ACT NO. 53 OF 1961
[12th December, 1961.]
An Act to regulate the employment of women in certain establishments for certain periods before and after child-birth and to provide for maternity benefit and certain other benefits. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Twelfth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS SECTIONS 1. Short title, extent and commencement. 2. Application of Act. 3. Definitions. 4. Employment of, or work by, women prohibited during certain periods. 5. Right to payment of maternity benefit. 5A. Continuance of payment of maternity benefit in certain cases. 5B. Payment of maternity benefit in certain cases. 6. Notice of claim for maternity benefit and payment thereof. 7. Payment of maternity benefit in case of death of a woman. 8. Payment of medical bonus. 9. Leave for miscarriage, etc. 9A. Leave with wages for tubectomy operation. 10. Leave for illness arising out of pregnancy, delivery, premature birth of child, miscarriage, medical termination of pregnancy or tubectomy operation. 11. Nursing breaks. 12. Dismissal during absence of pregnancy. 13. No deduction of wages in certain cases. 14. Appointment of Inspectors. 15. Powers and duties of Inspectors. 16. Inspectors to be public servants. 17. Power of Inspector to direct payments to be made. 18. Forfeiture of maternity benefits. 19. Abstract of Act and rules thereunder to be exhibited. 20. Registers, etc. 21. Penalty for contravention of Act by employer. 22. Penalty for obstructing Inspector. 23. Cognizance of offences. 24. Protection of action taken in good faith. 25. Power of Central Government to give directions. 26. Power to exempt establishments. 27. Effect of laws and agreements inconsistent with this Act. 28. Power to make rules. 29. Amendment of Act 69 of 1951. 30. Repeal.
3[(a) in relation to mines and to any other establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances, by the Central Government; and] (b) in relation to other establishments in a State, by the State Government.
It extends to the whole of India 1***. —(3) It shall come into force on such date2 as may be notified in this behalf in the Official Gazette, 3[(a) in relation to mines and to any other establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances, by the Central Government; and] (b) in relation to other establishments in a State, by the State Government.
(a) to every establishment being a factory, mine or plantation including any such establishment belonging to Government and to every establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances; (b) to every shop or establishment within the meaning of any law for the time being in force in relation to shops and establishments in a State, in which ten or more persons are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding twelve months:] Provided that the State Government may, with the approval of the Central Government, after giving not less than two months’ notice of its intention of so doing, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that all or any of the provisions of this Act shall apply also to any other establishment or class of establishments, industrial, commercial, agricultural or otherwise.
(a) to every establishment being a factory, mine or plantation including any such establishment belonging to Government and to every establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances; (b) to every shop or establishment within the meaning of any law for the time being in force in relation to shops and establishments in a State, in which ten or more persons are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding twelve months:] Provided that the State Government may, with the approval of the Central Government, after giving not less than two months’ notice of its intention of so doing, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that all or any of the provisions of this Act shall apply also to any other establishment or class of establishments, industrial, commercial, agricultural or otherwise.
5[Save as otherwise provided in 6[sections 5A and 5B], nothing contained in this Act] shall apply to any factory or other establishment to which the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), apply for the time being.
(a) “appropriate Government” means, in relation to an establishment being a mine, 7[or an establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances,] the Central Government and in relation to any other establishment, the State Government; (b) “child” includes a still-born child; ---
(a) “appropriate Government” means, in relation to an establishment being a mine, 7[or an establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances,] the Central Government and in relation to any other establishment, the State Government; (b) “child” includes a still-born child; 1[(ba) “commissioning mother” means a biological mother who uses her egg to create an embryo implanted in any other woman;] (c) “delivery” means the birth of a child; —(d) “employer” means (i) in relation to an establishment which is under the control of the Government, a person or authority appointed by the Government for the supervision and control of employees or where no person or authority is so appointed, the head of the department; (ii) in relation to an establishment under any local authority, the person appointed by such authority for the supervision and control of employees or where no person is so appointed, the chief executive officer of the local authority; (iii) in any other case, the person who, or the authority which, has the ultimate control over the affairs of the establishment and where the said affairs are entrusted to any other person whether called a manager, managing director, managing agent, or by any other name, such person; —2[(e) “establishment” means (i) a factory; (ii) a mine; (iii) a plantation; (iv) an establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances; 3*** 4[(iva) a shop or establishment; or] (v) an establishment to which the provisions of this Act have been declared under sub-section
of section 2 to be applicable;] (f) “factory” means a factory as defined in clause(m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948); (g) “Inspector” means an Inspector appointed under section 14; (h) “maternity benefit” means the payment referred to in sub-section (1) of section 5; 5[(ha) “medical termination of pregnancy” means the termination of pregnancy permissible under the provisions of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (34 of 1971);] (i) “mine” means a mine as defined in clause (j) of section 2 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952); (j) “miscarriage” means expulsion of the contents of a pregnant uterus at any period prior to or during the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy but does not include any miscarriage, the causing of which is punishable under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); (k) “plantation” means a plantation as defined in clause (f) of section 2 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (69 of 1951); (l) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (m) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator thereof; —(n) “wages” means all remuneration paid or payable in cash to a woman, if the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled and includes
such cash allowances (including dearness allowance and house rent allowance) as a woman is for the time being entitled to;
incentive bonus; and —(3) the money value of the concessional supply of food grains and other articles, but does not include (i) any bonus other than incentive bonus; (ii) over-time earnings and any deduction or payment made on account of fines; (iii) any contribution paid or payable by the employer to any pension fund or provident fund or for the benefit of the woman under any law for the time being in force; and (iv) any gratuity payable on the termination of service; (o) “woman” means a woman employed, whether directly or through any agency, for wages in any establishment.
