NAGINDAS CHHABILDAS Vs. EMPEROR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The point raised in support of this application is that the putting up of the shop-board by the applicant was duly authorised under Sub-section 1 of Section 113 and was, therefore, exempt from punishment either under Section 122 or under Section 113 of the Bombay District Municipalities Act of 1901. It is argued that it was duly authorised under Section 113 as it was in accordance with bye-law 8 of Chapter XIV of the Bye-laws of the Surat City Municipality.

(2.) The board put up is in accordance with bye-law 8. But the applicant has clearly contravened bye-law 10, Sub-clause 3, which requires that the owner shall duly pay in advance the fees prescribed by rules under Section 46 (i). It is an admitted fact that the prescribed fee was not paid. It is urged, however, that this bye law 10 is not applicable to such a projection, and even if applicable, it is ultra vires of the Municipality to levy any fees. The bye-law provides that projections may be permitted only on the conditions which are laid down in the three sub-clauses, and under Section 113 it is open to the Municipality to prescribe the extent to which, and the conditions under which, shop-boards may be allowed to project over public streets. The bye-law, therefore, in my opinion, is clearly applicable to the projection such as we have in this case.

(3.) I do not see how it is ultra vires in view of the power which the Municipality has under the Section to prescribe the extent to which and the conditions under which such projection may be allowed. I do not see any reason to think that the power to prescribe the conditions does not include the power to levy fees before the projections are permitted. Section 70 of the Bombay District Municipalities Act was referred to as showing that the power to charge fees was limited in the manner stated in that section. But it seems to me that under the terms of the section when permission is given for putting up any projection, the Municipality may charge a fee for such permission. There is nothing in the words of the section to justify the applicant s contention that the word "permission" there means "written permission" as contemplated by the first part of Section 113, Sub-section 1, or that it means permission given in each specific case and not a general permission subject to certain conditions. I feel clear that the fee which is prescribed by bye-law 10 is within the powers conferred on the Municipality by the Bombay District Municipalities Act, which provides that when permission is given for putting up any projection, the Municipality may charge a fee for such permission. Here the permission granted is general subject to the payment of the prescribed fee. I am, therefore, of opinion that the contention that this part of the bye-law is ultra vires must be disallowed. No other point has been urged on behalf of the applicant, I would, therefore, discharge the Rule.