Satish Chandra, C.J. - (1.) The State Electricity Board, U. P. made an application to the learned Civil Judge, praying that the arbitration proceedings pending between the parties be directed to abate. The learned Civil Judge accepted the submission and abated the proceedings under Section 5 of the U. P. Public Moneys (Recovery of Dues) (Amendment) Act (No. 17 of 1975). Aggrieved. the plaintiff has come to this court in revision.
(2.) It appears that the plaintiff had entered into an agreement with the State Electricity Board for supply of electricity. Disputes having arisen, they were referred to arbitration in accordance with the arbitration clause in the agreement. The Uttar Pradesh Public Moneys (Recovery of Dues) (Amendment) Act, 1975 (Act No. 17 of 1975) provided for abatement of suits, applications and arbitration proceedings of the nature referred to in sub-section (5) of Section 3. Section 5 provides. "5. All suits, applications and arbitration proceedings of the nature referred to in sub-section (5) of Section 3 of the principal Act as inserted by this Act, pending immediately before the commencement of this Act shall abate upon the commencement of this Act.........."
(3.) Sub-section (5) of Section 3 of the principal Act refers to a certificate sent to the Collector under sub-section (1) and provided that such certificate shall be final and shall not be called in question in any original suits, application or in any reference to arbitration. Thus, the pending arbitration proceedings which are liable to abate are such which relate to a certificate issued under sub-section (1) of Section 3, Sub-section (1) of Section 3 provides for four contingencies mentioned in Cls. (a), (b), (c) and (d) and under which a default having committed, a certificate can be issued to the Collector. It is not disputed that Clauses (a), (b) and (c) of the subsection are not applicable to the present case. Reliance has been placed on Cl. (d) which runs as follows: "Where any person is party, (a) to (c) .......... (d) to any agreement providing that any money payable thereunder to the State Government or the corporation shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue: and such person- (i) makes any default in repayment of the loan or advance or any instalment thereof; or (ii) having become liable under the conditions of the grant to refund the grant or any portion thereof, makes any default in the refund of such grant or portion or any instalment thereof; or (iii) otherwise fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, then, in the case of the State Government may send a certificate to the collector, mentioning the sum due from such person and requesting that such sum together with costs of the proceedings be recovered as if it were an arrear of land revenue.";