JUDGMENT :— We have heard Mr. Bhagat. learned counsel for the appellant-State, and Mr. Goburdhan, learned counsel for the respondent.

2. This is a peculiar case. The State of Bihar had issued an order described as Bihar Essential Articles (Display of prices and Stocks), Order, 1977 (hereinafter referred to as the Order). It was published in the Bihar Government Gazette Extraordinary dated Sept. 10, 1977. It came into force from the date of publication, as provided in sub-cl. (3) of cl. (1). Sub-cl. (a) of cl. (2) of the Order defines article to mean any essential commodity mentioned in Schs. I and II appended to the Order and further confers powers on the State Government to include any other articles if found necessary. Cl. (3) casts an obligation on the dealer to display at a conspicuous place near the entrance of his business premises a list of prices and stocks of all the articles mentioned in Schedule I in which he deals. Schedule I placitum 24 sets out soda ash (for washing purposes) as one of the articles covered by the Order. This order is issued in exercise of the powers conferred by S. 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the Act), As a coro