Surrender or abandonment.

(1) If a cultivator- (a) surrenders his right to cultivate in respect of the land cultivated by him as a cultivator, or (b) abandons cultivation of such land, the owner of the land shall give information in writing of such surrender or abandonment to the prescribed authority within three months from the date of surrender or abandonment. (2) on receipt of such information the prescribed authority shall, after giving the cultivator and the owner an opportunity of being heard and making such inquiries as he may deem necessary, by order, determine whether the cultivator voluntarily surrendered or abandoned his right of cultivation in relation to such land. (3) If the prescribed authority determines that the cultivator had not voluntarily surrendered or abandoned the cultivation of the land which was being cultivated by him as such and that he had been compelled by force or otherwise to surrender or abandon the cultivation of such land, the prescribed authority shall restore to the cultivator the cultivation of the land. (4) IF the cultivator or his heirs are not available or is not willing to be restored to the cultivation of such land, or if the prescribed authority determines that the cultivator had voluntarily surrendered or abandoned such land, the owner may, with the permission of the prescribed authority - (a) resume personal cultivation of such land, or (b) have such land cultivated by another cultivator of the locality who is willing to cultivate the land as cultivator.