No woman shall work in any establishment during the six weeks immediately following the day of her delivery 1[, miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy].
Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6, no pregnant woman shall, on a request being made by her in this behalf, be required by her employer to do during the period specified in sub-section
1[(ba) “commissioning mother” means a biological mother who uses her egg to create an embryo implanted in any other woman;] (c) “delivery” means the birth of a child; (d) “employer” means— (i) in relation to an establishment which is under the control of the Government, a person or authority appointed by the Government for the supervision and control of employees or where no person or authority is so appointed, the head of the department; (ii) in relation to an establishment under any local authority, the person appointed by such authority for the supervision and control of employees or where no person is so appointed, the chief executive officer of the local authority; (iii) in any other case, the person who, or the authority which, has the ultimate control over the affairs of the establishment and where the said affairs are entrusted to any other person whether called a manager, managing director, managing agent, or by any other name, such person; 2[(e) “establishment” means— (i) a factory; (ii) a mine; (iii) a plantation; (iv) an establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances; 3*** 4[(iva) a shop or establishment; or] (v) an establishment to which the provisions of this Act have been declared under sub-section (1) of section 2 to be applicable;] (f) “factory” means a factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948); (g) “Inspector” means an Inspector appointed under section 14; (h) “maternity benefit” means the payment referred to in sub-section (1) of section 5; 5[(ha) “medical termination of pregnancy” means the termination of pregnancy permissible under the provisions of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (34 of 1971);] (i) “mine” means a mine as defined in clause (j) of section 2 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952); (j) “miscarriage” means expulsion of the contents of a pregnant uterus at any period prior to or during the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy but does not include any miscarriage, the causing of which is punishable under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); (k) “plantation” means a plantation as defined in clause (f) of section 2 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (69 of 1951); (l) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (m) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator thereof; (n) “wages” means all remuneration paid or payable in cash to a woman, if the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled and includes—
any work which is of an arduous nature or which involves long hours of standing, or which in any way is likely to interfere with her pregnancy or the normal development of the foetus, or is likely to cause her miscarriage or otherwise to adversely affect her health. —(4) The period referred to in sub-section (3) shall be (a) the period of one month immediately preceding the period of six weeks, before the date of her expected delivery; (b) any period during the said period of six weeks for which the pregnant woman does not avail of leave of absence under section 6.
—For the purpose of this sub-section, the average daily wage means the average of the woman’s wages payable to her for the days on which she has worked during the period of three calendar months immediately preceding the date from which she absents herself on account of maternity, 3[the minimum rate of wage fixed or revised under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (11 of 1948) or ten rupees, whichever is the highest].Explanation.
No woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit unless she has actually worked in an establishment of the employer from whom she claims maternity benefit, for a period of not less than 4[eighty days] in the twelve months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery: Provided that the qualifying period of 1[eighty days] aforesaid shall not apply to a woman who has immigrated into the State of Assam and was pregnant at the time of the immigration. Explanation.—For the purpose of calculating under this sub-section the days on which a woman has actually worked in the establishment, 2[the days for which she has been laid off or was on holidays declared under any law for the time being in force to be holidays with wages] during the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery shall be taken into account. 3[(3) The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be 4 4[twenty-six weeks of which not more than eight weeks] shall precede the date of her expected delivery:] 5[Provided that the maximum period entitled to maternity benefit by a woman having two or more than two surviving children shall be twelve weeks of which not more than six weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery:] 6[Provided further that] where a woman dies during this period, the maternity benefit shall be payable payable only for the days up to and including the day of her death: 7[ 8[Provided also that] where a woman, having been delivered of a child, dies during her delivery or during the period immediately following the date of her delivery for which she is entitled for the maternity benefit, leaving behind in either case the child, the employer shall be liable for the maternity benefit for that entire period but if the child also dies during the said period, then, for the days up to and including the date of the death of the Child.] 9[(4) A woman who legally adopts a child below the age of three months or a commissioning mother shall be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of twelve weeks from the date the child is handed over to the adopting mother or the commissioning mother, as the case may be.
