I.A. Ansari, J.

1. By this common judgment and order, I propose to dispose of all these writ petitions inasmuch as all these writ petitions, involving identical facts and having raised same questions of law for determination, have been heard together on the request made by the learned Counsel for the parties.

2. In order to correctly appreciate as to what the grievances of the Petitioners are, what reliefs they have sought for and on what basis, the Respondents resist the writ petitions, certain material facts, not being in dispute, are set out as under:

(i) Taking into account the continuing backwardness of the North-Eastern region, it was felt by the Government of India that a new synergetic incentive package would stimulate development of industries, for, such incentive package would attract investors. Thus, with a view to fostering industrial growth in North-Eastern region, the then Prime Minister of India made, on 27.10.96, at Guwahati, a statement that new incentives would be announced for industrial development of the North-Eastern region. Expert groups/committees were accordingly constituted to concretize the initiatives. By a notification, dated 24.12.1997, Government