Feb 14- The Supreme Court has upheld the Goa Government’s decision to recover previously granted electricity tariff rebates from industrial companies, reaffirming the state’s authority to withdraw economic incentives in public interest. The Court ruled that the doctrine of promissory estoppel cannot be rigidly enforced when financial burdens on the public exchequer are at stake. Citing past rulings, the Court dismissed the appeal, affirming that Goa’s demand notices were legal and justified. The verdict supports the Bombay High Court’s decision and strengthens the government’s power to revoke incentives that strain state finances. Several companies including Puja Ferro Alloys Pvt. Ltd, Global Ispat Pvt Ltd, Sunrise Electromelt Ltd, Karthik Inductions Ltd had moved the courts in this regards. The companies were aggrieved by the demand notice sent by the Goa Government to recover previously offered electricity tariff rebates under its 1991 Notification, which provided a 25% rebate on electricity tariffs for industrial units.
