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TMI Blog2011 (1) TMI 1343X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ticle 246, with the fields for exercise of legislative power enumerated in List I (Central List), List II (State List) and List III (Concurrent List) of Schedule VII to the Constitution of India. Power to enact laws, thus, is vested in the Parliament as well as in the State Legislative Assemblies within their respective spheres. This is the paramount source for enactment of law, i.e., direct exercise of legislative power by the respective constituents. On the issue of distribution of powers between the Centre and the State, a Constitution Bench of this Court in Federation of Hotel Restaurant Association of India v. Union of India [(1989) 3 SCC 634], noticed that the constitutionality of a law becomes essentially a question of power which, in a federal constitution, turns upon the construction of the entries in the legislative lists. Interpretative process, as a tool of interpretation, introduced new dimensions to the expansion of law enacted by Legislature, through Judge made law. Amongst others, doctrines of `legislation by reference' and `legislation by incorporation' are the creation of judicial pronouncements. One of the earliest instances, where the Privy Council, th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the federal structure of the Constitution had come into force which controlled governance of the country and therefore the principles, inter alia, stated by the Privy Council could not be adopted as law of universal application without appropriately modifying the stated position of law to bring it in complete harmony with the constitutional mandate. In the case of Gauri Shankar Gaur v. State of U.P. [(1994) 1 SCC 92], one member of the Bench of this Court, relied upon the principle stated in Hindusthan Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd. (supra) and held that in a case of legislation by incorporation, subsequent amendment or repeal of the provisions of an earlier Act adopted cannot be deemed to have been incorporated in the adopting Act which may be true in the case of legislation by reference. This judgment was relied upon by another Bench of this Court in the case of State of Maharashtra v. Sant Joginder Singh Kishan Singh [1995 Supp.(2) SCC 475]. The amendments in various relevant laws and introduction and application of newly enunciated principles of law resulted in varied opinions. A Bench of this Court in the case of Girnar Traders v. State of Maharashtra [(2004) 8 SCC 505] ( ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... r refuse the purchase notice within the period fixed under Section 49 of the MRTP Act. On 25-7-1989 the State Government, acting under Section 49(4) of the MRTP Act, confirmed the purchase notice issued by the appellant. Despite confirmation of the purchase notice, the second respondent Jalgaon Municipal Council did not take any steps under Section 126 of the MRTP Act, nor did it apply to the State Government for acquisition of the land under reservation. Ultimately, on 3-10-1991, the first respondent State Government issued a notification under Section 126(4) of the MRTP Act read with Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, declaring that the land concerned was required for a public purpose as indicated in the notification. This notification expressly mentions that the period of three years prescribed under Section 126(2) of the MRTP Act was over and, therefore, the State Government was acting under sub-section (4) of Section 126 of the MRTP Act. It is the case of the appellant that it had no knowledge of this declaration dated 3-10-1991 as no individual notice has been served on it, though this declaration was published in the Official Gazette on 15-10-1991. Despite ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s the appellant was concerned. The High Court thus took the view, the only issue we are required to examine i.e. whether the Land Acquisition Officer has complied with our directions and if the directions were not complied within the period of one year, as set out by us, whether the petitioner is entitled for the reliefs prayed for in this petition . The High Court held: on perusal of the documents submitted before us we are satisfied that the requisite steps have been taken by the Special Land Acquisition Officer for acquisition of the subject land and after Writ Petition No. 2829 of 1996 was disposed of, there was no necessity to initiate fresh action by the Planning Authority as contemplated under Section 126(1)(c) of the MRTP Act . In this view of the matter, the writ petition came to be dismissed. Hence, this appeal by special leave. Mr V.A. Mohta, learned Senior Counsel for the appellant urged that the scheme of the MRTP Act shows that, on receipt of an application under sub-section (1) of Section 126, if the State Government is satisfied that the land specified in the application is required for a public purpose, it may make a declaration to that effect in the Official ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... II of the MRTP Act, unless barred expressly or by direct implication. The amendments introduced in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by Central Act 68 of 1984 would all automatically apply. Consequently, the period of limitation prescribed under Section 11-A for making the award would squarely apply. Appellant urges that while sub-section (4) of Section 126 may save a declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 from becoming bad because of lapse of time (though, subject to the modification with regard to the market value of the land prescribed therein), there is nothing in the MRTP Act which precludes, expressly or by direct implication, the provisions of Section 11-A from applying to govern the period within which the award has to be made. In the facts of the present case, there is no dispute that the declaration under Section 126(4) was made on 3-10-1991 and published in the Official Gazette on 15-10-1991, while the award is said to have been made on 18-2- 1999. In these circumstances, the award not having been made within the period of two years from the date of the declaration under Section 6, the entire proceedings for the acquisition of the land would ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ly because Section 23 of the Central Act would apply to acquisition under the Act, it is not enough to hold that what is contained in Section 11-A would also apply. Further, what has been provided in sub-section (4) of Section 126 of the Act is a clear indication that failure to make the award within two years from the date of the declaration under sub-section (2) of Section 126 of the Act, would not render the notification published under Section 125 of the Act non est. The appellant urges that Sant Joginder Singh (supra) needs reconsideration by a larger Bench. Upon careful consideration of the contentions urged before us, we are inclined to accept the submissions of Mr. Mohta for more than one reason. First, although the MRTP Act and similar Regional Town Planning Acts did not contain specific provisions for payment of compensation, when they were challenged as infringing Article 14 of the Constitution, their validity was upheld by reading the provisions as to payment of compensation contained in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 into the Regional Town Planning Acts. (See in this connection Gauri Shankar Gaur v. State of U.P. (1994) 1 SCC 92 and Nagpur Improvement Trust v. V ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... troduced by Central Act 68 of 1984 were read into the provisions of the MRTP Act, and an acquisition under the MRTP Act was held to be governed by the same provisions. The same principle should apply in the matter of attracting the provisions of Section 11-A of Act 68 of 1984 also to the acquisition under the MRTP Act. Thirdly, if the provisions of the MRTP Act are read as contended by the learned counsel for the respondents, in the light of Sant Joginder Singh (supra) then it would be open to the authorities, after issuing a declaration under sub-section (3), to go into hibernation and leave the matter hanging in perpetuity. That certainly would seriously affect the rights of the landholder preventing him from developing the land or alienating it, merely because the authority chooses to act under one Act instead of the other. This again, would attract the wrath of Article 14 of the Constitution, not only on account of discrimination, but also on account of arbitrariness. We, therefore, see no good reason as to why the provisions introduced in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by Central Act 68 of 1984 should not be read into an