(1) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Act,— Relief to rs
(i) in every case in which a debtor is— certa debtion in
(a) an agricultural labourer whose total annual cases.
income from all sources does not exceed rupees twenty-four hundred, or
(b) a marginal farmer whose land is non-irrigated, or
(c) an artisan whose total annual income from all sources does not exceed rupees twenty-four hundred, the authority shall pass an order discharging the debt completely and grant him a certificate of discharge in the prescribed form which shall release the debtor from all debts which were or might have been included in the application under section 4,
(ii) in every case in which the debtor is a small farmer, or a marginal farmer whose land is irrigated, the authority shall subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, by an order, reduce the debt to such amount as does not exceed twenty per cent. of the estimated gross value of the agricultural produce earned by such debtor in the year preceding the year in which the determination takes place, multiplied by a figure not exceeding seven and shall make a further order that the amount of the debt be repaid in such monthly or annual instalments covering a period not exceeding seven years, either with or without interest, as the authority may determine.
(2) Subject to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), in every other case in which an order is made under scetion 5, the debtor shall repay the debt, with interest, if any, in such number of instalments covering a period not exceeding seven years as may be mentioned in the order.
8. Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being Prohibition in force, or in any agreement, no debtor shall be liable to pay after the rreafealandidng commencement of this Act— amount of interest.
219 The West Bengal Relief of Rural Indebtedness Act, 1975.
[West Ben. Act Bar to suits and proceedings and execution of decrees in civil or revenue courts.
Decision as to status of a debtor or nature of liability Transfer of application from one authority to another.
Appeals.
(Sections 9-12.)
(a) any sum in respect of principal and interest which together exceeds twice the principal,
(b) on account of interest outstanding on the date up to which such liability is computed, a sum greater than the principal outstanding on such date,
(c) any interest other than simple interest at a rate of six per centum per annum or the rate stipulated between the parties, whichever is less.