2020 Supreme(MP) 560

(DIVISION BENCH)
Ajay Kumar Mittal, CJ and Vijay Kumar Shukla,JJ.
Maa Vaishno Enterprises & Others v. State of M. P. & Another
Writ Petitions No. 7373 of 2020, 7389 of 2020, 7472 of 2020, 7473 of 2020, 7474 of 2020, 7490 of 2020, 7520 of 2020, 7567 of 2020, 7576 of 2020, 7577 of 2020, 7578 of 2020, 7738 of 2020, 7764 of 2020, 7767 of 2020, 7771 of 2020, 7804 of 2020, 7805 of 2020, 7808 of 2020, 7810 of 2020, 7811 of 2020, 7812 of 2020, 7815 of 2020, 7867 of 2020, 7918 of 2020, 8016 of 2020, 8084 of 2020, 8131 of 2020, 8137 of 2020, 8139 of 2020, 8153 of 2020, 8159 of 2020, 8160 of 2020, 8259 of 2020, 8260 of 2020, 8363
of 2020, 8365 of 2020 and 8575 of 2020 (Jabalpur);
Decided on 22.7.2020

Headnote:

(1) Contract Act, 1872 -- Ss. 2 (b), 5 and 56 -- validity of contract -- licence for retail liquor shops -- petitioners liquor contractors -- participated in tender process -- offers accepted -- remaining earnest money deposited -- prior to commencement of licence period, lockdown declared due to pandemic -- whether valid and enforceable concluded contract came into existence between parties so as to bind petitioners to comply with statutory and legal obligations arising therefrom -- held -- acceptance of offer communicated to petitioners -- no withdrawal of offer by them -- nor anything thatsince petitioners have lost or are going to lose actual bargain they expected while making offer therefore auction process has to berevalued or they want to withdraw -- after acceptance of offer either through e-auction or renewal/lottery, contract between parties stood concluded -- cannot be held that only auction process was complete and contract was not concluded -- even if status of petitioners on date of commencement of licence may not have been that of licensee, acceptance of offer of petitioners had effect of binding them to contract. AIR 1936PC 253 distinguished. (1875) 1 Ch D 426 referred to. [Paras 53, 56, 57, 60 & 69

(2) Contract -- enforceable contract -- to have an enforceable contract, there must be offer and unconditional and definite acceptance thereof -- even provisional acceptance cannot itself make a binding contract -- if there is qualified or conditional acceptance of offer by offeree, power of acceptance of offeree is terminated -- power of acceptance of offeree can also be terminated if offeree, instead of accepting offer, makes a counter-offer -- counter-offer is a new offer by offeree that varies terms of original offer -- if offeree makes new offer, original offer is terminated -- conditional or qualified/partial acceptance is acceptance which changes original terms of offer and operates as counter-offer. [Para 54

(3) Interpretation of Statute -- provision has to be read as a whole -- not in isolation -- language unambiguous, clear and plain -- Court should construe it in ordinary sense and give effect to it irrespective of consequences -- consideration of hardship and inconvenience should be avoided. AIR1992 SC 1 and (2001) 8 SCC 540 referred to. [Para 59

(4) Contract Act, 1872 -- S. 37 -- Constitution of India -- Art. 226 -- contract -- offer accepted on terms and conditions mentioned therein -- completed contract comes into existence -- offerer cannot be permitted to wriggle out of contractual obligations arising out of acceptance of his bid by petition under Art. 226 of Constitution. (1975)1 SCC 737, (1984)3 SCC 634 and (2000)6 SCC 113 followed. (1980)3 SCC 599 and (1983)2 SCC 503 referred to. [Para 61

(5) Constitution of India -- Art. 299 (1) -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- S. 18 -- excise contract -- not in name of Governor -- requirement in relation to contract executed in exercise of executive power of Union or State under Art. 299(1) is mandatory -- excise contract under the Act is statutory contract falling outside purview of Art. 299(1) of Constitution -- contracts executed in exercise of executive powers and contracts statutory in nature are distinct. (1984) 3 SCC 634 followed. AIR 1963 MP 352, AIR 1974MP 101 (FB), AIR 1971 Ori. 158 and AIR 1975 Pat. 123 relied on. (1988) SCC (Supp.) 722 distinguished. [Paras 65 & 66

(6) Licence -- excise licence -- whether State is correct in unilaterally issuing licenses with changed terms and conditions -- grant of licence from retrospective date -- background of entire case has to be seen -- offer of respective petitioners for allotment of liquor vends accepted prior to 22.3.2020 -- from 21.3.2020,liquor vends directed to be closed to curb pandemic -- nationwide lockdown declared on 24.3.2020 -- on1.5.2020, Government further extended lockdown for two weeks from 4.5.2020 -- guidelines permitted opening of liquor shops in orange and green zones -- Department started issuing licences from2.5.2020 for operation of allotted liquor shops -- approved for period 1.4.2020 to 31.3.2021, which petitioners allege to be retrospective -- even if licences had been issued on or before 1.4.2020, petitioners neither could have operated liquor shops from said date, nor could have complied with remaining requirements of policy due to lockdown and operation of Disaster Management Act -- orders for closure of liquor shops and restrictions in operation of liquor shops were passed in public interest -- circumstances in which licences have been issued, clearly reveal that it cannot be equated with date of implementation of licence or issue oflicence from retrospective date -- State Government waived off licence fee for period during which licensees were unable to run liquor vends due to lockdown -- several other concessions given to licensees -- period of licence also extended upto 31.5.2021 -- Cl.33 of General Licence Conditions authorizes State Government to amend any condition of licence during currency of licence, which shall be effective from commencement oflicence if not otherwise directed -- in affidavit submitted in terms of Cl. 18.3 of policy petitioners have undertaken that State Government could carry out amendment in policy 2020-21 during currency of licence and that would be binding on petitioners -- interference not warranted. [Paras 68 & 69

