Extent of jurisdiction

(1) The jurisdiction of a Gram Panchayat shall extend to any suit of the following description if its value does not exceed Rs. 2,000:- (a) a suit for money due on contract other than a contract in respect of immovable property; (b) a suit for the recovery of movable property or for the value there of; (c) a suit for compensation for wrongfully taking or damaging a moveable property; (d) a suit for damages caused by cattle trespass; and (e) a suit under clauses (f) and (i) of sub-section (3) of section 58 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 (8 of 1974). (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government or the prescribed authority may, by notification in the Official Gazette, extend the pecuniary jurisdiction of Gram Panchayat to Rs. 5,000 in respect of any or all the suits of the description mentioned in sub-section (1).