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MERGED STATES (LAWS) ACT 1949

ACT NO. 59 OF 1949 1*

[26th December, 1949.]

1. Short title and commencement. (1) This Act may be called the Merged States (Laws) Act, 1949.

(2) It shall come into force on the 1st day of January, 1950.

2. Definitions. In this Act,-- (a) the expressions "absorbing Province" and "merged State" have the same meanings as in the States' Merger (Governors' Provinces) Order, 1949, 2* as amended by the States' Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949 3*; and (b) the expression "new Provinces" means the Chief Commissioners' Provinces constituted by the States' Merger (Chief Commissioners' Provinces) Order, 1949, 4* as amended by the States' Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949.

3. Extension of laws. (1) The Acts, Ordinances and Regulation specified in the Schedule are hereby extended to, and shall be in force in, all the new Provinces. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. This Act was not adapted by the A. O. 1950. 2. See S. O. 25, Gazette of India, 1949, Extraodinary, p. 1317. 3. See S. O. 27, ibid., p. 2611. 4. See S. O. 26, ibid., p. 1343. 116

(2) So much of any of the Acts, Ordinances and Regulation specified in the Schedule as extends to any absorbing Province and relates to matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature has power to make laws for a Governor's Province is hereby extended to, and shall be in force in, all the merged States which are now administered as part of that Province.

(3) If any of the said Acts, Ordinances and Regulation as in force in any absorbing Province immediately before the commencement of this Act is subject to any amendments made by the Legislature of that Province, that Act, Ordinance or Regulation shall be deemed to be extended to, and to be in force in, all the merged States which are now administered as part of that Province, subject to so much of the said amendments as relate to matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature has power to make laws for a Governor's Province.

4. Interpretation of laws as extended. In any Act, Ordinance or Regulation specified in the Schedule, notwithstanding anything contained in the General Clauses Act, 1897, (10 of 1897.)-- (a) any reference, by whatever form of words, to the acceding States shall be construed as not including a reference to any of the merged States or to any of the States (other than the United State of Saurashtra) mentioned in the States' Merger (Chief Commissioners' Provinces) Order, 1949 as amended by the States' Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949; (b) any reference, by whatever form of words, to Indian British subjects shall be deemed to include a reference to persons who, immediately before the 1st day of August, 1949, were subjects of any of the merged States or of any of the States (other than the United State of Saurashtra) mentioned in the States' Merger (Chief Commissioners' Provinces) Order, 1949, as amended by the States' Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949; (c) any reference, by whatever form of words, to the Provinces generally or to the Chief Commissioners' Provinces generally shall be construed as including a reference to the new Provinces; and (d) any reference, by whatever form of words, to an absorbing Province shall be construed as including a reference to the merged States which are now administered as part of that Province. 117

5. Repeal of corresponding laws. If immediately before the commencement of this Act there is in force in any of the new Provinces or merged States an Act, Ordinance, Regulation or other law corresponding to an Act, Ordinance or Regulation specified in the Schedule, whether such Act, Ordinance or Regulation is in force by virtue of an Order under the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947, (47 of 1947.) or by virtue of any other legislative power, such corresponding law shall upon the commencement of this Act,-- (a) in a new Province, stand repealed, and (b) in a merged State, stand repealed to the extent to which the law relates to matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature has power to make laws for a Governor's Province.

6. Savings. (1) The repeal by section 5 of this Act of any corresponding law in force in the new Provinces or merged States immediately before the commencement of this Act shall not affect-- (a) the previous operation of any such law, or (b) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any such law, or (c) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment, and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if this Act had not been passed.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), anything done or any action taken, including any appointment or delegation made, notification, order, instruction or direction issued, rule, regulation, form, bye-law or scheme framed, certificate, patent, permit or licence granted or registration effected, under such corresponding law shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provision of the Act, Ordinance or Regulation as now extended to, and in force in, the new Province or merged State and shall continue in force accordingly unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under the said Act, Ordinance or Regulation.