(7) Contract Act, 1872 -- S. 37 -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- S. 62

-- unilateral amendment in excise policy -- whether amended excise policy issued on 23.5.2020 is valid and legal -- amendment necessitated in view of subsequent event son account of pandemic whereby strict lockdown was imposed to restrain spread of disease

-- wherever required,consent of licensees sought -- proviso to S. 62 of Excise Act specifically provides that any such rules may be made without previous publication if State Government considers that they should be brought into force at once -- excise policy 2020-21 also states that State reserves its right to make necessary changes in regime/arrangement approved for year 2020-21 during currency of period 2020-21 -- petitioners specifically agreed to power of State Government to amend excise policy 2020-21 during licence period -- it would debar them from raising such plea -- would operate as promissory estoppel against them -- no interference called for. (2008)2SCC 672 and SLP (C)No. 32734 of 2014 decided on 5.3.2020 distinguished. [Paras 71 & 73

(8) Estoppel -- petitioners submitted statutory affidavit with offer in terms of Cl. 18.3 of excise policy -- specifically agreed to power of State Government to make amendment in excise policy during licence period -- would operate as promissory estoppel against them.

[Para 73

(9) Policy -- framing of policies -- is within domain of employer -- Court cannot direct to frame policy which suits a particular person the most. [Para 73

(10) Contract Act, 1872 -- S. 37 -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- S. 62 -- unilateral amendment in excise policy -- whether amended policy was brought as counter -- offer -- held -- State has power to amend policy by virtue of S. 62 of Excise Act and Cl. 13 of affidavit submitted by offerers/petitioners in terms of Cl. 18.3 of policy -- by communication of acceptance of offer by respondents, no new offer made -- amended policy does not tantamount to counter-offer. (1996) 2 SCC 667 distinguished. [Para 74

(11) Estoppel -- consequences of non-performance of contract due to any policy decision of State provided in policy -- similar provisions also contained in policy in case successful bidder chooses not to comply with terms and conditions of acceptance letter and licence conditions -- petitioners participated in tender with full knowledge of these provisions -- cannot be subsequently heard to say that these conditions are arbitrary and illegal in anymanner. (1981)4 SCC 289 distinguished. [Para 75

(12) Tender -- consequences of non-performance of contract due to any policy decision of State provided in policy -- similar provisions also contained in policy in case successful bidder chooses not to comply with terms and conditions of acceptance letter and licence conditions -- petitioners participated in tender with full knowledge of these provisions -- cannot be subsequently heard to say that these conditions are arbitrary and illegal in any manner. (1981) 4 SCC 289 distinguished. [Para 75

(13) Policy -- unilateral amendment in excise policy -- decision to amend policy and conditions of licencetaken in circumstances which called for necessity to synchronizee conomic activities and health care issues, which were completely getting disrupted due to pandemic -- all decisions relating thereto were/aretaken in public interest -- no element of arbitrariness pointed out -- petitioners had submitted affidavit that they would be bound by any changes in arrangement of excise policy during period 2020-21 -- not open to petitioners to claim that their prior consent was required for making changes to policy and terms and conditions of licence. (2000)5 SCC 287 and 2010 SCC Online MP 110 distinguished. [Paras 77 & 78

(14) M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- S. 63 -- notification of orders pertaining to change of timings of shops, period of licence, curtailing facilities of ahatas, etc. due to pandemic -- requirement of such publication is only with respect to rules and notifications -- excise policy is subordinate legislation -- excise policy dated 25.2.2020 and amended excise policy dated 23.5.2020 duly notified in Official Gazette -- no violation of terms and conditions of excise policy by not notifying such orders pertaining to change of timings of shops, period of licence, curtailing facilities of ahatas etc. in Official Gazette. (2008)13 SCC 597 referred to. [Paras 80

(15) Policy -- excise policy -- blacklisting -- Cl. 16.7 of amended excise policy dated 23.5.2020 -- licensee for year 2020-21 is not prohibited from participating in tender process in any future contracts -- prohibition is only for year 2020-21 -- it is an eligibility clause to participate in tender process, rather than order of blacklisting a Firm. [Paras 81 to 83

(16) Words and Phrases -- blacklisting -- blacklisting of commercial Firm has serious civil consequences -- affects reputation of Firm -- before any such decision is taken, principles of natural justice must be adhered to. [Para 83

(17) Constitution of India -- Art. 226 -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915

