ORDER 1. One of the questions that falls for consideration in these appeals is whether the provisions of Section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 can be held to be applicable where a rule in the Central Excise Rules is replaced. By notification dated 6-8-1977 issued by the Central Government in exercise of its rule-making power, Rules 10 and G-A were substituted. The said Rules as substituted in 1977 were replaced in 1980 by Section 11-A of the Central Excise Act. 2. Shri F. S. Nariman, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellants in Civil Appeal No. 2132 of 1994, has placed reliance on the decision of the Constitution Bench of this Court in Rayala Corpn. (P) Ltd. v. Director of Enforcement, New Delhi [ (1969) 2 SCC 412 : (1970) 1 SCR 639 ]. In that case, this Court was dealing with the provisions of Rule 132-A of the Defence of India Rules, 1962 and it was held that the provisions of Section 6 of the General Clauses Act could not be made applicable to the repeal of the Rules and that the said provisions are Applicable only to the repeal of a Central Act or regulation. The said decision in Rayala Corpn. [ (1969) 2 SCC 412 : (1970) 1 SCR 639 ] has been considered and explained by various benches in various High Courts. The said decisions are under challenge in, this group of matters. Having regard to the importance of the question, we consider it appropriate that this matter is considered by the Constitution Bench. It is, therefore, directed that the matter be placed before the Honble Chief Justice of India for appropriate directions in this regard. 3. Tag SLP (C) No. 16223 of 1985 with this batch. Court Master