16. Continuance of existing occupancy rights - [(1) Every 'Raiyat', who immediately before the commencement of this Act, has by the operation of any enactment or by local custom or usage or otherwise, a right of occupancy in any land, shall when this Act comes into force, have right of occupancy in that land, notwithstanding the fact that he may not have cultivated or held the land for a period of twelve years.]
[(2)] The exclusion from the operation of this Act by a notification under subsection (2) of Section 1 of any area or part of an area, which is constituted a Municipality under the provisions of [the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2002 (B&O Act 7 of 1922) or which is within cantonment, shall not affect any right, obligation or liability previously acquired, incurred or accrued in reference to such area.]