-- S. 18 -- scope of judicial review -- policy decision -- licence for retail liquor shops -- no challenge to decision -- making process -- decision itself impugned on ground of arbitrariness and unreasonableness -- State Government made reasonable decisionto extend period of licence by further two months as initial period of licence of about two months has been lost due to pandemic -- insertion of clause is also not a new condition -- petitioners have given consent for any change to be made in policy -- similar clause also exists in Rule III ofRules of General Application -- there is no element of arbitrariness or unreasonableness so as to warrant exercise of judicial review. (1992)2 SCC 631, (1999) 1 SCC 492 and (2000)2 SCC 617 followed. (2001) 8 SCC 491 distinguished. [Paras 88 & 89

(18) Contract Act, 1872 -- S. 56 -- provision applies only to cases where there is existence of contract between parties -- doctrine of frustration can be applied only after formation of contract. [Para 90

(19) Contract Act, 1872 -- S. 56 -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- S. 18 -- force majeure -- Covid-19 pandemic -- Cl. 48 of policy expressly saves compliance of contract against breach of policy on account of "act of God" and also against "natural calamities" -- Covid-19 pandemic or epidemic falls within meaning and term of "natural calamity" -- is "force majeure" event expressly covered by Cl. 48 of policy -- even if status of petitioners on date of commencement of licence may not have been that of licensee, but acceptance of offer of petitioners had effect of binding them to contract -- Cl. 48 is squarely applicable -- consequences of non-performance of contract clearly depicted in policy -- "force majeure" condition was expressly and impliedly within contemplation of parties -- S. 56 of Contract Act cannot be invoked. AIR 1954 SC 44, Mary (2014) 14 SCC 272, Energy Watchdog (2017) 14 SCC 380 and South East 2020 SCC Online SC 451 followed. (1863) 3 Bestand Smith 826 and (2016)13SCC 561 distinguished. [Paras 93, 94, 96 & 104

(20) Words and Phrases -- force majeure -- act of God -- Covid-19 pandemic or epidemic falls within meaning and term of "natural calamity" -- is "force majeure". [Para 93

(21) Contract Act, 1872 -- S. 56 -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- S. 18 -- petitioners liquor contractors -- prior to commencement of licence period, lockdown declared due to pandemic -- whether contract became impossible to perform or unlawful so as to excuse petitioners from its performance -- held -- impossibility to perform contract must be a practical impossibility -- so much so that whole purpose or basis of contract or entire contractgets frustrated -- impossibility or frustration should strike at root of contract -- overall operation of liquor vends indisarray for only about two months -- about three --quarters of business still left -- option given to licensees to extend period of licence by two months -- State granted several relaxations and waivers of licence fee etc. -- cannot be said that contract had become totally unworkable, impossible, frustrated andunlawful to perform -- at most, it was a case of hardships and interruption inoperation of liquor shops -- petitioners cannot claim that they are excused from performance of contract.1916 (2) AC 397, AIR 1954 SC 44, (1971) 2 SCC 288, Energy Watchdog (2017) 14 SCC 380, (2015) 7 SCC 728 and (2013) 6 SCC 573 followed. AIR 1968 SC 522 referred to. [Paras 112, 116 to 122

(22) Policy -- excise policy -- whether Cls. 9.6, 10.1.4, 10.1.5, 10.1.9, 44 and 48 of excise policy 2020-21 dated 25.2.2020 are contrary to provisions of M. P. Excise Act, 1915 -- no legal infirmity substantiated -- no violation of any statutory or Constitutional provision shown -- even otherwise, petitioners participated in auction process being fully aware of terms and conditions of policy -- on acceptance of their bids, legally enforceable contract/agreement entered into -- they cannot be heard to say that particular clauses of policy are illegal. [Para 123

(23) Constitution of India -- Art. 226 -- M. P. Excise Act, 1915

-- S. 18 -- petitioners liquor contractors -- prior to commencement of licence period, lockdown declared due to pandemic -- remission/waiver of excise duty to extentof loss -- petitioners can approach competent authority invoking Cls. 49 and 54 of excise policy 2020-21 -- said authority shall consider claim of petitioner sympathetically and take decision in accordance with law. [Paras 127 & 128¼1½

¼1½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1872 && /kkjk 2¼[k½] 5 rFkk 56 &&lafonk dh fofèkekU;rk && QqVdj efnjk nqdkuksa ds fy, vuqKfIr ;kphx.k efnjk ds Bsdsnkj && fufonk izfØ;k esa Hkkx fy;k && izLFkkiuk,¡ Lohdkj && 'ks"k vfxze /ku fuf{kIr && vuqKfIr vof/k vkjaHk gksus ds iwoZ oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k ykWdMkmu ?kksf"kr && D;k i{kdkjksa ds e/; fof/kekU; vkSj izorZuh; lafonk laiUu gksdj vfLrRo esa vkbZ rkfd ;kphx.k mlls mn~Hkwr dkuwuh vkSj fof/kd ck/;rkvksa ls vkc) gksa && vfHkfu/kkZfjr && izLFkkiuk dh LohÑfr ;kphx.k dks lalwfpr && muds }kjk izLFkkiuk izR;kâr ugha && ,slk Hkh dqN ugha fd izLFkkiuk djrs le; ;kphx.k dks ftl okLrfod ykHkizn lkSns dh izR;k'kk Fkh og ykHkizn ugha && ,slk Hkh dqN ugha fd izLFkkiuk djrs le; ;kphx.k dks ftl okLrfod ykHkizn lkSns dh izR;k'kk Fkh og ykHkizn ugha jgk ;k ugha jgsxk blfy, uhykeh dh izfØ;k dk iquewZY;kadu fd;k tkuk pkfg, ;k og ihNs gVuk pkgrs gSa && bZ&uhykeh ;k uohdj.k@ykWVjh ds ek/;e ls izLFkkiuk dh LohÑfr ds i'pkr~ mHk;i{k ds e/; lafonk laiUu gks xbZ && ;g vfHkfu/kkZfjr ugha fd;k tk ldrk fd ek= uhykeh dh izfØ;k iw.kZ gqbZ Fkh] lafonk laiUu ugha gqbZ Fkh && Hkys gh vuqKfIr ds vkjaHk ds fnukad dks ;kphx.k dh izkfLFkfr vuqKfIr/kkjh dh ugha jgh gks] ;kphx.k dh izLFkkiuk dh LohÑfr dk izHkko mUgsa lafonk ls vkc) djus dk FkkA , vkb vkj 1936 ih lh 253 izHksfnrA ¼1875½ 1 lh,p Mh 426 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 53] 56] 57] 60 ,oa 69

