JUDGMENT :

A.K. Sikri, J.

The erstwhile Bhushan Ltd. (predecessor-in-interest of the petitioner) had proposed setting up of plant in some identified villages in the district of Sambalpur, Odisha. For this purpose, it had made a request for acquisition of land, measuring 1250 acres, which was acquired for Bhushan Ltd. It had also applied for grant of lease of mining of iron ore for use in the proposed plant. These applications were favourably considered by the State of Odisha (hereinafter referred to as the 'State Government') which agreed to accord due priority to Bhushan Ltd. for grant of suitable iron ore areas and also agreed to recommend the proposal to the Government of India for grant of a coal block. Even a MoU was entered into between the State Government and Bhushan Ltd. containing the commitment of the State Government to recommend to the Central Government, grant of iron ore mines for its use in the proposed plant. For this purpose, area earmarked for recommendation were Thakurani area with 96 million tonnes iron ore reserves and Keora area, District Sundargarh for additional 128 million tonnes of iron ore; both for 50 years' requirement of the plant. Though various statut