A.M. Bujor Barua, J.

1. Heard Mr. D. Saikia, learned Senior Additional Advocate General, Assam appearing on behalf of the appellants. Also heard Mr. N. Dutta, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents/writ petitioners in Writ Appeal No.312/2014, Writ Appeal SL No.240147 [I.A(Civil) No.1512/2017], Writ Appeal SL No.239658 [I.A.(Civil) No.1514/2017] and Writ Appeal SL No.240144 [I.A.(Civil) No.1515/2017] and Mr. R. Dubey, learned counsel for the respondent Airport Authority of India appearing in Writ Appeal No.312/2014. None had appeared for the respondents/writ petitioners in Writ Appeal SL No.240298 [I.A.(Civil) No.1511/2017].

2. In all the writ appeals, a common question for determination before this Court is as to whether the respective contractors, for filling up the land sites for the Airport Authority of India, National Highway Authority of India as well as the Northeast Frontier Railways are required to pay royalty in respect of the earth extracted by them from private Patta lands of the different land owners and used for the purpose of filling up the land. As the common determination would meet the requirement of all the writ appeals, it i