24Termination of possession on completion of reclamation

(1) When the reclamation of the land is in the opinion of the Land Development Commissioner complete and, in any case, before the expiry of a period of ten years from the making an inquiry in the prescribed manner and by order in writing,--

(a) declare that possession of the land shall be restored on such date as may be specified in the order to the owner who on the date of taking possession was in lawful possession of the land, or was entitled to such possession, or if he is dead, to his successor in interest;

(b) determine the person to whom possession is to be so restored;

(c) where such person is a tenant, determine the rent payable on account of the use or occupation of the land; and

(d) where the land or any part thereof has been afforested, regulate the cutting of trees in such land.

(2) On the date specified in the said order, possession of the land shall be deemed to have been delivered by the Government to the person determined under clause (b) of sub-section (1).

(3) The delivery of possession of the land to the person determined under clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall be final and full discharge of the Government from all liability in respect of such delivery, but shall not prejudice any right in respect of the land to which any other person may be entitled, by due process of law, to enforce against the person to whom the possession of the land has been so delivered.