THE DISTRICT BOARD, GHAZIPUR vs LAKSHMI NARAIN SHARMA

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of bye-laws framed under Section 174 of the U.P. District Boards Act, 1922, for regulating flour, rice, and oil mills, rejecting the respondent's claim that these bye-laws were ultra vires due to the U.P. Panchayat Raj Act, 1947. The Court clarified that the District Boards retained their powers to regulate trade as no similar powers were conferred upon Village Panchayats under the Panchayat Raj Act. Additionally, the Court ruled that the licence fee charged by the District Board was valid and distinct from fees under other regulations, such as the U.P. Rice and Dal Mills Control Order, 1948, and the U.P. Pure Food Act.