Judgement

SHAH, J.: These appeals arise out of orders passed in petitions moved before the High Court of Orissa challenging the scheme adopted by the Government of Orissa for sale of Kendu leaves in which the State has assumed a monopoly of trading, by the Orissa Kendu Leaves (Control of Trade) Act 28 of 1961.

2. Kendu tree is a wild growth. Its leaf is used mainly in the manufacture of bidis. To regulate the trade in Kendu leaves the State of Orissa has adopted diverse executive and legislative measures. In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 (1) of the Orissa Essential Articles Control and Requisitioning (Temporary Powers) Act, 1947 the Government of Orissa issued the Orissa Kendu Leaves (Control and Distribution) Order, 1949, providing for the issue of licences to persons trading in Kendu leaves. The District Magistrates were authorised to fix the minimum rates for purchase of Kendu leaves and the Order provided that the licensees should purchase Kendu leaves from the pluckers or owners of private trees and forests at rates not below the minimum prescribed. A trader in Kendu leaves challenged the validity of the Act and the Order before the High Court of Orissa on the pl