1. Petitioner is an agriculturist. Respondent No.1, National Horticulture Board, floated a scheme to develop high quality horticultural farms in identified belts and make such area vibrant with horticultural activity which in turn will act as hubs for developing commercial horticulture by adopting high-tech horticulture techniques. Under the scheme, the agriculturists were required to submit their projects and on its approval, were eligible to receive, as back ended capital investment, a subsidy. In the foreword of project, which has been relied upon by the learned Counsel for the respondents, it has been stated thus:-

2. National Horticulture Board (for short NHB )was set up by the Government of India in 1984 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 with a wide mandate to promote integrated development of horticulture, to help in coordinating, stimulating and sustaining the production and processing of fruits and vegetables and to establish a sound infrastructure in this field. NHB is accordingly laying special emphasis on post-harvest management and marketing aspects of horticultural produce.

3. Since its inception, NHB has taken up various progra