(1)A small farmer may, within a period of [two years] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 2 of 1979.] from the date of commencement of this Act apply to the Debt Settlement Officer for the area in which such farmer resides or holds any land for determination of his debts.(2)Unless the small farmer has already made an application under sub-section (1), any of his creditors may likewise make an application to the same authority to which, and in the manner in which, the small farmer might have applied under that sub-section for the determination of the debt in question.(3)Every application under this section shall be signed and verified by the applicant in the manner prescribed by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 for signing and verification of plaints;Provided that in the case of an application under sub-section (2), the creditor shall be bound to verify the contents only in so far as they are known to him.(4)If applications are made to more than one authority in respect of the same debt, such application shall, subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, be transferred to and dealt with by one authority.
