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Issues Involved:
1. Definition and interpretation of the term "unemployed youth" in the context of an advertisement issued under the excise policy of the State of West Bengal. 2. Validity of the certificate of unemployment required for the grant of an excise license. 3. The eligibility criteria for the grant of an excise license for country spirit shops. Summary: Issue 1: Definition and Interpretation of "Unemployed Youth" The primary issue in these appeals was the interpretation of the term "unemployed youth" as stated in an advertisement issued under the excise policy of the State of West Bengal. The advertisement invited applications from companies/firms/societies formed by unemployed youth for the grant of excise licenses for country spirit shops. The appellants contended that the respondents did not qualify as "unemployed youth" because they were engaged in some form of business. The Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, however, opined that "unemployed youth" should not be interpreted to mean a person who is entirely without any income. The Court held that the term should receive a contextual interpretation, meaning a person who has not been substantially employed or in any regular service, even if they earn some money for subsistence. Issue 2: Validity of the Certificate of Unemployment The appellants argued that the certificate of unemployment required for the grant of an excise license was subjective and lacked clear guidelines. The Division Bench disagreed, stating that the authorities specified in the advertisement were presumed to be aware of the financial status of the applicants and whether they remained unemployed. The Court emphasized that the term "unemployed youth" should be given a purposive meaning, one that satisfies the text and context in which it was used. Issue 3: Eligibility Criteria for Grant of Excise License The eligibility criteria for the grant of an excise license were governed by the West Bengal Excise (Selection of New Sites and Grant of License for Retail Sale of Spirit and Certain Other Intoxicants) Rules, 1993. The criteria included the age of the applicant, registration as unemployed in an employment exchange, and certification of unemployment by specified authorities. The Division Bench found that the respondents met these criteria and were therefore eligible for the license. The Court also noted that the appellants themselves had obtained a similar certificate and could not now question its validity. Conclusion: The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, upholding the Division Bench's interpretation of "unemployed youth" and the validity of the certificates of unemployment. The Court emphasized that the term should be given a contextual and purposive meaning, and the respondents were found to be eligible for the grant of the excise license. The appeals were dismissed with no order as to costs.
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