( 1 ) ALOKENDRA Nath Mitter, the petitioner herein, applied to the Public Works Department, Salt Lake Branch, Government of West Bengal for allotment of a plot of land under the Salt Lake City Extension Scheme. By a letter dated the 11th August, 1975, the Assistant Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of West Bengal on behalf of the Governor offered a plot measuring about 5 cottahs in Sector I/ii of the Salt Lake township for demise to the petitioner on lease for 999 years on the following conditions :-- (a) The petitioner would pay a premium or salami at the rate of Rs. 7000/-per cottah. (b) The petitioner would deposit 50% of the said premium or salami as earnest money with the Reserve Bank of India Calcutta within a specified time and submit to the Government the receipted challan along with a formal application by way of unconditional acceptance of the terms of the proposed lease. (c) The balance 50% of the premium or salami would be payable within two months from the date when the petitioner would be informed that the land was ready for delivery of possession.

( 2 ) PURSUANT to the aforesaid, the petitioner duly deposited a sum of Rs. 17,500/- b