INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES PVT. LTD. & ANR vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.(AND VICE VERSA)

The Supreme Court held that raising contractors of coal mines qualify as 'owners' under Section 3(n) of the Coking Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1972, thereby affirming the High Court's ruling. The Court clarified that the fixed assets installed by the contractors vest in the Central Government as per the provisions of the Act. However, it ruled that the subsidy amount of Rs. 4,50,000 from the Coal Board could not be utilized by the Central Government for discharging liabilities of the coking coal mine, leading to the dismissal of the contractors' appeal and the allowance of the Union of India's appeal regarding the subsidy.