JUDGMENT

D.K. Jain, J. —

1. This appeal, by special leave, is directed against the judgment dated 3rdAugust, 2000 delivered by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, whereby the writ petition filed by the appellant herein, questioning the Constitutional validity of Haryana General Sales Tax (Amendment) Act 9 of 1993 (for short “Act 9 of 1993”), substituting Section 15-A in the Haryana General Sales Tax Act, 1973 (for short “the Act”) retrospectively w.e.f. 27th May, 1971, has been dismissed.

2. The appellant (hereinafter referred to as “the dealer”), a registered dealer under the Act, was engaged in the business of purchase and dehusking of paddy to produce rice, in the State of Haryana. Rice so produced was exported outside the country within the meaning of Section 5 of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 (for short “the CST Act”). The present appeal relates to the assessment year 1990-91. The turnover of the paddy purchased by the dealer during the relevant year was subjected topurchase tax under Sections 6 and 15-A of the Act vide assessment orders dated 14th January, 1997 and 9th July, 1999.

3. Aggrieved by the said levy, the dealer preferred a writ petition before the High Court, c