acquisition under Chapter VII of the MRTP Act, to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 96. In this petition, the appellant had prayed for quashing of the communication dated 10th April, 1995 and declaring that the appellant's land would be deemed to have been released from the reservation. The Court, vide its order dated 31st March, 1997, rejected all the prayers and directed as under: The respondents No.1 and 3 are directed to initiate the proceedings for acquisition of the lands in question within one year from today and complete the same within the time prescribed under the Act. In case the authorities fail to initiate the acquisition proceedings within the prescribed period, the lands of the petitioner shall be deemed to have been released from the reservation. Petition is disposed of accordingly. Final award was passed by the LAO on 10th February, 1999 and he issued notices to the parties under Section 12(2) of the Land Acquisition Act on 18th February, 1999. The appellant approached the High Court of Bombay, again, by filing Writ Petition No.822 of 2000 in which the basic challenge to the action of the respondent was on the ground that the concerned authorities including the Planning Authority had failed to take steps for acquisition in terms of th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ns raised on behalf of the appellant, stated three reasons for referring the matter to a larger Bench. As is evident from para 17 of the Order of Reference, the Bench noticed that Sant Joginder Singh's case (supra) appears to have been doubted by judgments of other Benches of this Court in the cases of Maharashtra SRTC, Nagpur Improvement Trust and U.P. Avas Evam Vikas Parishad (supra) in which it was held that the provisions with regard to compensation in terms of Central Act 68 of 1984, including Sections 23(1A), 23(2) and 28 of the Land Acquisition Act would be applicable to an acquisition under Chapter VII of the MRTP Act. On the contrary, in Sant Joginder Singh's case (supra), the Court had held that there are sufficient indicia in MRTP Act itself to exclude applicability of Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act in view of sub-sections (2) and (4) of Section 126 of the MRTP Act. The Bench also felt that voice of discrimination pointed by the Seven Judge Bench in Nagpur Improvement Trust v. Vithal Rao [(1973) 1SCC 500] would affect a situation like the present case and such provisions may have to be read into the Land Acquisition Act. After expressing this view, the B ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ew taken by this Court in the case of Sant Joginder Singh (supra), following Hindusthan Co-operative Insurance Society's case (supra), applying the principle of legislation by incorporation is not applicable to the present case and these judgments require reconsideration by this Court. 6. Lastly and in alternative, it is contended that any other approach would vest the concerned authorities with the choice of initiating proceedings under either of these Acts which have substantially different consequences, in fact and in law. It is also argued that if Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act is not read into or treated as part of the MRTP Act, then it will amount to discrimination between the similarly situated persons whose lands are subject matter of acquisition. Reacting to the above submissions, the learned counsel appearing for different respondents contended that: 1. The MRTP Act is a self-contained Code in itself. Consequently, it is not necessary for the Court to go into the larger question, whether it is a case of legislation by reference or legislation by incorporation. 2. In the alternative, even if the Court decides to examine this aspect, it is a clear case ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... er manner and its execution is made effective. According to the statement of objects and reasons of this enactment, the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1954 had made planning of land possible only within the areas of local authorities and there was no provision to control development of land in the important peripheral areas outside the municipal limits. This resulted in development of land in the peripheral areas in an irregular and haphazard manner which was clearly demonstrated in the vast areas outside Greater Bombay, Poona and other important urban centres. The object of regional planning was to facilitate proper planning of such extensive areas of land, called Regions in the Bill, having common physical, social and economic problems so that certain matters such as distribution of population and industries, roads and highways, preservation of good agricultural lands, reservation of green belts and preservation of areas of natural scenery etc. could be dealt with and planned comprehensively on a regional level. The Bill had sought to improve the provisions of the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1954 in regard to preparation and execution of development plans to ensure that such plans are m ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Section 2(7) of the MRTP Act has been defined in very wide terms. It is difficult to comprehend any activity relating to land and planning which could fall outside the scope of this definition. Section 2(9) of the State Act defines `development plan' to mean a plan for development or redevelopment of the area within the jurisdiction of the Planning Authority and includes revision of a development plan and proposals of a Special Planning Authority for development of land within its jurisdiction. The `regional plan' means a plan for development or redevelopment of a region which is approved by the State Government and has come into operation under the MRTP Act. The expression `town planning scheme' has not been defined as such but the term `scheme' includes a plan relating to town planning scheme in terms of Section 2(30) of the State Act. Corresponding to each plan there are authorities like `Development Authority' which means a New Town Development Authority constituted or declared under Section 113 of the MRTP Act, `Planning Authority' which means a local authority including a Special Planning Authority and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority appointed under ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... icipal Corporation or Municipal Council, within whose area the land is situate, and elsewhere, of the Collector. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force the permission referred to in sub-section (1) shall not be granted otherwise than in conformity with the provisions of the draft of final Regional plan. (3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub- sections (1) and (2) or any other provisions of this Act, any person intending to execute a Special Township Project on any land, may make an application to the State Government and on receipt of such application the State Government may, after making such inquiry as it may deem fit in that behalf, grant such permission and declare such project to be a Special Township Project by notification in the Official Gazette or, reject the application Section 20 of the State Act empowers the State Government to revise or modify the regional plan in accordance with the prescribed procedure. Chapter III of the MRTP Act deals with preparation, submission and sanction of Development Plan and, primarily, provides for use of land for purposes such as residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, r ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ch schemes to be adjudicated upon by the Arbitrator who has been vested with wide powers and duties. The Arbitrator shall follow the procedure prescribed under Section 72(3), estimate the value and fix difference between the values of the original plots and the values of the final plots included in the final scheme and estimate the amount of compensation payable under Section 66 of the MRTP Act, estimate the reference of claims made before him and decide the dispute of ownership amongst other specified matters. Appeal against the decision of the Arbitrator under clauses (iv) to (xi) (both inclusive) and clauses (xiv) to (xvi) of sub-section (3) of Section 72 of the State Act lies to a tribunal constituted under Section 75 of the MRTP Act. In fact, certain decisions of the Arbitrator are final and binding on the parties including the Planning Authority. However, some of such decisions do not attain finality qua filing of civil suits, e.g. disputes under Section 71 of the MRTP. Thus, an adjudicatory mechanism covering larger aspects of planning and execution is provided under the provisions of the MRTP Act. Preparation, submission and sanction of development plans are basic