In the meanwhile, the Punjab Land Reforms Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the 1972 Act) was promulgated and under the provisions of this Act, the land owner filed his declaration before the Collector, Patiala Sub Division, Patiala. After considering the report of the Patwari and the proof furnished by the land owner, the Collector, Patiala Sub Division, Patiala, reassessed the issue regarding surplus land of the land owner and through his order dated 29.12.1975, held that the land owner had no area excess of his permissible area. Though the order dated 29.12.1975 was subsequent to the earlier order dated 17.09.1975 and being by the same authority i.e. the Collector, Patiala Sub Division, Patiala, it would have normally been considered to be in supersession of the earlier order and should have laid the entire matter to rest, but for the reasons best known to the land owner, he filed an appeal against the earlier order of the Collector dated 17.09.1975. The appeal was considered and rejected by the Additional Commissioner, Patiala Division, Patiala, vide his order dated 10.01.1980. On behalf of the land owner, the petitioner (his son) moved an application to the authorities dated 14.10.1994 bringing to their notice the above noted facts and requested them to re-consider the entire matter in view of the subsequent order dated 29.12.1975 through which it had specifically been held that there was no surplus land. He further brought to the notice of the authorities that through allotment dated 18.01.1983, the so-
