JUDGMENT

B.P. RAY, J. : The appellant in this appeal filed under Section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 has challenged the judgment and decree dated 26.8.2002 and 9.9.2002 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) and Respondent No.2 (daughter) @ Rs.1000/- each per month towards their maintenance from the date of the application i.e. 3.1.2001.

2. The respondent No.1, who was petitioner in the Court below, had filed an application under Sections 18 and 20 of the Hindu Adoptions and 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 and respondent No.1 are Hindu by caste and they are governed by Hindu Law. Their marriage was solemnized at Itabhatta, Bandhamunda in presence of their relations and well-wishers as per the customs and 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 and in the year 1985 respond¬ent No.2 wa