The Kerala Agriculturists' Debt Relief Act, 1970
The Kerala Agriculturists' Debt Relief Act, 1970
This Act establishes legal provisions to provide relief to small-scale agricultural workers and farmers in Kerala by regulating debt collection. It applies primarily to cultivators, agricultural laborers, tenant farmers, and other rural families engaged in farming activities. The law offers protection against aggressive debt recovery methods and sets limits on creditors' ability to enforce loans. It specifically distinguishes between genuine small farmers facing genuine hardship and wealthier individuals who would not qualify for relief. By giving debtors legal protection, the Act aims to prevent rural families from falling into debt bondage and ensures they receive fair treatment from creditors and financial institutions.
- 1. I. Short title , extent and commencement.
- 2. 2. Definitions.
- 3. Bar of suits and applications.
- 4. 4. Payment of debt in instalments.
- 5. 5. Interest payable on debts.
- 6. 6. Application of payment towards debt and limit of time for execution of decree.
- 7. 7. Power of court to decide doubts and disputes regarding amount payable under section 4.
- 8. 8. Amendment of certain decrees.
- 9. 9. Right to prove real nature of transaction.
- 10. 10. Decrees and orders against debtor.
- 11. 11. Special provision in respect of certain mortgages by agriculturists.
- 12. 12. Sales with condition to repurchase, to be deemed mortgages.
- 13. Special provision regarding certain melpattoms.
- 14. Deposit of debt in court.
- 15. Application to court by persons unable to pay their debts.
- 16. 16. Settlement of liabilities by court.
- 17. 17. Presumption as to transfer of immovable property of debtor.
- 18. 18. Exclusion from benefits.
- 19. Limitation.
- 20. Sales of immovable property to be set aside in certain cases.
- 21. Appeal.
- 22. 22. Power to make rules.
- 23. 23. Repeal.
PDF: pending for this language.