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THE UTTAR PRADESH RURAL DEVELOPMENT (REQUISITIONING OF LAND) ACT, 1948

THE UTTAR PRADESH RURAL DEVELOPMENT (REQUISITIONING OF LAND) ACT, 1948

THE UTTAR PRADESH RURAL DEVELOPMENT (REQUISITIONING OF LAND) ACT, 1948

THE UTTAR PRADESH RURAL DEVELOPMENT (REQUISITIONING OF LAND) ACT, 1948[1]

[ Act No. 27 of 1948]

PREAMBLE

An Act to provide for the requisitioning of land to pronote the improvement and development of agriculture and economic condition in rural areas

Whereas it is expedient to requisition land required for the development of agriculture and economic condition in rural areas and to prescribe an expeditious procedure for the determination of compensation to be paid on account of such requisition;

It is hereby enacted as follows :

Section 1 - Short title, extent and commencement

(1)     This Act may be called The [2][Uttar Pradesh] Rural Development (Requisitioning of Land) Act, 1948.

(2)     It shall extend to the whole of [3][Uttar Pradesh].

(3)     This section shall come into force at once and the remaining sections shall come into force on such date[4] and in such areas not being areas for the time being included in any municipality, cantonment area or notified area as the [5][State Government] may by notification in the official Gazette specify in this behalf.

Section 2 – Definitions

In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,--

(1)     "Compensation Officer" and "Requisitioning Authority" appointed as such by general or special order by the [6][State Government] provided that such person shall be the Collector or an Assistant Collector nominated by the Collector;

(2)     "Public purpose" means for and in connection with any of the following subjects, that is to say--

(i)       making, enlarging or deepening of tanks for purposes of irrigation,

(ii)      composing of village refuse or preparation of any other form of manure,

(iii)     construction of guls for irrigation,

(iv)    plant nurseries,

(v)      any other object which the [7][State Government] may after publication in the Gazette and after considering any objection or suggestion which may be received by notification[8] in the Gazette declare essential for the development of agriculture or improvement of the life of community in rural areas;

(3)     "land" includes tanks and things attached to the earth or
permanently fastened to anything attached to search;

(4)     "prescribed" means prescribed by the rules made under this Act;

(5)     [9]["State Government"] means the Government of [10][Uttar Pradesh];

(6)     the expression "rent" and "sayar" shall have the meaning respectively assigned to them in the United Provinces Tenancy Act, 1939.

Note.-- In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (1) of Section 2 the State Government has appointed--

(a)      all Tehsildars exercising the powers of Assistant Collectors as Requisitioning Authority within their respective tahsils to which they may be posted for the time being; and

(b)      all Sub-Divisional Officers exercising the powers of Assistant Collectors as Compensation Officers in the areas of their respective sub-divisions--vide Noti. No. 236/XXXV-A-644-55. dated January 22, 1960.

Section 3 - Procedure of requisition

If in the opinion of a Requisitioning Authority it is necessary or expedient so to do for a public purpose, it may, by order, requisition any land by serving on the owner and occupier thereof and, when the owner or the occupier is not readily traceable, or the ownership or the right to occupation of the land is in dispute, or owing to the number of persons entitled as owner or occupier it is not reasonably convenient to serve everyone of them separately, by publishing, in such manner as may be specified in that behalf, a notice stating that the requisitioning authority has decided to requisition it in pursuance of this section, and may make such further orders including orders relating to the disposal, possession and enjoyment of any trees and other crops of any person standing on such land as appear to it, to be necessary or expedient in connection with the requisitioning.

Section 4 - Use of requisitioned land

Where any land has been requisitioned under Section 3, the Requisitioning Authority or such other authority as may be prescribed may use it in such manner as may appear to it to be expedient for any public purpose.

Section 5 - Power of the Requisitioning Authority

(1)     The Requisitioning Authority may with a view to requisition any land under Section 3 or determining the compensation therefor by order--

(a)      require any person to furnish to such authority as may be specified in the order such information in his possession relating to the property as may be so specified, and

(b)      direct that the owner or the occupier or person in possession of the land shall not, without the permission of the authority making the order, dispose of it till the expiry of such period as may be specified in the order.

(2)     Without prejudice to the powers conferred by sub-section (1) any person or authority appointed in this behalf by the Requisitioning Authority may enter any land and inspect it for the purpose of determining whether, and if so in what manner, an order under Section 3 should be made in relation to such land, or with a view to securing compliance with any order made under Section 3.

