(1.) The question in this reference is, "Whether the lands which are registered as wet in the revenue accounts and on which three irrigated crops have not been raised within a continuous period of six fasli years immediately before the specified date, have to be treated as wet lands or dry lands within the meaning of section 3(v) of the A. p. Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act".
(2.) The facts, in brief, are that the lands in question have been admittedly registered as wet in revenue accounts. For three fasli years, viz., 1378, 1381 and 1383, they were shown either to be kept waste for want of water or there was failure of crop for want of water or poor yield because of want of supply of water in time. It was, therefore, contended that since no irrigated crop has been raised with the use of water from a Government source of irrigation in four crucial fasli years for want of supply of water from such source, the lands shall not be deemed to be wet lands.
(3.) This involves interpretation of the provisions enacted in section 3(v) of the A. P. Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act. The relevant provisions of section 3(v) are extracted hereunder.