merit in the claim that the distribution of sugarcane on the licensing capacity of the sugar factories was violative of any statutory provision or the Constitution as the licence for crushing the sugarcane was granted by the Central Government under the provisions of Industries D {Development and Regulation) Act, 1951. The Bench repelled the chal lenge that the order was arbitrary or violative of Article 14 of the Constitu tion. Nor it agreed with claim of non-members of the cooperative societies that the prohibition in the Order from becoming members or obligation to supply cane to the factory in the reserved area was unreasonable or arbitrary. The Bench observed :

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"With the sole intention of avoiding cut-throat competition be tween the different sugar factories ru; well as the sugarcane growers, the impugned order has been issued. In this context, it cannot be forgotten that the Co-operative Societies Act has been enacted keeping in view the Directive Principles and the State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution. The co- operative move ment in the ultimate analysis is socio-economic and moral move ment. It is a parl of the scheme of decentralisation of wealth and power. Co-operative capitalism is neither co-operation nor socialism. On the other hand, co-operation is a substitute for self-interest of an individual or groups of individuals for the benefit of the whole society. Wealth has no meaning if it is concentrated in few hands. In the absence of decentralisation or equitable distribution of wealth or property, it becomes improperly. There fore, equitable distribution is the essence of equality. If for achiev ing this object the impugned order has been issued under the

MAHARASHTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE[R.M.SAHAI,J.] 393

powers conferred by the Essential Commodities Act and the A Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966, then it cannot be said that this equitable distribution results in inequity or arbitrariness. In our view, the criteria adopted and the guidelines laid down are reasonable. They have a nexus with the object sought to be achieved. Without reserving areas qua each factory and regulating the supply of sugarcane to the members or non-members, the object of distribution of the essential C'!mmodity viz. the sugarcane, would not gave been achieved. Therefore, we find it difficult to accept the challenge raised by the petitiOners which is based on Art. 14 of the Constitution of India."

B

c

(Emphasis supplied)

E

Grievance was also made by the non-members of absence of imy hearing by the Permit Officer. It was stated on behalf of the State that it was intended to follow a fair procedure. Note 1 to 7 incorporating the proce- D dure was produced before the Bench. It was found to be reasonable but the Bench was of the view that it required to be given statutory shape by amending 1984 Order. Since the necessary amendments were not made another Bench at Aurangabad held that since the State Government did not carry out the ·amendments in clause 5(1)(d) of the 1984 Order as pointed out by the Bench in the earlier decision the sugarcane growers had a right to supply sugarcane grown by them to the factory of their choice as they were likely to receive better value in the form of price for the sugarcane grown by them. A contrary view appears to have taken by another Bench. 1 he controversy was referred to a larger Bench which in Paragraph 9 of the Judgment has noticed the views taken by different F benches. It then observed that in none of the earlier decisions given by the Division Benches they were called upon to test the validity of the Order on the ground of deprivation of sugarcane grower of the best price avail- able to them. The Bench observed that its validity was challenged only on the ground of the alleged illegality of the restrictions on the freedom to sell and purchase the sugarcane except to and- by the factories in whose favour the Reservation Order was issued. The Bench held that the Order issued by the Central Government in 1966 did not provide for fixation of the maximum price of sugarcane to be supplied by the sugarcane grower to the sugar factories. The Full Bench observed that the Aurangabad Bench had issued the directions permitting the growers to sell their sugarcane at the H

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS

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A best price to differ~nt' factories only because there was no machinery to hear the sugarcane growers before fixing the price and redress their grievance. The Bench found that this direction had not been complied. It thereafter considered the question of fixation of price by dMding the sugarcane growers in two categories • one, who are members of any B co-operative society and the others who are non-members. It held that those growers who were members of the Society had to enter into an agreement under the bye-laws framed which were the same in all co· operative societies they could not make any grievance against fixation of price. It found that even otherwise before the Government which fixed the price they were represented by their elected Board of Directors who C protected their interests. In respect of non-members it was held that since they were not heard nor they were represented by any one before the Committee they were placed in a double jeopardy and in absence of any machinery to hear them before the price was fixed they were put to grave injustice. The Bench further held that since there was no power in the State Order to fix the maximum price payable to the cane growers, therefore, D those growers who were non-members of any sugarcane co-operative society or they were suppliers to non· debtor factories they were not bound by the price fixed by the State Government. The price fixation was binding only on the members of the debtor factory. Having reached the conclusion that the price fixation was not binding on the non-members, therefore, "they have a choice either not to supply the sugar to any of the factories or to sell it to the highest bodies", the Bench held that, "the latter freedom of the members is however rendered nugatory by the provisions of clause 3 of the State Order", the effect of which was that the non-members would be placed in a situation where either they had the option not to supply the F sugarcane to the factory owners or to resign themselves to their fate by allowing their crop to go waste. To get over this difficulty, what the Bench described as Hobson's choice it resorted to Section {3){2)(1) of the Act read with Section 3{3){c) and held that the supply by the growers being in nature of a compulsory sale, they were entitled to supply the sugarcane at the market rate.

E

G

How far this conclusion of the Full Bench is legally sustainable and whether the reasons in support of it are properly founded is the crux of the matter that requires consideration. Varied submissions on wide spectrum were advanced touching upon not only the provision of the Act, H the Central and the State Orders but also the Cooperative Societies Act,

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MAHARASH1RA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 395

B

the limited scope of interference by the courts in policy decision and the A principles of price foration in controlled economy. If Sri F.S. Nariman, the learned senior counsel appearing for the Sahkari Karkhanas apprehended the effect of decision to be collapse of zoning system and gradual erosion of cooperative movement in the State, then Sri G. Ramaswamy, the learned senior counsel appearing for the State could not see any justification for the court to interfere in matters of economic policy and the direction of the Full Bench according to him was violative of the scheme of the Act. Sri Dholakia, yet another senior counsel appearing for the State did not find any rationale to distinguish between controlled price and the market price as once the price of any commodity was statutorily fixed under the orders issued by the Government then that alone become the market price. c Sri Venugopal the learned senior counsel appearing for private undertak- ing urged that the Act visualised water tight compartmentalisation of the Order issued under it to balance the interests of consumers and when the Government did not fix any maximum price but provided for payment of minimum price only there was no scope to import the concept of higher price or market price. According to him the rationale for price fixation did not suffer from any infirmity nor it caused any prejudice to the cane growers. Sri R. Nariman the learned senior counsel appearing for joint stock companies urged that payment of market price would.result in closing down of smaller units as price structure was co-related with yield and not the market. Elaborating their submissions, the learned counsel submitted that the Government of Maharashtra bas been encouraging the cooperative movement in the State over the last several decades. As a result of its effort, more than hundred sugar factories have come to be established in the cooperative sector. These cooperatives societies span the entire spectrum of the State's agricultural sector. All the sugarcane-growing areas are covered by one or the other cooperative society has established its own sugar factory. This development has not only enhanced the sugar produc- tion but has changed the very face of the rural Maharashtra. It bas brought prosperity and awareness to villagers besides providing several amenities. The cooperative societies supply seeds, fertilizers, agricultural implements and many other goods at comparatively cheaper rates to their members. G Many of them run schools and other educational institutions providing education to the children of the sugarcane growers. The interest of the State and the interest of the public demands that this cooperative move- ment is kept alive and is not allowed to be weakened or stultified. On the contrary, every effort should be made to encourage and promote it since the fate of these factories is indivisibly connected with the well-being and H

