M. SRINIVASAN, C.J.—The petitioner is a Government of India Undertaking incorporated and registered under the Companies Act functioning under the Department of Power, Ministry of Energy, Government of India. It is engaged in the planning, promotion and organization of integrated and efficient development of hydroelectric projects in all aspects, including planning, investigation, research, design and preparation of preliminary feasibility and definite project reports, construction, generation, operation and maintenance of hydroelectric power stations and projects and sale of power generated at the hydroelectric stations in accordance with the national economic policy and objectives laid down by the Central Government from time to time. Besides other projects the petitioner took up the construction and execution of the Chamera Hydroelectric Project in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The Project has been completed and generation of electricity has commenced. The electricity so generated is being supplied in bulk to various Electricity Boards constituted under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 including the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board, which is a state undertaking. The