Section 7 in The Orissa Merged Territories (Village Offices Abolition) Act, 1963
7. Settlement of abandoned and surrendered holdings and waste land.
(1)All abandoned and surrendered holdings in the possession of the holder of a Village Office and all waste lands reclaimed by him from and after the 1st day of January, 1949 shall be, so far as may be practicable, settled with the previous holders or their heirs, or with landless persons and small-holders of land in the prescribed manner.(2)All waste lands reclaimed prior to the said date shall be settled with the holder of a Village Office with rights of occupancy therein on a fair and equitable rent.(3)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sub-sections (1) and (2) in the territories of the former State of Pal-Lahara, waste lands reclaimed by the Sarbarakar prior to the first day of January, 1942 shall be settled in the manner specified in Sub-section (2) and waste lands reclaimed on and after the said date in the manner specified in Sub-section (1).