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS

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A survival of millions of farmers who are their members. After the amend ment of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act (reference is to the 1985 Amendment which came into force on and from May 12, 1985) any and every person who seeks to become a member of the society will be enrolled as such. What is called the concept of 'universal membership' has been introduced by the said amendment. Every grower is welcome to join B the cooperative society of his area. Nobody who applies will be refused, but if somebody wants to st.ay out he cannot complain at the same time that he is being paid the same price as the members of the society. It is open to him either not to raise sugarcane or to raise and sell the same to the cooperative factory concerned at the same price as the members. He C cannot claim a preferential status. He too can become a member of the society if he likes and avail of all the benefits provided by the society but nobody can help him if he chooses to stay out voluntarily. While the members are under an obligation to raise sugarcane in the specified area year afte1 year, the non-members are under no such obligation; th~y are free to raise such crops as they choose. The argument further was that the D economy of each sugar factory was different for various reasons it was also not possible to ensure in uniform price by all the factories. And if every sugar factory is compelled to pay price at Rs. 700 a tonne, as some factories are paying, most of them would go out of market which would cause in calculable damage to the rural economy of the State. If these societies are E to be kept alive, it is necessary that a separate price is fixed for each factory having regard to its own economy and other relevant factors. Neither the members can complain of it nor the non-members. So far as the questions of law are concerned, the learned counsel submitted that neither the Central Government nor the State Government made any order under Section 3(2)(!) of the Act; hence there was no obligation upon them to F ensure the price as contemplated by Section 3(3)(c). It was urged that even if it was assumed for the sake of argument that an order under section 3(2}(!) must be deemed to have been made by necessary implication, even then Section 3(3}(c) must be held to have been satisfied for the reason that the expression 'locality' in clause ( c) means, in the context the reserved G area (zone) in which the grower is situated. The price paid by the sugar factory to its members in the zone must be deemed to be and is the market price - there is no other price in the said locality - and since that is paid to the non-members as well, Section 3(3}(c) is satisfied.

Dr. Rajiv Dhawan, the learned senior counsel appearing for the H non-members, however, found compulsion flowing from the zoning order

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MAHARA~HTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE[R.M.SAJW,J.] 397

both in supply and price which was arbitrary and the basis for it being the A efficiency of factory it was wholly extraneous to price fixation for cane growers. Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, the learned senior counsel, did not find any justification for apprehending collapse of zoning or cooperative movement. Dr. Rajiv Dhawan submitted that non-members were not bound by the bye-laws of'the society. Those bye-laws are between the society and its B members. Because the society is indebted to the State, it is obliged to agree to the price advised by the State Government, the creditor. But so far as the non-members are concerned, there was no reason why they should be bound by the price fixed by the creditor for its debtor. The provisions of the Maharashtra Reservation of Areas Order in effect and in truth create C a situation contemplated by Section 3(2)(1). Looking from the point of view of the non-member growers, the situation is no different from the one obtaining had a formal order been made under Section 3(2)(1) requiring the growers to soil their stock to the factory of the zone. The Government cannot simply create such compulsion and leave the growers to the mercy D of the factory. In such a situation, the factory would be free to exploit and take advantage of their helplessness. A mere condition in their licence that they shall pay the same price to non-member growers as is paid to mem· ber-growers is not sufficient to secure their legal rights. While the factory can wait, the grower cannot, for the reason that if not harvested and used at the appropriate time, the cane dries up, becoines less yielding and then E dies. The Government is bound to ensure, in such a situation, price for sugarcane as contemplated by Section 3(3)(c). The Reservation Order cannot be used to promote or perpetuate the cooperative movement in the State nor can it be used as a lever to compel growers to become members of the cooperative societies. There is no such compulsion ' under the F Cooperative Societies Act and such a compulsion cannot be brought about by the Reservation of Areas Order. The non•members cannot be punished by compelling them to sell their cane to uneconomic and inefficient fac· tories at the price such factories can afford, i.e., at a price far lower than the true value and market price of the cane. The members may be so G compelled because they may have a stake in the survival of those societies but the non-members have no such ties to the factory. Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution of India entitles a citizen of this country not to join a society or an association if he does not wish to. He cannot be compelled by law to join a society or an association. No person can be compelled to H

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS

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A walk into these societies, which are in truth " debtor colonies". Inasmuch as the State has failed to provide or to ensure the market price as con templated by Section 3{3){c) of the Act, the Full Bench was right in declaring that the non-members are entitled to sell their sugarcane to whomsoever they like and at whatever price they can obtain. Even with B respect to non-members who have entered into agreements with the fac tories, Dr. Dhawan urged, the situation created by the Government is such that the non-members are also being forced to enter into such agreements. He explains the position thus : even if a non-member does not obtain a loan, he will be paid the very same price for sugarcane as a member of the C society. If so, why should a non-member forego the facility of loan which is normally advanced at a lower rate of interest. By foregoing the loan facility, he would be losing at both ends. The vice lies, says Dr. Dhawan, the very system that has been generated by the statutory orders made by the State. Therefore, he says, the non-members cannot be deprived of their liberty to sell their product freely just because they have entered into loan D agreements. It is another matter that they may be liable for damage for breach of contract with the sugar factories but that is a matter between the factory and that person. So far as the Government is concerned, it cannnt take note of that agreement and compel such person to sell his cane at the SAP since that would mean enforcing a private contract between the E parties otherwise than through court oflaw. Dr. Dhawan says that in other States (other than Maharashtra and Gujarat) the Governments have not only issued statutory orders creating zoning for each of the sugar factories but have also notified the price at which the sugarcane is to be sold by the growers to the factories and this price is common to the entire State though it may vary corresponding to the sugar content in the case.

F

Since entire thrust on the price structure operating unfavourably to non-members of cooperative society proceeded on assumption that price fixation by the Government for cooperative sociel}' was influenced with creditor and debtor relationship between the two it is necessar}' to under- G stand the mechanism of pricing for cane prevalent in the State and whether it works harshly and unreasonably against non-members. The entire process of price fJXation can be divided in three stages. The first is the fixation of what is known as the minimum ex-factory by the Central Government under 1966 Order for entire sugar factories in the country H linking it with basic recovery of 8.5% with a proportionate increase for

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHAI, J.] 399

every 0.1 % extra recovery. Therefore, normally the minimum price of cane A paid by two factories cannot be same. For instance, the normal recovery in the State of Maharashtra is stated to be 11.05%. In the year 1987-88 the minimum price fixed was Rs. 19.50 per quintal. The highest and lowest price paid for the sugarcane in the Ahmednagar District during 1987-88 was Rs 366 and Rs. 240 by Sangamner Sahkari Sakkar Karkhana and B Jagdamba Sahkari Sakkar Karkhana respectively. The recovery of Sangam- ner SSK Ltd. was 11.64% whereas the recovery of Jagdamba SSK Ltd. was 10.36%. It was explained that difference of 1.28% between recovery of sugar by the two factories resulted in difference of sugar production per tonne to extent of 12.8 kg. and the realisation too was Rs. 64 per tonne more. This difference got reflected in the price fixation.

C

The next is the State Advised Price. Every State has its own method to determine it. The power is assumed under Acts of the State Legislature or orders issued by the Hovernments. For instance, in the State of Haryana a Sugarcane Central Board is constituted under Section 3 of the Punjab D Sugarcane (Regulation of Purchase and Supply) Act 1953 headed by the Chief Minister and other high officials of the Agricultural and Cooperative Department, the Director of Sugar Mills etc. to advise the Government and the Cane Commissioner on various matters including the price of cane to be paid to growers. Similarly in U.P. and Andhra Pradesh it is done under order issued under the U.P. Sugarcane (Regulation or Supply and Pur- E chase) Act 1953 and the Andhra Pradesh Sugarcane (Regulation of Supply and Purchase) Act 1961. In Maharashtra 95% of sugar factories are in the cooperative sector. They are governed by the Cooperative Societies Act and the bye-laws framed thereunder. Bye-laws 63, 64, 64A, 65A and 65B deal with fixation of price of cane. Bye-law 64 empowers the State Govern ment to fJX the price of cane so long the amount invested by it in setting F up of sugar factory is not repaid. The exercise is undertaken by a Commit- tee constituted by the Government known as 'Ministerial Cabinet Committee'. H comprises of the Chief Minister and other concerned Min ister. It takes into account the ex-gate minimum price declared by the Central Government, the estimated sugar production and its availability for G production by the sugar factories, the estimated average of sugar factory, the estimated conversion charges and the present day levy and free sale price while flXing the price. In the written submission filed by the appellants it is stated that in the year 1993 while the statutory minimum price fixed by the Government of India was Rs. 354 per metric tonne the State Advised Price for the State of Maharashtra was Rs. 360 to 400 per metric tonne. It H

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1995] 3 S.C.R.

