Constitution of Land Commission and their functions.

(1) The Government shall establish a Commission to be called the Land Commission which shall consist of not more than seven persons of whom:-

(a) three shall be elected by the Legislative Assembly in the prescribed manner;

(b) one shall be an official nominated by the Government; and

(c) the rest shall be nominated by the Government from among persons having special knowledge or practical experience in agriculture or land problems.

(2) The members of the said Commission shall hold office for a term of two years, the Government may extend the term for such period not exceeding one year as it may consider necessary.

(3) The Government shall nominate one of the members as the Chairman.

(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act and any rules which may be made by the Government in this behalf it shall be the duty of the said Commission to advise the Government in fixing the extent of the basic and family holdings, and the areas to which they apply in matters relating to assumption of management or acquisition of lands by the Government; prevention of fragmentation and consolidation of holdings and generally in regard to the agrarian policy which the Government may from time to time formulate for the administration of this Act in the area to which this Act extends.

(5) The said Commission shall function as an advisory body and shall discharge such other functions as may be prescribed:

Provided that if the Government finds itself unable to accept the advice given by the said Commission on any subject it shall give the said Commission an opportunity to represent their views before coming to a decision.

(6) The Government may establish an Area Land Commission for a District or a part of the District and shall, in consultation with the Land Commission established under sub-section (1), determine by a notification in the Official Gazette the composition, functions and powers of the Area Land Commission:

Provided that when the Area Land Commission is empowered to decide any matter involving individual rights an appeal in the prescribed manner against such decisions shall lie to the Land Commission established under sub-section (1).