Ministry of Rural Development
The Bihar Land Reforms Laws (Regulating Mines and Minerals) Validation Act, 1969, is a legislative measure enacted by the Parliament of India to validate specific provisions of the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, and the Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1964. This Act was primarily intended to address legal challenges and ensure the validity of actions taken under these Bihar state laws. It aimed to provide legal certainty to the state’s land reform and mining regulations. The Act plays a crucial role in the legal framework of Bihar concerning land and mineral rights.
Act Background and Ministry:
The Bihar Land Reforms Laws (Regulating Mines and Minerals) Validation Act, 1969, was enacted to validate certain provisions of Bihar State laws. This act falls under the purview of the then-existing legislative council of India. Currently, the subject matter of the Act would fall under the domain of the Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Rural Development or the equivalent ministries dealing with land and mining matters in the respective state government of Bihar.
Enactment Date, Number of Chapters, Number of Sections:
The Act received the assent of the President on December 26, 1969. It is structured into 5 sections. There are no formal chapters in this act, but the sections are grouped logically by subject matter.
Act Governed By:
The Act is primarily governed by the provisions of the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, and the Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1964, as validated by this Act. The implementation of the Act involves various authorities, including the State Government of Bihar, Revenue Officers, and Mining officials.
On Whom it is Applicable:
The Act is applicable to all actions taken, things done, rules made, notifications issued, and rents or royalties realized under the specific provisions of the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, and the Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1964, as listed in the schedule. It impacts landowners, mining operators, and other individuals involved in land reforms and mineral concessions in Bihar.
Penalties/Punishments:
The Act does not specify penalties or punishments. Instead, it focuses on validating past actions and ensuring that such actions are not deemed invalid due to legal challenges. It aims to provide legal certainty to the state’s land reforms and mining regulations.
Important Pointers:
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Validation of State Laws: The Act validates the provisions of the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, and the Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1964, as specified in the schedule.
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Retrospective Validation: The Act provides retrospective validation, deeming the actions taken under the specified laws as valid from the time they were taken.
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Protection Against Suits: The Act bars the maintenance or continuation of suits or other proceedings for the refund of rents or royalties realized under the validated laws.
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Refund of Excess Payments: The Act clarifies that it does not prevent individuals from claiming a refund of rents or royalties paid in excess of the amount due under the validated laws.
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Specific Provisions Validated: The Act specifically validates sections 10, 10-A, and 31 of the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, and sub-rule (2) of Rule 20 of the Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1964.
Act Copy: