In a suit for the recovery of an arrear of revenue not being revenue payable directly to Government, and in a suit brought by a lambardar to recover the amount of any revenue payable to Government through him, the defendant shall not, except with the permission of the Court,--
         (a) Set-off against the plaintiff's demand any sum of money recoverable by him from the plaintiff; or
        (b) claim credit for any payment purporting to have been made on account when such payment was made before the date on which the amount thereof became due.