functions ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... , shall be deemed to be a declaration duly made under that Section. In other words, there is no requirement to comply with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5(A) of the Land Acquisition Act before such declaration is published. It is further provided that subject to the provisions of Section 126(4) of the MRTP Act no such declaration shall be made after the expiry of one year from the date of publication of the draft regional plan, development plan or any other plan or the scheme, as the case may be. After such declaration is published, the Collector shall proceed to take order for the acquisition of the land under the Land Acquisition Act and provisions of that Act shall apply to the acquisition of the said land with the modification that date of market value of the land to be acquired shall be determined with reference to sub-section 3(i) to 3(iii) of Section 126 of the MRTP Act. Sub-section (4) of Section 126 empowers the State Government to make a fresh declaration for acquiring the land where the period of one year, as specified in the proviso to sub-section (2) to Section 126 of the MRTP Act, has lapsed but then the market value of the land would be the market value on the dat ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... any public purpose, it may make a declaration to that effect in the Official Gazette, in the manner provided in section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, in respect of the said land, The declaration so published shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the said Act, be deemed to be a declaration duly made under the said section : Provided that, subject to the provisions of sub- section (4), no such declaration shall be made after the expiry of one year from the date of publication of the draft Regional Plan, Development Plan or any other Plan, or Scheme, as the case may be. (3) On publication of a declaration under the said section 6, the Collector shall proceed to take order for the acquisition of the land under the said Act; and the provisions of that Act shall apply to the acquisition of the said land with the modification that the market value of the land shall be, - (i) where the land is to be acquired for the purposes of a new town, the market value prevailing on the date of publication of the notification constituting or declaring the Development Authority for such town; (ii) where the land is acquired for the purposes of a Special Planning Authority, the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... vailable to the owner for the purpose of development as otherwise permissible in the case of adjacent land under the relevant plan. The provisions of Section 127 of the MRTP Act came to be amended by The Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (Second Amendment) Act, 2009. By amendment, the portion underlined in the unamended Section, reproduced hereinafter, was deleted. The Legislature, in its wisdom, while deleting the reference to the Land Acquisition Act made lapsing of reservation a consequence of the default arising only from sub-sections (2) and (4) of Section 126 of the MRTP Act. Where such default appeared as well as no steps for acquisition were taken within the specified time, under the amended/unamended Section 127 of the MRTP Act, the owner was required to give notice in relation to release of the property. If no steps for acquisition were taken within 12 months of such notice, the land stood de-reserved. The amended and unamended provisions of Section 127 of the MRTP Act read as under: Unamended 127. Lapsing of reservations. If any land reserved, allotted or designated for any purpose specified in any plan under this Act is not acquired by agreement within ten years ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Court in the case of Girnar Traders v. State of Maharashtra [(2007) 7 SCC 555] (hereinafter referred to as `Girnar Traders-II'), pertaining to indefinite waiting for release of their respective lands because of inaction on the part of the Planning Authority in acquisition of their lands. The Legislature was obviously aware of the provisions of Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act which permitted lapse of entire acquisition proceedings after the prescribed period. Still, the Legislature opted to amend Section 127 of the MRTP Act in the manner as it had amended. The intention appears to be to remove the doubt, if any, created by the unamended provisions of Section 127 of the MRTP Act with regard to application of Section 11A of the Central Act to the State Act. Once the State Legislature has, by amendment, restricted the application of default clause only in the situations covered under Section 126(2) and 126(4) of the State Act respectively, it will then be impermissible to read Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act into the language of Section 126(2) of the State Act. The amendment ex-facie appears to be to avoid undue hardship to the owners of the land on the one hand whi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... which we have indicated above, clearly demonstrate a self-contained scheme under the MRTP Act. Section 116 of MRTP Act is one other provision which refers to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act and states that a Development Authority constituted under Section 113(2) of the MRTP Act is vested with the powers of a Planning Authority under Chapter VII of this Act for the purposes of acquisition either by agreement or under the Land Acquisition Act. Reference to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act in some of the provisions of the MRTP Act could only imply that they have solely been made for the purpose of completing the process of acquisition. Most of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, with alteration in the language, have been specifically stated under the provisions of MRTP Act itself. Sections 126 to 129 of the State Act clearly enunciate the intention of the framers that substantive provisions of Land Acquisition Act are not applicable to MRTP Act, which is a self-contained code providing procedure regarding all matters contained therein, except to the extent that provisions of Sections 9 to 11 of the Land Acquisition Act be brought into it for the limited p ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ection 72(iii) and 72(iv) of the MRTP Act are referable only to Section 97 of the State Act. The Arbitrator is primarily to resolve disputes relating to the `plots' as defined under the MRTP Act in contradistinction to the expression `land' used in other provisions of the Act. This indicates the limited jurisdiction of the Arbitrator. Appeals lie to the Tribunal only from such orders of the Arbitrator which are specified under Sections 73 and 74 of the MRTP Act. The matters for acquisition and payment of compensation are to be finalized with the aid of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. Under Section 83 of the MRTP Act, the lands can be vested in the concerned authority at different stages right from the commencement of preparation/approval of draft plan to the final plans and their execution under the provisions of the Act. Like Section 83 of the MRTP Act, Sections 116 and 128(3) of the State Act can be enforced by the planning authorities with an object to achieve planned development and as part of planning under the Act. Section 117 of the State Act again states the consequences of default. Where the land notified under Section 113 of the MRTP Act, as site of a ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ng as acquisition for the State or for an enterprise under it. The individuals and institutions who are unavoidably to be deprived of their property rights in land need to be adequately compensated for the loss keeping in view the sacrifice they have to make for larger interest of the community. The pendency of acquisition proceedings for long periods often caused hardship to the affected parties and rendered unrealistic, the scale of compensation offered to them. With this background the legislature felt that it was necessary to restructure the legislative framework for acquisition of land so that it is more adequately governed by the objective of serving the interests of the community in harmony with the rights of the individuals. Recommendations on similar lines were also made by the Law Commission and while considering these proposals for amendment, the legislature carried out various amendments of significance in the existing Land Acquisition Act. Besides enlarging the definition of `public purpose', provision was also made for acquisition of land for non-governmental companies. Further, it provided the time limit for completion of all formalities between issue of prelimin ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... iod of two years from such commencement. Explanation .