Establishment of District Agriculture Debt Settlement Forum

(1) The Government shall establish a District Agricultural Debt Settlement Forum. (2) The Forum shall consist of three members including a Chairman. (3) The Chairman of the Forum shall be a retired District Judge or a retired Additional District and Sessions Judge. (4) The other two members shall be eminent persons, one representing community of farmers and other representing the creditors who provide agricultural loans: Provided that- (i) the persons appointment shall be for a period of three years; and (ii) they shall not be eligible for re-appointment. (5) The Forum shall have the jurisdiction to make settlement between the debtor and his creditor if - (i) the loan has been taken by the debtor or provided by the creditor for agricultural purposes; and (ii) the total debt of the debtor does not exceed Rs. 15,00,000.