163Provision of rent and revenue in an emergency

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, when the Central Government is satisfied that an emergency has arisen in any area, it may appoint to such area an officer of the grade of an assistant commissioner and invest him with all or any of the following powers:--

(a) the powers of a rent-rate officer and a record officer;

(b) if sanctioned rates have not been determined or have not been accepted under the proviso to section 124 for such area, powers to commute, abate, enhance or determine rents summarily otherwise than in accordance with such rates; and

(c) powers to revise revenue assessed on any estate, mahal, village or thok in which rents have been commuted, abated, enhanced or determined under this Chapter.

(2) If, as a result of any order passed by the officer appointed under sub-section (1), the assets of any estate or area are increased or decreased, such officer shall increase or decrease, as the case may be, the revenue of such estate, village, mahal or thok in the proportion which such increased or decreased assets bear to the assets before such increase or decrease.

(3) Every order passed by such officer in exercise of the powers conferred on him under sub-section (1) shall be submitted for confirmation to the collector or such other officer as the Chief Commissioner may, by order, specify and shall take effect from such date as the officer passing it or the confirming court may direct.