--In computing the period of two years referred to in this section the period during which any action or proceeding to be taken in pursuance of the said declaration is stayed by an order of a Court shall be excluded. If the award is made within the stipulated period, such award attains finality under Section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act and is conclusive evidence of the true area or the value of the land as between the collector and person interested. In normal acquisition proceedings, after passing the award, the Collector may take possession of the land which shall thereupon vest absolutely in the Government free from all encumbrances as per Section 16 of the Land Acquisition Act. The possession can also be taken earlier as the Appropriate Government is vested with special powers in cases of urgency. In that case, the provisions of Section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act state the scheme to be followed by the Collector for acquisition of the land including taking of possession prior to making of an award. Section 48 of the Land Acquisition Act is another important provision of this Act which empowers the Government ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... i.e. acquisition of land. It provides for complete machinery for acquisition of land including the process of execution, payment of compensation as well as legal remedies in case of any grievances. Having stated the scheme of the two Acts, let us proceed to examine if there are marked distinctions between the statutory provisions of the two Acts and, if so, what is the scope of the same. Sl.No. Land Acquisition Act MRTP Act 1. The Land Acquisition Act is a legislation regulating only the acquisition of land for a public purpose and payment of its compensation. In other words, it is a legislation of acquisition alone and is in no way concerned with planned development. The primary object of MRTP Act is regional/town planning and development of the entire State of Maharashtra. The function of the authorities constituted under the Act is planning. The purpose of the Act primarily is planned development and acquisition is incidental thereto. 2. The lands are to be acquired only for a public purpose in terms of the notification under Sect ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... nd default thereto results in substantial consequences. (Sections 6 and 11A) There are as many as 80 different provisions of the Act which provide limitation of time for commencement, execution and completion of actions by the authorities concerned and in default the consequences flowing therefrom. 7. The Collector is vested with all the powers under the Act right from acquisition till payment of compensation. The award passed by the Collector is subject to reference and appeal under the provisions of the Act. Multiple authorities have been constituted under different provisions of the Act which are responsible for performing the specified functions. The Arbitrator nominated and the Tribunal constituted under the provisions of the Act has to perform practically all the adjudicatory proceedings except where land is to be acquired for planned development acquisition thereof and awarding of its compensation by the Collector. 8. This Act is a Central Legislation relatable to Entry 42 of List III of Schedule VII to the Constitution. This Act is a State Legislation re ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of different plans by the concerned authorities which are aimed at achieving the object of planned development in contradistinction to haphazard development. An owner/person interested in the land and who wishes to object to the plans at the appropriate stage a self-contained adjudicatory machinery has been spelt out in the MRTP Act. Even the remedy of appeal is available under the MRTP Act with a complete Chapter being devoted to acquisition of land for the planned development. Providing adjudicatory mechanism is one of the most important facets of deciding whether a particular statute is a `complete code' in itself or not. This Court in Munithimmaiah v. State of Karnataka [(2002) 4 SCC 326] had the occasion to consider somewhat similar question in relation to the Bangalore Act and the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The provisions of Section 36 of the Bangalore Act refer to application of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The Court rejected the plea that provisions of Sections 6 and 11A of the Land Acquisition Act providing a shorter period of limitation for publication of final notification and making of an award, were applicable to acquisition made unde ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... fically enacting the circumstances under which and the period of time on the expiry of which alone the proceedings initiated thereunder shall lapse due to any default, the different circumstances and period of limitation envisaged under the Central Act, 1894, as amended by the amending Act of 1984 for completing the proceedings on pain of letting them lapse forever, cannot be imported into consideration for purposes of the BDA Act without doing violence to the language or destroying and defeating the very intendment of the State Legislature expressed by the enactment of its own special provisions in a special law falling under a topic of legislation exclusively earmarked for the State Legislature. A Constitution Bench of this Court in Prakash Amichand Shah v. State of Gujarat [(1986) 1 SCC 581], while dealing with the erstwhile Bombay Town Planning Act, 1954 (for short, `the Bombay Act') discussed in some elaboration the working under the Land Acquisition Act vis-`-vis the Bombay Act. The Court said that development and planning carried out under the Bombay Act is, primarily, for the benefit of the public. The local authority is under an obligation to function according to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... isions are made so as to give benefit of Section 5 of the Limitation Act and such provision is not made to an application to be made under Section 8 of the Act, it obviously and necessarily follows that the legislature consciously excluded the application of Section 5 of the Limitation Act. Considering the scheme of the Act being a self-contained code in dealing with the matters arising under Section 8 of the Act and in the light of the aforementioned decisions of this Court in the case of Hukumdev Narain Yadav, Anwari Basavaraj Patil and Parson Tools it should be construed that there has been exclusion of application of Section 5 of the Limitation Act to an application under Section 8 of the Act. In view of what is stated above, the non-applicability of Section 5 of the Limitation Act to the proceedings under Section 8 of the Act is certain and sufficiently clear. Section 29(2) of the Limitation Act as to the express exclusion of Section 5 of the Limitation Act and the specific period of limitation prescribed under Section 8 of the Act without providing for either extension of time or application of Section 5 of the Limitation Act or its principles can be read together harmoniousl ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 2nd Edn. 1997) as under : A general collection or compilation of laws by public authority; a system of law; a systematic and complete body of law, on any subject such as Civil Procedure Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Penal Code. etc. ... The code is broader in its scope, and more comprehensive in its purposes. Its general object is to embody, as near as practicable, all the law of the state, on any particular subject. It is more than evidentiary of the law; it is the law itself. `Complete' further adds a degree of certainty to the code. It has to be a compilation of provisions which would comprehensively deal with various aspects of the purpose sought to be achieved by that law and its dependence on other legislations is either absent or at best is minimal. The provisions of the enactment in question should provide for a complete machinery to deal with various problems that may arise during its execution. Sufficient powers should be vested in the authority/forum created under the Act to ensure effectual and complete implementation of the Act. There should be complete and coherent scheme of the statutory provisions for attainment of the object and purpose of the Act. