Pest control and improved methods of husbandary

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law the Grama Panchayat may, from time to time– (a) whenever any occasion arises, declare the whole or any part of the Grama to be an agricultural pest infected area and take steps for the eradication of the infection and for the said purpose issue necessary directions to the owners or growers of corps within the Grama; or (b) call upon the inhabitants of the Grama in accordance with a scheme made in that behalf to adopt improved methods of agriculture and animal husbandry with a view to increase agricultural production within the Grama and issue such direction as the Grama Panchayat may consider necessary in that behalf. (2) The powers of the Grama Panchayat under Sub-Section (1) shall be exercised with the prior approval and subject to the control and direction of the State Government or the prescribed authority : Provided that no action shall be taken under Clause (b) of Sub-Section (1) unless objections from the inhabitants of the Grama have been called for in respect of the scheme referred to therein and considered; and the scheme notified in accordance with the rules made in that behalf. (3) On default of the persons to comply with any of the directions issued under the provisions of Sub-Section (1) the Grama Panchayat may take all such steps as it may consider necessary for the purpose and realise the expenditure incurred from the persons concerned.