J.C. SHAH, J.

(1) THE appellant obtained the right to win Saltpetre from the Shamlat Deh lands vested in the Panchayat of two villages Malar and Peoda. In respect of the land in village Malar the right to win Saltpetre was to end on 31/08/1970, and the appellant had paid a sum of Rs. 30,100.00. In respect of the land in village Peoda the right was to expire on 31/07/1970, and the appellant had paid Rs. 3,520.00. The Central government issued a Notification on 29/07/1967, declaring Saltpetre to be a minor mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation & Development) Act 67 of 1957. Thereafter the government of Haryana issued a Notification on 13/12/1968, for holding an auction for Saltpetre in the village of Malar and another Notification, dated 7/02/1969, in respect of village Peoda. On representations made by the appellant the government of Haryana restricted the appellants grant which was originally for two years in each case to one year and thereafter threatened to dispossess the appellant by holding fresh auctions after the expiry of the year.

(2) THE appellant then filed a petition in the High court of Punjab and Haryana for a writ restraining the State from ta