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... rson is entitled to raise all disputes including the dispute of ownership. The Arbitrator nominated under the MRTP Act has the jurisdiction to decide all such matters. The jurisdiction of the Arbitrator is a limited one like estimation and payment of compensation in relation to plots in distinction to lands as defined under the Act within the four corners of the provisions of Sections 72 to 74 of the MRTP Act with reference to Section 97 of the State Act. Some of his decisions are final, while on most of other decisions, an appeal lies to the Tribunal. The MRTP Act besides being a code in itself has one pre- dominant purpose, i.e., planned development. Other matters are incidental and, therefore, should be construed to achieve that pre- dominant object. All the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act cannot be applied to the MRTP Act. The provisions of the MRTP Act have to be implemented in their own field. As far as the provisions relating to preparation, approval and execution of the development plans are concerned, there is hardly any dependency of the State Act on the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. It may be necessary, sometimes, to acquire land which primarily would ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... dings and as an alternative plea. These principles have been applied by the courts for a considerable period now. When there is general reference in the Act in question to some earlier Act but there is no specific mention of the provisions of the former Act, then it is clearly considered as legislation by reference. In the case of legislation by reference, the amending laws of the former Act would normally become applicable to the later Act; but, when the provisions of an Act are specifically referred and incorporated in the later statute, then those provisions alone are applicable and the amending provisions of the former Act would not become part of the later Act. This principle is generally called legislation by incorporation. General reference, ordinarily, will imply exclusion of specific reference and this is precisely the fine line of distinction between these two doctrines. Both are referential legislations, one merely by way of reference and the other by incorporation. It, normally, will depend on the language used in the later law and other relevant considerations. While the principle of legislation by incorporation has well defined exceptions, the law enunciated as of now ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... hey were herein re-enacted 7 are typical examples of legislation by incorporation. Another glaring example of incorporation one finds in the provision of Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1949 where Section 284N uses the expression the LA Act ... shall for that purpose be deemed to form part of this chapter as if enacted in the body hereof . Another feature of legislation by incorporation is that the language is explicit and positive. This demonstrates the desire of the legislature for legislation by incorporation. Self-contained enactment should be clearly distinguished from supplemental law. When the later law depends on the former law for procedural/substantive provisions or is to draw its strength from the provisions of the former Act, the later Act In Section 20 of 53 Vict. Ch 70 - Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. Section 1(3) of 54 and 55 Vict. Ch 19 is termed as the supplemental to the former law. The statement of object and reasons of both the Acts, i.e. the MRTP Act and the Land Acquisition Act as well as the scheme of these Acts, we have already discussed at length. They are Acts which operate in different fields. One is a Central Act while the other is a Sta ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 126 and 127 of the MRTP Act in face of the provisions of Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act. Now, let us examine the specific reference made to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act in the provisions of the MRTP Act. Section 113A of the MRTP Act provides that where any company or corporation has been declared to be the new town development authority under sub-section (3A) of Section 113, then the State Government shall acquire either by agreement or under the Land Acquisition Act any land within the area designated under this Act. Similarly, Section 116 of the MRTP Act gives power to the development authority constituted under sub-section (2) of Section 113 as having all powers of a planning authority under this Act as provided in Chapter VII for the purpose of acquisition either by agreement or under the Land Acquisition Act. This clearly shows that these provisions make reference to a specific aspect of the acquisition, i.e. for exercise of powers by the authority concerned for the purposes of Chapter VII of the State Act. Section 125 of the MRTP Act introduces a legal fiction as it requires that reservation and designation of land under the plan shall be deemed to b ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ed vide Maharashtra Amendment Act 16 of 2009. We have already reproduced above the amended and unamended provisions of Section 127 of the MRTP Act. It is noteworthy that in the unamended provision of Section 127, it was contemplated that if the proceedings for acquisition of such land under this Act or under the Land Acquisition Act are not commenced within such period, the owner/interested person of any land may serve a notice on the planning authority and if within six months from the date of the service of such notice, the land was not acquired or no steps were taken, the land shall be deemed to be released from such reservation. By amendment, the expression `if proceedings for acquisition of such land under this Act or under the Land Acquisition Act' stood deleted. This further buttresses the view that general reference to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act was intentionally deleted by the Legislature and in its place specific reference to the provisions of Section 126(2) or 126(4) of the State Act was made and the period of six months was increased to 12 months. The legislative intent appears to make the MRTP Act a self- contained code and does not generally advert ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... and in case of urgency akin to the provisions of Section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act. Proviso to Section 129(1) provides reference to payment of compensation to the interested person by the Collector for any damage sustained by the person which is caused by such sudden dispossession and compensation not excepted in Section 24 of the Land Acquisition Act and if such offer is not accepted, then it shall be allowed in awarding compensation for the said land under the provisions of the said Act. The compensation under the Land Acquisition Act is to be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 23 while neglecting the matters stated under Section 24 of the said Act. However, the provisions of the State Act in terms of Section 128(2) mandate that despite the property being reserved, allotted or designated for a purpose, the same shall be deemed to be released from such reservation, allotment or designation while awarding compensation. This requirement is completely distinct from provisions of Section 23 of the Central Act. In other words, the value of the land acquired shall not be diminished because it has been reserved for a particular purpose. Reference to Section 24 o ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... long after the amendment of the Land Acquisition Act by Central Act 68 of 1984. The Legislature was fully aware of the entire matter including hardship of the land owners. The statement of objects and reasons for amendment of Section 127 of the MRTP Act conveys intent antipodal to that sought to be put forward by the appellants, that Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act would be attracted. Section 11A was in existence at the time of amendment in 2009 of the MRTP Act and if it was intended to be applied to the MRTP Act there was hardly any need to amend Section 127 of the MRTP Act in the manner in which it was done. If the intention of the legislature was to permit lapsing of acquisition, in that event provisions of Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act, per se, would have achieved the purpose. The 2009 amendment to the State Act restricted even lapsing of the reservation or designation only if there was default in compliance to the provisions of Section 126(2) and 126(4) of the MRTP Act. General reference to acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act was deleted as it was never intended to be read as a part of the State Act. Thus, the State Legislature in its wisdom restricted ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... lls Co. Ltd. v. Assistant Collector of Central Excise and Special Land Acquisition Officer