facilitatingapplication of laws. 7. Powers of Courts and other authorities for purposes of facilitating application of laws. For the purpose of facilitating the application in any of the new Provinces or merged States of any Act, Ordinance or Regulation specified in the Schedule, any Court or other authority may construe any such Act, Ordinance or Regulation with such alterations, not affecting the substance, as may be necessary or proper to adapt it to the matter before the Court or other authority. 118 SCHE LAWS EXTENDED TO THE NEW PROVINCES AND MERGED STATES THE SCHEDULE

[See section 3]

1850 XI . . . The Indian Registration of Ships Act

(1841) Amendment Act, 1850. 1850 XVIII . . . The Judicial Officers' Protection Act,

1850 XIX . . . The Apprentices Act, 1850. 1850 XXI . . . The Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850. 1850 XXXIV . . . The State Prisoners Act, 1850. 1850 XXXVII . . . The Public Servants (Inquiries) Act,

1855 XII . . . The Legal Representatives' Suits Act,

1855 XIII . . . The Indian Fatal Accidents Act, 1855. 1856 IX . . . The Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856. 1856 XV . . . The Hindu Widows' Re-marriage Act, 1856. 1857 XIII . . . The Opium Act, 1857. 1858 III . . . The State Prisoners Act, 1858. 1860 XXI . . . The Societies Registration Act, 1860. 1860 XLV . . . The Indian Penal Code, 1860. 1861 V . . . The Police Act, 1861. 1862 III . . . The Government Seal Act, 1862. 1863 XXIII . . . The Waste-lands (Claims) Act, 1863. 1865 III . . . The Carriers Act, 1865. 1866 XXI . . . The Native Converts' Marriage Dissolution Act, 1866. 1867 XVI . . . The Acting Judges Act, 1867. 1867 XXV . . . The Press and Registration of Books Act,

1869 IV . . . The Indian Divorce Act, 1869. 1870 VII . . . The Court-fees Act, 1870. 1871 I . . . The Cattle-tresspass Act, 1871. 1871 XXIII . . . The Pensions Act, 1871. 1871 XXXI . . . The Indian Weights and Measures of Capacity Act, 1871. 1872 I . . . The Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 1872 III . . . The Special Marriage Act, 1872. 1872 IX . . . The Indian Contract Act, 1872. 1872 XV . . . The Indian Christian Marriage Act,

1873 V . . . The Government Savings Banks Act, 1873. 1873 X . . . The Indian Oaths Act, 1873. 1874 III . . . The Married Women's Property Act, 1874. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 119 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Number Short title ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1874 IV . . . The Foreign Recruiting Act, 1874. 1875 IX . . . The Indian Majority Act, 1875. 1875 XVIII . . . The Indian Law Reports Act, 1875. 1877 I . . . The Specific Relief Act, 1877. 1878 I . . . The Opium Act, 1878. 1878 VI . . . The Indian Treasure-trove Act, 1878. 1878 VIII . . . The Sea Customs Act, 1878. 1878 XI . . . The Indian Arms Act, 1878. 1879 XVIII . . . The Legal Practitioners Act, 1879. 1880 I . . . The Religious Societies Act, 1880. 1880 XIII . . . The Vaccination Act, 1880. 1881 XI . . . The Municipal Taxation Act, 1881. 1881 XXVI . . . The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. 1882 II . . . The Indian Trusts Act, 1882. 1882 IV . . . The Transfer of Property Act, 1882. 1882 VII . . . The Powers-of-Attorney Act, 1882. 1884 IV . . . The Indian Explosives Act, 1884. 1885 XVIII . . . The Land Acquisition (Mines) Act, 1885. 1886 VI . . . The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1886. 1886 XI . . . The Indian Tramways Act, 1886. 1887 VII . . . The Suits Valuation Act, 1887. 1887 IX . . . The Provincial Small Cause Courts Act,

