Section 16. Acquisition of fire fighting property

(1) If after making such inquiry and investigation as it deems necessary and after giving the local authority an opportunity to make its representations, the Government is of opinion that the standard of efficiency of the fire-fighting personnel and equipment maintained by the local authority is not adequate to meet the normal requirements of the area, the Government may acquire the fire-fighting property of the local authority by publishing in the 1[Official Gazette] a notice to the effect that the Government has decided to acquire such property on payment of its market value ; a copy of such notice shall also be served on the local authority. (2) When a notice as aforesaid is published in the 1[Official Gazette], the property specified in such notice shall, on and from the beginning of the date on which the notice is so published, vest absolutely in the Government free from all encumbrances.