Special provisions relating to leases for commercial or industrial purposes

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, or in any other law, or in any contract, or in any decree or order of court, where on any land leased for commercial or industrial purpose, the lessee has constructed buildings for such commercial or industrial purpose before the 1st March, 1971, he shall not be liable to be evicted from such land, but shall be liable to pay rent under the contract of tenancy, and such rent shall be liable to be varied every twelve years. Explanation. – For the purposes of this section, (a) “lessee” includes a legal representative or an assignee of the lessee; and (b) “building” means a permanent or a temporary building and includes a shed. (2) The lessor or the lessee may apply to such authority as may be prescribed for varying the rent referred to in sub-section (1), and thereupon such authority may, after taking into consideration such matters as may be prescribed and after giving the lessor and the lessee an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders on the application as it deems fit. (3) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall apply to lands owned or held by the Government of the Union territory of Puducherry or the local authority.