¼2½ lafonk && izorZuh; lafonk && izorZuh; lafonk ds fy, izLFkkiuk rFkk mldh v'krZ ,oa fuf'pr LohÑfr gksuk vko';d gS && ;gk¡ rd fd vafre LohÑfr Hkh vius-vki esa vkc)dj lafonk xfBr ugha dj ldrh && ;fn izLFkkiuk izkIrdrkZ }kjk izLFkkiuk dh lkis{k vFkok l'krZ LohÑfr dh tkrh gS rks izLFkkiuk izkIrdrkZ dh LohÑfr dh 'kfDr lekIr gks tkrh gS &&izLFkkiuk izkIrdrkZ dh LohÑfr dh 'kfDr rc Hkh lekIr gks ldrh gS ;fn izLFkkiuk izkIrdrkZ] izLFkkiuk Lohdkj djus ds ctk;] izfr&izLFkkiuk djs && izfr&izLFkkiuk] izLFkkiukdrkZ }kjk ,slh ubZ izLFkkiuk gksrh gS ftlesa ewy izLFkkiuk ds fuca/kuksa esa QsjQkj gksrk gS && ;fn izLFkkiuk izkIrdrkZ ugha izLFkkiuk djrk gS rks ewy izLFkkiuk lekIr gks tkrh gS && l'krZ vFkok lkis{k@vkaf'kd LohÑfr ,slh LohÑfr gS tks izLFkkiuk ds ewy fuca/kuksa dks ifjofrZr djrh gS ;k izfr&izLFkkiuk dk izHkko j[krh gSA ¼iSjk 54

¼3½ fof/k dk fuoZpu && mica/k lexz :i esa i<+k tkuk gksrk gS && i`Fkd~r% ugha && Hkk"kk vlafnX/k] Li"V rFkk ljy && U;k;ky; dks mldk vFkkZUo;u lkèkkj.k vFkZ esa djuk pkfg, rFkk mls ifj.kkeksa ls fujis{k izHkkoh djuk pkfg, && dfBukbZ vkSj vlqfo/kk ij fopkj djus ls cpuk pkfg,A , vkb vkj 1992 ,l lh 1 rFkk ¼2001½8 ,l lh lh 540 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 59

¼4½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1872 && /kkjk 37 && Hkkjr dk lafo/kku && vuq-226 && lafonk && izLFkkiuk mlesa mfYyf[kr fuca/kuksa vkSj 'krks± ij LohÑr && laiUu gks pqdh lafonk vfLrRo esa vk tkrh gS &&izLFkkid dks mldh cksyh dh LohÑfr ls mn~Hkwr lafonkRed ck/;rkvksa ls lafo/kku ds vuq- 226 ds v/khu ;kfpdk ds ekè;e ls cp fudyus ugha fn;k tk ldrkA ¼1975½1 ,l lh lh 737] ¼1984½3 ,l lh lh 634 rFkk ¼2000½6 ,l lh lh 113 vuqlfjrA ¼1980½3 ,l lh lh 599 rFkk ¼1983½2 ,l lh lh 503 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 61

¼5½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku && vuq- 299¼1½ && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 18 && vkcdkjh lafonk && jkT;iky ds uke ls ugha && vuq- 299 ¼1½ ds v/khu la?k ;k jkT; dh dk;Zikfydk 'kfDr ds iz;ksx ls fu"ikfnr dh xbZ lafonk ds laca/k esa ;g vis{kk vkKkid gS && vf/kfu;e ds v/khu vkcdkjh lafonk vfèkfu;e ds vuq- 299¼1½ ds dk;Z{ks= ds ckgj] dkuwuh lafonk gS & dk;Zikfydk 'kfDr ds iz;ksx ls fu"ikfnr dh xbZ lafonk,¡ vkSj dkuwuh izÑfr dh lafonk,¡ lqfHkUu gSaA ¼1984½3 ,l lh lh 634 vuqlfjrA , vkb vkj 1963 ,e ih 352] , vkb vkj 1974 ,e ih 101 ¼iw.kZ U;k;ihB½ vuqlfjrA , vkb vkj 1963 ,e ih 352] , vkb vkj 1974 ,e ih 101 ¼iw.kZ U;k;ihB½] , vkb vkj 1971 mM+hlk 158 rFkk , vkb vkj 1975 iVuk 123 voyafcrA ¼1988½ ,l lh lh ¼lIyh-½ 722 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 65 ,oa 66

