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ISSUE:

Whether Hindus can be considered a minority community in the State of Punjab for the purposes of Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution?

RULE:

Fundamental Rights of Minorities: The Court emphasized the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. This includes the right to choose the medium of instruction and script, which is guaranteed under Articles 29(1) and 30(1) of the Constitution.

Legislative Competence: The principle that no State has the legislative power to prescribe a particular medium of instruction for higher education that infringes upon the Parliament's authority under Item 66 of List I, which relates to coordinating and determining standards in such institutions.

Harmonious Construction: The Court utilized the doctrine of harmonious construction to reconcile conflicting legislative powers between State and Union laws, asserting that Union legislation prevails when there is an overlap regarding educational matters.

Non-Infringement of Rights: The Court held that the State must harmonize its powers to prescribe the medium of instruction with the rights of minorities, ensuring that they are not compelled to adopt a medium or script that does not reflect their cultural and linguistic identity.

ISSUE:

Whether the Hotel Expenditure Act, 1987, fall within the legislative competence of the Union Parliament?

Whether the classification of the hotels under the Act based on room charges arbitrary and violative of Article 14?

Whether imposing restrictions by the Act on hotel businesses onerous and without reasonable justification?

RULE:

The Court considered whether the restrictions imposed by the legislation were reasonable under Article 19(6) of the Constitution, allowing the state to impose reasonable restrictions on trade or business for public health, morality, and welfare.

Union parliament has the legislative competence to enact the Expenditure Act, 1987 under Article 248 read with Entry 97 of List I of the Seventh Schedule.

The Court noted that while the legislative powers between the Union and the States may overlap, this overlap must be viewed in law and distinguished based on the aspect theory. The same transaction can give rise to different taxable events from legislative perspective.

Expenditure tax is not specifically mentioned in either List I or List II of the Constitution, the Court recognized it as a sui generis tax, justifying its imposition through the exercise of residuary powers under List I.

ISSUE:

Whether the President's notification entrusting functions to state officers remained effective after the reorganization of the Bombay state, particularly in relation to land acquisition for Union purposes in the newly formed State of Gujarat?

Whether the notification issued by the President comes within the purview of being a law under Section 87 read with Section 2(d) of the Bombay Reorganisation Act?

Whether the proceeding under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act, being quasi-judicial, allowed delegation of authority by the Commissioner and consideration of reports made by delegated officers?

Whether the Commissioner of the newly formed State of Gujarat had the power under the Land Acquisition Act in terms of the Presidential notification?

RULE:

Article 258(1) of the Constitution empowers the President to entrust executive functions of the Union to state officers with the consent of the concerned State government.

The entrustment of functions must be within the scope of executive power vested in the Union.

Functions thus entrusted effectively amend the relevant Act by substituting the words of the notification therein. The basic concept of law requires that orders must contain rules regulating conduct enforceable in a court of law. The notification itself does not affect an amendment of the law but acts as an executive order.

ISSUE:

Whether certain provisions of the Chhattisgarh Niji Kshetra Vishwavidyalaya (Sthapana Aur Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 2002 (the Act) is ultra vires the Constitution of India?

Whether the notifications issued by the State of Chhattisgarh establishing various private universities under the Act are valid?

Whether the functioning of these private universities would hinder the statutory duties of expert bodies like University Grants Commission (UGC), Medical Council of India, and All India Council for Technical Education?

RULE:

Doctrine of Legislative Competence: The court held that state legislatures lack the power to enact laws that infringe upon the Union's authority over coordination and determination of standards in higher education.

Doctrine of Ultra Vires: The court found the Act unconstitutional because it permitted the establishment of universities without adequate oversight, infringing on the Union’s power to set higher education standards.

Principle of Regulatory Oversight by Expert Bodies: Expert bodies like UGC must regulate standards to prevent unrecognised degrees, protecting the quality and legitimacy of education.

Territorial Limitations on State Legislatures: The state legislature could not authorize private universities to establish campuses outside the state’s territorial jurisdiction, as this exceeded state legislative powers.

ISSUE:

Whether Parliament has the power under residuary provisions to impose a wealth tax on agricultural land when such power is not explicitly mentioned in any of the three Lists of the Seventh Schedule?

Whether the Wealth Tax Act falls under Entry 86, List I or Entry 97, List I of the Constitution?

RULE:

The residuary power of Parliament includes any matter not enumerated in State List (List II) or Concurrent List (List III), even if it's not specifically mentioned in Union List (List I).

When interpreting constitutional distribution of powers, the content of residuary power does not change whether it's conferred on Parliament or States.

The Constitution makers intended to make the center strong by giving Parliament comprehensive residuary powers, including the power to impose taxes not mentioned in other lists.