MATHRABAI Vs. KANHAIYALAL BALURAM AGRAWAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal arises out of execution proceedings of a money-decree held by kanhaiyalal against the appellants Mathrabai and Ganeshram. In execution proceedings of the decree, one engine, its accessories, a water pump and a rubber hose-pipe belonging to the judgment-debtors were attached. The judgment-debtors raised the objection that they were agriculturists and as the articles attached were implements of husbandry they were exempt from attachment under the proviso (b) to Section 60 (1) C. P. C. The learned Civil Judge, First Class, indore, overruled this objection holding that the engine was being used for running a flour-mill; that the water-pump with lying idle for over eighteen months as the well where it was fitted had dried up permanently and that, therefore, the engine, the water-pump and its other fittings could not be regarded as implements of husbandry. Hence this appeal by the judgment-debfors.

(2.) AT the conclusion of the hearing of this appeal on 31-3-1959, we passed an order dismissing the appeal and saying that we would state our reasons later on. Accordingly we now proceed to do so.

(3.) THE only question that arises for determination in this appeal is whether the engine, the water-pump and its accessories are implements of husbandry exempted from attachment under proviso (b) to Section 60 (1) C. P. C. The executing Court has found, and on the evidence on record also it is plain, that at the time of the attachment the engine was being used for driving a flour-mill and the water-pump was lying idle as the well where it was fitted had dried up permanently. As these articles were not being used for agriculture, they are clearly not exemptible as implements of husbandry under Section 60 C. P. C. Even if the judgment-debtors' statement that the engine was first being used by them for running a flour-mill as well as for working the water-pump is accepted, they cannot, in our opinion, be regarded as "implement's of husbandry" spoken of in proviso (b) to Section 60 (1) C. P. C. The exemption granted by the proviso is intended for the benefit of indigent artisans and agriculturists. The principle underlying the exemption is that such needy persons should not be deprived of the tools and instruments which are if dispensable for their craft and agriculture. The meaning of 'implement as given in shorter Oxford English Dictionary is: "things that serve as equipment or outfit; the apparatus, instruments etc. employed in any trade or in executing any piece of work". The implements of husbandry, which are exempt from attachment, under Section 60 C. P. C. , must be such as are in the opinion of the Court necessary to enable the agriculturist to earn his livelihood as such. Now 'livelihood' connotes the idea of means of living or sustenance. The implements of husbandry which can be exempted must, therefore, be such which are indispensable to an agriculturist and with which he can earn a living to support his life. An internal combustion engine used for working a water-pump is clearly not indispensable for agriculture. Water can be drawn from the well for irrigating the fields by other means also. Such mechanical appliances may enable an agriculturist to irrigate his fields conveniently and quickly. But they are not indispensable. It must be remembered that the Code of Civil Procedure was enacted in 1908 when mechanised farming was unknown in India. Even today the majority of the agriculturists use the same implements for ploughing and irrigating their fields which were in vogue in 1908. As was pointed out by Niyogi J. in Shaligram v. Sheopratap, AIR 1939 Nag 3: ILR (1939) Nag 355, the expression "implements of husbandry" is preceded by "tools of artisans" and followed by 'cattle'. That indicates a class of husbandmen who are of the same status as artisans and who perform their agricultural operations with the help of animate beings and not inanimate machinery. The "implements" of the husbandman correspond to the "tools" of artisans. In that case the question arose whether a motor-tractor, which was not being used for agriculture but for driving a flour-mill, was an implement of husbandry within the meaning of Section 60 C. P. C. It was held that a motor-tractor, which is an internal combustion machine, which performs the work of bullocks and is used for power, is not indispensable for agriculture and, therefore, cannot be regarded as being essential to it and consequently it is not an implement of husbandry. It is easy to see that if the expression "implements of husbandry" is construed widely beyond what it was taken to signify in 1908 so as to include modern machinery used in mechanised fanning, there would be nothing to prevent a rich person with substantial means doing mechanised farming on a very extensive scale and who is in a position to replace easily any machinery, from claiming exemption under proviso (b) to section 60 (1) C, P. C. Surely, the proviso is not intended for the benefit of such rich modern agriculturists. We are clear in our mind that the engine, the water-pump and is accessories, which were attached in this case, are not implements of husbandry within the meaning of Section 60 C. P. C.