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is explained that although such price in other States, for instance Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh was Rs. 400 Rs. 530-560 and Rs. 580-600 per metric tonne respectively but these prices were ex-gate whereas in the State of Maharashtra it was ex-field. That is a cane grower apart from the price determined by the State Government is paid harvest ing and transportation charges etc. And when all this is totalled then the B price paid to the cane grower in the State is the highest in the country. The advance cane price or the price for harvesting and transportation is paid to the cane growers irrespective of whether they are members of any cooperative society or not. The advance according to the appellants was paid by sugar factories under agreement entered with growers whereas C according to respondents it was paid by the Banks and the non-members did not enter into any agreement. Since the parties were at variance on an issue of fact they were granted time on 24th February 1995 to file further affidavits clarifying their stand. From the affidavits filed it now transpires that the loans are normally advanced by the village societies or rural banks to the farmers on the certificate issued by the sugar factories showing cane D plantation, acreage, date of plantation, etc. Although the factum of agree ment between the cultivator and the sugar factory is not clearly admitted in the reply filed on behalf of the respondent but apart from those cul tivators who do not need any loan for growing the crop whose percentage appears to be negligible, it appears by and large rather the uniform practice is that a tripartite arrangement is arrived between the cultivator, the loaning society and the sugar factory. The loan is advanced on basis of the certificate issued by the sugar factory and it is the sugar factory which ultimately repays the amount due to the loaning society out of the price of cane to be paid to the cultivator. Such agreements were recommended by the Bhargava Commission as well. Even otherwise no bank or society would F advance any loan unless it is assured of its repayment. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that the advance is paid to the cultivators by the rural banks or societies on the certificate issued by the sugar factories.

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The third is the price paid at the end of the season. The Bhargava Commission had recommended payment of additional price at the end nf G season on fifty-fifty profit sharing basis between growers and factor;,,, 'o be worked out in accordance with Schedule II to the 1966 Order. Even though in the affidavit filed earlier by the officials of the Department in the Special leave petition it was stated that additional price was paid but a doubt had arisen as in Ex. 6 filed along with the additional affidavit of H Dy. Secy to the Government of Maharashtra in C.A. No. 523/89 explaining

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANAv. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 401

the mechanism of fJXation of cane price it appeared that in the State of A Maharashtra either the State Advised Price is paid or additional cane price is paid, whichever is more. Therefore the appellant was directed to explain whether the additional price was paid in addition to State Advised Price but the affidavit filed in pursuance of the Order dated 24th February 1995 remains vague. It appears the pre.ctice in the State is to pay the advance B as stated earlier at the beginning of the season and then the cost of transportation and harvesting in the middle of the season and the price worked out finally at the end of the season, by the Ministerial Cabinet Committee headed by the Chief Miqister, Cabinet Ministers of the con cerned Department etc. on statements submitted by each factory and recommendations made by the Committee after discussing the matter with C members of State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories and repre sentatives of the State Co-operative Bank. In the State of Maharashtra, therefore, it appears instead of additional price it is the State Advised Price which is paid.

It would be appropriate to notice here how the State Advised Price and the additional price is worked out and if it in any manner prejudice the cane growers specially the non-members. In the additional affidavit filed by Dy. Secretary of Govt. of India in Civil Appeal No. 523 of 1989 the mechanism of price flXation is explained as under :

Machanism of fixation of eane price

Receipts-

l.

Sale of Sugar Add - Value of the closing stocks

as on 30/9 of the year. Deduct- Value of the opening

stocks of the year

2.

3.

Add or deduct prifit or loss for Ancillary Units. Add - other receipts from (a) Sales of molasses Press mud Bagasse. (b) Miscellaneous re.ceipts. (c) Rebates (1) + (2) + (3) - Expenditure

/

Financial Results- Levy and Free sale at Assumed prices.

(R)

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS

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I.

Cane cost

(a) Govt. of India minimum price linked with actual recovery deducting the average harvesting/transport charges.

II.

B

Expenditure relating to cane - Commission to Harvesting and Transport contract - Khodaki etc.

III. Harvesting & Transport charges.

IV.

V.

c

Cane Purchase Tax.

Conversion charges. (a) Store consumption (b )Electrical Charges ( c )Outside repairs ( d) Salaries/wages (e) Overheads

VI.

D

Interest Payable. (1) Capital loans and deposits (NRD/RD) (2)Working Capital

VII. Bonus - Minimum 8.33% VIII. Education Fund under section 68

Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act.

Audit Fees. Other Provision. DSI/Sakhar Singh

Grand Total of I to VIII

R - E =S Surplus

Grand Total of I to VIII Deduct : Current Depreciation Investment Allowance Development Rebate part of accumulated losses

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S - D + 'NS' net Surplus. Per M.T. 'NS' = Additional cane pric~. Govt. of India's Minimum statufory CP + Addi. C.P. = 'X' Govt. of Maharashtra - Minimum Advised CP -

X or Y whichever is more.

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MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 403

)

The manner of working out additional cane price is provided in A

Schedule II of the Control Order, 1966 in following manner :

"The amount to be paid on account of additional price (per quintal of Sugarcane) under Cl. 5-A by a producer of sugar shall be computed in accordance with the following formula, namely.

B

~.,,

X=

R-L+2A+B 2C

Explanation. - In this formula - 1."X" is the additional price in rupees per quintal of sugarcane c payable by the producer of sugar to the sugarcane grower.

2. "R" is the amount in rupees of sugar produced during the sugar year excluding the excise duty paid or payable to the factory by . the purchaser.

3. "L" is the value in rupees of sugar produced during the sugar year, as calculated on the basis of the unit cost per quintal ex-fac- tory, exclusive of excise duty determined with reference to the minimum sugarcane price fixed under Cl. 3, the final working results of the year and the Cost Schedule and return recommended by such Authority as the Central Government may specify from time to time.

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4. "A" is the amount found payable for the previous year but not actually paid [vide sub-clause (9)].

5. 11B11 is the excess or shortfall in realisations from actual sales of the unsold stocks of sugar produced during the sugar year, as on 30th day of September [vide item ?(ii) below] which is carried forward and adjusted in the sale realisations of the following year.

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6. "C" is the quantity in quintals of sugarcane purchased by the G producer of sugar during the sugar year.

7. The amount "A" referred to in Explanation 2 shall be computed as under, namely :

(i) the actual amount realised during the sugar year; and

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(ii) the estimated value of the unsold stocks of sugar held at the end of 30th September, calculated in regard to free sugar stocks at the average rate of sales name during the fortnight 11th to 30th September and in regard to levy sugar stocks at the notified levy prices as on the 30th September.]

Explanation, - In this Schedule "Sugar" means any form of sugar

containing more than ninety per cent. sucrose].'

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E

A comparison of the two would indicate that there is not much difference in the two. In the latter too the cost incurred in producing sugar C has to be deducted from the receipts. In any case since the grower is paid either the State Advised Price or Additional Cane Price whichever is higher no prejudice can be said to be ca11sed to non-members. In the affidavit filed on 10th March 1995 it is stated at the final price detqmined for the earlier year is the advance price for the next year. For instance if D amount 'A' was fixed as final State Advised Price at the end of 1993-94 for a factory then that becomes the advance price for 1994-95'. It has been explained that the final State Advised Price is fixed on basis of detailed statement submitted by the Sugar Commissioner giving a detailed opera tional financial picture of the working of the sugar factories such as sugarcane crushing, sugar recovery, sugar bags produced, quantity sold as levy and free, income from other items, cost relating to harvesting and . transport of cane, sugar factory wages, power, fuel chemical and other expenses, depreciation provision etc. etc. According to the affidavit broadly these principles related to, (a) valuation of clo~ing stock of free sale sugar and molasGes; (b) fixation of Khodki charges (i.e. labour charges paid for collecting pieces remaining in the field after harvesting); ( c) provision of depreciation and investment allowance/development rebate; ( d) sugarcane price to be paid to the members/non-members outside the area of opera tion; ( e) limit of cash component to be paid to the farmers in the cane payment where cane price is on the high side; (t) interest rate on non refundable/refundable deposits to be paid to members/non-members; and G (g) deductions to be made compulsorily from the sugarcane price payment to the farmers. In effect the price for next year which is paid at the commencement of season comprises of not only the price based on recovery of 8.5.% but also the profit arrived at after sale of sugar.

