Hon'ble Prakash Krishna,J.
1. Our conclusions are as follows:
(a) No one has fundamental right to carry on trade in intoxicants. The State has exclusive right to carry on manufacture and sale of the same;
(b) The State can part with the exclusive privilege for consideration. The licence fee is the consideration for parting that privilege ;
(c) There was a contract between the parties and the petitioners are liable to pay licence fee on the MGQ;
(d) Even if there was no contract, the petitioners are estopped from challenging the recovery of licence fee on the MGQ.
2. In view of our conclusions, the writ petition is dismissed.
3. For order see our order of date on separate sheet of papers placed in the record of Writ Tax No. 1429 of 2006.
Order Date :- 9.3.2011 BBL