Section 6 - Application for requisition by a society or union

A society or a union registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912, or a Gaon Sabha under the United Provinces Panchayat Raj Act, 1947, may in the prescribed manner apply to the Requisitioning Authority to requisition any land for a public purpose specified in the application.

Section 7 - Declaration by the Requisitioning Authority on an application by a society or union

If the Requisitioning Authority, after such inquirty and in such manner as it may deem fit, is satisfied that the land mentioned in the application under Section 6 is needed and is suitable for a public purpose, it shall make a declaration to that effect and except as provided in section 14 the same shall be final and conclusive.

Section 8 - Requisition of land after declaration under Section 7

Wherever any land shall have been so declared under Section 7 to be needed or suitable for a public purpose, the Requisitioning Authority may, subject to the general control of the [11][State Government], requisition such land and the provision of this Act, in so far as they may be applicable, shall apply to such land.

Section 9 - Payment of compensation

(1)     Where any land is requisitioned under Section 3 there shall be paid to every person interested such compensation as may be agreed upon in writing between such person and the requisitioning authority in respect of--

(a)      the requisitioning of such land, and

(b)      any damage done during the period of requisitioning to such land other than that which may have been sustained by natural causes.

Explanation.--For the purposes of this sub-section the deepening of a tank, making of pits for composting village refuse is not damage done to the land.

(2)     Where no such agreement can be reached, the Requisitioning Authority shall refer the matter with his recommendation as to the amount of compensation and the reasons therefor to the Compensation Officer and also direct the person claiming compensation to appear before such officer on such date as may be specified and the Compensation Officer shall, on the date fixed in the behalf or on any other date to which the hearing may be postponed, hear such person and after such further inquiry as he may deem fit, determine the amount of compensation which shall, except as provided in Section 12, be final and conclusive.

(3)     The Compensation Officer shall in fixing the amount of compensation have regard to--

(a)      the rent, if any, assessed on the land which has been requisitioned;

(b)      the 'sayar' income, if any, derived from such land;

(c)      the value of any trees which as a result of the requisition have to be removed from the land; and

(d)      the purpose for which it has been requisitioned and shall also take into consideration the benefit which the use of such land is likely directly or indirectly to confer on any other property owned or occupied by such person. But he shall not take into consideration--

(i)       the value of trees, except trees mentioned in Clause (c), which may continue to be possessed and enjoyed by the person entitled thereto,

(ii)      the value of any crops which may be existing on the land at the time of the requisition and may be removed by him after such time as the Requisitioning Authority may specify in that behalf,

(iii)     the value of any right to any person in or over the requisitioned land enjoyment whereof has not been suspended or other wise prohibited.

(4)     The compensation fixed under sub-section (1) determined under subsection (2) shall be paid in such manner as the parties may agree or as the case may be, the Compensation Officer may direct.

Section 10 - Release from requisition

(1)     Where any land requisitioned under Section 3 or 8 is to be released from requisitioning, the Requisitioning Authority may, after making such inquiry, if any, as it considers necessary, specify by order in writing the person who appears to it to be entitled to the possession of such land.

(2)     The delivery of possession of such land to the person specified in the order made under sub-section (1) shall be a full discharge of any liability of the [12][State of Government] to deliver possession to such person as may have rightful claim to possession thereof but shall not prejudice any right in respect of law to enforce against the person to whom possession of the land is so delivered.

(3)     Where the person to whom the possession of any land prequisitioned under Section 3 or 8 is to be delivered cannot be found or is not readily traceable or has no agent or other person empowered to accept delivery on his behalf, the [13][State Government] shall publish in the official Gazette, a notice declaring that such land is released from requisitioning and shall cause a copy thereof to be affixed on some conspicuous part of such land.

(4)     When a notice referred to in sub-section (3) is published in the official Gazette, the land specified in such notice shall cease to be subject to requisitioning on and from the date of such publication and shall be deemed to have been delivered to the person entitled to possession thereof.

(5)     Upon delivery of possession under sub-section (2) or (4), the [14][State Government] shall, save as directed by any order made under Section 8, not be liable for any compensation or other claims in respect of such land.

Section 11 - Vesting of management and superintendence of requisitioned land

The Requisitioning Authority may vest the management and superintendence of any land requisitioned under this Act in the Co-operative Society or the Union or the Gaon Sabha on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed and any land so entrusted to any society, union or Gaon Sabha shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed.

