STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND OTHERSversusM/S. BASANT AGROTECH (INDIA) LTD.

                    [2013] 17 S.C.R. 395

         STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND OTHERS                              A
                            v.
         MIS. BASANT AGROTECH (INDIA) LTD.
             (Civil Appeal No.10867 of 2013)
                    DECEMBER 6, 2013
                                                                    B
        [ANIL R. DAVE AND DIPAK MISRA, JJ.]

     Administrative Law - Subordinate/delegated legislation
- Whether can be given retrospective effect - Held:
Legislature can make a law retrospectively or prospectively C
subject to justifiability and acceptability within the
constitutional parameters - A subordinate legislation can be
given retrospective effect if a power in its behalf is contained
in the principal Act - In the present case, Notification could
not have been given retrospective operation, because such D
an interpretation does not flow from the $tatute i.e. s. 16 of
Rajasthan Finance Act, 2008 - The words "from time to time"
used in s. 16 have a· futuristic tenor - It does not engulf the
spectrum .of retrospectivity or retroactivity in its ambit and
sweep - therefore, the Notification so far as it covered the E
period prior to the date of its publication is transgression of
the statutory postulate - Rajasthan Finance Act, 2008- s. 16.

    Interpretation of Statutes:

     Construction of a statutory provision - If any implied         F
power is construed from the language used in the statute, there
has to be a holistic reading of the statute, but not a fragmented
one.

    Interpretation of Fiscal legislation/taxing statutes -          G
Fundamental principles for - Discussed.

   Words and Phrases - Expression 'From time to time' -
Connotation of - Discussed.

                              395                                   H
    396         SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2013] 17 S.C.R.

A       The respondents - the mining lease-holders for
    extraction of major minerals, filed writ petitions before
    High Court challenging the Constitutional validity of
    Chapter VII of Rajasthan Finance Act, 2008, which
    provides for levy of cess on mineral rights. The lease-
s   holders were required to pay environment and health
    cess imposed u/s. 16 of the Act.

       In addition Notification dated 23.1.2009 issued by
  State Government was also challenged, whereby the
  Notification dated 25.2.2002 was amended. It was
C challenged on the ground that the Notification sought to
  levy environment and health •cess with retrospective
  effect i.e. w.e.f. 1.4.2008 and the Notification was illegal
  and bad in l~w to thE! extent it was given retrospective
  effect.
D
      The High Court held that the levy by the State
  Government was within its legislative competence and
  hence not unconstitutional. However, the High Court held
  the Notification dated 23.1.2009 was ultra vires and the
E same could no_t have retrospective effect. Hence the
  present appeals by the State. The scope of the present
  appeals was limited to the question whether the order of
  High Court declaring the Notification to the effect that it
  cannot have retrospective effect is valid or justified.
F      The appellant-State contended that wherever
  statutory power is conferred, there is no limitation with
  regard to exercise of that power and the same can be
  exercised from time to time; and that administrative
  power as well as quasi-legislative power can be exercised
G any. number of times, in view of the principle embodied
  u/s. 21 of General Clauses Act.

          Dismissing the appeal, the Court

          HELD: 1.1. In construing fiscal statutes and in
H
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                 397
                (INDIA) LTD.
determining the liability of a subject to tax, one must have   A
regard to the strict letter of the law and not merely to the
spirit of the statute or the substance of the law. If the
Revenue satisfies the Court that the case falls strictly
within the provision of the law, the subject can be taxed.
If, on the other hand, the case is not covered within the      B
four corners of the provisions of the taxing statute, no tax
can be imposed by inference or by analogy or by trying
to -probe into the intentions of the legislature and by
considering what was the substance of the matter. The
rule of construction of a charging section is that before      c
taxing any person, it must be shown that he falls within
the ambit of the charging section by clear words used in
the section. No one can be taxed by implication. A
charging section has to be construed strictly. [Paras 14
and 17] [409-C-E; 411-C]
                                                               D
     AS. Fernandez vs. The State of Kera/a AIR 1957 SC
657: 1957 SCR 837; Bank of Chettinad vs. Income-tax
Commr. AIR 1940 PC 183; Commissioner of Sa/ex-tax, IJ.P.
vs. Modi Sugar Mills Ltd. AIR 1961 SC 1047: 1961 SCR 189;
Commissioner of Income-tax, Madras vs. Kasturi and Sons        E
Ltd. AIR 1999 SC 1275: 1999 (1) SCR 1207; Commissioner
of Wealth Tax, Gujarat-Ill, Ahmedabad vs. Ellis Bridge
Gymkhana AIR 1998 SC 120: 1997 ( 4) Suppl. SCR 626 -
relied on.
                                                               F
     Partington vs. The Attorney" General (1869) 4 H L 100
(8) - referred to.

     2.1. A legislature can make a law retrospectively or
prospectively subject to justifiability and acceptability
within the constitutional parameters. A subordinate            G
legislation can be given retrospective effect if a power in
this behalf is contained in the principal Act. if the power
has been conferred under the main Act by the legislature,
the State Government or the delegated authority can
                                                               H
    398        SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.


A   issue a notification within the said parameters. [Paras 22
    and 26] [412-F; 414-D]
      Mahabir Vegetable Oils (P) Ltd. and Anr. vs. State of
  Haryana and Ors. (2006) 3 SCC 620: 2006 (2) SCR 1172;
  MRF Ltd. Kottayam vs. Asstt. Commissioner (Assessment)
8 Sales Tax and Ors. (2006) 8 SCC 702: 2006 (6) Suppl. SCR
  417; M. M. Nagalingam Nadar Sons vs. State of Kera/a
  (1993) 91 STC 61 (Ker); Vice-Chancellor, M.O. University,
  Rohtak vs. Jahan Singh (2007) 5 SCC 77: 2007 (3) SCR
  676; Ahmedabad Urban pevelopment Authority vs.
C Sharadkumar Jayantikumar Pasawalla and Ors. AIR 1992 SC
  2038: 1992 (3) SCR 328 - relied on.
       A. Thangal Kunju Musaliar vs. M. Venkatachalam Potti,
  Authorised Official and Income-Tax Officer and Anr. AIR 1956
D SC 246: 1955 SCR 1196; O.G. Gose and Co. (Agents) Pvt.
  Ltd. vs. State of Kera/a and Anr. (1980) 2 SCC 410: 1980 (1)
  SCR 804 - distinguished.
      2.2. In the present case, the words used in Section
  16 of Rajasthan Finance Act, 2008 are "from time to time".
E The State Government can fix the rate on any of the
  minerals from period to period with the conditions
  prescribed therein, namely, no limitation is imposed by
  the Parliament by law relating to mineral development.
  The rate fixed can be varied, changed or modified from
F time to time. Because of the use of the words "time to
  time" a notification can not be issued imposing a rate of
  tax with retrospective effect or apply the notification
  retrospectively. A notification can only be issued,
  prospectively, because the legislature has deliberately
G used the words "from time to time" [Para 36] [421-E-H;
  422-A]
      The State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors. vs. Tikamdas
  (1975) 2 SCC 100: 1975 (0) Suppl. SCR 234; Bansidhar and
  other vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors. (1989) 2 SCC 557:
H 1989 (2) SCR 152 - distinguished.
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                 399
                (INDIA) LTD.
     2.3. The words "from time to time" in law have a           A
different connotation.
     In case one thinks of any implied power from the
language used in the statute by using the words "from
time to time" there has to be a holistic reading of the
statute but not a fragmented one. [Para 37 and 38) [422-        8
B, G-H]
    Kashmir Singh vs. Union of India and Ors. (2008) 7 SCC
259: 2008 (8) SCR 464 - relied on.
    Words and Phrases, Volume 17A, 1974; The Law                C
Lexicon, The Encyclopedic Law Dictionary: 2nd edition,
1997; Blacks Law Dictionary: 5th edition; Stroud's
JudicialDictionary: 5th edition volume 2 - referred to.             I

