JUDGMENT - R.K. BATTA, J.:---The appellants had filed a suit for eviction, restoration of possession, permanent injunction and mesne profits. The case of the appellants is that they had leased suit house to the respondent on monthly rent of Rs. 2/-. The respondent failed to pay the rent and after notice was given to vacate, suit in question was filed. The trial Court had decreed the suit partly and directed the respondent to vacate the suit house as well as pay rent for 3 years prior to institution of the suit. The respondent was further directed to pay Rs. 2/- per month from 1st May 1980, that is to say, from the date of filing the suit till eviction. The respondent filed appeal before the District Court and the learned Additional District Judge framed the following points for determination:-

"1. Whether the village of Penha de Franca wherein the suit house is situated is within 2 kms. from Panaji?

2. Whether the distance from Penha de Franca to Panaji is not relevant in view of the fact that Penha de Franca is situated in the Taluka of Bardez?

3. Whether the jurisdiction of the Civil Court is barred in entertaining the suit and the decree passed is a nullity?"

The learned Additional District Judge came to the conclusion that village Penha de Franca was within 2 kms. around the limits of city of Panaji; the location of city of Mapusa or the Taluka of Bardez has no relevancy in view of the fact that it is within the limit of 2 kms. around the limit of city of Panaji and that the jurisdiction of the Civil Court is barred and the decree of eviction was a nullity. On these findings the Appellate Court reversed the decree and the result was that the appellants' suit stood dismissed.

2.The appellants have come in second appeal on the following substantial questions of law framed in this Memo of Appeal:-

"Whether the Appellate Court erred in interpreting and construing Notification dated 30-09-69 passed under the Goa Rent Control Act extending the applicability of the said Act to cities, towns and villages of Goa and wrongly held that the village of Penha-de-Franca from Bardez Taluka is covered by the belt of 2 kms. around the city of Panaji from Tiswadi or Ilhas or Goa Taluka, for the purpose of application of Rent Control Act."

3.Learned advocate for the appellants urged before me that initially the Rent Control Act was extended to the cities of Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, Daman and Diu with effect from 30th September 1969. Simultaneously, Notification was issued by the Administrator of Goa, Daman and Diu in terms of section 1(2) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control Act, 1968 (hereinafter called 'the said Act') whereby the provisions of the Act were also extended to areas specified in Column No. 3 of the Notification dated 30th September 1969. The contention advanced by learned advocate for the appellants is that the said Notification has been issued Talukawise and such belt of 2 kms. around the limits of the city of Panaji cannot include Penha de Franca, which falls in Bardez Taluka. He also pointed out that subsequently the Act in question has been extended to entire Goa with effect from 23rd December 1980. He, therefore, submits that the appeal be admitted on the substantial question of law framed in the Appeal Memo.

4.Section 1(2) of the said Act reads as under:-

"(2) It extends, in the first instance, to the cities of Panaji, Margao, Mapusa and Vasco (including the harbour area) and to Daman (Nani and Moti) in the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu but the Administrator may, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette extend this Act or any provision thereof to any other area in the said Union Territory."

It empowers the Administrator to extend the Act or any provision thereof to any other area in the Union Territory (Goa at that time was a Union Territory) by notification. There is nothing in section 1(2) of the said Act to indicate that the Notification by the Administrator can

Click Here to Read the rest of this document