¼6½ vuqKfIr && vkcdkjh vuqKfIr && jkT; }kjk ifjofrZr fuca/kuksa vkSj 'krks± lfgr vuqKfIr;k¡ ,di{kh; tkjh dh tkuk lgh gS ;k ugha && Hkwry{kh fnukad ls vuqKfIr dk iznku && laiw.kZ ekeys dh i`"BHkwfe ns[kh tkuk gksxh && efnjk foØ; ds vkcaVu ds y, ;kphx.k dh viuh&viuh izLFkkiuk 22-3-2020 ds iwoZ LohÑr && 21-3-2020 ls] oSf'od egkekjh fu;af=r djus ds fy, efnjk foØ; can fd, tkus dk funs'k && 24-3-2020 dks jk"VªO;kih ykWdMkmu ?kksf"kr && 1-5-2020 dks ljdkj us 4-5-2020 ls nks lIrkg ds fy, ykWdMkmu vkSj c<+k fn;k && fn'kk&funsZ'kksa esa deyk vkSj gfjr {ks=ksa esa efnjk dh nqdkusa [kksyus dh vuqefr && 1-4-2020 ls 31-3-2021 dh vof/k ds fy,] tks ;kphx.k }kjk Hkwry{kh gksuk vfHkdfFkr && ;fn vuqKfIr;k¡ 1-4-2020 dks ;k mlds iwoZ tkjh dj nh xbZ gksrh rc Hkh] ykWdMkmu vkSj vkink izca/ku vf/kfu;e ds izorZu ds dkj.k ;kphx.k u rks mDr fnukad ls efnjk dh nqdkuksa dk lapkyu dj ldrs Fks] vkSj u uhfr dh 'ks"k vis{kkvksa dk vuqikyu dj ldrs Fks && efnjk dh nqdkusa can djus ds vkns'k rFkk efnjk dh nqdkuksa ds lapkyu ij fuc±/ku yksdfgr esa ikfjr fd, x, Fks && vuqKfIr;k¡ ftu ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa tkjh dh xbZ gSa muls Li"Vr% izdV gksrk gS fd bls vuqKfIr ds fØ;kUo;u ds fnukad ds vFkok Hkwry{kh fnukad ls vuqKfIr tkjh fd, tkus ds lerqY; ugha ekuk tk ldrk &&& ykWdMkmu ds dkj.k vuqKfI/kkjh ftl nkSjku efnjk foØ; ugha dj lds ml vof/k ds fy, ljdkj us vuqKfIr Qhl vf/kR;Dr dh lk/kkj.k 'krks± ds [kaM 33 esa jkT; ljdkj dks vuqKfIr ds pkyw jgus dh vof?k ds nkSjku vuqKfIr dh fdlh Hkh 'krZ esa la'kks/ku djus ds fy, izkfèkÑr fd;k x;k gS tks] ;fn vU;Fkk funsf'kr ugha fd;k tk,] vuqKfIr ds vkjaHk ls izHkkoh gksxk && uhfr ds [kaM 18-3 ds fuca/kukuqlkj is'k fd, x, 'kiFki= esa ;kphx.k us opu fn;k gS fd vuqKfIr ds pkyw jgus dh vof/k ds nkSjku jkT; ljdkj uhfr 2020&21 esa la'kks/ku dj ldrh gS rFkk og ;kphx.k ij vkc)dj gksxk && gLr{ksi okaNuh; ughaA ¼iSjk 68 ,oa 69

¼7½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1873 && /kkjk 37 && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 62 && vkcdkjh uhfr esa ,di{kh; la'kks/ku 23-5-2020 dks tkjh la'kksfèkr vkcdkjh uhfr fof/kekU; vkSj oS/k gS ;k ugha && oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k i'pkr~orhZ ?kVukvksa dh n`f"V ls la'kks/ku vko';d gqvk] tc jksx dk izlkj jksdus ds fy, dM+k ykWdMkmu vf/kjksfir fd;k x;k && tgk¡&tgk¡ visf{kr Fkh] vuqKfIr/kkfj;ksa dh lgefr pkgh xbZ && vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 62 ds ijarqd esa fofufnZ"Vr% micaf/kr fd dksbZ Hkh ,sls fu;e iwoZ izdk'ku ds fcuk cuk, tk ldsaxs ;fn jkT; ljdkj dk ;g fopkj gks fd og rqjar izo`Ùk dj fn;k tkuk pkfg,

&& vkcdkjh uhfr 2020&21 esa Hkh dfFkr fd 'kklu dks vf/kdkj gksxk fd o"kZ 2020&21 ds fy, LohÑr vkcdkjh O;oLFkk esa o"kZ 2020&21 vof/k ds nkSjku ;Fkk vko';d ifjorZu dj lds && ;kphx.k us vuqKfIr vof/k ds nkSjku vkcdkjh uhfr 2020&21 la'kksf/kr djus dh jkT; ljdkj dh 'kfDr dks fofufnZ"V lgefr nh

