28. (1) No person, other than a licensee, shall engage in the business of supplying energy except with the previous sanction of the Government and in accordance with such conditions as the Government may fix in this behalf, and any agreement to the contrary shall be void:Provided that such sanction shall not be given within the area for which a local authority is constituted, without that local authority's consent, or within the area of supply of any licensee, without that licensee's consent, unless the Government considers that consent has been unreasonably withheld.(2) Where any difference or dispute arises as to whether any person is or is not engaging; or about to engage, in the business of supplying energy within the meaning of sub-section (1), the matter shall be referred to the Government, and the decision of the Government thereon shall be final.(3) The Government may, if in its opinion the public interest so requires, cancel or discontinue, at any time, the sanction given under sub-section (1).(4) Where the Government revokes, cancels or discontinues a sanction given under sub-section (1), the provisions of section 5 shall apply mutatis mutandis.