Settlement of agricultural disputes

(1) Where an agricultural dispute exists or is apprehended, the Conciliation Officer may hold conciliation proceedings and shall, for the purpose of bringing about a settlement of the dispute, without delay investigate the same and all matters affecting the merits and the right settlement thereof and may do all such things, as he thinks fit, for the purpose of inducing the parties to come to a fair and amicable settlement of the dispute. (2) If a settlement of the dispute or of any of the matters in dispute is arrived at in the course of conciliation proceedings, the Conciliation Officer shall send a report thereof to the such Officer as may be specified by the State Government by Notification in this behalf together with a memorandum of settlement signed by the parties to the dispute. (3) If no such settlement is arrived at, the Conciliation Officer, shall, as soon as practicable after the close of the investigation send to the Collector of the District through the Officer appointed under sub-clause (2) a full report setting forth the steps taken by him for ascertaining the facts and circumstance relating to the disputes and for bringing about a settlement thereof, together with full statement of such facts and circumstances, and the reasons on account of which, in his opinion, a settlement could not be arrived at: Provided that in a case where the agricultural dispute relates to an agricultural land situated within the local limits of more than one District, the Conciliation Officer shall send the report to the Collector of the District with intimation to another. (4) If on a consideration of the report referred to in sub-section (3), the Collector of the District is satisfied that there is a case of reference to an agricultural Tribunal, he may, by order in writing, refer the agricultural dispute to the said Tribunal for adjudication and where the Collector of the District does not make such a reference, he shall record and communicate to the parties concerned his reasons therefor. (5) Where an agricultural dispute has been referred to an Agricultural Tribunal under sub-section (4), the Tribunal shall hold its proceedings expeditiously and shall, as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the proceedings, but not later than thirty days from the date of receipt of the reference by the Tribunal, submit its award to the Collector of the District. (6) The Collector of the District shall, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the award referred to in sub-section (5), cause the same to be published in his office and in the office of the Agricultural Tribunal in such manner as may be prescribed and shall also forward copies of the award, to the parties concerned. (7) An award referred to in sub-section (5) shall subject to any order of the Government under section 19 become enforceable on the expiry of ten days from the date of its publication in the manner provided in sub-section (6). (8) Every memorandum of settlement referred to in sub-section (2) and, subject to any order of the Government under section 19 every award of an Agricultural Tribunal shall be final and shall be given effect to by the parties to the agricultural dispute. (4) If on a consideration of the report referred to in sub-section (3), the Collector of the District is satisfied that there is a case of reference to an agricultural Tribunal; he may, by order in writing, refer the agricultural dispute to the said Tribunal for adjudication and where the Collector of the District does not make such a reference, he shall record and communicate to the parties concerned his reasons therefor. (5) Where an agricultural dispute has been referred to an Agricultural Tribunal under sub-section (4), the Tribunal shall hold its procecdings expeditiously and shall, as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the proceedings, but not later than thirty aays from the date of receipt of the reference by the Tribunal, submit its award to the Collector of the District. (6) The Collector of the District shall, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the award referred to in sub-section (5), cause the same to be published in his office and in the office of the Agricultural Tribunal in such manner as may be prescribed and shall also forward copies of the award, to the parties concerned. (7) An award referred to in sub-section (5) shall subject to any order of the Government under section 19 become enforceable on the expiry of ten days from the date of its publication in the manner provided in sub-section (6). (8) Every memorandum of settlement referred to in sub-section (2) and, subject to any order of the Government under section 19 every award of an Agricultural Tribunal shall be final and shall be given effect to by the parties to the agricultural dispute.