(1)Where for the purpose of clearing and bringing waste land in the estate into cultivation or for the purpose of making any permanent improvement or for planting trees on the holding or where under a contract made prior to the commencement of this Act for any premium, loan or other valuable consideration, a ryot has accepted a [patta] [Substituted for 'puttah' by section 2 of the Madras Estates Land (Amendment) Act, 1934 (Madras Act VIII of 1934).] from or has entered into an engagement with his landholder at a rate of rent lower than the lawful rate previously payable upon the land or than the rate lawfully payable upon land of similar description and with similar advantages in the neighbourhood, such rent shall not be liable to enhancement during the period for which such lower rate is payable by contract or custom, so long as the ryot shall substantially fulfil the terms upon which and the purposes for which such lower rate was allowed.
