“8. Clearly the H.P. Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 is both a special as well as a local law and equally clearly. Section 67 of this Act provides a period of limitation for filing appeals which is different from the period prescribed in the Schedule to the Limitation Act. That being the case, apart from Section 3 of the Limitation Act. That being the case, apart from Section 3 of the Limitation Act, Section 4 to 24 are also applicable and, therefore, if with respect to a time-barred appeal preferred under Section 67 of 1994 Act the appellant seeks condonation of delay, Section 5 of the Limitation Act immediately is attracted and comes to his rescue and aid and he, as a matter of right, is entitled to, through the medium such an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act pray for condonation of delay in filing a time-barred appeal. That right vests in such an appellant. Whether on facts and/or merits delay is to be condoned, or it is not to be condoned, is a different matter altogether. The fact remains that the right of seeking condonation of delay vests in such an appellant and that right inheres in him by virtue of Section 29 of the Limitation Act. This right cannot be taken away by juxtaposing something from Section 60 of the Act which is not at all related or applicable to Section 67 of the Act.”