     2.4. On certain occasions the words "from time to          o\
time" have their signification when one relies on a
provision that the power exercised once does not get
exhausted solely because the use of words "from time
to time", but the said terms may not have any importance
but when reliance is placed as a source of power to issue       E
a notification or order to act otherwise with retrospective
effect. In that event, it warrants proper interpretation. In
the present case, it can definitely be stated that despite
reading the entire Act in a holistic manner no other
provision can be traced throwing any light on the words                 I
"from time to time" and, therefore, the conferment Gf           F
power shall rest upon the construction that is exclusively
placed on Section 16 of the Act. [Para 37) [423-A-C]
     2.5. The words, namely, "from time to time" may be
associated with any number of times, of course subject
to the principle of reasonableness and its impact but
does not engulf the spectrum of retrospectivity or
retroactivity in its ambit and sweep. [Para 39) [424-B]
    M.P. Vidyut Karamchari Sangh vs. M.P. Elect.,.icity Board
                                                                H
    400       SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R

A   (2004) 9 SCC 755: 2004 (3) SCR 105; Shree Sidhbali Steels
    Limited and Ors. vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors. (2011)
    3 sec 193: 2011 (3) SCR 134 - relied on.

         UP. Power Corpn. Ltd. vs. V. Sant Steels and Allys (P)
B   Ltd. (2008) 2 SCC 777: 2007 (12) SCR 1160 - referred to.

       2.6. The words "from time to time" have a futuristic
  tenor and they do not have the etymological potentiality
  to operate from a previous date. The use of the said
  words in the Section 16 of the Act cannot be said to have
C conferred the jurisdiction on the State Government or
  delegate to issue a notification in respect of the rate with
  retrospective effect. Such an interpretation does not flow
  from the statute which is the source of power. Therefore,
  the notification as far as it covers the period prior to the
D date of publication of the notification in the official
  Gazette is really a transgression of the statutory
  postulate. [Para 45] [428-H; 429-A-8]

      3. The Court has not adverted to the defensibility of
  the analysis from other spectrums which are founded on
E the principles set forth in *Kesoram's case as the matter
  has been referred to a larger Bench i.e. Nine Judge
  Bench in **Mineral Area Development Authority case,
  because there appeared to be some conflict between the
  decision in Kesoram's case and the decision delivered
F by Seven-Judge Bench in ***India Cement case. [Paras
  45 and 9] [429-C; 407-F]

       ***India Cement Ltd. and Ors. vs. State of Tamil Nadu
  and Ors. (1990) 1 SCC 12: 1989 (1) Suppl. SCR 692; Orissa
G Cement Ltd. vs. State of Orissa (1991) Suppl. 1 SCC 430:
  1991 (2) SCR 105; *State of W.B. vs. Kesoram Industries Ltd.
  and Ors. (2004) 10 SCC 201: 2004 (1) SCR 564; **Mineral
  Area Development Authority and Ors. vs. Steel Authority of
  India and Ors. (2011) 4 SCC 450: 2011 (4) SCR 19 - referred
H to.
STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH              401
              (INDIA) LTD.
                   Case Law Reference:                   A
1989 (1) Suppl. SCR 692    referred to   Para 4
1991 (2) SCR 105           referred to   Para 4
2004 '(1) SCR 564          referred to   Para 5          B
2011 (4) SCR 19            referred to   Para 9
1957 SCR 837               relied on     Para 13
(1869) 4 H L 100           referred to   Para 13
                                                         c
AIR 1940 PC 183            relied on     Para 14
1961 SCR 189               relied on     Para 15
1999 (1) SCR 1207          relied on     Para 16
1997 (4) Suppl. SCR 626    relied on     Para 17         D

2006 (2) SCR 1172          relied on     Para 22
2006 (6) Suppl. SCR 417    relied on     Para 23
(1993) 91 STC 61 (Ker)     relied on     Para 23         E
2007 (3) SCR 676           relied on     Para 24
1992 (3) SCR 328           relied on     Para 25
1955 SCR 1196              distinguished Para 28
                                                         F
1980 (1) SCR 804           distinguished Para 31
1989 (2) SCR 152           distinguished Para 33
1975 (0) Suppl. SCR 234    distinguished Para 34
                                                         G
2008 (8) SCR 464           relied on     Para 37
2004 (3) SCR 105           relied on     Para 38
2011 (3) SCR 134           relied on     Para 40
2007 (12) SCR 1160         referred to   Para 40         H
    402         SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2013] 17 S.C.R.


A       CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal
    No.10867 of 2013

         From the Judgment and Order dated 12.10.2011 of the
    High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jodhpur in D. B Civil
    Writ Petition No. 4357 of 2009.
8
                                    WITH

        C. A. Nos. 10868, 10869, 10870, 10871, 10872, 10873,
                                          '
    10874, 10875, 10876, 10877, 10878, 10879,   10880,10881,
c   10882, 10883, 10886, 10887 and 10890 of 2013.

        Dr. Manish Singhvi (for lrshad Ahmad), AAG for the
    Appellants.

       Shweta Garg, A. G. Garg, Vivek Singh, Shakeel S. Wani,
D Arvind K. Gupta, Madhurima Talia, Rajendra'Singhvi, K. K. L.
  Gautam, Brij Bhushan, Ajay Bhargava, Vanita Bhargava,
  Priyambada Mishra (for Khaitan & Co.) Biju Mattam, Nikhil
  Goel, Naveen Goel, Marsook Bafaki for the Respond.ents.

E         The Judgment of the Court was delivered by            '
        DIPAK MISRA, J. 1. Leave granted in all the Special
    Leave Petitions.

         2. Regard being had to the commonality of issue involved
F   and the similitude of controversy pyramided in all these appeals
    preferred by special leave, they were heard together and are
    disposed of by a singular order. For the sake of convenience'
    the facts in Civil Appeal arising from Special Leave Petitior
    (Civil) No. 8283 of 2012 are adumbrated herein.
G
         3. The respondent preferred DB Civil Writ Petition No
    4357 of 2009 before the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthar.
    at Jodhpur challenging the constitutional validity of Chapter VI I
    of the Rajasthan Finance Act, 2008 (for brevity 'the Act') which
    provides for levy of cess on mineral rights. The respondent was
H
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                   403
         (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
granted a mining lease for extraction on major minerals. As per A
the amendment brought in the year 2008 it was required to pay
the environment and health cess imposed under Section 16 of
the Act. The State Government, in exercise of the powers
conferred by Section 19 of the Act, framed a set of rules called
Rajasthan Environment and Health Cess Rules. 2008 (for short B
"the Rules"). Rule 13 of the Rules provides for the head under
which the cess collected under Section 16 of the Act is to be
 credited. Rule 14 of the Rules provides for the allocation of the
 funds for implementation of environment and health projects in
 mining areas in various parts of the State. Questioning the c
 constitutional validity of the impost under the Act it was
 contended before the High Court that the State Legislature had
 no competene<e to impose environment and health cess on
 major minerals as the field is occupied by the provisions
 contained in the Mines and Minerals (Development and 0
  Regulation) Act, 1957 (for short 'the MMDR Act'), which is an
  enactment by the Parliament. It was urged that the imposition
  of such cess is not a fee but a tax which is covered by the
  MMDR Act whereunder the power to levy tax on the mineral
  rights in respect of major minerals is vested in the Parliament.
  It was further put forth that the Parliament, in exercise of the E
  powers conferred on it by Entries 54 and 55 of List-I of the
  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, -ha's enacted the
  MMDR Act and the Rules framed thereunder and under the said
  Act, the power vests from all spectrums in the Central
  Government in respect of major minerals and, therefore, the F
  State Legislature could not have enacted such law for imposing
  such cess on major minerals. It was cor,tc;ncled that the cess
  in_ question is a nature c,f '
                              0
                                  ':dnd the ;evy of fee on major
   rr~nerals is governed by the provisions contained in the MMDR
   Act and the Rules framed thereunder and hence, the State G
   Legislature does not have competence to impose such cess.