but does not include— (i) any bonus other than incentive bonus; (ii) over-time earnings and any deduction or payment made on account of fines; (iii) any contribution paid or payable by the employer to any pension fund or provident fund or for the benefit of the woman under any law for the time being in force; and (iv) any gratuity payable on the termination of service; (o) “woman” means a woman employed, whether directly or through any agency, for wages in any establishment.
In case where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of the maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutually agree.] STATE AMENDMENTS Assam Amendment of Section 5 of Central Act 53 of 1961 (as amended by Assam Act 12 of 1964).—In the explanation appended to sub-section (1) of section 5 of the principal Act, as amended by the Assam Act 12 of 1964, the word “six” appearing after the words “multiplied by” shall be substituted by the word “seven”. [Vide Assam Act, 2 of 1984, s. 2.]
(a) the period of one month immediately preceding the period of six weeks, before the date of her expected delivery; (b) any period during the said period of six weeks for which the pregnant woman does not avail of leave of absence under section 6.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub-section, the average daily wage means the average of the woman’s wages payable to her for the days on which she has worked during the period of three calendar months immediately preceding the date from which she absents herself on account of maternity, ³[the minimum rate of wage fixed or revised under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (11 of 1948) or ten rupees, whichever is the highest].
¹. Subs. by Act 29 of 1995, s. 3, for “or her miscarriage” (w.e.f. 1-2-1996). ². Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 4, for the opening paragraph (w.e.f. 10-1-1989). ³. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “or one rupee a day, whichever is higher.” (w.e.f. 10-1-1989). ⁴. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “one hundred and sixty days” (w.e.f. 10-1-1989). Provided that the qualifying period of †[eighty days] aforesaid shall not apply to a woman who has immigrated into the State of Assam and was pregnant at the time of the immigration. Explanation.—For the purpose of calculating under this sub-section the days on which a woman has actually worked in the establishment, †[the days for which she has been laid off or was on holidays declared under any law for the time being in force to be holidays with wages] during the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery shall be taken into account. †[(3) The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be 4 †[twenty-six weeks of which not more than eight weeks] shall precede the date of her expected delivery:] †[Provided that the maximum period entitled to maternity benefit by a woman having two or more than two surviving children shall be twelve weeks of which not more than six weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery:] †[Provided further that] where a woman dies during this period, the maternity benefit shall be payable only for the days up to and including the day of her death: †[Provided also that] where a woman, having been delivered of a child, dies during her delivery or during the period immediately following the date of her delivery for which she is entitled for the maternity benefit, leaving behind in either case the child, the employer shall be liable for the maternity benefit for that entire period but if the child also dies during the said period, then, for the days up to and including the date of the death of the Child.] †[(4) A woman who legally adopts a child below the age of three months or a commissioning mother shall be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of twelve weeks from the date the child is handed over to the adopting mother or the commissioning mother, as the case may be.]
STATE AMENDMENTS Assam Amendment of Section 5 of Central Act 53 of 1961 (as amended by Assam Act 12 of 1964).—In the explanation appended to sub-section (1) of section 5 of the principal Act, as amended by the Assam Act 12 of 1964, the word “six” appearing after the words “multiplied by” shall be substituted by the word “seven”. [Vide Assam Act, 2 of 1984, s. 2.] †[5A. Continuance of payment of maternity benefit in certain cases.—Every woman entitled to the payment of maternity benefit under this Act shall, notwithstanding the application of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), to the factory or other establishment in which she is employed, continue to be so entitled until she becomes qualified to claim maternity benefit under section 50 of that Act.] †[5B. Payment of maternity benefit in certain cases.—Every woman—
(a) who is employed in a factory or other establishment to which the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), apply; (b) whose wages (excluding remuneration for overtime work) for a month exceed the amount specified in sub-clause (b) of clause (9) of section 2 of that Act; and (c) who fulfils the conditions specified in sub-section (2) of section 5, shall be entitled to the payment of maternity benefit under this Act.]
