Report No. 248

29. Dekkhan Agriculturists' Relief Act, Act 17 of 1879

Category: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

Recommendation: Repeal in consultation with relevant state(s)

The Act was enacted to provide succour to indebted agriculturists in certain parts of the Deccan. The relevant States in the area, namely Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu all now have separate debt relief laws. Hence, the purpose of this Act has been subsumed by other laws.

However, since the competent legislature for the subject of agricultural indebtedness is the State, repeal must proceed accordingly. For example, the erstwhile State of Bombay expressly repealed the 1879 Act. The Act may be recommended for repeal to the States to which it has been extended by notification.