Power to execute works of improvement in slum areas and to recover expenses

(1) If a notice under section 5 requiring the owner to execute works of improvement is not complied with within the period specified in the notice or within such further time as the competent authority may give for sufficient reasons, the competent authority may itself execute the works required to be done by the notice. (2) All expenses incurred by the competent authority under this section, together with interest at such rate as the Government may by order fix from the date when a demand for the expenses is made until payment, may be recovered by the competent authority from the owner as arrears of public revenue due on land: Provided that if the owner proves that he— (a) is receiving the rent merely as agent or trustee for some other person; and (b) has not in his hands on behalf of that other person sufficient money to satisfy the whole demand of the authority, his liability shall be limited to the total amount of the money which he has in his hands as aforesaid. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, all expenses incurred by the competent authority under this section shall constitute a first charge on the land or building concerned, subject to the charges for any tax or cess payable to the Government.