F

H

Few facts are necessary to be stated)n respect of price fixed under

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MAHARASHTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE(R.M.SAHAl,J.] 405

the bye-law of the society. One price fixation for the cooperative societies A under bye-law 64 either by the Director of factories or by the State Government was not challenged to be ultra vires, either before the High Court or this Court. It cannot, therefore, legitimately be urged that it was violative of the Control or the Zoning Order or it was arbitrary. In fact as explained earlier it is the State Advised Price. If the claim of non-members B is taken to its logical conclusion it would act unreasonably for them. Let it be tested. Suppose the price fixed for two factories 'A' and 'B' is Rs.400 ·and Rs. 500 respectively, 'X' being a non-member in area 'A' the pnce for factory 'A' is not binding on him. If it be so the price fixed for 'B' is certainly not binding on him. And the factory 'B' is not bound to offer him Rs. 500. It may or may not. That may lead to uncertainty and even C exploitation. And then the price of Rs. 500 fixed for 'B' is as much State Advised Price as Rs. 400 for 'A'. Much argument was advanced on how the market price in a locality should be understood. It appears unnecessary to deal with it as any other construction would be destructive of zoning and concept of pricing in controlled economy. Second, there is no machinery in the State to determine the State Advised Price for non-members as 95% D of the sugar factories being in cooperative sector the fixation of price under the bye-law always considered to be legal. And rightly so. Therefore, any determination of price by an authority under the bye-laws is valid for cane growers attached to a sugar factory in reserved area. Third entire concept of minimum and maximum price for cane appears to be out of place. As E pointed out by the Commission minimum price is fixed on quality formula. Further, average recovery of the normal crushing period was preferred according to Commission as against average recovery of the optimum period. All this results in payment of adequately reasonable price which comprises of not only cost of cultivation but profit as well. It does not stop there. The payment of additiOnal price or final State Advised Price on F profits obtained by a factory as indicated earlier is also paid. The price thus being paid on recovery of cane and profits made from sale of sugar is not minimum but optimum price which is paid to a cane grower. The fourth and the most important is that the advance paid to the cultivators at the commencement of the season on final price determined for earlier year appears to be reasonable and fair. The mere fact that such determina- G tion is made in exercise of power under bye-law 63 does not render it bad for non-members. No objection could be taken to payment of transport and harvesting charges. That too is explained to be linked with distance etc: So fair and just and based on relevant long to the determined of price is material it cannot be held to be not applicable to one class of growers, H

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A namely, non-members in the zone because they are not members of the cooperative societies. If the exercise of power is not bad for members of the society it cannot be held to be bad for non-members, unless it is found to be arbitrary. So far cultivation of cane and payment of price is concerned the two are similarly situated. Further the production of sugar being of primary concern the Government ensured that the growers were not B denied the minimum. The Additional Cane Price or final State Advised Price are paid as a matter of incentive. And what is incentive for one year becomes the minimum price for next year. The concept of market price, better price or hi6her price thus has no place in the scheme. Then: is no reason why fixation should not be held to be binding on non-members as in the scheme of price fixation no distinction is made between members and non-members.

C

The difference between members and non-members of cooperative societies in relation to cane price may also be noticed. A cooperative society usually invests 7.5% in setting up of a factory or Sahkari Karkhana D . whereas the balance is borne by the State and the financial institutions. Its members under bye-laws are under obligation to clear every dues of the society otherwise any amount due from them to the society is first c:harge on the sugarcane cultivated by them and is recoverable from the price of cane. Every member of the society under bye-law 18A is required to E undertaken cultivation of minimum of half acre. The non- members on the other hand have to such obligation. They are not required to cultivate or grow any minimum cane. But they derive all those benefits and advantages as are available to the members of the society. In the licence for crushing cane issued under clause 4(5) of the State Order it is provided in the Form B clause (xvii) that the factories shall be bound to pay same cane price to F non-members as members. A non-member is also entitled to share the profits which are worked out at the end of the season. There is thus practically no difference between a member and non- member so far supply of cane or its price is concerned. A member is no doubt entitled to some facilities such as running of other business or availing the education facility G etc. run by the cooperative societies hut that has nothing to do with cane price of its supply. As a matter of fact the sale of by-products etc. is shown as receipt while calculating additional price or final State Advised price.

With this background it may now be examined whether provision in H ',State Zoning Order suffers from any drawback for not providing any

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MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 407

machinery to hear the individual non-members and also whether the fixa- A tion of price by the Director of Sugar Factories or the State Government under bye-law 64 framed under Cooperative Societies Act can be said to be binding on members only thus entitling non-members to sell their cane at market price. The exercise of pricing is undertaken by a Committee in accordance with guidelines provided after taking into consideration various B factors so that the price of sugar does not escalate and cane growers are not deprived of good return to dissuade them from going for alternative crop. In the affidavit filed by the Under Secretary of the State it is explained that the price determined by the Committee is notified every year but no abjection was ever received. No cane grower can thus legitimately C claim that the price fixed for the cane was not productive. The affidavit also pointed out that the non-members have not organised themselves so as to entitle their representative to be invited. Hearing of every individual grower even othe~e is physically impossible. Presence of representative of cane growers' cooperative society before the Committee fixing the price D makes it broad based. Such representative would bargain for better price for cane growers irrespective of whether such a cane grower is a member of the cooperative society or not. No representative would agree for lower price for members of the society. Therefore, absence of individuals or non-me111bers of cooperative society before the Committee fixing the price cannot reflect adversely on the price fixation. No material has been placed E to demonstrate how the fixation of price by the State Committee with assistance of Director of Sugar Factories has prejudiced the non-members. In the affidavit filed on behalf of the State it is pointed out that the price of cane fixecl to be paid by the Sahkari Sakkar Karkhana is even paid by other factories. Reason being that the price fixation having been done by F ' the Committee it is taken to be fair and just. Same reasoning applies to non-members. Truly speaking the price fixation ~hould be observed in broad perspective. If every individual has to be heard the entire system may fall for sheer ·non-practicality. In Maharashtra there are 137 sugar factories. With each factory nearly five to six thousand cane growers are attached. G Twenty per cent of them are non-members. If the Committee starts hearing every individual non-member then it shall prove to be an unending pur poseless exercise. One may have right to challenge the price fixation on ground that the Committee or the authority did not act in accordance with the guidelines for fixation price in accordance with the order but that right H

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A can be exercised appropriately only after publication of the price. In these appeals since no one object, the individual members cannot claim that the price fixed was not fair or just.

B

Therefore, absence of any machinery in the State Order for hearing non-members could not destroy effectiveness of pricing. Even otherwise the price fixation in a controlled economy may not be bad so long it is in accordance with the policy formulated by the Government and the decision by the Committee of Experts is not found to be arbitrary. It cannot be assailed only because cane growers of one area are getting better than the other. The difference in price arising due to application of principle c uniformly is neither bad nor arbitrary. It may be that since the price is linked with yield it may cause hardship to one set of growers as they might be deprived of better price as compared to his neighbour due to deficient functioning of the factory but in a welfare State and controlled economy individual hardship cannot override the larger social interest.