&& blls og ,slk vfHkokd~ djus ls fooftZr && ;g muds fo#) opu&foca/k ds :i esa izofrZr gksxk && gLr{ksi vko';d ugha && ¼2008½2 ,l lh lh 672 rFkk fo'ks"k btktr ;kfpdk ¼flfoy½ Ø- 32734 ,u~ 2014 fu.khZr fnukad 5-3-2020 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 71 ,oa 73

¼8½ foca/k && ;kphx.k us izLFkkiuk ds lkFk vkcdkjh uhfr ds [kaM 18-3 ds fuca/kukuqlkj dkuwuh 'kiFki= is'k fd;k && vuqKfIr vof/k ds nkSjku vkcdkjh uhfr la'kksf/kr djus dh jkT; ljdkj dh 'kfDr dks fofufnZ"V lgefr nh && ;g muds fo#) opu&foca/k ds :i esa izofrZr gksxkA ¼iSjk 73

¼9½ uhfr && uhfr;ksa dh fojpuk && fu;kstd ds dk;Z{ks= ds Hkhrj gS && U;k;ky; ,slh uhfr fojfpr djus dk funs'k ugha ns ldrk tks fdlh fof'k"V O;fDr ds fy, lokZf/kd mi;qDr gksA ¼iSjk 73

¼10½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1872 && /kkjk 37 && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 62 && vkcdkjh uhfr esa ,di{kh; la'kks/ku && D;k la'kks/ku uhfr izfr&izLFkkiuk ds :i esa ykbZ xbZ && vfHkfu/kkZfjr && vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 62 rFkk izLFkkidx.k@;kphx.k }kjk uhfr ds [kaM 18-3 ds fuca/kukuqlkj is'k fd, x, 'kiFki= ds [kaM 13 ds vk/kkj ij jkT; dks uhfr la'kksf/kr djus dh 'kfDr gS && izLFkkiuk dh LohÑfr dh lalw;puk }kjk izR;FkhZx.k us dksbZ ubZ izLFkkiuk ugha dh && la'kks/ku uhfr izfr&izLFkkiuk dh dksfV esa ugha vkrhA ¼1996½2 ,l lh lh 667 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 74

¼11½ foca/k && ljdkj ds fdlh uhfr && fo"k;d fofu'p; ds dkj.k lafonk ds vikyu uhfr esa micaf/kr && lQy cksyh yxkus okys }kjk LohÑfri= ds fucaèkuksa vkSj 'krks± dk rFkk vuqKfIr dh 'krks± dk vuqikyu ugha djus dh n'kk esa Hkh uhfr esa blh izdkj mica/k varfoZ"V && ;kphx.k us bu mica/kksa ds iw.kZ Kku lfgr fufonk esa Hkkx fy;k &&ckn esa mUgsa ;g dgrs ugha fn;k tk ldrk fd ;g 'krs± euekuh vkSj fdlh Hkh izdkj ls voS/k gSaA ¼1981½4 ,l lh lh 289 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 75

¼12½ fufonk && 'kklu ds fdlh uhfr&fo"k;d fofu'p; ds dkj.k lafonk ds vikyu ds ifj.kke uhfr esa micaf/kr && lQy cksyh yxkus okys }kjk LohÑfri= ds fuca/kuksa vkSj 'krks± dk rFkk vuqKfIr dh 'krks± dk vuqikyu ugha djus dh n'kk esa Hkh uhfr esa blh izdkj ds mica/k varfoZ"V && ;kphx.k us bu mica/kksa ds iw.kZ Kku lfgr fufonk esa Hkkx fy;k && ckn esa mUgsa ;g dgus ugha fn;k tk ldrk fd ;g 'krs± euekuh vkSj fdlh Hkh izdkj ls voS/k gSaA ¼1981½4 ,l lh lh 289 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 75

¼13½ uhfr && vkcdkjh uhfr esa ,di{kh; la'kks/ku && uhfr vkSj vuqKfIr dh 'krs± la'kksf/kr djus dk fofu'p; ,slh ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa fy;k tkuk ftuesa vkfFkZd xfrfof/k;ksa vkSj LokLF; lsokvksa ds ekeyksa esa rkyesy cSBkuk vko';d gks x;k] tks oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k iw.kZr% vLr&OLr gks jgs Fks && rRlacaf/kr leLr fofuf'p; yksd fgr esa fy, x, Fks@gSa && euekuh dk dksbZ rRo crk;k ugha ik;k x;k && ;kphx.k us 'kiFki= is'k fd, Fks fd og 2020&21 vof/k ds nkSjku vkcdkjh uhfr dh O;oLFkk esa fdlh Hkh ifjorZu ls vkc) gksaxs && ;kphx.k ;g nkok ugha dj ldrs fd uhfr esa rFkk vuqKfIr ds fuca/ku vkSj 'krks± esa ifjorZu djus ds fy, mudh iwoZ lgefr vko';d FkhA ¼2005½5 ,l lh lh 287 rFkk 2010 ,l lh lh vkWuykbu ,e ih 110 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 77 ,oa 78

