Judgment

CHINNAPPA REDDY, J. :- These two appeals arise out of a batch of Writ Petitions which were allowed by a learned Single Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, but which on appeal, were dismissed by a Division Bench of the Court. The appellants were consumers of high and low tension electrical energy which was being supplied to them under agreements with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. By G. O. No. 187 dated 30-1-1955, the Government of Andhra Pradesh purporting to act in exercise of its power under Section 3 of the Essential Articles Control and Requisitioning (Temporary Powers) Act, enhanced the rates of supply of electrical energy over and above the contracted rates. Several persons, including the appellants in the two appeals, filed Writ Petitions in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, challenging the validity of G.O. No. 187 dated 30th January, 1955. Pending disposal of the Writ Petitions they obtained stay of collection of enhanced charges. The Writ Petitions were finally allowed by Satyanarayana Raju, J., on 22nd February, 1957, and G. O. No. 187 dated 30th January, 1955 was struck down. The Government of Andhra Pradesh preferred appeals under clause 15 of the Lett