D

F

E

Reason for government intervention to fix the price has been ex- plained earlier. It was to increase sugar production. It continues even today. While doing so the Government ensured stable and assured income to the growers. That is why the pricing was devised even before 1950. When the first Five Year Plan was drafted in 1951 the control was justified, for smooth functioning of an unregulated econoL1y. When the second Five Year Plan was made it was recognised that controls were administratively cumbersome but it was found necessary for a developing economy. Neces- sity of control for sugar and fixing of price for cane is as necessary today as it was in 1934 or 1951 or 1956. The role of price control is not merely to reduce distortions which would otherwise have been prevalent: resulting in exploitation of cane growers particularly when there was surplus produc- tion of cane but to promote his financial and social condition. The fruits of controlled economy for the weaker and poorer cannot be doubted. In agricultural sector the price control as an instrument of policy has booster the economy. To denounce it, therefore, may not be in interest of the cane growers. Once when there was glut of cane in 1990-91 it was the State which came to rescue and paid Rs. 10,000 per hectare even to non-mem- bers. The Full Bench too did not find any flaw in price fixation, nor it held it to be unremunerative yet it imported the concept of free and competitive market price for those cane growers who were not members of any society H mainly because they were not bound by the bye laws. The submission of

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MAHARASH1RA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STA TE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 409

compulsive cooperative system founded on bye-laws not have much sub- A stance. No material was placed before the High Court or this Court to substantiate that the Government resorted to under pricing of cane to enable the sugar factories to discharge their financial obligation. In absence of any material it cannot be assumed that the Director of Sugar Factories who are none else than cane growers themselves would opt for a lesser price for their cane because the sugar factories of which they are members were under an obligation to pay their debts.

B

Coming to the other rationale of the Full Bench that the price of cane having been fixed under the bye-laws for the cooperative societies it was binding on the members and not others it may be appropriate to c reproduce the gist of relevant bye-laws noticed by the Full Bench.

"Bye-laws Nos. 63, 64, 64A, 65A and 65B deal with the fixation of price of sugarcane and deduction of certain amounts from the prices paid to the members.

D

Bye Jaw 63 states that the Board of Directors of the factory will give advances to the members against the price of the sugarcane supplied by them, by prior permission of the Director of Sugar and the Deputy Registrar of the Co-operative Societies and in accord- ance with their directions and after making deductions for certain E purposes.

Bye-Jaw 64 states that the price of the sugarcane supplied by the members, shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors every year. The Board of Directors will fix the price according to the constitution, the object and the bye-laws of the society and after F taking into consideration the financial transactions and conditions of year. The bye-law then makes an exception to this general rule and states that so long as the share capital invested by the Govern- ment is not refunded completely and/or the loan taken from the Industrial Finance Corporation or from any Central Financial · Institution supplying funds for fixed capital assets is not fully repaid, the price to be paid to the members shall be that as fJJ<ed by the State Government. For the purposes of our discussion, we will refer to this period briefly as the debt-period.

G

Bye-law 64A states that whatever it becomes necessary for the H

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS

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A

B

c

D

factory to purchase sugarcane from non-members outside its juris diction, the factory shall take permission of the State Government for such purchase. However, during the debt-period the price to be paid to the non-members shall be that as will be fixed by the State Government before the beginning of the crushing season.

Bye-laws 65A mentions the deductions to be made from the price payable to the members for raising non-refundable deposit from them, the rate of such deductions and the rate of and the manner of its disbursal and the interest to be paid on such deposit.

Bye-law 65B gives power to the Board of Directors to collect deposits by making deductions from the price to be paid to all sugarcane suppliers and states that such deposits shall be used only for the expansion of the factory and other capital expenditure. The bye-law also lays down the rate of interest to be paid on such deposits."

F

E

By-law 64 empowers the Board of Directors to fix the price of sugarcane to be supplied by members of cooperative society to the factory. It further provides that the price so fixed shall be according to the Constitution the object and the bye-law of the society and after taking into consideration the financial transaction and conditions of the year. In this bye-law there is a further .exception empowering the State Government to fix the price so long the share capital invested by the Government is not refunded completely or the loan taken from the financial institution is not repaid. The Board of Directors which are referred in the bye-laws are none else than the agriculturist or the cane growers themselves. It is difficult to visualise that they would opt or fix a price of the sugarcane which would be unremunerative. As explained earlier the price fixed by the Cabinet Committee in exercise of power under the bye-law is the State Advised Price. It applies uniformly to all cane growers irrespective of whether they ar..: members or non-members and whether they are in reserved area or G outside it. To confine it to the members as they having entered into agreement and being members of the cooperative societies are bound by it is ignoring the entire price mechanism. Nowhere in the country the State Advised Price is fixed for one class of growers only. In absence of any material to show that the fixation by the Government was one sided or with H a view to exploit the cane growers the submission that it did not apply to

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M.SAHAI,LJ-411.

non-members cannot be accepted. The order does not make any distinction A between members and non-members. Nor does it visualise separate mechanism for price fixation for the two. The price is fixed, may be, by the Board of Directors or by the State Government under bye-law but the prices are for the reserved area. The Central Government did not fix any maximum price obviously because the conditions in the agricultural sector B differed from State to State. Therefore, it having fixed a minimum price expects the State to offer remunerative price to its cultivators. In a control- led economy the price fJXation machinery is to be determined by the State Government or under the 1966 Order in the manner provided therein. Since in Maharashtra 95% of the sugar factories are in the cooperative sector the price is fJXed by the Government as it has substantial financial C stock. But so long the price fixation does not suffer from any infirmity or it is held to be prejudicial to cane grower so as to benefit the State or the financial institution cannot be held to be bad. Therefore, once the price fJXation has been undertaken and performed by such an authority it cannot be held to be inapplicable to one particular class of cane growers as the D fJXation having been done by the State Government under the bye-laws it was not binding on those cane growers who were not members of any society. That would be defeating the entire purpose of enforcing controls.

Reverting to the various issues which arise for consideration it may be stated that zoning or reservation and fixation of price for each zone are E inter-linked. Therefore, it may be seen whether zoning suffers from any infirmity. It has already been explained that even under the 1966 Order the fJXation of minimum price is factory-wise. Thus each factory has been considered to one zone. Reservation or zoning and fixation of price for each zone has been upheld by this Court in Shri Malaprabha Coop. Sugar F Factory Ltd. v. Union of India & Anr., [1994] 1 SCC 648 and Anakapalle Co-op. Agr/. and Industrial Society Ltd., Etc. Etc. v. Union of India and others, [1973] 3 SCC 435. That was not challenged as well. Yet it was urged that such zoning could not be used to enforce a cooperative pricing system contrary to the statutes and rules. The approach does not appear to be correct as it assumes that price fixation is undertaken for cooperative G societies as they are indebted to State Government. Manner of price fixation has been indicated earlier. The exercise is taken by the Committee in accordance with guidelines in the 1966 Order. In absence of any cha!- . lenge to it on ground of it being arbitrary or being in violation of the principles of pricing the assumption that pricing in zone is like a private H

412

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A

arrangement between the State as a creditor and cooperative society as a debtor cannot be countenanced. The mere. fact that the bye-laws empower the State Government to fix the price for cooperative society does not render it bad. If the price fixed by the Government is good for members of cooperative society who are as much cane growers as non-members then there is no reason to hold that such price was bad or it operated un- reasonably for non-members. Zoning has been resorted to in the State to regulate the supply of cane to various factories on equitable basis. It is a well established feature in the country. Once a zone is reserved for a factory the cane grower has an obligation to supply cane to the factory and the factory has a corresponding obligation to lift the cane from the field, C crush it, produce sugar and pay to the grower not only minimum price but

B

also share the profit with him.