v. City Improvement Trust. Whether a particular statute falls into the first or second category is always a question of construction. In the present case, in my view, the legislation falls into the second category. Section 3(3) of the 1957 Act does not incorporate into the 1957 Act any specific provisions of the 1944 Act. It only declares generally that the provisions of the 1944 Act shall apply so far as may be , that is, to the extent necessary and practical, for the purposes of the 1957 Act as well. Besides deciding this aspect directly with reference to doctrine afore-referred, the Bench also applied the doctrine of pith and substance. It held that entries to the Legislative List are not source of legislative power, but are merely topics or fields of legislation and must receive a liberal construction inspired by a broad and generous spirit and not in a narrow pedantic sense. The expression `with respect to' in Article 246 brings in the doctrine of `Pith and Substance'. In the understanding of the exertion of the legislative power and wherever the question of legislative comp ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... by reference if the subject is constitutionally within its legislative competence and also noticed that there were no words in the Section of the Code or elsewhere which limits the scope of the expression `personal law' to that prevailing on February 5, 1955. On the contrary, the words `on his death' used in Section 151 clearly show that the legislative intention was that `personal law' as amended up to date on which devolution of the tenure-holder's interest is to be determined, shall be the rule of decision. The distinction between these doctrines received a new dimension founded upon a distinction between procedural and substantive provisions of the statute. In the case of Sant Joginder Singh (supra), the Court was concerned with the provisions of the MRTP Act amended by the Maharashtra Act 14 of 1971, specially failure to publish declaration within three years, as was then prescribed under proviso to Section 126(2) of the said Act, and the application of provisions of Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act which provided limitation of two years for making award. Applying the principle of distinction between procedural and substantive provisions of the statut ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ;s (as he then was) view was that in absence of express exclusion, it is more in interest of justice to hold that the restrictions of three years added by the proviso to Section 6 should be applied to the later Act. Any effort to demonstrate impossibility of completing proceedings within three years cannot be countenanced. Legislative intention cannot be frustrated by executive inaction. The acquisition proceedings were, therefore, to come to an end after expiry of three years from the date of issuance of notification under the provisions of the UP Act analogous to Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act. Thus, there was difference of opinion on this question of law between the Judges of the same Bench. Since the appeal was dismissed on different grounds by both the learned Judges, the matter remained at that stage. The above dissent led to reference of the legal issue to a three Judge Bench in the case of U.P. Avas Evam Vikas Parishad (supra) where the Court took the view that the acquisition effected under the provisions of U.P. Avas Evam Vikas Parishad Adhiniyam, 1965, where Section 55 read with the Schedule of that Act adopted the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, such a ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... statute is not defeated by such incorporation. Courts have made attempts to clarify this distinction by reference to various established canons. But still there are certain grey areas which may require the court to consider other angles of interpretation. In the case of Maharashtra SRTC (supra), the court was considering the provisions of the MRTP Act as well as the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The Court finally took the view by adopting the principle stated in U.P. Avas Evam Vikas Parishad (supra) and held that there is nothing in the MRTP Act which precludes the adoption of the construction that the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act as amended by the Central Act 68 of 1984, relating to award of compensation would apply with full vigour to the acquisition of land under the MRTP Act, as otherwise it would be hit by invidious discrimination and palpable arbitrariness and consequently invite the wrath of Article 14 of the Constitution. While referring to the principle stated in the case of Hindusthan Cooperative Insurance Society Ltd. (supra) and clarifying the distinction between the two doctrines, the Court declined to apply any specific doctrine and primarily base ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ited purpose. In terms of Section 126(1)(c) of the MRTP Act, the application to the State Government has to be made for acquiring such land under the Land Acquisition Act. Such land refers to the lands which are required only under the provisions of the MRTP Act. Section 126(2) refers to Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act only for the purpose of format in which the declaration has to be made. In terms of Section 126(3), on publication of the declaration, the Collector shall proceed to take order for acquisition of the land under the State Act, i.e. for the purpose of acquisition of land; the procedure adopted under the Land Acquisition Act shall be adopted by the Collector and nothing more. The afore-referred provisions of the State Act clearly frame a scheme for planned development with limited incorporation of some of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The provisions of the State Act were amended last in point of time and, therefore, the State Legislature was aware of the relevant existing laws including Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act. The intent of the legislature to exclude the application of Section 11A clearly emerges from the fact that while amending Sec ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... he Central Act makes it incumbent upon the authorities to invite objections and decide the same before issuing declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act. All these proceedings have specifically been given a go-by under the MRTP Act, where notification is to be issued under Section 126(2) in the manner provided under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act. Secondly, specific reference to various sections of the Land Acquisition Act in the MRTP Act necessarily implies exclusion of the provisions not specifically mentioned therein. Lastly, acquisition proceedings under the MRTP Act are commenced by issuance of a declaration under Section 126(2) and then the procedure prescribed under the Land Acquisition Act is followed upto passing of award under Section 11 of that Act. Further, determination of compensation will again depend upon the principles stated in Sections 23 and 24 of the Land Acquisition Act but subject to Sections 128(2) and 129(1) of the MRTP Act. Statutory benefits accrued under Sections 23(1A), 23(2) and 28 of the Land Acquisition Act would be applicable as held by this Court in U.P. Avas Evam Vikas Parishad (supra). Vesting, unlike Section 16 of the Land A ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... is not made within one year from the date of publication of draft regional plan, thereafter no such declaration shall be made. Section 126(4) makes an exception to the consequences stated in proviso to Section 126(2) that the State Government, notwithstanding those provisions, can make a fresh declaration for acquiring the land under the Land Acquisition Act. However, the market value of the land shall be the market value at the date of declaration in the Official Gazette made for acquiring such land afresh. In other words, the rest of the machinery provided under the Act would not operate after the prescribed period. However, in terms of Section 127 of the MRTP Act, if any land reserved, allotted or designated for any purpose specified is not acquired by agreement within 10 years from the date on which final regional plan or final development plan comes into force or if a declaration under sub-sections (2) or (4) of Section 126 of the MRTP Act is not published in the Official Gazette within such period, the owner or any person interested in the land may serve notice upon such authority to that effect and if within 12 months from the date of service of such notice, the land is not ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the time frame prescribed under the said Act. In