H.L. Gokhale J.—All these Civil Appeals raise the questions with respect to the validity of Section 43 of Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948 as applicable to the State of Gujarat, now known in the State of Gujarat as Gujarat Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948 (“Tenancy Act” for short). This section places certain restrictions on the transfer of land purchased or sold under the said Act. These appeals raise the questions also with respect to the validity of resolution dated 4.7.2008 passed by the Government of Gujarat to give effect to this section, and which resolution fixes the rates of premium to be paid to the State Government for converting, transferring, and for changing the use of land from agricultural to non-agricultural purposes. Thirdly, these appeals seek to challenge the minimum valuation of land as per the rates contained in the list called as “Jantri” prevalent since 20.12.2006.

2. The Tenancy Act was passed way-back in the year 1948, as a beneficial legislation and as a part of agrarian reform. This section has been amended twice thereafter, first in 1960 and then in 1977. The aforesaid challenge was first taken in the High Court of Gujarat