Both the parties to this revision petition, the petitioner, Ramankutty Achan, whom for convenience I shall call Achan, and his wife, Kalyanikutty, who is the respondent, are teachers. Their marriage took place in 1953. From 14th January, 1968, they began to live separate. So long as love persisted their was little need of law to rule the relations between them. But as love flew out of the window the lawyer stepped in through the door. On 26th October, 1968, Kalyanikutty applied before the District Magistrate, Palghat, for granting maintenance to her and her three children. Her application was resisted by Achan. The District Magistrate granted maintenance to Kalyanikutty at the rate of Rs. 25 and to each of the children at the rate of Rs. 20 per month. Aggrieved by it Achan has filed this revision petition.

2. After deductions from the salary of Achan which is Rs. 285 he gets Rs. 240-63 every month. The monthly salary of Kalyanikutty also is Rs. 285. Out of it after deductions she gets Rs. 210 every month.

3. The liability of Achan to maintain the children was not disputed by his Counsel. About the maintenance awarded to them the only argument advanced was that the rate fixed