Provision for debts incurred before 1st March 1972.

Debts incurred before the 1st March 1972, shall be scaled down in the manner mentioned hereunder, namely:- (1) Where an agriculturist has paid to any creditor twice the amount of the principal whether by way of principal or interest or both, such debt including the principal, shall be deemed to be wholly discharged. (3) Where the sums repaid by way of principal or interest or both fall short of twice the amount of the principal, such amount only as would make up this shortage, or the principal amount or such portion of the principal amount as is outstanding, whichever is smaller, shall be repayable. (4) Subject to the provisions of sections 22 to 25, nothing contained in sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) shall be deemed to require the creditor to refund any sum which has been paid to him, or to increase the liability of a debtor to pay any sum in excess of the amount which would have been paya ble by him if this Act had not been passed. Explanation I.-In determining the amount repayable by a debtor under this section, every payment made by him shall be credited towards the principal, notwithstanding that he has expressly stated in writing that such payment shall be in reduction of interest. Explanation II.-Where the principal was borrowed in cash with an agreement to repay it in kind, the debtor shall, notwithstanding such agreement, be entitled to repay the debt in cash, after deducting the value of all payments made by him in kind, at the rate, if any, stipulated in such agreement, or if there is no such stipulation, at the market rate prevailing at the time of each payment. Explanation III.-Where a debt has been renewed or included in a fresh document executed before, on or after the 1st March 1972, (whether by the same debtor or by his heirs, legal representatives or assigns or by any other person acting on his behalf or in his interest and whether in favour of the same creditor or of any other person acting on his behalf or in his interest), the principal originally advanced together with such sums, if any, as have been subsequently advanced as principal shall alone be treated as the principal sum repayable under this section. Explanation IV.-Where a debt has been split up, whether before, on or after the 1st March 1972, among the heirs, legal representatives or assigns of a debtor or of a creditor and fresh documents have been executed in respect of the different portions of such debt, the provisions of this section shall continue to apply in respect of each of the different portions.