Section 12 - Review of the order passed by Requisitioning Authority

The [15][State Government] or the prescribed authority may review the order passed by the Requisitioning Authority under Section 7 or by the Compensation Officer under sub-section (2) of Section 9, if it is satisfied that grave injustice has been done to a party.

Section 13 - Dues of the State Government recoverable as arrears of land revenue

Any charges payable to the [16][State Government] by a Co-operative Society, Union or Gaon Sabha or the members of such body under the provisions of this Act or the rules may be recovered from the society, union or [17][Gram Sabha] or their members, as the case may be, as arrears of land revenue.

Section 14 - Court not to question any order passed under the Act

(1)     No order made in exercise of any power conferred by or under this Act shall be called in question in any Court except as provided in this Act.

(2)     Where an order purports to have been made and signed by any authority in exercise of any power conferred under this Act a Court shall within the meaning of Indian Evidence Act, 1872, presume that such order was so made by that Authority.

Section 15 - Protection of persons acting under the Act

(1)     Except as provided in this Act no suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rules or orders made thereunder.

(2)     No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the [18][State Government] for any damage caused or likely to be caused by anything in good taith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.

Section 16 - Rule making power

(1)     The [19][State Government] may make [20]rules consistent with this Act for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.

(2)     In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers such rules may prescribe--

(a)      the particulars which shall be entered in any application for requisition made by a Co-operative Society or Union or a [21][Gram Sabha];

(b)      the procedure to be followed in inquiries held by the Compensation Officer, or the Requisitioning Authority;

(c)      the charges and the terms and conditions subject to which the management and superintendence may be vested in a Co-operative Society, union or [22][Gram Sabha];

(d)      the manner and the principles on which the rents and sayar may be determined in the case of requisitioned land;

(e)      the authority which can review under Section 12 of the order passed by the Requisitioning Authority and the procedure to be followed by it; and

(f)       any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

 



[1] Received the assent of the Governor on 29th May, 1948, under Section 75 of the Government of India Act, 1935, as adapted by India (Provisional Construction) Order, 1947, and was published in the U. P. Gazette (Extra.), dated 1st June, 1948.

[2] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "United Provinces".

[3] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "United Provinces".

[4] Sections 2 to 16 came into force w.e.f. June 1, 1948 in the whole of Uttar Pradesh, except areas which are for the time being included in any Municipality. Cantonment area or notified area vide Noti, No. 4419-R/D. C-379-48, dated May 31, 1948, published in the U. P. Gazette (Extra.), dated 1st June, 1948.

[5] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[6] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[7] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[8] (a) For construction of drainage channels see Noti. No. 6114-R/XXII-C.D. C-379-48, June 21, 1949, in U. P. Gazette, dated June 21,' 1949, Pt. I. p. 519.

(b) For pasturage, see Noti. No. 10813-R/XII-C-D. C-379-1948, dated November 8, 1949, in U. P: Gazette, dated November 19, 1949, Pt. I, p. 878.

(c) For construction of syphons and culverts see Noti. No. F-11269.XH-A, dated February 13, 1951, in U. P. Gazette, dated February 17, 1951, Pt. I, p. 145.

(d) For (a) laying of paths and roads, and (b) establishing demonstration forms see Noti. No. 4685-R/D.C. 601-50, dated December 7, 1951, in U. P. Gazette, dated December 17, 1951, Pt. I, p. 970.

(e) For appointment of Collectors as Requisitioning Authority, see Noti. No. 4418-R-D. C-379-48, dated May 31, 1948, in U. P. Gazette (Extra.), dated June 1, 1948, p. 6.

(f) For appointment of all Asstt. Collectors of the first class-as Requisitioning Authority, see Noti. No. 4348-A-R/D.C., dated June 19, 1948, in U. P. Gazette, dated June 16, 1948, Pt. I. p. 417.

 

[9] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[10] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "United Provinces".

[11] Substituted by A.O. 1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[12] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[13] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[14] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[15] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[16] Substituted by A. 0.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[17] Substituted by U. P. Act No. 9 of 1994.

[18] Substituted by A. O.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[19] Substituted by A. O.1950, for the words "Provincial Government".

[20] Published vide Noti. No. 8250-R/D. C--379-1948, dated 28th September, 1948, in U. P. Gazette (Extra.), dated 28th September, 1948 and Noti. No. 8473/R-XII-C-D-C. 379-48, dated 13th December, 1951, in U. P. Gazette, Part 1-A, dated 5th January, 1952.

[21] Substituted by U. P. Act No. 9 of 1994.

[22] Substituted by U. P. Act No. 9 of 1994.