( 1 ) TWO questions of law arise in this appeal, viz. , whether the expressions "agriculture" and "agriculturist" in their ordinary sense include "horculture" and "horticulturist" and whether Section 21-A of the Banking regulation Act, 1946, which came into force with effect from 31-6-1984. applies to appeals pending on that date ? Section 21-A declares : "notwithstanding anything contained in the Usurious Loans act, 1918, or any other law relating to indebtedness in force in any state, a transaction between a banking company and its debtor shall not be re-opened by any Court on the ground that the rale of interest chafged by the banking company in respect of such transaction is excessive" factual matrix :

( 2 ) DEFENDANTS are the appellants. The respondent, State Bank of india, filed the suit for recovery of a sum of Rs. 2, 35, 927. 86 Ps. with interest at the rate of 14% per annum on the said amount from the date of suit till realisation. The Bank s claim, in short is the following : the 1st defendant (2nd defendant is the wife of the 1st defendant) was given an overdraft facility, as also term-loan facility by the plaintiff-Bank. The 1st defendant executed a mortg