Time was when Kerala abounded in wood-wealth: Including softwood. The State had the second biggest timber market in the world, Kallai. These, however, appear now, as matters of distant glory, fading memory, and a boast about the past. Almost like that of the well known Malayalam literary character who used to say "My Great Grand-Pa had an elephant"

2. Scarcity in timber supply is now keenly felt. Wood-based industries starve for raw materials. Scarcity has generated problems of resource mobilisation and equitable distribution. Ad hoc adjustments were initially introduced. Lasting problems, however, require more enduring solutions. The solutions must be reasonable, rational and just. That is a constitutional requirement. Whether the solution evolved by the State in relation to softwood distribution - the policy of distribution as evolved by the softwood Committee which met on 17-6-1980 - stands the test of constitutionality judged by Art.14 and Art.19 of the Constitution, is the main question which arises for decision in the two writ petitions.

3. The factual details leading to the institution of the writ petition by two frustrated industrialists whose race for raw materials