HINDUSTAN ZINC LTD. ETC. ETC. vs ANDHRA PRADESH STATE ELECTRICITY BOARDS & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the upward revision of electricity tariffs by the State Electricity Board under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, specifically Sections 16 and 49. The Court ruled that the Board's actions did not require prior consultation with the State Electricity Consultative Council as claimed by the appellants, and that the Board had the authority to adjust tariffs to generate a reasonable surplus. The Court found no merit in the claims of discrimination or arbitrariness in the tariff hike, affirming the High Court's dismissal of the writ petitions.