ASHOK SOAP FACTORY AND ANR. vs MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI AND ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the increased minimum consumption guarantee charges for 'large industrial powers' consumers under Section 283 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. The Court ruled that the Delhi Municipal Corporation, as a licensee, was empowered to fix rates and that the fixation of higher rates was a legislative function under Article 14 of the Constitution, not subject to challenge for non-disclosure of reasons unless proven unreasonable or arbitrary. The Court found no discrimination as arc/induction furnaces constituted a distinct class of consumers.