Power to carry out measures in emergent situations

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3 to 7, if the Government is satisfied, that plants in any affected area are in danger of being damaged or destroyed by any plant disease, pest parasite or noxious weed prevalent in that area and that it is necessary to take immediate preventive or remedial measures, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette,— (a) declare that it shall be competent for the District Magistrate or any Inspecting Officer to carry out such preventive or remedial measures in the affected area or any part thereof or to take such other steps (including the removal or destruction of plants which are infested or likely to be infested) as he may deem fit; (b) direct that every occupier in respect of whose land such preventive or remedial measures or other steps have been taken shall be liable to pay the cost thereof at such rates and within such time as the District Magistrate may by order from time to time determine having regard to the following, namely:— (i) the charges to be incurred for labour, material or use of equipment; and (ii) any other charges to be incurred for the purposes aforesaid. (2) Subject to any general or special order of the Government, any Inspecting Officer may upon the issue of a notification under sub-section (1) enter upon any land or premises within the affected area and carry out such preventive or remedial measures or take such other steps referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (1), as he may deem fit. (3) The Inspecting Officer shall by order in writing, assess the amount payable by an occupier in respect of the preventive or remedial measures or other steps taken under sub-section (2). (4) If the occupier fails to pay the amount so assessed within the time fixed under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the amount shall be recoverable from him as an arrear of land revenue.