D. M. DHARMADHIKARI, J.

( 1 ) THE petitioners are engaged in the business of slaughter and selling of meat of bulls, bullocks and other animals. By this petition, they question the constitutional validity of the Notification dated 11-12-1989 published in Government Gazette dated 13-12-1989 by the State of Gujarat, which is purported to have been issued by it in exercise of its powers conferred under clause (b) of subsection (1) and clause (g) of subsection (2) of Section 4 and clause (a) of subsection (1) of Section 5 of the Gujarat Essential Commodities and Cattle (Control) Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as `the Act of 1958) as applicable to the State of Gujarat. By the impugned Notification, the earlier Notification issued on the same subject and under the same provisions of law dated 15-10-1976 has been modified, in so far as the imposition of ceiling of maximum number of bulls and bullocks that may be slaughtered in the City of Ahmedabad. Prior to the impugned Notification, the existing Notification dated 15-10-1976 published in Government Gazette dated 15-11-1976 issued under the provisions of Section 4 and 5 of the Act prescribed maximum limits for slaughter of bulls and b

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