     4. Apart from the aforesaid contentions, certain other
 submissions were advanced and reliance was placed on India
                                                                  H
    404           SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.

A Cement Ltd. and others v. State of Tamil Nadu and others'
  wherein it has been held that the royalty was a tax. Be it noted,
  keeping in view the principle stated in India Cement Ltd. 's
  case, (a seven-Judge Bench decision) a three-Judge Bench
  in Orissa Cement Ltd. v. State of Orissa 2 , held that the decision
B of levy of cess impugned therein was unconstitutional.

         5. On behalf of the State reliance was placed on the
    Constitution Bench decision in State of WB. v. Kesoram
    Industries Ltd. and Others3 . In the said case the State of West
    Bengal was aggrieved by the judgment rendered by the High
C   Court of Calcutta wherein it was held that the levy of cess on
    coal bearing land was similar to the one which had been struck
    down in India Cement Ltd. (supra) and Orissa Cement Ltd.
    (supra) and on that foundation it was ruled that the State
    Legislature had no competence to levy such cess. The majority
D   in the Constitution Bench referred to the Entries 52, 54, 96 and
    97 of the Union List (List-I) and Entries 23, 49, 50 and 56 of
    the State List (List-II) of the Seventh Schedule, adverted to
    issues pertaining to tax legislation and dwelled upon how the
    nature of tax levied is different from the measure of tax and
E   culled out number of principles two of which are reproduced
    below:

           "(6) "Land", the term as occurring in Entry 49 of List 11, has
           a wide connotation. Land remains land though it may be
           subjected to different user. The nature of user of the land
F
           would not enable a piece of land being taken out of the
           meaning of land itself. [lifferent uses to which the land is
           subjected or is capable of being subjected provide the
           basis for classifying land into different identifiable groups
           for the purpose of taxation. The nature of user of one piece
G          of land would enable that piece of land being classified
           separately from another 'piece of land which is being
    1.    (1990) 1 sec 12.
    2.    (1991) Suppl. 1 sec 430.
H   3.    (2004) 10 sec 201.
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                      405
         (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
    subjected to anothe~ kind of user, though the two pieces          A
    of land are identically situated except for the difference in
    nature of user. The tax would remain a tax on land and
    would not become a tax on the nature of its user.

    (7) To be a tax on land, the levy must have some direct
                                                                  8
    and definite relationship with the land. So long as the tax
    is a tax on land by bearing such relationship with the land,
    it is open for the legislature for the purpose of levying tax
    to adopt any one of the well known modes of'determining
    the value of the land such as annual or capital value of the
    land or its productivity. The methodology adopted, having C
    an indirect relationship with the land, would not alter the
    nature of the tax as being one on land."

      6. Elaborating on the said principles, the Constitution
Bench adverted to the concept of regulation and, in that context, D
culled out the principle to the effect that the primary object and
the essential purpose of legislation must be distinguished from
its ultimate or incidental results or consequences for
determining the character of the levy. A levy essentially in the
nature of a tax and within the power of the State Legislature E
cannot be annulled as unconstitutional merely because it may
 have an effect on the price of the commodity. A State
 legislation, which makes provisions for levying a cess, whether
 by way of tax to augment the revenue resources of the State
or by way of fee to render services as quid pro quo but without F
any intention of regulating and controlling the subject of the levy,
cannot be said to have encroached upon the field of "regulation
and control" belonging to the Central Government by reason of
the incidence of levy being permissible to be passed on to the
buyer or consumer, and thereby affecting the price of the G
commodity or goods. Thereafter, it observed as follows: -

     "A tax or fee levied by the State with the object or
     augmenting its finances and in reasonable limits does not
     ipso facto trench upon regulation, development or control
     of the subject. It is different if the tax or fee sought to be   H
    406          SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013) 17 S.C.R.


A         levied by the State can itself be called regulatory, the
          primary purpose whereof is to regulate or control and
          augmentation of revenue or rendering service is only
          secondary or incidental."

          7. After so stating the Constitution Bench ruled that taxes
8
    on lands and buildings in Entry 49 of List II cannot be levied by
    the Union. Taxes on mineral rights, a subject in Entry 50 of List
    II, can also not be levied by the Union though as stated in Entry
    50 itself the Union may impose limitations on the power of the
    State and such limitations, if any, imposed by Parliament by
C   law relating to mineral development to that extent shall
    circumscribe the States' power to legislate. Power to tax
    mineral rights is with the States; the power to lay down
    limitations on exercise of such power, in the interest of
    regulation, development or control, as the case may be, is with
D   the Union and that is the result achieved by homogeneous
    reading of Entry 50 of List 11 and Entries 52 and 54 in List I. So
    long as a tax or fee on mineral rights remains in pith and
    substance a tax for augmenting the revenue resources of the
    State or a fee for rendering services by the State and it does
E   not impinge upon regulation of mines and mineral development
    or upon control of industry by the Central Government, it is not
    unconstitutional.

        8. Thereafter, the Court adverted to individual cases,
F   namely, coal matters, tea matters, brick earth matters, mining
    and mineral matters and then addressed itself to the purpose
    behind the MMRD Act and, eventually, came to hold as follows:-

          "147. Royalty .is not a tax. The impugned cess by no
          stretch of imagination can be called a tax on tax. The
G         impugned levy also does not have the effect of increasing
          the royalty. Simply because the royalty is levied by
          reference to the quantity of the minerals produced and the
          impugned cess too is quantified by taking into
          consideration the same quantity of the mineral produced,
H         the latter does not become royalty. The former is the rent
     STATE OP RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                   407
            (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
      of the land on which the mine is situated or the price of      A
      the privilege of winning the minerals from the land parted
      with by the Government in favour of the mining lessee. The
      cess is a levy on mineral rights with impact on the land and
      _quantified by reference to the quantum of minerals
      produced. The distinction, though fine, yet exists and is      B
      perceptible."

    9. At this juncture, it is apt to note that the decision in
Kesoram Industries Ltd. (supra) has been referred for
consideration by a larger Bench in Mineral Area Development          C
Authority and others v. Steel Authority of India and others•. It
may be profitably stated that a three-Judge Bench has referred
the matter to a Bench of nine Judges by framing eleven
questions of law. A direct reference to a nine-Judge Bench has
been explained in the following terms:-
                                                                     D
      " ... we may clarify that normally the Bench of five learned
      Judges in case of doubt has to invite the attention of the
      Chief Justice and request for the matter being placed for
      hearing before a Bench of larger coram than the Bench
      whose decision has come up for consideration (see              E
      Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community v. State of
      Maharashtra 5 ). However, in the present case, since prima
      facie there appears to be some conflict between the
      decision of this Court in State of W.B. v. Kesoram
      Industries Ltd (supra) which decision has been delivered       F
      by a Bench of five Judges of this Court and the decision
      delivered by a seven-Judge Bench of this Court in India
      Cement Ltd. v. State of T.N. (supra), reference to the
      Bench of nine Judges is requested."

