Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(1) The term of Settlement shall be fixed by the Government and shall not be less than thirty years. Provided that if, at any time during the currency of the Settlement the Government is of opinion that, having regard to changes in the general conditions subsequent to the Settlement, it is desirable that the assessment, should be reduced, it may, by order, reduce such assessment for such period as it may deem fit. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) in any area where there is ample scope for extensions of cultivation or for agriculture development or where there has been a rapid development of resources owing to the construction of roads or canals since the last Settlement, the Government may, for reason to be recorded fix a term which may be less than thirty years but which shall in no case be less than twenty years. (3) Notwithstanding that the term of Settlement fixed under sub- section (1) or sub-section (2) for any local area has expired such terms shall be deemed to have extended till the commencement of the term of the subsequent Settlement in that area 16