( 1 ) IN these five Rules the petitioners are challenging three notifications and two proclamations issued by the State of West Bengal or its Authorities. As common questions have been raised in ell these Rules they have been heard together and would be disposed of by one judgment.

( 2 ) IT is not in dispute that facts relevant to the issues raised in these five Writ petitions are same or similar and as such I prefer to set out the facts in Civil Rule 656 (W) of 1964. The petitioner in this Rule Sri Sri Devi Mata is the family Deity of Panchkote Raj Estate. The petitioner had been holding certain lands in intermediary interest in Purulia which was previously within the District of Man-bhum in the State of Bihar. On September 1 1956 the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as the Transfer of Territories Act) came into force. By virtue of Section 3 of this Act major part of Purulia was transferred with effect from 1-11-1956 to West Bengal. Section 43 however provided that notwithstanding such transfer until otherwise provided by a competent legislature or other competent authority the laws then applicable to the trans