     10. It is the admitted position that certain matters arising    G
out of the said decision are awaiting for answer of reference
in the case of Mineral Area Development Authority (supra) by

4.   (2011) 4 sec 450.
s.   (2005) 2 sec 673.                                               H
     408           SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.

A the larger Bench. In the present batch of cases, the controversy
   is different as the High Court has declared the notification
  dated 23.1.2009 amending the earlier notification dated
  25.2.2008 w.e.f. 1.4.2008 with regard to imposition of cess on
   Rock Phosphate at the rale of Rs.500/- per tonne is ultra vires
B because the notification issued by the Government ccould only
  be prospectively effective and cannot have retrospective
  operation. The said opinion has been expressed on the
  foundation that legislature has not conferred the power on the
   Executive to issue such a notification. Regard being had to the
c said controversy, our advertence in this batch of appeals shall
  be a restricted one, namely, to scrutinize whether the view
  expressed by the High Court declaring the notification to the
  effect that it cannot have retrospective effect is valid and
  justified or warrants any interference.

D           11. We have heard Dr. Manish Singhvi, learned counsel
                '
      for the appellants and Ms. Shweta Garg, learned counsel for
    . the respondents .
            •
        12. Before we appreciate the controversy that has travelled
E to this Court, we think it necessary to state the fundamental
  principles that serve as guidance to understand the fiscal
  legislations· and the duty of the Court while dwelling upon the
  interpretation of taxing statutes.

          13. In A. V. Fernandez v. The State of Kerala 6 , Bhagwati,
F    J. referred to a passage from Partington v. The Attorney
     Genera/7 which is as follows: -

           "As I understand the principle of all fiscal legislation it is
           this : if the person sought to be taxed, comes within the
G          letter of the law he must be taxed however great the
           hardship may appear to the judicial mind to be. On the
           other hand, if the Crown, seeking to recover the tax, cannot

     6.   AIR 1957 SC 657.
H 7.      (1869) 4 HL 100 at p. 122(8).
     STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                     409
            (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
      bring the subject within the letter of the law, the subject is   A
      free, however apparently within the spirit of the law the
      case might otherwise appear to be."

     14. The said passage, as has been stated in the said
pronouncement, was quoted with approval by the Privy Council           B
in Bank of Chettinad v. Income-tax Commf3. and the Privy
Council had registered its protest against the suggestion that
in revenue cases "the substance of the matter" may be
regarded as distinguished from the strict legal position.
Proceeding further the learned Judge stated that:
                                                                       c
      "It is no doubt true that in construing fiscal statutes and in
      determining the liability of a subject to tax one must have
      regard to the strict letter of the law and not merely to the
      spirit of the statute or the substance of the law. If the
      Revenue satisfies the Court that the case falls strictly         D
      within the provision of the law, the subject can be taxed. !L.
      on the other hand, the case is not covered within the four
      corners of the provisions of the taxing statute. no tax can
      be imposed by inference or by analogy or by Irving to probe
      into the intentions of the legislature and by considering        E
      what was the substance of the matter."

                                                [Emphasis added]

     15. In Commissioner of Sa/ex-tax, U.P. v. Modi Sugar
Mills Ltd 9 . , Shah, J., speaking for the majority in the             F
Constitution Bench, has observed thus: -

     "In interpreting a taxing statute, equitable considerations
are entirely out of place. Nor can taxing statutes be interpreted
on any presumptions or assumptions. The Court must look                G
squarely at the words of the statute and interpret them. It must
interpret a taxing statute in the light of what is clearly expressed


8.   AIR 1940 PC 183.
9.   AIR 1961 SC 1047.                                                 H
     410          SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.


 A   : if cannot imply anything which is not expressed; it cannot
     import provisions in the statutes so as to supply any assumed
     deficiency."

         16. In Commissioner of Income-tax, Madras v. Kasturi
 8   and Sons Ltd10• , a two-Judge Bench has approvingly quoted
     a passage from the book "Principles of Statutory Interpretation"
     by Justice G.P. Singh, Sixth Edition 1966, which is as follows:


           "The well established rule in the familiar words of LORD
 c         WENSLEYDALE, reaffirmed by LORD HALSBURY and
           LORD SIMONDS, means : "The subject is not to be taxed
           without clear words for that purpose; and also that every
           Act of Parliament must be read according to the natural
           construction of its words". In a classic passage LORD
 D         CAIRNS stated that the principle thus: "If the person sought
           to be taxed comes within the letter of the law he must be
           taxed, however great the hardship may appear to the
           judicial mind to be. On the other hand, if the Crown seeking
           to recover the tax, cannot bring the subject within the letter
'E         of the law, the subject is free, however apparently within
           the spirit of law the case might otherwise appear to be. In
           other words, if there be admissible in any statute, what is
           called an equitable, construction, certainly, such a
           construction is not admissible in a taxing statute where you
 F         can simply adhere to the words of the statute." VISCOUNT
           SIMON quoted with approval a passage from Rowlatt, J.
           expressing the principle in the following words : "In a taxing
           Act one has to look merely at what is clearly said. There
           is no room for any intendment. There is no equity about a
           tax. There is no presumption as to tax. Nothing is to' be
 G
           read in, nothing is to be implied. One can only look fairly
           at the language used." Relying upon this passage Lord



 H   10. AIR 1999 SC 1275.
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                              411
         (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
    Upjohn said : "Fiscal measures are not built upon any                     A
    theory of taxation". "11

     17. In Commissioner of Wealth Tax, Gujarat-Ill,
Ahmedabad v. Ellis Bridge Gymkhana 12 , it has been observed
thus: -                                                                       B

    "The rule of construction of a charging section is that
    before taxing any person, it must be shown that he falls
    within the ambit of the charging section by clear words
    used in the section. No one can be taxed by implication.
    A charging section has to be construed strictly. If a person              C
    has not been brought within the ambit of the charging
    section by clear words, he cannot be taxed at all."
                                       I
     18. Keeping in mind the aforesaid primal principles and
the kernel of fiscal legislation, we.shall now proceed to deal with           D
principal source of power under the Act and then test whether
the amended notification, a retrospective one, has been issued
in consonance with the said power. In this context, it is
imperative to refer to Section 16 of the Act which delegates
authority to the State Government to issue a notification to levy
                                                                              E
and collect the cess in issue in such manner as may be
prescribed. The said provision reads as follows:-

     "16. Levy and collection of cess on mineral rights. - Subject
     to any limitation imposed by Parliament by law relating to
     mineral development, there shall be levied and collected,                F
     in such manner as may be prescribed, an environment and
     health cess on mineral rights in respect of such minerals
     and at such rates, not exceeding rupees five hundred each
     tonne of mineral dispatched, as may be notified by the
     State Government from time to time."                                     G

     19. In exercise of power contained in Section 16 of the Act

11. This Passage presently finds place at page 826, Twelfth Edition 2012 of
    "Principle of Statutory Interpretation by G.P. Singh.
12. AIR 1998 SC 120.                                                          H
    412            SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013) 17 S.C.R.

A )he Finance Department issued a notification on 25.2.2008.
   The said notification stipulated that the rate of environment and
   health cess on mineral rights and the minerals in respect of
   which cess shall be levied. The rate as stipulated in the said
   notification in respect of minerals, namely, (i) Cement Grade
B Limestone,- (ii) Gypsum, (iii) Rock Phosphate, (iv) Wollastone
   and (v) M.R. Cess on Lead and Zinc was Rs.5/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.35/
   -, Rs.40/" and Rs.80/- per tonne respectively.

