(1)The term of settlement shall be fixed by the State Government and shall not be less than thirty years :Provided that if, at any time during the currency of the settlement, the State Government finds that having regard to changes in general conditions subsequent to the settlement, it is desirable that the assessment should be reduced, it may reduce such assessment for such period as it may deem fit.(2)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) in any area where there is ample scope for extension of cultivation or for agricultural development or where the pitch of rents is unduly low or where there has been a rapid development of resources owing to the construction of roads, railways or canals since the last settlement, the State Government may, for reasons to be recorded, fix a term which may be less than thirty years but which shall in no case be less than twenty years.(3)Notwithstanding that the term of settlement fixed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) for any local area has expired, the term shall be deemed to have been extended till the commencement of the term of the subsequent settlement in that area.
