(1.) The ninety-one writ petitions before us for delivery of our reasons in support of our order dated 23 Nov. 1977 dismissing them, raised a common question of the validity of an order (hereinafter referred to as the Control Order), passed on 30th September, 1977 by the Ministry of Civil Supplies and Co-operation of the Government of India, which runs as follows.
(2.) Definition : - In this Order, "dealer" means a person engaged in the business of the purchase, sale or storage for sale of mustard oil.
(3.) Price at which a dealer may sell. No dealer shall, either by himself or by any person on his behalf, sell or offer to sell any mustard oil at a retail price exceeding Rupees 10/- per kilogram, exclusive of the cost of container but inclusive of taxes.