(2)Whenever in pursuance of section 44, the requisitioning authority requisitions any vehicle, vessel or animal, the panchayat shall pay to the owner thereof compensation the amount of which shall be determined by the requisitioning authority on the basis of fares or rates prevailing in the locality for the hire of such vehicle, vessel or animal;Provided that, where the owner of such vehicle, vessel or animal being aggrieved by the amount of compensation so determined makes an application within the time prescribed by rules made by the State Government to the requisitioning authority for referring the matter to an arbitrator, the amount of compensation to be paid shall be such as the arbitrator appointed in this behalf by the requisitioning authority may determine:Provided further that, where immediately before the requisitioning, the vehicle or vessel was by virtue of a hire-purchase agreement in the possession of a person other than the owner, the amount determined under this sub-section as the total compensation payable in respect of the requisition shall be apportioned between that person and the owner in such manner as they may agree upon, and in default of agreement, in such manner as an arbitrator appointed by the requisitioning authority in this behalf may decide.
