24. Farmer may apply to Collector or other officer to recover amount due to him by licensee. -
When any amount is due to a farmer of opium revenue from his licensee, in respect of a licence, such farmer may make an application to the Collector of the district, Deputy Commissioner or other officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf, praying such officer to recover, such amount on behalf of the applicant; and, on receiving such application, such Collector, Deputy Commissioner or other officer may in his discretion recover such amount as if it were an arrear of land revenue, and shall pay any amount so recovered to the applicant :Provided that the execution of any process issued by such Collector, Deputy Commissioner or other officer for the recovery of such amount shall be stayed if the licensee institutes a suit in the Civil Court to try the demand of the farmer, and furnishes security to the satisfaction of such officer for the payment of amount which court may adjudge to be due from him to such farmer :Provided also that nothing contained in this section or done thereunder shall affect the right of any farmer of opium revenue to recover by suit in the Civil Court or otherwise any amount due to him from such licensee.