1888 III . . . The Police Act, 1888. 1889 IV . . . The Indian Merchandise Marks Act, 1889. 1890 I . . . The Revenue Recovery Act, 1890. 1890 VI . . . The Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. 1890 VIII . . . The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. 1890 XI . . . The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890. 1891 XVIII . . . The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891. 1893 IV . . . The Partition Act, 1893. 1894 I . . . The Land Acquisition Act, 1894. 1894 IX . . . The Prisons Act, 1894. 1897 III . . . The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. 1897 IV . . . The Indian Fisheries Act, 1897. 1897 X . . . The General Clauses Act, 1897. 1898 III . . . The Lepers Act, 1898. 1898 V . . . The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. 1898 VI . . . The Indian Post Office Act, 1898. 1898 IX . . . The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898. 1899 II . . . The Indian Stamp Act, 1899. 1899 IV . . . The Government Buildings Act, 1899. 1900 III . . . The Prisoners Act, 1900. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 120 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Number Short title ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1901 II . . . The Indian Tolls (Army and Air Force) Act, 1901. 1903 VII . . . The Indian Works of Defence Act, 1903. 1903 XIV . . . The Indian Foreign Marriage Act, 1903. 1903 XV . . . The Indian Extradition Act, 1903. 1904 VII . . . The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act,

1905 IV . . . The Indian Railway Board Act, 1905. 1906 III . . . The Indian Coinage Act, 1906. 1908 V . . . The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 1908 VI . . . The Explosive Substances Act, 1908. 1908 IX . . . The Indian Limitation Act, 1908. 1908 XIV . . . The Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act,

1908 XV . . . The Indian Ports Act, 1908. 1908 XVI . . . The Indian Registration Act, 1908. 1909 IV . . . The Whipping Act, 1909. 1909 VII . . . The Anand Marriage Act, 1909. 1910 IX . . . The Indian Electricity Act, 1910. 1911 II . . . The Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911. 1911 VIII . . . The Indian Army Act, 1911. 1911 X . . . The Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act,

1912 IV . . . The Indian Lunacy Act, 1912. 1913 II . . . The Official Trustees Act, 1913. 1913 III . . . The Administrator General's Act, 1913. 1913 VI . . . The Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1913. 1913 VII . . . The Indian Companies Act, 1913. 1914 II . . . The Destructive Insects and Pests Act,

1914 III . . . The Indian Copyright Act, 1914. 1914 IX . . . The Local Authorities Loans Act, 1914. 1916 VII . . . The Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. 1916 XV . . . The Hindu Disposition of Property Act,

1917 V . . . The Destruction of Records Act, 1917. 1917 XVIII . . . The Post Office Cash Certificates Act,

1918 II . . . The Cinematograph Act, 1918. 1918 XXII . . . The Bronze Coin (Legal Tender) Act,

1919 I . . . The Local Authorities Pensions and Gratuities Act, 1919. 1919 XII . . . The Poisons Act, 1919. 1920 V . . . The Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920. 1920 X . . . The Indian Securities Act, 1920. 1920 XIV . . . The Charitable and Religious Trusts Act,

1920 XXIII . . . The Indian Rifles Act, 1920. 1920 XXXIII . . . The Identification of Prisoners Act,

1920 XXXIX . . . The Indian Elections Offences and Inquiries Act, 1920. 1920 XLVII . . . The Imperial Bank of India Act, 1920. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 121 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Number Short title ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1921 XVIII . . . The Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act,

1922 XXII . . . The Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act, 1922. 1923 IV . . . The Indian Mines Act, 1923. 1923 V . . . The Indian Boilers Act, 1923. 1923 VI . . . The Cantonments (House-Accommodation) Act, 1923. 1923 VIII . . . The Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. 1923 XIV . . . The Indian Cotton Cess Act, 1923. 1923 XIX . . . The Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923. 1923 XXI . . . The Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1923. 1923 XXIII . . . The Legal Practitioners (Women) Act,

1923 XLII . . . The Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. 1924 II . . . The Cantonments Act, 1924. 1924 IV . . . The Central Board of Revenue Act, 1924. 1924 XIX . . . The Land Customs Act, 1924. 1925 IV . . . The Indian Soldiers (Litigation) Act,