In the affidavit filed by the Dy. Secretary of the State it ha~ been exphined that while forming the zones for the sugar factories besides D capacity and requirement of sugarcane to the sugar factory the physiologi cal nature of sugarcane is also taken into consideration. It is stated that crop of sugarcane is a perishable commodity and it has to be crushed at the earliest after its harvesting for which the optimum distance of 40 kms. has been laid down by the Union of India, therefore zones of the factories are normally between 35 to 40 kms. radius around the factory;The affidavit E points out that in the process of zoning many Talukas in the State pockets where there are no sugar factories have been left out because those areas do not fall within the radius of 35 to 40 kms. However, from such pockets where the sugarcane is produced such sugarcane is allotted to the neigh bouring needy factories in accordance with the Maharashtra Sugar Zoning p Orde1 and the cultivators supplying sugarcane from such free areas, even though they are non-members they, get the same benefits as are available to the members of the said factory to whom the sugarcane is allotted. It is also stated that in any areas where there is no sugarcane production or it is very meagre like the parts of Thane District, they have been kept free because such sugarcane involves huge transport costs and it is not possible G to transport the sugarcane in adequate quantity to any of such factories. The affidavit further points out that in those areas where there is adequate sugarcane supply or they have good potential for growing sugarcane but there is no sugar factory they have been kept free so that the rights of sugarcane growers in such areas to organise and establish sugar factories H can be protected. Till such time the sugarcane grown in such areas is

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SARAI, J.] 413 ·

B

allotted to the neighbouring needy zone and the price paid is the same as A is paid to the meUJ:~ers of the cooperative societies of the sugar factories . In one of the applieations filed by one of the karkhanas, I.A. No. 11 of 1993 in CA. No. 523 it is stated that before the crushing season starts the karkhana enters into an agreement both with the members and non- members and gives them all necessary input for growing sugarcane such as seeds, fertiliser, technical know-how, guarantee, finance for crop loan and also undertakes an activity of harvesting and transporting of sugarcane. The application points out that the claim of the non-members was not justified as when there was a glut then it were the karkhanas like the applicant who had at heavy expenditure ensured that the cane of the non-members was diverted to other karkhanas and they even bore the cost of transportation. c But in absence of Zoning Order when there was a glut then the sugar factories exploited the cane growers by offering them lower price. It has been pointed out that nearly 80% to 95% sugar factories are in the cooperative sector but some of them have better cane growing areas coupled with better and efficient functioning of the factory. They are in a D position to offer better price as compared to other factories which are economically weak and are in difficulty. What is clear from these affidavits is that zoning is beneficial to the cane growers and it has been resorted not 'Ollly,:to ensure .that the regular cane supply is available to sugar factories but also tO protect the cane growers who may otherwise have been seriously affected.

E

Having discussed; the pricing of sugarcane, the near similarity be- tween members and non-members of a cooperative society qua supply of cane and payment of price, the non-feasibility of hearing every individual grower by the Committee before fixation of the price of cane and ap- F plicability of uniform rate of cane in the reserved area both for members and non-members it may now be examined whether supply of cane by the cane growers under the Zoning Order issued by the State of Maharashtra is a compulsory sale within meaning of clause (!) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Act so as to attract Section 3(3)(c) of the Act. Both these sub-sections are part of Section 3 of the Act which is the main Section and is directed towards achieving the objective of the Acil to provide, in the interest of general public, for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce in certain commodities. Sub-sec- tion (1) of Section 3 spells out the general power of the Government to control production, supply and distribution of essential commodities if it is H

G

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A of opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do for maintaining or increasing supplies of any essential commodity or for securing their equi table distribution and its availability at fair price. Sub-section (2) illustrates this power, further, by empowering the Government to provide for, issuing licences or permits for production or manufacture of any essential com- B modity or for its storage, transport etc. and for controlling price at which an essential commodity may be bought or sold. Its clause (f) empowers the Government to direct any producers to sell the goods produced by it either to itself or to State Government or to any person or class of persons specified in the Order. What price is to be paid to the producer for such sale is provided by Section 3(3) of the Act. Relevant part of it is

C reproduced below :

"S.3. Powers to control production, supply, distribution, etc., of essential commodities -

D

E

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G

(1) ....................

(2) """"""""""

(3) where any person sells any essential commodity in compliance with an order made with reference to clause (!) of sub-section (2), there shall be paid to him the price therefor as hereinafter provided -

(a) where the price can, consistently with the controlled price, if any, foced under this section, be agreed upon, the agreed price;

(h) where on such agreement can be reached, the price calculated

with reference to the controlled price, if any ;

(c) where neither clause (a) nor clause (b) applies, the price calculated at the market rate prevailing in the locality at the date of sale. '1

A very perusal of it indicates that its field of operation extends to where any person is required to sell any essential commodity in compliance with an order made with reference to clause (!) of sub-section (2) of Section 3.

H

Two conditions, therefore, must exist - one, it should be a sale of an

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STA TE (R.M. SAHAI, J.] 415

essential commodity and second that such sale must be in compliance with A an order with reference to sub-section (2) (f) of Section 3, the relevant part of it reads as under :

"S.3. Powers to control production, supply distribution, etc., of essential commodities -

(1) ................... .

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by sub-section ( 1 ), an order made thereunder may provide -

(a) ................... .

(b) ................... .

(c) ................... .

(d) ................... .

(e) ................... .

B

c

D

(f) for requiring any person holding in stock, or engaged in the production, or in the business of buying or selling, of any essential commodity -

E

(a) to sell the whole or a specified part of the quantity held in stock or produced or received by him, or

(b) in the case of any such commodity which is likely to be produced or received by him, to sell the whole or a specified part F of such commodity when produced or received by him,

to the Central Government or a State Government or to an officer or agent of such Government or to a Corporation owned or controlled by such Government or to such other person or class of persons and in such circumstances as may be specified in the G order.

This sub-Section came up for interpretation by this Court in Union of India & Anr. v. Cynamide India Ltd. & Anr., (1987) 2 SCC 720. It was held :

"an order under Section 3(2)(1) is a specific order directed to a H

A

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particular individual for the purpose of enabliqg the Central Government to purchase a certain quantity of the e<timmodity from the person holding it. It is an order for a compulsory sale."

It was reiterated in Shri Malaprabha (supra) and it was observed :

It is a specific order directed to a particular individual in order to enable the Central Government to purchase a certain quantity of commodity from the person holding it. It is an order of compulsory sale. 11

C

Can clause (3) of the State Order issued in 1984 either on the language or its effect be construed to be an Order of com11ulsory sale? It expressly does not purport to be an order under Section 3(2[)(!) of the Act. It is not an order of the nature as was issued by the Central Government for sale of levy sugar. It does not direct a cane grower to sell its cane to the Government or to any person specified in the Order. In absence of any D provision the Order cannot be held to be order directing tlje producers to sell the cane so as to make it a compulsory sale undet clause (!) of sub-section (2) of Section 3.

Language of the Order apart even otherwise the purpose and objec tive for which the Order was issued does not remotely or even impliedly E warrant any inference that the supply of cane by the growers was sale. Mere restriction on supplying cane to anyone else than the specified sugar factory cannot be construed as an order for sale. It is true that th¢ effect of such an order as has been issued by the State of Maharashtra i~ that a grower who is in the reserved area is precluded from supplying his cane to any other factory than the one specified but that is a restriction to subserve the F main objective of ensuring that the sugar factory is not starved and the production does not suffer. That does not make a Zoning Order one of compulsory sale. Any order under sub-section (1) resulting in restricting the supply of essential commodity in a particular area or directing it to be sold or purchased on a particular price is not an order under Section G 3(2)(!) of the Act. If compulsion arising out of restrictiolt is held to be compulsory sale then it would render the entire scheme of Section 3(2) nugatory. What is contemplated by Section 3(2)(!) is a specific order. It applies in those cases where any essential commodity is dir~cted to be sold "' paned with in pursuance of an order of the Government. It has no application to supply in a reserved area. Further under clause (5) of Zoning H Order the cane under orders of the Director can be supplied to other

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MAHARASHTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE[R.M.SAHAl,J.] 417

factories. The provision completely demolishes the argument of compul- A sory sale.

