Judgment

VERMA, J.- These appeals by special leave are against the dismissal of the Writ Petition Nos. 174 of 1983, 124 and 146 of 1984 filed by the appellants in the Bombay High Court, Panaji Bench, Goa. The appellants, in the writ petitions had challenged the notification dated 25-10-1983 amended by the notification dated 26-4-1984 by which the Board of Trustees of the Mormugao Port had revised the rates of wharf dues on some export cargo, namely, iron ore and iron ore pellets handled through the Mechanical Ore Handling Plant (referred hereafter as MOHP) at Berth No. 9. The increase was made from the existing rate of Rs 27.56 per tonne or part thereof to Rs 28.22 and there was also levy of surcharge subject to rebate of Rs 8.80 per tonne. It was further notified that 50% of the handling charges were payable before receipt of the cargo for unloading and the balance of 50% was to be paid before shipment of the cargo. The appellants challenged the levy of the said surcharge as well as the requirement of payment of 50% of the handling charges before receipt of the cargo for unloading. The writ petitions have been dismissed by the High Court hence these appeals by special leave.

2. It w