17. Land acquisition or right of access to land

17. Land acquisition or right of access to land:

(1) Except for any land situated in an area prohibited for Petroleum Operations under Sub-section (1) of Section 9, if any land is required on either a temporary or permanent basis for conducting Petroleum Operations such land may be used or acquired as follows:
(a) If the land belongs to Government of Nepal , such land may be placed at the Contractor’s disposal in
consideration of a reasonable surface rent fixed by Government of Nepal .
(b) If the land is privately owned, Government of Nepal may, after acquiring the land on either temporary or
permanent basis in accordance with the prevailing law at the Contractor’s cost, allow the Contractor to make
use of such land.
(2) If any specific land is required for installing temporarily any equipment, tools or machinery or to conduct survey or any other works related to it in connection with Petroleum Operations, then in such a case, subject to the provision of Sub-section (3), anyone may enter into such land to carry out any of these works.
(3) If the performance of Petroleum Operations by Government of Nepal or a Contractor causes disturbance of the rights of the lawfulowner or damage to crops, trees, buildings, or any other property, Government of Nepal shall, by itself or by realizing from the Contractor, pay such compensation as may be determined in accordance with the
prevailing law