this Section also, the specific time frame and the consequences of default thereof have been stated. Sections 128 and 129 of the MRTP Act relate to acquiring land for the purpose other than for which it is designated in any plan or scheme and taking of possession of land in cases of urgency respectively. The Court cannot lose sight of one very important fact that the MRTP Act is an Act relating to planned development and acquisition is an incidental aspect thereof. Planned development is quite different from merely `achieving a public purpose' for which the land is acquired under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. Development plan, Regional Plan and town planning scheme are major events in the development of a State. They are controlled and guided by different financial, architectural and public interest for the development including macro and micro planning of the entire State. The provisions relating to planned development of the State or any part thereof, read in conjunction with the object of the Act, show that different time frames are required for initiation, finalization and complete execution of such development ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... tention is that Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act should be read into the MRTP Act on equitable grounds, as that alone will balance the rights of the citizens vis-`-vis right of the State. In other words, if a declaration is made under Section 126(2) of the State Act in the manner specified under Section 6 of the Central Act but consequently an award is not made within two years of such declaration, then the acquisition and all proceedings thereafter would lapse in terms of Section 11A of the Central Act. It was pressed that if this contention is not accepted, great injustice will be caused to the appellants inasmuch as they will have to wait for years together for finalization of the proceedings and 10 years, in any case, is an unduly long period. Per contra, the respondents argue that induction of Section 11A into the MRTP Act would hamper the scheme and would frustrate its object. We find no merit in the contention raised on behalf of the appellants. The Court cannot lose sight of the fact that the acquisition of land for planned development under the MRTP Act may be completed much prior to the time frame stipulated under Sections 126 and 127 of that Act. Once the acqui ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ans. These Acts operate in different fields and such incorporation by reference would be incompatible with the cause of the MRTP Act, particularly, when the reference to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act are, primarily, for achieving the purpose of the MRTP Act. Various judgments of this Court, which have been relied upon by the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties, appear to have taken the view that doctrine of legislation by reference would ipso facto include all the prospective amendments to the earlier statute into the later statute. Further, it was contended that this rule of legislation by reference is a rule to which, so far, no exceptions have been carved out like those to the principle of legislation by incorporation as provided in the case of M.V. Narasimhan (supra). However, during the course of hearing, all the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties contended and fairly stated that the rule of legislation by reference too can have exceptions though to a limited extent. Having perused and analyzed the various judgments cited at the Bar we are of the considered view that this rule is bound to have exceptions and it cannot be state ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... that it would be necessary to carve out such exceptions to apply the doctrine appropriately, advantageously and objectively. Synoptic analysis of the stated doctrines leads us to conclude that it is a case of legislation by incorporation. The reference to the provisions of the Central Act is specific as opposed to general. The State Act uses similar but definite language and expressions while referring to the provisions of the Central Act indicating the intent of the legislature not to adopt or even apply the provisions of the Central Act generally. This premise clearly is more than suggestive of the animus imponentis to exclude the application of the provisions of Central legislation prescribing time frame and consequences of default thereof to the State Act. It will give rise to an irresolvable conflict amongst the provisions of the two legislations if provisions like Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act are to be read into the State law. Even if the contention advanced by the appellant is accepted, for the sake of argument, it will still fall within the exceptions stated (supra) to the principle of legislation by reference. Reading such provisions into the State law would ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ations and exceptions... The Court has to keep in mind the clearly stated legal distinction between reservation and designation on one hand and acquisition on the other. These are well defined terms used by the Legislature in both the enactments and they do not admit any synonymity or interchangeability. The reservation under the MRTP Act necessarily may not mean and include acquisition. The acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act may not necessarily mean and include reservation. They are well explained concepts within the legislative scheme of the respective Acts. It may not be necessary at all for an appropriate authority to always acquire the entire or part of the land included in the planned development, while there may be cases where the land is acquired for the purpose of completing planned development. With this distinction in mind, let us, again, refer to some of the relevant provisions of both the enactments. Once the notification under Section 126(2) of the MRTP Act has been issued in the manner prescribed under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, the mechanism stated under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, for the limited purpose of acquisition and de ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the State Act. The provisions of Section 72 of the MRTP Act require determination of disputes referred to in that section by the Arbitrator. The jurisdiction and powers of the Arbitrator as well as of the Tribunal under Section 74 of the State Act have a very limited scope. The Arbitrator can only adjudicate the disputes which strictly fall within the ambit of his jurisdiction under Section 72(3) clauses (i) to (xviii) of the State Act. Clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 72(3) of the MRTP Act provide for fixation of value and difference between the values of the `original plots' and the `final plots' as well as estimating the compensation payable for the loss of the area of the `original plot' in accordance with the provisions contained in clause (f) of sub- section (1) of Section 97 of the MRTP Act which deals with cost of a town planning scheme. This adjudicatory power is in relation to the `plots' as defined under Section 2(21), in distinction to compensation payable for acquired `land' as defined under Section 2(14) of the State Act. The provisions of Sections 72 and 74 of the MRTP Act grant specific power and jurisdiction to the Arbitrator and the Tribunal r ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... o determine the compensation and no such power is vested in the Arbitrator under Section 72 of the State Act too. The right of the person interested in the plot to receive compensation and interest as contemplated under Section 85 of the MRTP Act arises only when it is part of the land possession of which is taken as part of the final scheme. The final scheme is to be sanctioned by the Government as per the provisions of Section 86 of the MRTP Act. Section 102, which falls in Chapter V(h) of the State Act, relates to payment of compensation in respect of property or right injuriously affected by the making of town planning scheme. Even this Chapter does not talk of compensation payable for acquisition of land which is governed by Chapter VII and the relevant provisions of the Central Act. The provisions of the Central Act, which are read into the State Act by specific reference, do not cause any impediment in proper execution and attainment of the object of planned development, in fact, it is a pragmatic view which would further the cause of the State Act. The provisions which provide for a time frame, consequences of default and lapsing of the proceedings under the amended Cent ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... quire land for a purpose other