¼14½ e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 63 && oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k nqdkuksa dk le; vkSj vuqKfIr dh vof/k ifjofrZr djus] vgkrksa dh lqfoèkk,¡ de djus vkfn ls lacaf/kr vkns'kksa dh vf/klwpuk && ,sls izdk'ku dh vis{kk dsoy fu;eska vkSj vf/klwpukvksa ds ckjs esa gS && vkcdkjh uhfr v/khuLFk foèkku gS && vkcdkjh uhfr fnukad 25-2-2020 vkSj la'kksf/kr vkcdkjh uhfr fnukad 23-5-2020 jkti= esa lE;d~:is.k vf/klwfpr && nqdkuksa dk le; vkSj vuqKfIr dh vof/k ifjofrZr djus] vgkrksa dh lqfo/kk,¡ de djus vkfn ls lacafèkr vkns'k jkti= esa vf/klwfpr ugha djus ls vkcdkjh uhfr ds fuca/kuksa vkSj 'krks± dk vfrØe.k ugha gqvkA ¼2008½13 ,l lh lh 597 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 80

¼15½ uhfr && vkcdkjh uhfr && dkyh lwph esa Mkyuk && la'kksf/kr vkcdkjh uhfr fnukad 23-5-2020 dk [kaM 16-7 & o"kZ 2020 &21 ds fy, vuqKfIrèkkjh Hkfo"; esa fdlh lafonk dh fufonk izfØ;k esa Hkkx ysus ls izfrflf) ugha && izfr"ks/k o"kZ 2020&21 ek= ds fy, gS && ;g QeZ dks dkyh lwph esa Mkyus ds ctk;] fufonk izfØ;k esa Hkkx ysus ds fy, ik=rk lacaf/kr [kaM gSA ¼iSjk 81 ls 83

¼16½ 'kCn rFkk okD;ka'k && dkyh lwph esa Mkyuk && okf.kfT;d QeZ dks dkyh lwph esa Mkyus ds xaHkhj flfoy ifj.kke gksrs gSa && QeZ dh [;kfr izHkkfor gksrh gS && ,slk dksbZ fofu'p; fd, tkus ds iwoZ uSlfxZd U;k; ds fl)karksa dk ikyu fd;k tkuk vko';d gSA ¼iSjk 83

¼17½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku && vuq- 226 && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915

&& /kkjk 18 && U;kf;d iqufoZyksdu dh O;kfIr && uhfr fo"k;d fofu'p; && [kqnjk efnjk nqdkuksa ds fy, vuqKfIr && fofu'p;u dh izfØ;k ij dksbZ vk{ksi ugha

&& Lo;a fofu'p; ij gh euekuh vkSj v;qfDr;qDrrk ds vk/kkj ij vk{ksi && jkT; ljdkj us vuqKfIr dh vof/k vkSj nks ekl c<+kus dk ;qfDr;qDr fofu'p; fd;k D;ksafd vuqKfIr dh vof/k ds vkjafHkd yxHkx nks ekl oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k O;FkZ pys x, && [kaM dk var%LFkkiu Hkh ubZ 'krZ ugha && ;kphx.k us uhfr esa fd, tkus okys fdlh Hkh ifjorZu ds fy, lgefr nh gS && lkekU; iz;ksx ds fu;eksa ds fu;e 3 esa Hkh blh izdkj dk [kaM gS && euekuh ;k v;qfDr;qDrrk dk dksbZ rRo ugha ftlls U;kf;d iqufoZyksdu djuk okaNuh; gksA ¼1992½2 ,l lh lh 631] ¼1991½1 ,l lh lh 492 rFkk ¼2000½2 ,l lh lh 617 vuqlfjrA ¼2001½8 ,l lh lh 491 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 88 ,ao 89

¼18½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1872 && /kkjk 56 && mica/k mUgha ekeyksa dks ykxw gksrk gS tgk¡ mHk;i{k ds e/; lafonk dk vfLrRol gS && foQyhdj.k dk fl)kar lafonk ds l`tu ds i'pkr~ gh ykxw fd;k tk ldrk gSA ¼iSjk 90

¼19½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1872 && /kkjk 56 && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 18 && vifjgk;Z ?kVuk && dksfoM&19 oSf'od egkekjh && uhfr ds [kaM 48 esa ßnSoh; izdksiÞ ds dkj.k vkSj ßizkÑfrd foifÙkÞ ds fo#) Hkh uhfr ds Hkax ds fo#) lafonk ds vuqikyu dks vfHkO;Drr% O;ko`Ùk fd;k x;k gS && dksfoM&19 oSf'od egkekjh ;k egkekjh ßizkÑfrd foifÙkÞ ds vFkk±rxZr vkSj inkarxZr vkrh gS && uhfr ds [kaM 48 }kjk vfHkOär% vkPNkfnr ßnSoh; izdksiÞ dh ?kVuk gS && Hkys gh vuqKfIr ds vkjaHk ds fnukad dks ;kphx.k dh izkfLFkfr vuqKfIr/kkjh dh ugha jgh gks] ;kphx.k dh izLFkkiuk dh LohÑfr dk izHkko mUgsa lafonk ls vkc) djus dk Fkk && [kaM 48 iw.kZr% ykxw gksrk gS && lafonk ds vikyu ds ifj.kke uhfr esa Li"Vr% of.kZr && ßnSoh; izdksiÞ dh 'krZ i{kdkjksa ds vfHkO;Dr vkSj foof{kr /;ku esa Fkh && lafonk vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 56 dk vkJ; ugha fy;k tk ldrkA , vkb vkj 1954 ,l lh 44] ¼2014½14 ,l lh lh 272] 56 dk vkJ; ugha fy;k tk ldrkA , vkb vkj 1954 ,l lh 44] ¼2014½14 ,l lh lh 272] ¼2017½14 ,l lh lh 380 rFkk 2020 ,l lh lh vkWuykbu ,l lh 451 vuqlfjrA ¼1863½3 cSLV ,aM fLeFk 826 rFkk ¼2016½13 ,l lh lh 561 izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 93] 94] 96 ,oa 104

