Settlement of agricultural disputes

(1) Where an agricultural dispute exists or is apprehended, the Conciliation Officer may hold conciliation proceedings and shall, for the purpose of bringing about a settlement of the dispute, without delay investigate the same and all matters affecting the merits and the right settlement thereof and may do all such things, as he thinks fit, for the purpose of inducing the parties to come to a fair and amicable settlement of the dispute. (2) If a settlement of the dispute or of any of the matters in dispute is arrived at in the course of conciliation proceedings, the Conciliation Officer shall send a report thereof to the District Labour Officer together with a memorandum of settlement signed by the parties to the dispute. (3) If no such settlement is arrived, at the Conciliation Officer shall as soon as practicable after the close of the investigation, send to the District Collector through the District Labour Officer a full report setting forth the steps taken by him for ascertaining the facts and circumstances relating to the dispute and for bringing about a settlement thereof, together with a full statement of such facts and circumstances, and the reasons on account of which, in his opinion, a settlement could not be arrived at: Provided that in a case where the agricultural dispute relates to an agricultural land situate within the local limits of more than one revenue district, the Conciliation Officer shall send the report to the District Collector in whose jurisdiction the major portion of such land is situate. (4) If on a consideration of the report referred to in sub-section (3) the District Collector is satisfied that there is a case for reference to an Agricultural Tribunal, he may, by order in writing, refer the agricultural dispute to the said Tribunal for adjudication, and where the District Collector does not make such a reference, he shall record and communicate to the parties concerned his reasons therefor. (5) Where an agricultural dispute has been referred to an Agricultural Tribunal under sub-section (4), the Tribunal shall hold its proceedings expeditiously and shall, as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the proceedings, but not later than thirty days from the date of receipt of the reference by the Tribunal, submit its award to the District Collector. (6) The District Collector shall, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the award referred to in sub-section (5), cause the same to be published in his office and in the office of the Agricultural Tribunal in such manner as may be prescribed and shall also forward copies of the award to the parties concerned. (7) An award referred to in sub-section (5) shall, subject to any order of the Government under section 26, become enforceable on the expiry of ten days from the date of its publication in the manner provided in sub-section (6). (8) Every memorandum of settlement referred to in sub-section (2) and, subject to any order of the Government under section 26, every award of an Agricultural tribunal shall be final and shall be given effect to by the parties to the agricultural dispute. The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, direct that any power exercisable by them under this Act or the rules made thereunder shall, in relation to such matters and subject to such conditions if any, as may be specified in the direction, be exercisable also by such officer or authority subordinate to the Government as may be specified in the notification. (1) The Board shall be responsible for- all matters connected with the administration of the ftrnd specified in the scheme; registration S of employers in the find; laying down policies for the deposit of the amount of the fund as directed by Government from time to time; submission of annual budget to the Government for sanction; submission of annual report to Government on the working of the scheme; annual audit of accounts of the Board in accordance with the instructions issued by Government; collection of contribution to the fund and other charges; launching of prosecutions against the officers; speedy settlement of claims and sanction of advances and other benefits; proper maintenance of accounts; proper and timely recovery of any amount due to the Board. (2) The Board shall advise the Government on such matters as the Govethment may refer to it from time to time. (3) The Government may call for such reports and returns as they may think. fit from the Board and it shall be the duty of the Board to Ibrnish such reports and returns.