The background of the case involves a dispute regarding the legality of rental charges imposed by the Port Authorities for the use of government riverine land. The appellant, M/s. Delta ... Engineers, operates a barge repair workshop on private land adjacent to the river Zuari within the jurisdiction of Panaji Port. The appellant contended that it was not liable to pay any rent for the use of the riverine land, arguing that the demand for rental charges was illegal. The case specifically challenged the validity of the amendments to the Goa, Daman and Diu Port Rules, 1983, which provided for the payment of these charges. The appellant sought a declaration that the amendments were invalid and that any rental charges would only be applicable from the date the 1994 amendment came into force, which was 3.3.1994.