       20. While the said notification .was in vogue, the State
  Government brought a notification dated 23.1.2009 amending
C the notification dated 25.2.2008 with effect from 1.4.2008. The
  said amendment reads as follows: -

          "In the said notification the existing S. No. 3 and entries
          thereto shall be substituted by the following namely: -
D
        13 I M.R. Cess on Rock Phosphate             I 500/-" I
        21. From the aforesaid notification, it is vivid that the first
  notification was issued on 25.2.2008 in exercise of power under
  Section 16 of the Act for imposing a levy at a particular rate
E on certain major minerals. By bringing the amendment on
  23.1.2009 the rate of tax in respect of Rock Phosphate was
  increased to Rs.500/- per tonne with retrospective effect.

       22. There is no dispute over the fact that a legislature can
f make a law retrospectively or prospectively subject to
  justifiability and acceptability within the constitutional
  parameters. A subordinate legislation can be given
  retrospective effect if a power in this behalf is contained in the
  principal Act. In this regard we may refer with profit to the
G decision in Mahabir Vegetable Oils (P) Ltd. and another v.
  State of Haryana and Others 13 , wherein it has been held that:-

          "We may at this stage consider the effect of omission of
          the said note. It is beyond any cavil that a subordinate

H   13. (2006) 3   sec 520.
 . STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                    413
          (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
    legislation can be given a retrospective effect and             A
    retroactive operation, if any power in this behalf is
    contained in the main Act. The rule-making power is a
    species of delegated legislation. A delegatee therefore
    can make rules only within the four corners thereof.
                                                                    B
     42. It is a fundamental rule of law that no statute shall be
     construed to have a retrospective operation unless such
     a construction appears very clearly in the terms of the Act,
     or arises by necessary and distinct implication. (See West
     v. Gwynne 14 )."
                                                                    c
     23. In MRF Ltd. Kottayam v. Asstt. Commissioner
(Assessment) Sales Tax and Others 15 , the question arose
whether under Section 1O (3) of the Kerala General Sales Tax
Act, 1963 power was conferred on the Government to issue a
notification retrospectively. This Court approved the view          D
expressed by the Kerala High Court in M. M. Nagalingam
Nadar Sons v. State of Kerala 16 , wherein ii has been stated
that in issuing notifications under Section 10, the Government
exercises only delegated powers while legislature has plenary
powers to legislate prospectively and retrospectively, a            E
delegated authority like the Government acting under the
powers conferred on it by the enactment concerned, can
exercise only those powers which are specifically conferred. In
the absence of such conferment of power the Government, the
delegated authority, has no power to issue a notification with      F
 retrospective effect.

    24. In Vice-Chancellor, MD. University, Rohtak v. Jahan
Singh 17 , it has been clearly laid down that in the absence of
any provision contained in the legislative Act, a delegatee
cannot make a delegated legislation with retrospective effect.      G

14. (1911) 2 Ch 1 : 104 LT 759 (CA).
15_ (2006) a sec 102.
16. (1993) 91 s~c 61 (Ker).
11. (2001) 5 sec n.                                                 H
    414           SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2013) 17 S.C.R.


A       25. In Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority v.
    Sharadkumar Jayantikumar Pasawal/a and others'", a three-
    Judge Bench has ruled thus: -

          " ... in a fiscal matter it will not be proper to hold that even
          in the absence of express provision, a delegated authority
B
          can impose tax or fee. In our view, such power of
          imposition of tax and/or fee by delegated authority must
          be very specific and there is no scope of implied authority
          for imposition of such tax or fee. It appears to us that the
          delegated authority must act strictly within the parameters
c         of the authority delegated to it under the Act and it will not
          be proper to bring the theory of implied intent or the
          concept of incidental and ancillary power in the matter of
          exercise of fiscal power."

D          26. On a perusal of the aforesaid authorities there can be
      no scintilla of doubt that if the power has been conferred under
      the main Act by the legislature, the State Government or the
      delegated authority can issue a notification within the said
      parameters. In the case at hand, the High Court interpreting
 E Section 16 has opined that such a power has not been
      conferred on the Government to issue a notification
      retrospectively and, therefore, it can only apply with prospective
      effect. Dr. Manish Singhvi, learned counsel appearing for the
  · . State, has submitted that wherever a statutory power is
 F conferred, there is no limitation with regard to exercise of that
      power and the same could be exercised from time to time and
      even if the words "time to time" are absent in the statute, the
      power conferred under the Act could be exercised all over again
      and there is no limitation to the number of times the power is
·G exercised and if the power is exercised once, it cannot be
      stated that the power stands exhausted. It is his submission that
      the administrative power as well as quasi-legislative power
     could be exercised any number of times and this principle is
      embodied under Section 21 of the General Clauses Act. The
H   18. AIR 1992 SC 2038.
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                     41.5
         (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA. J.]
lea.med counsel would further contend that even if the words A
"time to time" would not have been there in Section 16 of the
Act, the power could be exercised any number of ti.mes. To·
bolster his submissions, he has commended us to the
decisions in A. Thangal Kunju Musaliar v. M. Venkataqhalam
Potti, Authorised Official and Income-Tax Officer and another19 . · B
, D. G. Gose and Co. (Agents) Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Kera/a and
anothei'0 , Bansidhar and other v. State of Rajasthan and
others21 and The State of Madhya Pradesh and others v..
 Tikamdas 22 .

      27. First we shall deal with the afotesaid authorities as    C
learned counsel for the State has assiduously endeavoured to
justify the retrospective application of the notification on the
fulcrum ·of aforesaid decisions.

     28. In A. Thanga/ Kunju Musaliar (supra), !he Constitution .D.
Bench, apart from other facets, was dealing with .the validity of
the notification dated 26. 7. 1949 as it had brought the
Travancore Taxation on Income (Investigation, Comrnission) Act
into force with effect from 22. 7.1949. The said notification was
challenged on the ground that it was bad as it had purported • 6
to bring the ACt into operatio[l from retrospective effect. It was
urged that Government could not, in the absence of express
provision authorizing in that behalf, fix the commencement of
the Act r~tr6spectively and further the courts disfavoured
retrospective operation of laws which prejudicially affect vested F
rights. Repelling the said submission, the Constitution bench
stated thus: -

     "No s.uch reason is involved in this case. Section 1(3)
     authorises the Government to bring the Act into force on
     such daJ:e as it may, by notification, appoint. In exercise   G

 19. AIR 1956 SC 246.
20. (1980) 2 sec 41 o.
21. (1989) 2 sec 557.
22. (1975) 2 sec 100.                                              H
    416          SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013) 17 S.C.R.

A         of the power conferred by this section the Government
          surely had the power to issue the notification bringing the
          Act into force on any date subsequent to the passing of ·
          the Act. There can, therefore, be no objection to the
          notification fixing the commencement of the Act on
B         22.1:1949 which was a date subsequent to the passing
          of.the Act.

          So the Act has not been given retrospective operation,. that
          is to say, it has not been made to commence from a date
          prior to the date of its passing. It is true that the date of
c         commencement as fixed by the notification is anterior to
          the date of the notification but that circumstance does not
          attract the principle disfavouring the retroactive operation
          of a statute."

