In Brief
A hotel owner in Jammu and Kashmir disputed rent payable by the Government for occupying rooms during 1997-2008. The Police Department paid Rs.200/- per day per room under a 1998 Government Order, but the Estate Department claimed it should pay differently. The Supreme Court held that no rational basis existed for such differentiation and referred the matter to the Chief Secretary, the competent authority, to fix fair rates for all departments with hearing to parties. Any difference from the interim rate of Rs.200/- would require adjustment within three months.
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