¼20½ 'kCn rFkk okD;ka'k && vifjgk;Z ?kVuk && nSoÑr && dksfoM&19 oSf'od egkekjh ;k egkekjh ßizkÑfrd foifÙkÞ ds vFkk±rxZr vkSj inkarxZr vkrh gS && ßvifjgk;Z ?kVukÞ gSA

¼21½ lafonk vf/kfu;e] 1872 && /kkjk 56 && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 18 && ;kphx.k efnjk ds Bsdsnkj && vuqKfIr vof/k vkjaHk gkssus iwoZ oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k ykWdMkmu ?kksf"kr && D;k lafonk dk ikyu vlaHko ;k fof/kfo#) gks x;k ftlls ;kphx.k dks mlds ikyu ls eqfDr nh tk lds && vfHkfu/kkZfjr && lafonk dk ikyu djus dh vlaHkork O;kogkfjd vlaHkork gksuk vko';d && ;gk¡ rd fd lafonk dk laiw.kZ iz;kstu ;k vk/kkj vFkok laiw.kZ lafonk gh foQy gks tk, && vlaHkork ;k foQyrk lafonk ds ewy rd tkuk pkfg, && efnjk foØ; dk laiw.kZ lapkyu dsoy yxHkx nks ekl ds fy, vO;ofLFkr && yxHkx rhu&pkSFkkbZ dkjckj vHkh Hkh 'ks"k && vuqKfIr/kkfj;ksa dks vuqKfIr dh vofèk nks ekl c<+kus dk fodYi fn;k x;k && ljdkj us vusd 'kSfFkY; iznku fd, vkSj vuqKfIr Qhl vkfn vf/kR;ä dh && ;g ugha dgk tk ldrk fd lafonk dk ikyu iw.kZr% vO;ogk;Z] vlaHko] foQy vkSj fof/kfo#) gks x;k Fkk && vfèkd&ls&vfèkd ;g efnjk dh nqdkuksa ds lapkyu esa dfBukbZ vkSj O;o/kku dk ekeyk Fkk && ;kphx.k ;g nkok ugha dj ldrs fd mUgsa lafonk ds ikyu ls eqfDr fey xbZ gSA 1916 ¼2½ , lh 397] , vkb vkj 1954 ,l lh 44] ¼1971½2 ,l lh lh 288] ¼2017½14 ,l lh lh 380] ¼2015½ 7 ,l lh lh 728 rFkk ¼2013½6 ,l lh lh 573 vuqlfjrA , vkb vkj 1968 ,l lh 522 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 112] 116 ls 122

¼22½ uhfr && vkcdkjh uhfr && vkcdkjh uhfr 2020&21 fnukad 25-2-2020 ds [kaM 9-6] 10-1-4] 10-1-5] 10-1-9] 44 vkSj 48 e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 ds mica/kksa ds izfrdwy gSa ;k guha && fof/kd 'kSfFkY; fl) ugha && fdlh dkuwuh vkSj lkafo/kkfud mica/k dk vfrØe.k n'kkZ;k ugha x;k && vU;Fkk Hkh] ;kphx.k us uhfr ds fuca/kuksa vkSj 'krks± dk iw.kZ Kku gksrs gq, Hkh uhykeh izfØ;k esa Hkkx fy;k && mudh cksyh Lohdkj gksus ij fof/kd :i ls izorZuh; lafonk@djkj fd;k x;k

&& mUgsa ;g dgus ugha fn;k tk ldrk fd uhfr ds dqN fof'k"V [kaM voSèk gSaA¼iSjk 123

¼23½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku && vuq-226 && e-iz- vkcdkjh vf/kfu;e] 1915 && /kkjk 18 && ;kphx.k efnjk ds Bsdsnkj && vuqKfIr vof/k vkjaHk gksus ds iwoZ oSf'od egkekjh ds dkj.k ykWdMkmu ?kksf"kr && gkfu dh lhek rd vkcdkjh 'kqYdh dh ekQh@vf/kR;tu && ;kphx.k vkcdkjh uhfr 2020&21 ds [kaM 49 vkSj 54 dk vkJ; ys dj l{ke izkf/kdkjh ds le{k tk ldrs gSa && mDr izkfèkdkjh ;kphx.k ds nkos ij lgkuqHkwfriwoZd fopkj djsxk rFkk fof/k ds vuqlkj fofu'p; djsxkA ¼iSjk 127 ,oa 128