D         29. After so stating, their Lordships proceeded to advert
    to the aspect whether the notification was retrospective or not
    and in that regard ruled thus: -

          "The operation of the notification itself is not retrospective.
          It only brings the Act into operation on and from an earlier
E
          date. In any case it was in terms authorised to issue the
          notification bringing the Act into force on any date
          subsequent to the passing of the Act and that is all that
          the Government did.';                             ·

F      30. On a seemly appreciation of the ratio laid down in that
  case, we have no trace of doubt in our mind that the said
  decision has no applicability to the facts in the case at hand.
  As is evident, the notification giving effect to the enactment was
  prior to the date of issue of notification but much after the
G legislature had passed the enactment and further the language
  employed in the Act was quite different. Hence, it can be stated
  with certitude that the said decision does not further the point
  urged by the learned counsel for the State.

          31. The authority in 0. G. Gose and Co. (Agents) Pvt. Ltd.
   STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                      417
          (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
(supra), has been commended to us by the learned counsel for          A
the State, as we understand, to substantiate-the point that a levy
can always be imposed at any point of time even from the
retrospective date unless it is grossly unreasonable. He has
specifically drawn inspiration from paragraphs 13 and 14 of the
said decision. Be it noted, in the said case, the controversy         B
related to the Kerala Building Tax Act, 1961. The said Act was
eventually passed after lot of changes on 2.4.1975 by which tax
was imposed on buildings. However, the imposition of tax on
buildings was made with retrospective effect from 1.4.1973.
One of the challenges pertained to retrospective application of       c
the law.. In that context, the Constitution Bench, speaking through
Shinghal, J., in paragraphs 14 to 16, stated thus: -

     "14. Craies on Statute Law, seventh Edn., has stated the
     meaning of "retrospective" at p. 367 as follows:
                                                                      D
            "A statute is to be deemed to be retrospective,
            which takes away or impairs any vested right
            acquired under existing laws, or creates a new
            obligation, or imposes a new duty, or attaches a
            new disability in respect of transactions or              E
            considerations already past. But a statute 'is not
            properly called a retrospective statute because a
            part of the requisites for its action is drawn from a
            time antecedent to its passing'."
                                                                      F
     It has however, not been shown how it could be said that
     the Act has taken away or impaired any vested right of the
     assessees before us which they had acquired under any
     existing law, or what that vested right was. It may be that
     there was no liability to building tax until the promulgation
     of the Act (earlier the_ Ordinances) but mere absence of         G
     an earlier taxing statute cannot be said to create a "vested
     right", under any existing law, that it shall not be levied in
     future with effect from a date anterior to the passing of the
     Act. Nor can it be said that by imposing the building tax
     from an earlier date any new obligation or disability has        H
    418          SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2013] 17 S.C.R.


A         been attached in respect of any earlier transaction or
          consideration. The Act is not therefore retrospective in the
          strictly technical sense.

          15. What it does is to impose the building tax from April
          1, 1973. But as was held in Bradford Union v. Wiltshire 23
B
          , if the language of the statute shows that the legislature
          thinks it expedient to authorise the making of retrospective
          rates, it can fix the period as to which the rate may be
          retrospectively made.
c         16. This Court had occasion to examine the validity of the
          retrospective levy of Sales Tax in Tata Iron and Steel Co.
          Ltd. v. State of Bihar" and it was held that that was not
          beyond the legislative competence of the State
          legislature."
D
        32. We have already stated that there can be no cavil that
  the legislature has the authority to pass a law both
  retrospectively and prospectively within the constitutional
  parameters. In the aforesaid case the legislature had passed
E the law with retrospective effect. The Court opined that the
  same did not affect the vested rights as nothing had been done
  earlier and hence, no right had vested in the citizens. We may,
  in addition, state that the said enactment was treated to be
  valid as it did not invite the wrath of Article 14 of the Constitution.
  In the case at hand, we are really not testing the retrospective
F applicability of the law made by the legislature but a notification
  issued by the State Government in exercise of power conferred
  under a statutory provision. Needless to say, there is a sea of
  difference between the two and hence, the aforesaid authority
  is of no assistance to the learned counsel for the State.
G
        33. The next submission pertains to the principle
  embodied under Sections 14 and 21 of the General Clauses

    23. 1868 LR 3 QB 606. 616.
H   24. AIR 1958 SC 452
  STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                        419
         (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
Act to bolster the stand that the power conferred under the A
statute can be exercised time and again and there is no
limitation to the number of times the power is exercised. In
essence, it is submitted that there is no exhaustion of power.
In this context, the learned counsel has drawn our attention to
the Constitution Bench decision in Bansidhar's case. In the said B
case it has been held that when there is a repeal of a statute
accompanied by re-enactment of law on the same subject, the
provisions of the new enactment would have to be looked into
not for the purpose of ascertaining whether the consequences
envisaged by .Section 6 of the General Clauses Act ensued or c
not, but only for the purpose of determining whether the
provisions in the new statute indicate a different inten.tion. It has
also been stated therein that a saving provision in a repealing
statute is not exhaustive of the rights and obligations so saved
or !be rights that survive the repeal. Building the edifice on the
saic1'))remise, it is proponed that the power.conferred on the
State Government under Section 16 of the Act Car.!, be exercised
any number of times and the words "time to ti~'' are redundant
or otiose. Bestowing our anxious consideration on the
 aforesaid su9.mission we only state that the aforesaid authority
                                                                        E
 is of no assistance to the appellant-State because the
 controversy that has emanated in that case is altogether a
 different one. To put it differently, the proposition laid down in
 the aforesaid authority does not buttress the submission sought
 to be urged. In fact, it is farther away from the "North Pole".      . F
     34. At this juncture, we are obliged to state that the learned
counsel for the State had really drawn immense invigorating
inspiration from the pronouncement in Tikamdas (supra). In the
said case a three-Judge Bench was considering whether a
subordinate legislation, namely, M.P. Foreign Liquor Rules             G
could be ultra vires the Sections 62 and 63 of the M.P. Excise
Act, 1915 as the notification that was issued had retrospective
effect. The factual expose' of the said case is that, on
25.4.1964 the M.P. Government by virtue of its powers under
Sections 62 and 63 of M:P .. Excise Act, 1915 amended M.P              H
    420          SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013) 17 S.C.R.

A Foreign Liquor Rules which were published on 25.4.1964 and
  the said amendment was given retrospective effect from
  1.4.1964 as a consequence of which a demand for the
  difference of licence fee .was made. The three-Judge Bench
  observed that there is no doubt that unlike legislation made by
B sovereign legislature, subordinate legislation made by a
  delegate cannot have retrospective effect unless the rule-
  making power in the concerned statute expressly or by
  necessary implication confers power in this behalf. After stating
  the abovesaid proposition the learned Judges referred to
c Section 62 of the relevant Act which empowered the State
  Government to make rules for the purpose of carrying out the
  provisions of the Act and in that context, observed that the said
  rule may regulate the amount of fee, the terms and conditions
  of licenees and scale of fees and the manner of fixing the fees
  payable in respect of such licences, but the said provision by
0
  itself did not expressly grant power to make retrospective rules.
  Thereafter, the bench referred to Section 63 which read thus: -

          "all ru1e·s made and notifications issued under this Act shall
          be published in the Official Gazette, and shall have effect
E         from the date of such publication or from such other date
          as may be specified in that behalf."

          35. Interpreting the said Section, the Court opined thus: -
          "Clearly the Legislature has empowered its delegate, the
F         State Government, not merely to make the rules but to give
          effect to them from such date as may be specified by the
          delegate. This provision regarding subordinate legislation
          does contemplate not merely the power to make rules but
          to bring them into force from any previous date. Therefore
G         ante-dating the effect of the; amendment of Rule IV is not
          obnoxious to the scheme nor ultra vires Section 62."

