JUDGMENT

B.P. Ray, J.

1. The Appellant in this appeal filed Under Section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 has challenged the judgment & decree dated 26.08.2002 & 09.09.2002 respectively passed by Learned Judge, Family Court, Rourkela in C.P. No. 1 of 2001 allowing the Civil Proceedings in which the Appellant was directed to pay Rs. 2000 to Respondent No. 1 (Wife) & Respondent No. 2 (daughter) @ Rs. 1000 each per month towards their maintenance from the date of the application i.e. 03.01.2001.

2. The Respondent No. 1, who was Petitioner in the Court below, had filed an application Under Sections 18 & 20 of the Hindu Adoptions & Maintenance Act, 1956 claiming maintenance from Respondent No. 1 (Appellant in this appeal). The case of the Respondent No. 1 is that both the Appellant & Respondent No. 1 are Hindu by Caste & they are governed by Hindu Law. Their marriage was solemnized at Itabhatta, Bandhamunda in presence of their relations & well-wishers as per the customs & rites prevalent in Santal Caste of Sarana Community in the year 1982. After marriage, both the parties stayed at Balijodi, Rourkela where the marriage was consummated & in the year 1985 Respondent No. 2 was born out of