Maximum limit for rent

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act or in any agreement or usage or any decree or order of a court the maximum rent payable by the tenant for any land held by him shall not exceed one-fourth of the crop of such land or of the value of such produce. The value of the crop or rent shall when necessary, be determined by the Collector in accordance with the rules, which may be framed by the Financial Commissioner: Provided that ghas, bhusa shall not be included in the produce. (2) No landowner shall have the right to enhance the rent payable merely on the grounds that it is less than the limit prescribed in sub-section (1). (3) It shall be an offence for a landowner to collect rent more than the maximum rent prescribed under sub-section (1) and he shall, on conviction by a magistrate, be liable to imprisonment which may extend to six months or punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000 or with both.