M. ANDIAPPAN Vs. CHOCKALINGAM CHETTIAR AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE landholder of Sannalagudi village in Ramanathapuram District filed certain applications, out of which these petitions are concerned with only nine, under Section 3 -A (2)(a) of the Madras Estates Land (Reduction of Rent) Amendment Act, 1956 (Madras Act XXIX of 1956), before the second respondent for a decision on the question whether the relative lands were ryoti in character. It may be remembered that originally under the Madras Estates Land (Reduction of Rent) Act, 1947 (Act XXX of 1947), there was no provision for a forum or power to determine that question. In order to cover this lacuna, Madras Act XXIX of 1956 was enacted providing for a forum and the procedure for determining the nature of the land in an estate within the meaning of Madras Act XXX of 1947 for purposes of determination of the reduced rent applicable to particular holdings. When these applications were taken up on 16th February, 1959, on the ground of default of appearance of the petitioner, they were dismissed. On 13th March, 1959, applications were filed for restoration. These applications were allowed on 26th August, 1959 and the original applications under Section 3 -A were restored to file. These petitions are directed against the restoration order.

(2.) THE petitioners, in this Court, who claim to be tenants contend that the Collector -had no power to restore the application once dismissed for default, and it is this, question which falls to be determined in these petitions. Madras Act XXIX of 1956 came into operation in December, 1956. By Sub -section (1) of Section 3 -A, it is provided that notwithstanding anything contained in the Madras Estates Land Act, 1908, or any other law for the time being in force, the question whether any land in a village is or is not ryoti land shall be determined by the Collector. Sub -section (2)(a) of this section further provides that any person denying the character of any land in a village to be ryoti should file an application before the Collector for determination of that question, and Clause (b) of Sub -section (2) provides for limitation for filing such an application, with a proviso giving power to the Collector to extend the time within specified limits. Sub -section (3) of Section 3 -A lays down the procedure for the Collector in disposing of an application under Sub -section (2). This Sub -section enjoins, that after giving notice in the prescribed manner to the applicant and the respondent and to the person in occupation of the land, and after publishing the notice in the -prescribed manner in the village and after giving the parties, who appear before him, an opportunity to be heard and to adduce their evidence, the officer shall give his decision on the application. Sub -section (4) provides for appeal to a Tribunal set up under the Act for the purpose against the orders of the Collector. The rest of the sections in Madras Act XXIX of 1956 relate to the constitution of Tribunals, disposing of pending applications, and modifications of orders made under Section 3(2), and certain other matters. Madras Act XXIX of 1956 itself contains no rule -making power. But the purpose of this Act was to amend the Madras Act XXX of 1947 and incorporate or insert therein Section 3 -A and the following sections. Under the Amending Act, the rule -making power contained in Section 7 of Madras Act XXX of 1947 should be taken to be available for purpose of carrying out the provisions of Madras Act XXIX of 1950 as well. Section 7 of Madras Act XXX of 1947 provides, that the State Government may make Rules to carry out the purposes of that Act. In exercise of this power, the State Government framed Rules relating to applications under Section 3 -A and the disposal thereof, and these Rules appear to have come into -force sometime in July, 1957. The first four rules devote themselves to the form of the applications to be made under Section 3 -A(2)(a), and the particulars they should contain, and the manner in which they should be given. Rule 5 is to the effect that such applications should be filed before the Revenue Divisional Officer within whose jurisdiction the lands in question are situate. Under the same rule, this officer is to have all powers of a Collector under Madras Act XXX of 1947. Rule 6 relates to the notice contemplated by Section 3 -A(3) and among other things, by Sub -clause (5) of this rule, the form of notice is prescribed. This form requires the hearing date to be specified and announces that all persons interested are called upon to file before the officer concerned statements bearing on the question, adduce oral or documentary evidence as is necessary and be present at the hearing. If the appellant does not appear, the application will be dismissed. If any person interested, other than the applicant, does not avail himself of the opportunity given to him, by the officer, it would be open to him to dispose of the application on the merits, and the person in default will have no further opportunity. But this applies only to a person other than the applicant.

(3.) IN any case, I am inclined to think that having regard to the object of the Act, which is to apply the Rent Reduction Notification to particular holdings, the power incorporated in the form of the notice prescribed under the Rules to dismiss an application for default carries with it also a power to restore the application if proper cause therefore is shown. This interpretation of the power contained in the form of notice, as I think, will also be in keeping with the object of the main as well as the Amending Acts.