WEST BENGAL STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD vs CALCUTTA ELECTRIC SUPPLY CORPN. LTD.

The Supreme Court ruled that under Section 44 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, a licensee must obtain prior consent from the Board before establishing a new generating station. The Court held that the Board's consent for the Budge Budge Project was valid despite subsequent cost escalations, as the licensee had complied with the necessary procedural requirements. The judgment affirmed the importance of adhering to statutory provisions for project approvals in the electricity sector.