1925 XII . . . The Cotton Ginning and Pressing Factories Act, 1925. 1925 XIX . . . The Provident Funds Act, 1925. 1925 XXVI . . . The Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. 1925 XXXIX . . . The Indian Succession Act, 1925. 1926 III . . . The Government Trading Taxation Act,

1926 VII . . . The Indian Naturalization Act, 1926. 1926 XII . . . The Contempt of Courts Act, 1926. 1926 XVI . . . The Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926. 1926 XXI . . . The Legal Practitioners (Fees) Act,

1926 XXXVIII . . . The Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926. 1927 XVI . . . The Indian Forest Act, 1927. 1927 XVII . . . The Indian Lighthouse Act, 1927. 1928 XII . . . The Hindu Inheritance (Removal of Disab- ilities) Act, 1928. 1929 II . . . The Hindu Law of Inheritance (Amendment) Act, 1929. 1929 XIX . . . The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. 1930 II . . . The Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930. 1930 III . . . The Indian Sale of Goods Act, 1930. 1930 XXIV . . . The Indian Lac Cess Act, 1930. 1930 XXX . . . The Hindu Gains of Learning Act, 1930. 1930 XXXII . . . The Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1930. 1931 XVI . . . The Provisional Collection of Taxes Act,

1931 XXIII . . . The Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act,

1932 IX . . . The Indian Partnership Act, 1932. 1932 XII . . . The Foreign Relations Act, 1932. 1932 XIV . . . The Indian Air Force Act, 1932. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 122 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Number Short title ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1932 XX . . . The Port Haj Committees Act, 1932. 1932 XXII . . . The Tea Districts Emigrant Labour Act,

1932 XXIII . . . The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932. 1933 II . . . The Children (Pledging of Labour) Act,

1933 XXVII . . . The Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. 1934 II . . . The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. 1934 VIII . . . The Khaddar (Name Protection) Act, 1934. 1934 XIX . . . The Indian Dock Labourers Act, 1934. 1934 XX . . . The Indian Carriage by Air Act, 1934. 1934 XXII . . . The Indian Aircraft Act, 1934. 1934 XXX . . . The Petroleum Act, 1934. 1934 XXXII . . . The Indian Tariff Act, 1934. 1934 XXXIV . . . The Indian Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934. 1936 III . . . The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936. 1936 IV . . . The Payment of Wages Act, 1936. 1937 I . . . The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937. 1937 XVIII . . . The Hindu Women's Rights to Property Act, 1937. 1937 XIX . . . The Arya Marriage Validation Act, 1937. 1937 XXV . . . The Federal Court Act, 1937. 1937 XXVI . . . The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. 1938 IV . . . The Insurance Act, 1938. 1938 V . . . The Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practice Act, 1938. 1938 VIII . . . The Indian Tea Control Act, 1938. 1938 XX . . . The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1938. 1938 XXIV . . . The Employers' Liability Act, 1938. 1938 XXVI . . . The Employment of Children Act, 1938. 1939 IV . . . The Motor Vehicles Act, 1939. 1939 VIII . . . The Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act,

1939 IX . . . The Standards of Weight Act, 1939. 1939 XIX . . . The Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Act,

1939 ... . . . The Indian Naval Reserve Forces (Discipline) Act, 1939. 1940 V . . . The Trade Marks Act, 1940. 1940 X . . . The Arbitration Act, 1940. 1940 XXIII . . . The Drugs Act, 1940. 1940 XXVII . . . The Agricultural Produce Cess Act, 1940. 1941 XIX . . . The Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 1941. 1941 XX . . . The Professions Tax Limitation Act,