         36. From the aforesaid, it is luculent that the language used
    therein is quite different. In the case at hand, Section 16 uses
H the words "from time to time". Even if we accept the submission
    STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                      421
           (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
  of the learned counsel for the State that the words "time to time"   A'
  are redundant, the provision does not remotely suggest to have
  conferred power'on the State Government to make rules with
  retrospective effect. In fact, the aforestated decision was cited
  with immense aplomb during the course of hearing that words
  "time to time" empowers the State Government or the delegate         B
  to make the rules retrospectlvely. It may bfl noted, despite so
  much gloss put on the said proposition in the written note of
  submission, there is a real departure but we think, and we
  should, the original submission made in course of hearing
  deserves to be dealt with. In Tikamdas (supra) the language          c
  used by the legislature was that the notification- issued under
  the Act shall have the effect from the date of publication in the
  Official Gazette or from such other date as may be specified
  in that behalf. Interpreting the same, the Court opined that the
  legislature had empowered the delegate to make the rules from
                                                                       D:
  any previous date and hence, it was neither obnoxious to the
  scheme nor ultra vires Section 62. Thus, the words used therein
  "or from such other date a may be specified in that behalf' were
  interpreted by the Court that the legislature had empowered the
  delegate to.make a rule retrospectively. In the case at hand,
, as has been stated hereinbefore, the words used iri Section
                                                                       E
   16 are "from time to time". The learned counsel for the State
   is absolutely justified in stating that it can be exercised any
   number of times and the power does not get exhausted. To
   elaborate, a maximum rate has been specified by the
   legislature. The State Government can fix the rate on any of the    F
   minerals from "'period to period with the conditions prescribed
   therein, namely, no limitation is imposed by the Parliament by
   law relating to mineral development and the maximum limit of
   Rs.500/- per tonne. To clarify further, if there is an imposition
   of Rs.35 it can be varied as the occasion may arise. The rate       G
   fixed can be varied, changed or modified from time to time. We
   really cannot discern from the language employed in the said
   provision that because of the use of the words"'time to time" a
   notification can be issued imposing a rate of·tax with
   retrospective effect or apply the notification retrospectively. A   H
    422          SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.


A   notification can only be issued, as we perceive, prospectively,
    and we are inclined to think so as legislature has deliberately
    u.;ed the words "from time to time" and not the language as is
    noticed in Tikamdas (supra).

B        37. We are disposed to think that the words "from time to
   time" in law have a different connotation. In this regards we may
   refer with profit to certain authorities in the field. In Kashmir
   Singh v. Union of India and others25 , question arose whether
   rule of perpetuity would be applicable in respect of a member
   of a Sikh Judicial Commission constituted under the Sikh
C Gurdwaras Act, 1925 and in that context the words used "from
   time to time" that find place in Sections 40 and 70 of Punjab
   Reorganisation Act, 1996 fell for interpretation. A contention
   was raised on behalf of State of Punjab that having regard to
   the tenor of Sections 40 and 70 of the Act it was evident from
D the language employed in the said provisions a reasonable
 _ meaning was required to be given and on proper construction
   of the words "from time to time" would lead to the conclusion
  'that the Government had the power to make fresh appointments
   of the members. The Court, while dealing with various/
E contentions, ruled that the provisions in the Act clearly indicated
   the tenure of the Commission but the dichotomy had been
   created in view of the words "time to time" and the limited
   power of the State to dissolve the Commission. In that context,
   the Court observed thus: -
F
          "With a view to find out an answer to the question as to
          what meaning should be assigned to the words "from time
          to time", in our opinion, a holistic reading of the statutes
          should be resorted to."

G        38. We have referred to the aforesaid decision for the
    purpose that in case one thinks of any implied power from the
    language used in the statute by using the words "from time to
    time" there has to be a holistic reading of the statute but not a

H   25. (2008) 7 sec 259.
   STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                     423
          (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
 fragmented one. That apart, the said decision clarifies that on     A
 certain occasions the words "from time to time" have their
 signification when one relies on a provision that the power
 exercised once does not get exhausted solely because the use
 of words "from time to time", but trye said terms may not have
 any importance but when reliance is placed as a source of           B
 power to issue a notification or order to act otherwise with
 retrospective effect. In that event, needless to say it warrants
 proper interpretation. In the .case at hand, it can definitely be
 stated that despite reading the entire Act iri a holistic manner
 we are unable to trace any other provision throwing any light       c
 on the words "from time to time" and, therefore, the conferment
 of power shall rest upon the construction that is exclusively
 placed on Section 16 of the Act.

       38. In M.P. Vidyut Karamchari Sangh v. M.P. Electricity
  Board , the controversy that arose for determination was           D
  whethe~~n agreement despite expiry would prevail over a
· regulation made under Section 79(c) of the Electricity (Supply)
  Act, 1948 pertaining to the age of superannuation of employees
  of the Board. having regard to the use of the words "time to
  time" in Section 2 of the Madhya Pradesh Industrial                E
'Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1961. After.stating the facts
  the Court observed thus: "

      "43. The power of the Board, therefore, to lay down the
      conditions of service of its employees either in terms of . F
      regulation or otherwise would be subject unly to any valid •
      law to the contrary operating in the field. Agreement within
      the meaning of the ·proviso appended to Standing Order
      14-A is not a law and, thus, the Regulations made by the
      Board shall prevail thereover.
                                                                   G
      44. The Board has power to make regulations which having
      regard to the provisions of the General Clauses Act would


 2e. (2004) 9 sec 755.                                               H
      '
    424         SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.

A         mean that they can make such regulations from time to
          time."

       39. The aforesaid decision is referred to solely for the
  purpose that the words, namely, "from time to time" may be
B associated with any number of times, of course subject to the
  principle of reasonableness and its impact but does not engulf
  the spectrum of retrospectivity or retroactivity in its ambit and
  sweep.

        40. In Shree Sidhbali Steels Limited and Others v. State
C of Uttar Pradesh and Others27 , the Court in a writ petition
  preferred under Article 32 of the Constitution was dealing with
  the issue of justifiability of the action taken by U.P Power
  Corporation Limited which had issued a notification on
  7.8.2000. It was propounded that the said notification was
D illegal, arbitrary and violative of Article 14, 19 (1) (g) and 21 of
  the Constitution insofar as it denies the petitioner the hill
  development rebate of 33.33% on the total amount of electricity
  bills issued by the respondents for the remaining unexpired
  period of five years from the date of commencement of supply
E of electricity to the industrial units of the petitioners. The
  question that emerged for consideration before the three-Judge
  Bench was whether benefit given by statutory notification could
  be withdrawn by the Government by another statutory
  notification and whether the principles of promissory estoppel
F could be applicable to a. case where concessions/rebates given
  by statutory notification were subsequently withdrawn by another
  statutory notification. The three-Judge Bench did not accept. the
  statement of law in U.P. Power Corpn. Ltd. V. Sant Steels and
  Allys 28 (P) Ltd. where a Division Bench had stated that the
G notification issued under Section 49 of the Electricity (Supply)
  Act, 1948 could be revoked/modified only if express provision
  exists for the revocation/modification of the said notification

