RAMA JOIS, J. ( 1 ) IN this appeal, the following important question of law arises for consideration : whether an application seeking an amendment to an application made before a Land Tribunal under Section 48a of the Karnataka Land Reforms act, 1961 ('the Act' in shoit) after the period fixed in the Section to make an application, which has the effect of claiming occupancy rights in respect of a land belonging to a landlord not included in the original application is maintainable ? ( 2 ) THE facts of the case, in brief, are as follow : Section 48a of the Act provides that every person entitled to be registered as an occupant under Section 45 may make an application to the Land tribunal in this behalf. The last date for making the application was originally fixed as 31-3-1974. The Section has been amended from time to time and, after the last amendment, the second part of the Section, which is relevant for decision in this case, reads :"48a. ENQUIRY BY THE TRIBUNAL etc. , (1 ). . . . . . . . Every such application shall, save as provided in this Act, be made within six months from the date of commencement of the Amendment act, provided that the Tribunal may, within one year from that date for the sufficient cause shown admit an application made beyond six months. "there is no dispute that the Amendment act came into force on 1-1-1979. Consequently, last date fixed for making the application under Section 48a read with Section 45 of the Act was 30th june, 1979. Respondent-1 had made an application in Form-7, which is the prescribed form for making an application under Section 48a of the Act, on 10-8-1974. The said application, as per