In the case of a woman who is pregnant, such notice shall state the date from which she will be absent from work, not being a date earlier than six weeks from the date of her expected delivery.
Any woman who has not given the notice when she was pregnant may give such notice as soon as possible after the delivery. 1[(4) On receipt of the notice, the employer shall permit such woman to absent herself from the establishment during the period for which she receives the maternity benefit.]
The amount of maternity benefit for the period preceding the date of her expected delivery shall be paid in advance by the employer to the woman on production of such proof as may be prescribed that the woman is pregnant, and the amount due for the subsequent period shall be paid by the employer to the woman within forty-eight hours of production of such proof as may be prescribed that the woman has been delivered of a child.
(a) who is employed in a factory or other establishment to which the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), apply; (b) whose wages (excluding remuneration for overtime work) for a month exceed the amount specified in sub-clause (b) of clause (9) of section 2 of that Act; and (c) who fulfils the conditions specified in sub-section (2) of section 5, shall be entitled to the payment of maternity benefit under this Act.]
The failure to give notice under this section shall not disentitle a woman to maternity benefit or any other amount under this Act if she is otherwise entitled to such benefit or amount and in any such case an Inspector may either of his own motion or on an application made to him by the woman, order the payment of such benefit or amount within such period as may be specified in the order.
1[(4) On receipt of the notice, the employer shall permit such woman to absent herself from the establishment during the period for which she receives the maternity benefit.]
The Central Government may before every three years, by notification in the Official Gazette, increase the amount of medical bonus subject to the maximum of twenty thousand rupees.]
2[8. Payment of medical bonus.—(1) Every woman entitled to maternity benefit under this Act shall also be entitled to receive from her employer a medical bonus of one thousand rupees, if no pre-natal confinement and post-natal care is provided for by the employer free of charge.
3[9. Leave for miscarriage, etc.—In case of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, a woman shall, on production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled to leave with wages at the rate of maternity benefit, for a period of six weeks immediately following the day of her miscarriage or, as the case may be, her medical termination of pregnancy.] 4[9A. Leave with wages for tubectomy operation.—In case of tubectomy operation, a woman shall, on production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled to leave with wages at the rate of maternity benefit for a period of two weeks immediately following the day of her tubectomy operation.]
Provided that the employer shall allow four visits a day to the creche by the woman, which shall also include the interval for rest allowed to her.
Every establishment shall intimate in writing and electronically to every woman at the time of her initial appointment regarding every benefit available under the Act.]
(a) The discharge or dismissal of a woman at any time during her pregnancy, if the woman but for such discharge or dismissal would have been entitled to maternity benefit or medical bonus referred to in section 8, shall not have the effect of depriving her of the maternity benefit or medical bonus: Provided that where the dismissal is for any prescribed gross misconduct, the employer may, by order in writing communicated to the woman, deprive her of the maternity benefit or medical bonus or both. 3[(b) Any woman deprived of maternity benefit or medical bonus, or both, or discharged or dismissed during or on account of her absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may, within sixty days from the date on which order of such deprivation or discharge or dismissal is communicated to her, appeal to such authority as may be prescribed, and the decision of that authority on such appeal, whether the woman should or should not be deprived of maternity benefit or medical bonus, or both, or discharged or dismissed shall be final.] (c) Nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the provisions contained in sub-section (1).
—of a woman entitled to maternity benefit under the provisions of this Act shall be made by reason only of (a) the nature of work assigned to her by virtue of the provisions contained in sub-section (3) of section 4; or (b) breaks for nursing the child allowed to her under the provisions of section 11.
[2][11A. Crèche facility.—(1) Every establishment having fifty or more employees shall have the facility of crèche within such distance as may be prescribed, either separately or along with common facilities: Provided that the employer shall allow four visits a day to the crèche by the woman, which shall also include the interval for rest allowed to her.
Provided that where the dismissal is for any prescribed gross misconduct, the employer may, by order in writing communicated to the woman, deprive her of the maternity benefit or medical bonus or both. [3](b) Any woman deprived of maternity benefit or medical bonus, or both, or discharged or dismissed during or on account of her absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may, within sixty days from the date on which order of such deprivation or discharge or dismissal is communicated to her, appeal to such authority as may be prescribed, and the decision of that authority on such appeal, whether the woman should or should not be deprived of maternity benefit or medical bonus, or both, or discharged or dismissed shall be final.] (c) Nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the provisions contained in sub-section (1).
