BASANT KUMARI Vs. STATE OF M P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Order in this case will also govern the disposal of Misc. Petitions Nos. 3836, 3770, 3892, 3827, 4075, 4079, 4098, 4099, 4144, 4145, 4150,' 4157, 4158, 4159, 4160; 4168, 4170, 4172, 4175, 4182, 4186, 4189, 4204, 4207, 4210, 4216, 4221, 4247, 4234, 4235, 4237, 4249, 4251, 4259, 4262, 4275, 4278, 4282, 4283, 4284, 4296, 4297, 4305, 4329, 4332, 4333, 4336, 4337, 4346, 4353, 4354, 4365, 4365, 4366, 4372, 4373, 4374, 4375, 4378, 4379, 4383, 4384, 4386, 4387, 4388, 4389, 4390, 4394, 4395, 4396, 4397, 4398, 4399, 4401, 4416, 4426, 4430, 4449, 4459,' 4463, 4464, 4465, 4466, 4469, 4474, 4476, 4480, 4481, 4482, 4499, 4505, 4511, 4512, 4514, 4515, 4516, 4517, 4518, 4519, 4522, and 4524 of 1988 and 5, 6,10, 26, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 48, 51, 53, 55, 65, 66, 76, 80, 82, 83, 85, 89, 91, 92, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 109,116, 118,120,124,131, 133, 135, 137, 144, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 164, 165, 167, 170, 172, 173, 176, 177, 178, 186, 187; 192, 193, 194, 195, 202, 205, 206, 207, 208; 218, 222, 224, 226, 228, 229, 231, 232, 234, 235, 236, 243, 249, 250, 255, 256, 262, 269, 272, 273, 276, 277, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 289, 291, 305, 306, 308, 347, 355, 368, 370, 375, 387, 388, 389, 394, 397, 404, 413, 416, 417, 419, 432, 441, 443, 460, 461, 470, 482, 486, 490, 494, 495, 497, 499, 500, 501, 503, 505, 514, 507, 520, 529, 530, 543, 546, 547, 548, 549, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 562, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 573, 599, 607, 616, 618, 624, 636, 639, 650, 654, 657, 682, 685, 686, 687, 696, 698; 737, 740, 752, 753, 771, 788, 799, 820, 832, 836, 837, 841, 842, 933, 970, 977, 984, 997, 1008, 1009, 1012, 1014, 1025, 1059,1072, 1078, 1094, 1103, 1104, 1106, 1107, 1108, 1109, 1123, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1150, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1164, 1165, 1178, 1179, 1189, 1194, 1196, 1198, 1200, 1203, 1206, 1216, 1218,,1222, 1231, 1241, 1244, 1248, 1250, 1252, 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260, 1267, 1280, 1281, 1290, 1291, 1312, 1316, 1331, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1347, 1350, 1353, 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364, 1365, 1384, 1385, 1387, 1389, 1401, 1402, 1406, 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1431, 1432, 1433, 1434, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1440, 1443, 1446, 1448, 1453, 1456, 1462, 1463, 1464, 1466, 1472, 1484, 1486, 1497, 1500, 1501, 1504, 1509, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1516, 1517, 1518, 1520, 1522, 1555, 1559, 1566, 1584, 1626, 1633, 1641, 1667, 1668, 1669, 1691, 1744, 1748, 1749, 1751, 1752, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1756, 1759, 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1767, 1769, 1779, 1780, 084, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1795, 1796, 1806, 1807, 1811, 1825, 1826, 1833, 1859, 1907, 1908, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1966, 1967, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2051, 2052, 2072, 2099, 2117, 2112, 2114, 2135, 2137, 2143, 2146, 2153, 2157, 2158, 2160, 2183, 2202, 2205, 2224, 2233, 2244, 2257, 2282, 2283, 2284, 2286, 2291, 2292, 2295, 2301, 2317, 2336, 2379, 2400, 2406, 2437, 2441, 2460, 2470, 2475, 2486, 2545; 2548, 2552, 2580, 2594, 2598, 2637, 2661, 2734, 2740, 2748, 2770, 2773, 2182, 2789, 2818, 2820, 2826, 2853, 2860, 2881, 2891, 2691, 2969, 3008, 3022, 3118, 3191, 3210, 3210, 3219, 3284, 3291, 3323, 3389, 3402, 3533, 3587, 3613, 3697, 3701, 3813, 3815 and 3827 of 1989.

(2.) By these petitions under Art.226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners have assailed the validity of certain provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) Act 1989, (hereinafter referred to as 'the Amending Act').

(3.) Before we proceed to appreciate the contentions advanced on behalf of the parties, it would be useful to refer to the relevant provisions of the M.P. Ceiling on Agricultural Holding Act 1960, (hereinafter referred to as the Act), prior to its amendment by the Amending Act. The object of the Act is to provide for a more equitable distribution of land by imposition of ceiling on agricultural holding and by acquisition and disposal of surplus land to needy persons. Section 7 of the Act, therefore, lays down that as from the appointed day, no holding would be entitled to hold land in excess of the land specified therein. Section 9 of the Act casts a duty on every holder who holds land in excess of the ceiling area, to furnish within a period of three months from the appointed day, a returrn containing requisite information. Section 10 of the Act empowers the competent authority to require any person to furnish return of land held in excess of the ceiling area, in case he fails to submit the return. By Section 11(1) of the Act, the competent authority is required to prepare a draft statement in respect of each person holding land in excess of the ceiling area. Sub-section (3) of Section 11 of the Act provides for publication and service of the draft statement in the manner prescribed. It further provides that any objection to the draft statement received within 30 days of the publication, shall be considered by the competent authority who shall pass an order after giving the objector an opportunity of being heard. Sub-section (4) of Section 11 of the Act lays down that while considering the objections or otherwise, if the competent authority finds that any question has arisen regarding the title of a particular holder and such question has not already been decided by a Court of competent jurisdiction, the competent authority shall proceed to enquire summarily into the merits of the question and pass such orders as it thinks fit. The proviso to sub-section (4) of Section 4 lays down that if such question is already pending for decision before a competent Court, the competent authority shall await the decision of the Court. Sub-section (5) of Section 11 provides that a party aggrieved by the decision of the competent authority under Section 11(4) of the Act may institute a suit in the civil court to have the order set aside. Sub-section (6) of Section 11 of the Act provides that after all such objections, pending proceedings and the suit, if any, filed under sub-section (5) of Section 11, have been disposed of, the competent authority shall accordingly make necessary alterations in the draft statement and shall publish a final statement declaring the surplus land held by each holder. Section 12 of the Act lays down that all surplus land shall be deemed to be needed for public purpose and shall vest in the State absolutely free from all encumbrances with effect from the commencement of the agricultural year next following the date, on which it is declared surplus. Section 35 of the Act lays down that surplus land vesting in the State under Section 12 of the Act shall be allotted to agricultural labourers and other persons specified in that section. Section 41 of the Act provides for appeals from orders passed under the Act and Section 42 confers revisional jurisdiction on the authorities mentioned therein.