(1) With a view to arriving at fair and equitable rent-rates under section 151 the Settlement Officer shall have regard to (a)the collections from rent and cesses in the nature of rent during the twenty years preceding the settlement, excluding such years as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to he abnormal;(b)the average of the prices of agricultural produce prevailing during the twenty years preceding the settlement, excluding such years as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette declare to be abnormal;(c)the nature of crops grown and the average quantity of the produce;(d)the value of such produce at the average price referred to in clause (b);(e)the expenses of cultivation and the cost to the cultivator of maintaining himself and his family;(f)the area of land kept fallow each year out of each holding, rotation followed and periods of rest;(g)the frequency of remissions, suspensions and short collections;(h)the rent-rates of the last settlement, if any; and the share of produce and commutation prices at which such rates were evolved; and(i)the rent-rates, if any, sanctioned for similar classes of soil in the adjoining areas.(2)The rent-rates to be evolved by the Settlement Officer shall represent such share not exceeding one-sixth of the value of produce referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1), as may be in vogue in the areas to which such rent-rates shall relate.
