GUJARAT AMBUJA CEMENT vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed the legality of a 10% premium imposed on coal prices under the Colliery Control Order, 1945, as amended by the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Court held that the premium was validly imposed by the Central Government, emphasizing that the pricing mechanism for controlled commodities must adhere to the provisions of the Act. The judgment upheld the High Court's dismissal of the writ petitions challenging the premium, affirming the government's authority to regulate prices in the interest of maintaining supply stability.