It would be convenient at this stage, before entering into the controversial question, to state briefly some of the well established principles relevant to the question raised: (i) A citizen has a fundamental right to ply motor vehicles on public pathways under article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, and any infringement of that right by the State can be justified only if it falls within the scope of article 19(6) thereof See C. section section 233 Motor Service, Tenkasi vs The State, of Madras (1) and Saghir Ahmad vs The State of U. P. (2); (ii) proceedings before tribunals issuing permits are of quasi judicial in character See C. section section Motor Service, Tenkasi vs The State of Madras (1) and New Prakash Transport Co. Ltd. vs New Suwarna Transport Co. Ltd. (3) ; (iii) a new law which takes away or impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws must be deemed to be intended not to have retrospective operation, unless such law makes it retrospective expressly or by implication See Maxwell on the Interpretation of Statutes, p. 215; Garikapatti Veeraya vs N. Subbiah Chowdhury (4 ) and Seth Gulab Chand vs Kudilal (5); and (iv) the same principle applies to a law made pending an appeal before an appellate Court See P. M. Seshadri vs Province of Madras (6).