( 1 ) THE petitioners who are two in number have challenged by this petition the validity of para 7 of the Export Entitlement Distribution Policy ( policy for short) relating to export of certain categories of readymade garments for the year 1988, 1989 and 1990 issued by public Notice No. 28 ETC (PN)/87 dated 15th October, 1987 and effective from 1st January, 1988.

( 2 ) THE first petitioner is an association of garment exporters and the second petitioner is himself an exporter of garments. The respondents are the Union of India both through the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Textiles, Chief Controller of Imports and Exports and the Apparel Export Promotion Council (for short the AEPC ).

( 3 ) EXPORT of garments is regulated under the Import and Exports Control Act, 1947 and Export (Control) Order, 1977 issued under this Act. An Import (Control) Order, 1955 has also been issued under the Act. The lmport/export Policy is announced by the Government of India by means of public notices in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary ). The primary object of Export Policy is to promote export to the maximum extent but in such a manner that the economy of the country is not