( 1 ) THIS is a first appeal by the plaintiff, whose suit for damages for a breach of contract assessed by him at Rs. 1,80,000/-against the State of Madhya Pradesh has been dismissed by the Additional District Judge, Rewa.

( 2 ) THE suit of the plaintiff was inter alia, based on the following allegations: that the plaintiff was a registered partnership firm with Bhagwandas and Shobhalal as its managing partners, carrying on business of manufacture and sale of bidis at mohalla Chameli Chauk, Sagar; that the plaintiffs were a lessee of the then charkhari State for collecting tendu leaves from its Isanagar Pargana for the period ending 30-9-1949; that after Independence, the State of Charkhari merged with the neighbouring States of Bundelkhand and Baghel-khand to form a United state of Vindhya Pradesh under a popular Government; that on 4-12-1948 the plaintiffs applied to the Minister for Commerce and Industries for extension of the period of the aforesaid lease by another five years on a consideration of Rs. 1,000/- per annum; that on 11-12-1948, a lease was sanctioned in their favour as prayed for by them under the signature of Shri Mohanlal, Secretary, Commerce and Industr