General Clauses Act, 1897
6. Effect of repeal
Where this Act, or any 13[Central Act] or Regulation made after
the commencement of this Act, repeals any enactment hitherto made or hereafter
to be made, then, unless a different intention appears, the repeal shall not-
(a) revive anything not in force or existing at the time at
which the repeal takes effect; or
(b) affect the previous operation of any enactment so repealed
or anything duly done or suffered thereunder ; or
(c) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability
acquired, accrued or incurred under any enactment so repealed; or
(d) affect any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect
of any offence committed against any enactment so repealed; or
(e) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in
respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty,
forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid;
and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be
instituted, continued or enforced, and any such penalty, forfeiture or
punishment may be imposed as if the repealing Act or Regulation had not been
passed.
Comment: Applying the Golden Rule of construction as
stated by this Court in Garikapatti Veeraya (AIR 1957 SC 540) (supra) in the amending Act there
was nothing to show that the Act would have retrospective effect. As "the
essential idea of a legal system is that current law should govern current
activities". We hold that rate of compensation shall have to be determined
in accordance with the provisions of the Act which was in force at the time
compensation was payable i.e. unamended sub-section
(4) of Section 25 of the Act would apply. Moreover, the amending Act affects
the substantive right of the appellant, therefore, it would have prospective
operation. There is also no express or implied provision in the amending Act to
indicate that the Act will have retrospective effect. We, therefore, hold that
the amending Act would apply prospectively. Maharaja Chintamani
Saran Nath Shahdeo ,
Appellant v. State of Bihar AIR 1999 SUPREME COURT 3609