Judgment

SIKRI, C.J.I.- This petition under Article 32 has been filed by the three appellants in Civil Appeals Nos. 2018-2020 of 1968, in which we have just delivered judgment. In this petition the vires of Section 6, clause (xvii), of the U. P. Imposition of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1960 (U. P. Act I of 1961) -hereinafter referred to as the Act- and Rule 4 (4) of the U. P. Imposition of Ceilings on Land Holdings Rules, 1961 have been challenged. It is urged that these provisions violate Articles 14, 19 (1) (f) and (g) and 31(1) of the Constitution. The learned counsel for the State contended that the impugned provisions are protected by Article 31-B of the Constitution, as the Uttar Pradesh Imposition of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1960 is included in the Ninth Schedule as item 58. The learned counsel for the petitioners, in reply, urged (1) that the impugned provisions have nothing to do with land reform, and (2) that rules made under the Act do not enjoy the protection of Article 31-B. It is admitted that the land in dispute is a holding within Section 3 (d) of the Act. The definition reads :

"Holding" means the land or lands held by a person as a bhumidhar, sirdar, asami