“local area” means an area to which the provisions of Chapters IV to VI of this
Act have been extended;
(xv) “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Local Authorities
Loans Act, 191418;
(xvi) “Member” means member of Soil Reclamation Board appointed under section 4
of this Act;
19[(xvi-A) “officer” means an officer of the Board other than the Chairman or a member;]
(xvii) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by Government under this Act;
(xviii) “Reclamationfee” means a fee imposed for soil reclamation under this Act;
(xix) 20[“rent” includes rent as defined in any law relating to tenancy for the time
being in force in the area;]
(xx) “scheme” means a scheme framed under this Act;
(xxi) “Secretary” means Secretary of the Board 21[* * *];
(xxii) “sem” means the rise of sub-soil water-table so high that the water actually
oozes out of the land or the land remains constantly damp and where the
context so permits “sem”, “sem land” or “sem affected land” means any land or
area affected by “sem” and includes such land or areas as may by notification
be declared as “sem” from time to time;
(xxiii) 22[“soil reclamation” and “reclamation” means rendering thur and sem lands free
from excessive salts and water respectively so as to make them fit for normal
cropping and include—
(a) measures against deterioration of land;
(b) total development of the area with a view to maximizing agricultural
production; and if any, question arises—
(1) whether any matter comes within the purview of the terms “soil
reclamation” and “reclamation” or not, or
(2) as to the extent of reclamation operations carried out, or required
to be carried out in any area, the question shall be referred to
the Board, whose decision shall be final and shall not be
called in question by or before any Court.]
(x