Per DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CJ:

The present Writ Appeal has been preferred against the judgment and order, dated 04.01.2013, passed in W.P. No.375 of 2012.

The writ petitioner had challenged the proceedings, dated 09.11.2011, of the appellant herein, whereby it had rejected the request of the petitioner for supply of low grade (C + D + waste) varieties of Baryte in accordance with the rates fixed under the Agreement, dated 18.06.2008. The learned single Judge, by virtue of judgment and order impugned, allowed the petition by invoking the doctrine of promissory estoppel and held that the appellant had to honour the promise to supply low grade Barytes at the rate of Rs.221/- per MT subject to increase in price at the rate of 4% over the price of the previous year in accordance with the Agreement, dated 18.06.2008.

With a view to understand the background in the context of which the present controversy has arisen, it would be appropriate to refer briefly to some of the material facts:

2. Barytes is a mineral composed of barium sulphate, which on account of its properties finds application in a lot of industries. The Barytes ore is found in abundance in two villages i.e., Mangampet and Ananth