1941 XXI . . . The Federal Court Act, 1941. 1941 XXV . . . The Railways (Local Authorities' Taxation) Act, 1941. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 123 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Number Short title ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1942 VII . . . The Coffee Market Expansion Act, 1942. 1942 XVIII . . . The Weekly Holidays Act, 1942. 1942 XIX . . . The Industrial Statistics Act, 1942. 1942 XXVI . . . The Federal Court (Supplemental Powers) Act, 1942. 1943 IX . . . The Reciprocity Act, 1943. 1944 I . . . The Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944. 1944 X . . . The Indian Coconut Committee Act, 1944. 1944 XVIII . . . The Public Debt Act, 1944. 1946 IX . . . The Indian Oilseeds Committee Act, 1946. 1946 XVII . . . The Protective Duties Act, 1946. 1946 XIX . . . The Hindu Married Women's Right to Separate Residence and Maintenance Act,

1946 XX . . . The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. 1946 XXII . . . The Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act,

1946 XXIV . . . The Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946. 1946 XXV . . . The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. 1946 XXVIII . . . The Hindu Marriage Disabilities Removal Act, 1946. 1947 II . . . The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. 1947 VII . . . The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act,

1947 XII . . . The Railways (Transport of Goods) Act,

1947 XIV . . . The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. 1947 XV . . . The Armed Forces (Emergency Duties) Act,

1947 XVI . . . The Trading with the Enemy (Continuance of Emergency Provisions) Act, 1947. 1947 XVIII . . . The Imports and Exports (Control) Act,

1947 XXIV . . . The Rubber (Production and Marketing) Act, 1947. 1947 XXIX . . . The Capital Issues (Continuance of Control) Act, 1947. 1947 XXXI . . . The Antiquities (Export Control) Act,

1947 XXXII . . . The Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act,

1947 XLIII . . . The United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947. 1947 XLVI . . . The United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947. 1948 I . . . The Federal Court (Enlargement of Juris- diction) Act, 1947. 1948 VIII . . . The Pharmacy Act, 1948. 1948 IX . . . The Dockworkers (Regulation of Employme- nt) Act, 1948. 1948 XI . . . The Minimum Wages Act, 1948. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 124 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Number Short title ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1948 XII . . . The Rehabilitation Finance Administration Act, 1948. 1948 XV . . . The Industrial Finance Corporation Act,

1948 XVI . . . The Dentists Act, 1948. 1948 XXII . . . The Indian Power Alcohol Act, 1948. 1948 XXIX . . . The Atomic Energy Act, 1948. 1948 XXXII . . . The Road Transport Corporations Act,

1948 XXXIV . . . The Employees' State Insurance Act,

1948 XXXVII . . . The Census Act, 1948. 1948 XL . . . The Indian Matrimonial Causes (War Marriages) Act, 1948. 1948 XLVI . . . The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Bonus Schemes Act, 1948. 1948 XLVII . . . The Displaced Persons (Institution of Suits) Act, 1948. 1948 LIII . . . The Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948. 1948 LIV . . . The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948. 1948 LXI . . . The Central Silk Board Act, 1948. 1948 LXIII . . . The Factories Act, 1948. 1949 X . . . The Banking Companies Act, 1949. 1949 XIII . . . The Central Tea Board Act, 1949. 1949 XXI . . . The HIndu Marriages Validity Act, 1949. 1949 XXIII . . . The Influx from Pakistan (Control) Act,

1949 XXV . . . The Displaced Persons (Legal Proceedings) Act, 1949. 1949 XXX . . . The Public Companies (Limitation of Dividends) Act, 1949. 1949 XXXVIII . . . The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. Ordinances 1940 IV . . . The Currency Ordinance, 1940. 1941 XI . . . The Essential Services (Maintenance) Ordinance, 1941. 1942 XLI . . . The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance, 1942. 1944 XXXVIII . . . The Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance,

1944 XLII . . . The Post Office National Savings Certificates Ordinance, 1944. 1945 XLVII . . . The International Monetary Fund and Bank Ordinance, 1945. 1949 XI . . . The Industrial Tribunals Payment of Bonus (National Savings Certificates) Ordinance, 1949. Regulation 1818 III . . . The Bengal State Prisoners Regulation,