than the one for which it is designated in any plan or scheme, in terms of Section 128 of the State Act. Still, the acquisition by the State under those provisions has to be for the authorities specified under the MRTP Act or for Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation under the provisions of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, 1961. The vesting of land, again, has different connotations when examined in light of different provisions of the State Act. Section 83(3) of the MRTP Act provides for vesting of land in the Planning Authority, free from encumbrances, in advance of town planning scheme. Section 88 of the MRTP Act mentions vesting in the Planning Authority, free from encumbrances, as one of the effects of final scheme, for the purpose of handing over possession of the final plots to the owners to whom they are allotted in that scheme. Section 128(3) of the MRTP Act provides for vesting of land in the State Government under Section 16 or 17 of the Land Acquisition Act, as the case may be, when the land is acquired for the purpose other than the one for which it is designated and the plan or the scheme shall be deemed to be suit ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ng it in accordance with law. The legislature in its wisdom, and appears to us rightly so, has not referred to lapsing of acquisition as a consequence of the default contained in Section 127 of the State Act. Section 127 opens with the words If any land reserved, allotted or designated for any purpose specified in any plan under this Act is not acquired by agreement within ten years ........................ or if a declaration under sub-section (2) or sub-section (4) of Section 126 of the MRTP Act is not published in the Official Gazette within such period then the interested person is entitled to invoke the provisions of Section 127 of the MRTP Act by serving a notice and still if steps for acquisition are not taken within twelve months of the date of such notice for acquiring the land or the land is not acquired then the consequences of lapsing of reservation, allotment or designation shall follow. This also demonstrates the intention of the legislature, not to apply mandate of Section 11A of the Central Act to the State Act. Lapsing of acquisition is not contemplated under the scheme of either of the two Acts in question, once the land is vested in the State. Such a view will ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... question arises whether a legislation is covered by a particular legislative field over which the power is purported to be exercised. In other words, what is of paramount consideration is that the substance of the legislation should be examined to arrive at a correct analysis or in examining the validity of law, where two legislations are in conflict or alleged to be repugnant. An apparent repugnancy upon proper examination of substance of the Act may not amount to a repugnancy in law. Determination of true nature and substance of the laws in question and even taking into consideration the extent to which such provisions can be harmonized, could resolve such a controversy and permit the laws to operate in their respective fields. The question of repugnancy arises only when both the legislatures are competent to legislate in the same field, i.e. when both, the Union and the State laws, relate to a subject in List III [(Hoechst Pharamaceuticals Ltd. v. State of Bihar [(1983) 4 SCC 45)]. We have already noticed that according to the appellant, the source of legislation being Article 246 read with Entry No. 42 of the Concurrent List the provisions of the State Act in so far as they ar ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... considered to be a part of the LA Act. The fallacy in the contention of the appellants is that it assumes, erroneously, that the BDA Act is a law referable to Entry 42 of List III, while it is a law referable to Entry 5 of List II. Hence the question of repugnancy and Section 6 of the LA Act prevailing over Section 19 of the BDA Act would not at all arise. While holding as above, the Bench found that the question of repugnancy did not arise. The Court has to keep in mind that function of these constitutional lists is not to confer power, but to merely demarcate the legislative heads or fields of legislation and the area over which the appropriate legislatures can operate. These Entries have always been construed liberally as they define fields of power which spring from the constitutional mandate contained in various clauses of Article 246. The possibility of overlapping cannot be ruled out and by advancement of law this has resulted in formulation of, amongst others, two principal doctrines, i.e. doctrine of pith and substance and doctrine of incidental encroachment. The implication of these doctrines is, primarily, to protect the legislation and to construe both the laws har ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... nce of the legislation are required to be focused at, to determine its true nature and character. The State Act is intended only to ensure planned development as a statutory function of the various authorities constituted under the Act and within a very limited compass. An incidental cause cannot override the primary cause. When both the Acts can be implemented without conflict, then need for construing them harmoniously arises. We have already discussed in great detail that the State Act being a code in itself can take within its ambit provisions of the Central Act related to acquisition, while excluding the provisions which offend and frustrate the object of the State Act. It will not be necessary to create, or read into the legislations, an imaginary conflict or repugnancy between the two legislations, particularly, when they can be enforced in their respective fields without conflict. Even if they are examined from the point of view that repugnancy is implied between Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act and Sections 126 and 127 of the MRTP Act, then in our considered view, they would fall within the permissible limits of doctrine of incidental encroachment without renderin ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s) are read as part of the State enactment, they are bound to produce undesirable results as they would destroy the very essence, object and purpose of the MRTP Act. Even if fractional overlapping is accepted between the two statutes, then it will be saved by the doctrine of incidental encroachment, and it shall also be inconsequential as both the constituents have enacted the respective laws within their legislative competence and, moreover, both the statutes can eloquently co-exist and operate with compatibility. It will be in consonance with the established canons of law to tilt the balance in favour of the legislation rather than invalidating the same, particularly, when the Central and State Law can be enforced symbiotically to achieve the ultimate goal of planned development. Thus, the contentions raised by the appellants are unsustainable in law as considered by us under different heads and are liable to be rejected. Before we conclude, we must notice that learned counsel appearing for respective parties had raised certain other contentions during the course of arguments, which have not been, specifically and intentionally, dealt with by us in the judgment. Firstly, in th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of India. Per Contra, it was argued that such contention, in somewhat similar cases, has already been rejected by different Benches of this Court and has no merit. Reliance in this regard was placed upon the judgments of this Court in the case of U.P. Avas Evam Vikas Parishad (supra) and a Constitution Bench judgment in the case of Nagpur Improvement Trust-II (2002) (supra). 3. The various judgments of this Court have not examined the effect of federal structure of the Constitution while applying the principle enunciated by the Privy Council in the case of Hindusthan Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd. (supra). Having said so, now we proceed to record our answer to the proposition referred to the larger Bench as follows: For the reasons stated in this judgment, we hold that the MRTP Act is a self-contained code. Further, we hold that provisions introduced in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by Central Act 68 of 1984, limited to the extent of acquisition of land, payment of compensation and recourse to legal remedies provided under the said Act, can be read into an acquisition controlled by the provisions of Chapter VII of the MRTP Act but with a specific exception that the pr ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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