JUDGMENT

Srikrishna, J.-This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment of the High Court of Delhi dated 19th October, 2000 dismissing the writ petition of the appellants under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging the notification dated 31st December, 1999 issued by the Lt. Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

2. Appellant Nos. 1 to 4 are transport operators who have been issued stage carriage permits by the State Transport Authority, Delhi under various schemes. Appellant No.5 is an association of bus operators in Delhi, whose members have been granted permits under various schemes for upliftment of different sections of society.

3. Respondent Nos.1 to 3 represent the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Respondent No.4 is a statutory corporation set up under Section 3 of the Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950.

4. Respondent No.4, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), was continuously making losses and found itself unable to handle the volume of work required for providing efficient transport facilities for the public in Delhi. The work of transport was opened up to private operators like the appellants, who were grante