What was vehemently urged by Dr. Dhawan, was that the invidious pricing system resorted to by the sugar factories which are indebted to State Government resulted in forcibly drawing such cane growers who were B not members of any cooperative society, therefore, it was contrary to the statutory equitable pricing system consequent to the compulsory sale under the Act. It was urged that the fixation of price was irrational and unfalt as it had no bearing or relation to the yield of the crop or to the predicament of the farmer. The learned counsel vehemently submitted that any pricing resorted to either by the cooperative societies or by the State Government C solely and exclusively in relation to the management of cooperative fac tories was an extraneous and irrelevant consideration. The learned counsel urged that since price fixation was not delegated under the 196.6 Order any action by the State Government or cooperative societies to resort to price fixation which was unfair and unjust to the non-members was contrary to the Act. The submission proceeded on assumption that the fixation of price D was in respect of a commodity which was directed to be compulsorily sold under the orders issued by the Government. As explained earlier the assumption does not appear to be well founded. The entire edifice of the submission was built on the compulsive nature of transaction involved in supply of cane and payment of price. But what was lost sight of was that Section 3(3)(c) could be attracted only if the order issued by the Govern- E ment could be held1to be one under Section 3(2)(!). The submission ignores that economics of pricing in a controlled economy is entirely different from a free market. The equilibrium in the latter is reached by interaction of supply and demand. Its graph keeps on moving up and down governed by the principle of scarcity. But the controlled economy does not operate on p demand and supply. The production, distribution and the ~u~ply are regu lated and controlled by the Government in public interest. Such orders are issued in social interest for the common benefit and fair price for the needy and poor. Legality of such orders cannot be tested on cost structure of free economy or maximum profit theory. The concept of cost ~tructure and the profit in a controlled economy is entirely different. In Mis New India Sugar G Works etc. etc. v. State of Uttar Prade»h & Ors. etc. etc., (1981) 2 SCC 293 this Court although in a different context observed as under :

"The policy of price control has for its dominant object equitable distribution and availability of the commodity at fair price so as to H

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[1995] 3 S.C.R.

A

B

benefit the consumers. It is manifest that individual interests, however, precious they may be must yield to the larger interest of the community, namely in the instant case, the large body of the consumers of sugar. In fact, even if the petitioners have to bear some loss there can be no question of the restrictions imposed on the petitioners being unreasonable."

' .

The another facet of the same submission by Dr. Dhawan was that due to operation of the State Order directing a cane grower to supply its cane to a factory in whose reserved area it falls, the real nature of supply was a compulsory sale as visualised in Section 3(2)(1). It was attempted to C be supported by clauses (6)(a), (6)(b), (6)(c) of the 1966 Order and clauses (3) and (1) of the State Order. It was urged that even though compulsory supply has to be made by operation of different provisions of the two orders yet it was in nature of contract of sale under compulsion. Reliance was placed on Andhra Sugars Ltd. & Anr. Etc. v. State of Andhra Pradesh D & Ors., [1968] 1 SCR 705 and Vishnu Agencies (Pvt.) Ltd. Etc. v. Commer cial Tax Officer & Ors. Etc., [1978] 2 SCR 433. The learned counsel submitted that since the Order was specific both in letter and intent and it was clear from the schedules that all growers could supply cane only to an identifiable sugar factory the necessary inference that arose was that it was a compulsory sale and, therefore, the respondents were entitled for a E market price under Section 3(3)(c). Help was also taken from Shri Malaprabha (supra) and it was urged that where there were general orders which identified the seller and the buyer and both were aware of the nature of transaction that the sale had to be made to identifiable designated person the sale was nothing but a compulsory sale. It was urged that a p provision with inbuilt specific identification could not be used as a device to disguise the real nature of transaction. None of the submissions appear to be well founded. As observed in Shri Ma/aprabha (supra) and Anakapal/e (supra) the provisions of Section 3(3)(c) could apply only where there was a specific order of sale. In absence of any such order the inference that the learned counsel for respondent has attempted to draw G cannot be said to be justified. What is contemplated under Section 3(3)(c) is an order of a compulsory sale and not a compulsion arising out of enforcement of restrictions under the provisions of controlling distribution and supply. A cane grower in a reserved area gets the price for supply of this cane to a specified factory. This price is payable both to members and H non-members. The orders only restrict that the supply could not be made

MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 419

to .;,y factory outside the area. The restriction may result in confining the A choice but it cannot be construed as an order of sale. The situations in which an order can be considered to be an order for compulsory sale may be one where the Government by a particular order or a general order as in the case of levy sugar directs the producer to part with his goods. Number of commodities have been declared to be essential commodity B under Section 3 of the Act. Its supply and distribution may be regulated either by restricting the area or fixing the price. If in respect of any such commodity the Government passes an order directing a producer to sell any essential commodity to Government or to any class of persons specified in the order then it shall be a compulsory sale. None of the decisions on which reliance was placed has any relevance.' The observation in Andhra C Sugars, (supra) that where cane ·growers entered into agreement with factory owners who were bound to purchase the cane by operation of statutory provisions may amount to compulsion of law and not coerce and the agreements so entered are enforceable as contracts of sale as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Sale of Goods Act, did not mean that the D compulsive element of supplying cane resulted in compulsory sale. The Court was bringing out the distinction between coerce and compulsion under law. But every compulsion does not bring about a compulsory sale. Similarly the other decision in Vishnu Agencies (supra) was concerned with determining whether supply made under statutory order was sale for purposes of levy of sales tax.

E

The dual pricing system, one, for llll'mbers and other for non members or the option to non-members to sell to the factory of their choice may be negative of the zoning concept and may effect the cooperative movement in the State. Dr. Singhvi may be right that even before Zoning Order was issued the cooperative movement was there and the benefits F that a member of the society derives may not result in affecting the system largely but any policy which has the tendency of shaking the system rudely must be avoided.

Consequently the first two directions issued by the Full Bench on G

price fixation cannot be upheld. As regards third direction it has been explained in the affidavit filed in pursuance to order dated 24th February 1995 which substantially remains uncontroverted that the deductions under bye-law 65 are made for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Small Saving Scheme, Cane Development Fund. Vasantdada Sugar Research Institute, Arca Development Fund etc .. The details as t<) how the deductions are H

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[1995] 3 S.C.R.

A made have also been mentioned. It is true that they are made in exercise of power under bye-law 65 which does not apply to non-members. But these deductions being for the general welfare of the society it cannot be said that they are either bad or they suffer from any infirmity. The deposits deducted unlike members are refundable apd they carry same interest as is paid to members. A non-member who is sharing in profits of the sugar B production cannot be heard to say that he had no obligations towards the

society because he is not a member of any cooperative society.

With the conclusion thus arrived the other issues are rendered academic. Suffice it to say that the Court's responsibility is to construe the C provision which may advance the cooperative movement in the State. The amendments in Sections 22 and 23 have facilitated the membership. Not withstanding the right of a cane grower to become a member of cooperative society the provisions cannot be construed so as to result in nullifying the

whole system of control devised to improve production of the sugar m the

country. For sake of more profit to few individuals the society cannot be D made to suffer. Ours is a mixed economy. Competition and ~ntrol have been blended to reduce economic imbalance. If the individual growers who do not constitute more than 20% otherwise get the same profit as a member of cooperative society then there appears no justification to con strue the provision to give them a bit more profit when it is fraught with E danger of small units closing down and the entire zoning system coming to

a crash.

F

Even though as discussed earlier the sµpply made by the non members could not be considered to be compulsory sale within meaning of section 3(2)(f) and, therefore, the provisions of Section 3(3)(c) are not attracted, yet the methodology adopted by the State for fixing price re quires to be rationalised as various discrepancies have surfaced for which there is no satisfactory explanation. The Full Bench felt that there was something grievously wrong with pricing system in the State, therefore, it found a legal basis for striking it down at least for non-members. What is G baffling is that even though factory after factory, rather, nearly the entire lot is shown to be suffering loss yet new units are coming up every day in the cooperative sector. May be because as claimed by the State it is vitally concerned in production of sugar and is, therefore, investing substantial funds, nearly 95% in setting up of the units. May be as suggested by the the public funds thus tr~sferred for social welfare is respondents that

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MAHARASHTRA SAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 421

B

being syphoned off by vested interests. May be as argued that the loss is A more paper work than truth as in fact it has resulted in giving rise to what has come to be known as powerful political sugar lobby in the State of Maharashtra. But these are matters more political than legal, the remedy for which may not be in courts. Even otherwise it is not possible to identify the evil, both, for paucity of material and discipline, of restraint, of keeping away rather than entering in such hazardous zone. All the same from the chart filed along with the affidavit in C.A. No. 523 of 1989 it appears the factories having better recovery have been permitted to pay lower price as compared to the' factories the recovery of which is lower. For instance at item Nos. 14 and 15 the two karkhanas, Ashok and Dayaneshwar, are show to have recovery of 10.21 % and 10.53% respectively. Yet the price paid in c 1985-86 was Rs. 270 per tonne by Ashok whereas it was Rs. 250 by Dayaneshwar. Similarly serial nos. 21 and 22 the factories, Sanjiwani and Sangarnaner with same recovery, that is, 11.31 % have been made to pay Rs. 364, Rs. 330 and Rs. 240 for years 1985-86, 1986-87 and 1987-88 and Rs. 391, Rs. 348 and Rs. 366 respectively. Then again at serial no. 37 and D 38 Shrirarn and Ajinkyatara the recovery percentage was 10.84 and 11.75 respectively and the price paid was Rs. 311.50 Rs. 300 and Rs. 285 and Rs. 305.50, Rs. 330 and Rs. 415 respectively. It has not been explained how this difference has arisen. Such wide disparities are bound to create distrust. In price mechanism chart the expenditure which is deducted from the receipts includes overheads which are substantial. Over and above the E interest, loan, bonus etc. is also deducted.

