Alteration or revision of fair rent

(1) Where in respect of any land fair rent has been determined under this Act, it shall continue in force for five years: Provided that the Rent Court may, on an application made by the cultivating tenant, reduce the fair rent if it is satisfied that on account of deterioration of the land by floods or other causes beyond the control of the cultivating tenant, the land has been wholly or partially rendered unfit for the purposes of cultivation. Provided further that the Rent Court may, on an application made by the landowner, enhance the fair rent if it is satisfied that on account of any improvements made in the land by or at the expense of the land owner, the produce of the land has increased. (2) Where fair rent has been determined under this Act, in respect of any land before the date of the publication of the Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants (Payment of Fair Rent) Amendment Act, 1980, in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, and such fair rent is in excess of the fair rent specified in section 4, as amended by the said Amendment Act, then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), on and from the said date, the fair rent so determined shall, in respect of that date and any period after that date stand reduced to the fair rent specified in the said section 4, as amended by that Amendment Act.