    21. (2011) 3 sec 193.
H   28. (2008) 2 sec 777.
   STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                    425
          (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
under Section 49 itself and as there is no such provision under     A
Section 49 it was not open to the Corporation to revoke the
same. That apart, it was stated therein that the provisions of
the General Clauses Act would be applicable in case of
delegated legislation if withdrawal/curtailment of benefit was in
larger public interest or if the legislation was enacted by the     B
legislature authorizing the Government to withdraw/curtail the
benefit granted by a notification. While not accepting the said
statement of law as correct the three-Judge Bench referred to
Sections 14 and 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 and
opined thus:-                                                       c
     ".Section 14 deals with the exercise of a power
     successively and has no relevance to the question whether
     the power claimed can at all be conferred. By Section 14
     of the General Clauses Act, 1897, any power conferred by
     ariy Central enactment may be exercised from time to time      D
    .as occasion arises, unless a different intention appears in
     the Act. There is no different intention in the Electricity
     (Supply) Act, 1948. Therefore, the power to issue a
     notification under Section 49 of the Act' of 1948, can be
     exercised from time to time if circumstances so require."      E

      After so stating the learned Judges analysed the scope of
Section 21 of the General Clauses Act and opined that Section
21 embodies a rule of construction and the nature and extent
of its application must be governed by the relevant statute which   F
confers the power to issue the notification, etc. Thereafter, the
court enumerated the principle thus:-

     " ... there is no manner of doubt that the exercise of power
     to make subordinate legislation includes the power to
     rescind the same. This is made clear by Section 21. On         G
     that analogy an administrative decision is revo.cable while
     a judicial decision is not revocable except in special
     circt:1mstances. Exercise of power of a subordinate
     legislation will be prospective and cannot be retrospective
                                                                    H
    426          SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013] 17 S.C.R.


A         unless the statute authorises such an exercise expressly
          or by necessary implication."

        Analysing further the learned Judges opined that by virtue
  of Sections 14 and 21 of the General Clauses Act, when a
  power is conferred on an authority to do a particular act, such
8
  power can be exercised from time to time and carries with it
  the power to withdraw, modify, amend or cancel the
  notifications earlier issued, to be exercised in the like manner
  and subject to like conditions, if any, attached with the exercise
  of the power. It would be too narrow a view to accept that
C chargeability once fixed cannot be altered. Since the charging
  provision in the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 is subject to the
  State Government's power to issue notification under Section •
  49 of the Act granting rebate, the State Government, in view of
  Section 21 of the General Clauses Act, could always withdraw,
D rescind, add to or modify an exemption notification. No industry
  couldn claim as of right that the Government should exercise
  its power under Section 49 and offer rebate and it is for the
  Government to decide whether the conditions were such that
  rebate should be granted or not. The aforesaid authority clearly
E lays down that the power conferred can be exercised in the
  context of wores "from time to time" as used in the Act or in
  aid of General Clauses Act.

       41. At this juncture, we may fruitfully refer to the meaning
F given to the words "from time to time" in certain dictionaries
  and the description made in certain other texts. In 'Words and
  Phrases", Volume 17 A, 1974, "from time to time" has been
  enumerated in various contexts. We may think it appropriate
  to reproduce certain contexts which are useful in the present
G case.
          "The phrase "from time to time" means as occasion may
          arise, at intervals, now and then occasionally. Florey v.
          Meeker, 240 P. 2d 1177,1190,194 Or. 257."

H                            xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
    STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                          427
           (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.)
     "In constitutional amendment, authorizing Legislature to            A
     alter salaries of named county officers "from time to time",
     the quoted phrase does not mean from "term to term".
     Almon v. Morgan County, 16 So.2d 511,514,245 Ala.
     241."
                                                                         B
                          )()()( )()()( )()()( )()()( )()()(


     "The phrase "from time to time", as used in the
     Constitution, authorizing the Legislature to increase the
     number of judges of the Supreme Court from time to time,
     means occasionally; that is, as occasion requires, and              C
     therefore the words cannot be held to mean that the
    ,Legislature may not decrease the number of judges after
     an increase thereof. State v. McBride, 70 P.25,27,29
     Wash. 335."
                                                                         D
                             )()()( )()()( )()()( )()()(


     "The Century Dictionary defines the phrase 'from time to
     time' to mean 'occasionally'; and the Universal Dictionary
     defines 'from time to time' to mean, 'at intervals; now and
     then." The phrase is used in such meanin1g in Acts1898,             E
     c. 123, para 95, which directs the police ~ommissioners
     of Baltimore, at the request of the park com,missioners, to
     detail from time to time members of regular police force
     for preservation of order in the parks. Upstwr v. City of
     Baltimore, 51 A. 953, 955, 94 Md. 743." 1                           F

                              )()()( )()()( )()()( )()()(


     "Ttie county board of supervisors had no authority to alter
     an election precinct in September, under statute providing
     that board may, from time to time, change the boundaries            G
     of precincts and providing that changes might be made at
     regular or special meeting in July, since the two provisions
     were in pari materia and should be construed together in
     the light of all the provisions of the statute, the words "from
                                                                         H


'                                                              J
    428         SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013) 17 S.C.R.

A         time to time" meaning "at times to recur," and not "at any
          time." Laws 1885, p. 193 para 29, Laws 1871-72, p. 380,
          para 30, S.H.A. ch. 46, para 29, 30. County Board of
          Union County v. Short, 77 Ill App. 448."

         42. In The Law Lexicon, The Encyclopedic Law
8
    Dictionary: (2nd edition, 1997, page 764), the words have
    been conferred the following meaning:-

          "From time to time - "as occasion may arise". The words
          "from time to time" mean that an adjournment may be
C         made as and when the occasion requires and they will not
          mean adjournment from one fixed day to another fixed day.
          The words "from time to time" are words which are
          constantly introduced where it is intended to protect a
          person who is empowered to act from the risk of having
D         completely discharged his duty when he has once acted,
          and therefore, not being able to act again in ,the same
          direction. The meaning of the words "from time to.time" is
          that after once acting the donee of the power may act
          again; and either independently of, or by adding to, or
E         taking from, or reversing altogether, his previous act."

        43. In Blacks Law Dictionary: (5th edition page 601), it
    has been defined as follows:-

          "From time to time - Occasionally, at intervals, now and
F         then."

        44. In Stroud's Judicial Dictionary: (5th edition volume 2
    page 1053), it has been stated as follows:-

          "From time to time 'as occasion may arise' (as per
G         William, J., Bryan v. Arthur, 11 A. & E 117)."

       45. Thus, the conspectus of authorities and the meaning
  bestowed in the common parlance admit no room of doubt that
  the words "from time to time" have a futuristic tenor and they
H do not have the etymological potentiality to operate from a
   STATE OF RAJASTHAN v. BASANT AGROTECH                       429
          (INDIA) LTD. [DIPAK MISRA, J.]
previous date. The use of the said words in the Section 16 of          A
the Act cannot be said to have conferred the jurisdiction on the
State Government or delegate to issue a notification in respect
of the rate with retrospective effect. Such an interpretation does
not flow from the statute which is the source of power. Therefore,
the notification as far as it covers the period prior to the date      B
of publication of the notification in the official Gazette is really
a transgression of the statutory postulate. Thus analysed, we
find that the view expressed by the High court on this score is
absolutely flawless and we concur with the same. We may
reiterate for the sake of clarity that we have not adverted to the     c
defensibility of the analysis from other spectrums which are
founded on the principles set forth in Kesoram's case as the
matter has been referred to a larger Bench and the lis in these
appeals fundamentally pertain to the retrospective applicability
of the notification issued by the State Government as regards
                                                                       D
the rate of cess on the major mineral, i.e. Rock Phosphate.

     46. Resultantly, the appeals, being devoid of merit, stand
dismissed. Ordinarily, we would have imposed costs regard
being had to the change of stance by the appellant from time
to time but recognizing the anxiety on behalf of the State, we         E
restrain from doing so.

Kalpana K. Tripathy                              Appeals dismissed.