In the written arguments filed on behalf of respondents it is explained that there is consioerable disparity in the market price of sugarcane in Maharashtra in recent years and the variation in 1990-91 ranged between F Rs. 545 to Rs. 274 in 1991-92 between Rs. 511 and Rs. 226.80 whereas in 1992-93 it was between Rs. 731 and Rs. 310. According to respondents this price vuriation has nothing to do with the product, namely, the recovery from the sugarcane but is based on extraneous consideration as seen by its principal creator, namely, the State Government.

G

The respondents may not be justified in advancing this submission as the entire price structure of cane is founded on two basic factors, one, the recovery percentage and other the incentive for sharing profit arrived at by working out receipt minus expenditure. And that is neither. contrary to law nor unfair. But the wide disparity in the price paid by two factories is H

422

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A certainly glaring and is apt to create misgiving. How to remedy it? In a welfare society the consumer of essential goods is as important as the manufacturer and producer of it. The entire objective of the Essential Commodities Act is to promote social welfare. It is being achieved by controlling price of sugar with equal emphasis on cultivation of cane and its price. Any legislation must be viewed with this perspective. In the Zoning Order clause (5) empowers sugar factory to accept cane from other zone as well but no similar right has been given to cultivators. For better appreciation the entire clause is set out :

B

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5. Regulation of Supply of Sugarcane. -

{1) A permit officer may allow a sugar factory to purchase cane or to accept supplies of cane from cane growers from areas other than the area reserved for it under clause 3 if he is satisfied that any of the following circumstances exist namely :

(a) In the event of production of cane in the area reserved for the factory being not adequate for enabling it to reach op timum level of crushing;

{b) In the event of surplus production of cane in the areas reserved for other factories which those factories are not able to crush during the crushing season.

(c) In the event of stoppage of nearby sugar factory due to mechanical break down, labour unrest, lock-out or any other reason.

( d) In the event of cane grower or cane growers from the area reserved for a particular factory declining to supply cane to the said factory on account of any of the following reasons, if found justified by the Permit Officer :

(i) Non-payment of late payment of cane price by the sugar factory; or

(ii) Non-fulfilment of any .of the obligations by the sugar factory arising out of agreement between the cane grower or cane growers and the sugar factory; or

.H

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MAHARASHTRASAKKAR KARKHANA v. STATE [R.M. SAHA!, J.] 423

(iii) Discrimination by the sugar factory in harvesting of cane A and thereby causing loss to the cane grower or the cane growers;

Provided that before passing any order under this sub-clause, for any of the above reasons, the Permit Officer shall give the B parties concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard m person or through the authorised representative."

Clause (5) prescribes the situations in which one sugar factory will be permitted by the prescribed authority to purchase sugarcane from the zone of another sugar factory. It does not provide for the cane grower C seeking a permit for sale of his cane to another sugar factory (than the factory within whose zone he may be situated} even if any or all the conditions prescribed in the clause are satisfied. Take· a case where a sugar factory indulges in all the three irregularities mentioned in sub-clause ( d} of Clause (5), viz., it does not pay the price of cane at the proper time, it D does not adhere to the agreement it has entered into with the grower and it also discriminates in harvesting the cane thereby causing loss to the cane growers - even then the cane grower cannot apply for permit to. sell his cane to whomsoever he likes. All that probably he cane do is to complain. But he will get some relief only when there is another factory (which, of course, has its own zone) which is prepared to purchase cane from this E zone and applies for permit to the permit officer to purchase cane from this zone. If it does not so apply, the grower within the first zone is helpless. That is not being fair and just to the growers. It is, therefore, necossary that the State Government may suitably amend the Zoning Order so as to provide that in a case where any of the three circumstances mentioned in Clause 5( d) are present it would·be open to the cane growers to apply to the specified officer for permission to supply his cane outside the zone. In such an event, it may be open to the officer to designate the factory to which the grower should sell his cane ensuring that the grower gets a price which is not less than the price obtained in his zone.

F

G

· The State Government would be further well advised to get the matter threshed out, before the next crushing season commences, by an Expert Committee comprising of economists and financial experts well versed in price fJXation, particularly in agricultural sector. This exercise has become imperative after the enforcement of Zoning Order. In fact when H

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[1995) 3 S.C.R.

A Zoning Order was introduced the State at that time should have got these aspects examined. However, the price equation since 1984 has undergone tremendous upsurge. The escalation is manifold. Benefit of higher price of sugar must percolate to growers as well. Therefore, the Committee may examine,

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(a) If the fixation of State Advised Price unifarmly for the entire State as it is being done in other States, or at least separately for different zones, as the normal recovery in the zones varies, would be more feasible;

(b) If the additional price worked out in the manner indicated in Scheduled II of Control Order of 1966 is more advantageous and beneficial to the growers. If it be so it may opt for the same as it would avoid tedious exercise by the Ministerial Committee and h ave the benefit of uniformity;

( c) The Committee may further examine whether Rs. 600 which has been paid by the factories to the non-growers under interim order passed by this Court would not be a reasonable minimum price for 1995-96 and may furnish the basis for fixation of price for future ye.ar;

(d)

(e)

It may also suggest ways and means for improving yield by the sugar factories and reducirg overhead expenses <tlld eliminating, possible, paper Joss;

It would further be in interest or the Government to ask the Committee to examine if the shortcomings pointed out by the Full Bench in other regard can be rectified and rationalised; and

(!)

The Committee may examine whether hye-law 65 should be applied to non-members or not.

Although the price f1Xation has not been found to suffer from any infirmity yet due to passage of time, nearly eight or nine years, since this price fixation was challenged and with rise of price all around it appears expedient to dispose of these appeals with following directions to ensure

H smooth functioning both for the past and future :

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MAHARASHTRASAKKARKARKHANAv. STATE[R.M.SAHAI,J.] 425

(i) The directions of the Full Bench in paragraph 25 of the A Judgment shall stand set aside.

(ii) The State Government may take appropriate steps to amend Clause ( 5) of the Zoning Order so as to protect the cane growers.

(iii) The Government may appoint a Committee of Experts to study B and examine the price structure in the light of what has been stated earlier.

(iv) Even though the order issued by the State Government deter-· mining price for each factory is upheld but since in consequence of the order passed by the High Court an interim order was granted C by this Court and the factories were directed to pay Rs. 600 to the cane growers and they were directed to furnish bank guarantee for Rs. 145 it is directed that the amount paid by the factories shall not be liable to recovery from ·the cane growers. But the bank guarantee furnished by the appellants or sugar factories shall stand D discharged.

(v) It is made clear ibat the direction not to recover Rs. 600 from non-groweis would not entitle any member of the cooperative society or the cooperative society itself to claim. that it was liable to be paid Rs. 600 for its cane during the years in dispute.

E

For the reasons stated in the order these appeals are disposed of

with above directions. Parties shall bear their own costs.

R.P.

Appeals disposed.

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