Failure to cultivate, etc.

(1) Subject to section 19, where a person who has taken possession of any land by evicting a tenant in order to cultivate it personally or use it for non-agricultural purposes, fails within one year from the date he took possession or ceases within three years from such date to do so, the Tahsildar shall, on application by such tenant or otherwise, if satisfied that such person has so failed or ceased, declare by notification, that with effect from such date as may be specified therein the land shall stand transferred to and vest in the State Government free from all encumbrances. (2) When the land has so vested, such tenant shall, if he makes an application for the purpose within twelve months from the date of the notification under sub-section (1), be entitled to be registered as occupant thereof and the provisions of Chapter III shall mutatis mutandis be applicable in this behalf.