(1) Every person who, at the commencement of this Act, holds any land from the Government for agricultural purposes, whether as a settlement-holder or as a pattadar and his successors-in-interest shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), become the owner thereof as and from such commencement.
(2) No rights shall accrue under sub-section (1) in respect of lands which--
(i) are a part of the bed of a river, a nallah, a stream or a public tank, or
(ii) have been acquired by the Government for any purpose according to the provisions of any law in force for the time being relating to acquisition of land, or
(iii) have been used at any time during the five years immediately preceding the commencement of this Act for any public, community or village purpose, or
(iv) are declared by the Administrator by notification in the Official Gazette as reserved or required for any public, community or village purpose.
(3) Objections to the accrual of rights under sub-section (1) may be filed before the competent authority within such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed by any person who has interest or claims to have an interest in the land either in his individual capacity or as a member of the village or community.
(4) Should any objection be made under sub-section (3), the competent authority shall inquire into the objection in such manner as may be prescribed and decide the same.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the decision of the competent authority shall be final.
(6) Every person who, at the commencement of this Act, holds land from the Government for a purpose other than agriculture shall, subject to sub-section (2), be entitled to the settlement of that land on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.
(7) Nothing in this section shall entitle any person to the sub-soil rights in respect of the land, of which he has become the landowner under sub-section (1), of which has been settled with him under sub-section (6).