(a) the nature of work assigned to her by virtue of the provisions contained in sub-section (3) of section 4; or (b) breaks for nursing the child allowed to her under the provisions of section 11.
(a) enter at all reasonable times with such assistants, if any, being persons in the service of the Government or any local or other public authority, as he thinks fit, any premises or place where woman are employed or work is given to them in an establishment, for the purposes of examining any registers, records and notices required to be kept or exhibited by or under this Act and required their production for inspection; (b) examine any person whom he finds in any premises or place and who, he has reasonable cause to believe, is employed in the establishment: Provided that no person shall be compelled under this section to answer any question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself; (c) require the employer to give information regarding the names and addresses of women employed, payments made to them, and applications or notices received from them under this Act; and (d) take copies of any registered and records or notices or any portions thereof.
(a) maternity benefit or any other amount to which she is entitled under this Act and any person claiming that payment due under section 7 has been improperly withheld; (b) her employer has discharged or dismissed her during or on account of her absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may make a complaint to the Inspector. —(2) The Inspector may, of his own motion or on receipt of a complaint referred to in sub-section (1), make an inquiry or cause an inquiry to be made and if satisfied that (a) payment has been wrongfully withheld, may direct the payment to be made in accordance with his orders; (b) she has been discharged or dismissed during or on account of her absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may pass such orders as are just and proper according to the circumstances of the case.]
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Inspector under sub-section (2) may, within thirty days from the date on which such decision is communicated to such persons, appeal to the prescribed authority.
The decision of the prescribed authority where an appeal has been preferred to it under sub- section (3) or of the Inspector where no such appeal has been preferred, shall be final. 2[(5) Any amount payable under this section shall be recoverable by the Collector on a certificate issued for that amount by the Inspector as an arrear of land revenue.]
(a) enter at all reasonable times with such assistants, if any, being persons in the service of the Government or any local or other public authority, as he thinks fit, any premises or place where women are employed or work is given to them in an establishment, for the purposes of examining any registers, records and notices required to be kept or exhibited by or under this Act and required their production for inspection; (b) examine any person whom he finds in any premises or place and who, he has reasonable cause to believe, is employed in the establishment: Provided that no person shall be compelled under this section to answer any question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself; (c) require the employer to give information regarding the names and addresses of women employed, payments made to them, and applications or notices received from them under this Act; and (d) take copies of any registered and records or notices or any portions thereof.
(a) maternity benefit or any other amount to which she is entitled under this Act and any person claiming that payment due under section 7 has been improperly withheld; (b) her employer has discharged or dismissed her during or on account of her absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may make a complaint to the Inspector.
(a) payment has been wrongfully withheld, may direct the payment to be made in accordance with his orders; (b) she has been discharged or dismissed during or on account of her absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may pass such orders as are just and proper according to the circumstances of the case.]
Provided that the court may, for sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser term or fine only in lieu of imprisonment.
If any employer contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, he shall, if no other penalty is elsewhere provided by or under this Act for such contravention, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both: Provided that where the contravention is of any provision regarding maternity benefit or regarding payment of any other amount and such maternity benefit or amount has not already been recovered, the court shall, in addition, recover such maternity benefit or amount as if it were a fine and pay the same to the person entitled thereto.]
2[(5) Any amount payable under this section shall be recoverable by the Collector on a certificate issued for that amount by the Inspector as an arrear of land revenue.]
No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act].
Provided that the court may, for sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser term or fine only in lieu of imprisonment.
Provided that where under any such award, agreement, contract of service or otherwise, a woman is entitled to benefits in respect of any matter which are more favourable to her than those to which she would be entitled under this Act, the woman shall continue to be entitled to the more favourable benefits in respect of that matter, notwithstanding that she is entitled to receive benefits in respect of other matters under this Act.
Provided that where the contravention is of any provision regarding maternity benefit or regarding payment of any other amount and such maternity benefit or amount has not already been recovered, the court shall, in addition, recover such maternity benefit or amount as if it were a fine and pay the same to the person entitled thereto.
Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to preclude a woman from entering into an agreement with her employer for granting her rights or privileges in respect of any matter which are more favourable to her than those to which she would be entitled under this Act.
—(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for (a) the preparation and maintenance of registers, records and muster-rolls; (b) the exercise of powers (including the inspection of establishments and the performance of duties by Inspectors for the purposes of this Act; (c) the method of payment of maternity benefit and other benefits under this Act in so far as provision has not been made therefor in this Act; (d) the form of notices under section 6; (e) the nature of proof required under the provisions of this Act; (f) the duration of nursing breaks referred to in section 11; (g) acts which may constitute gross misconduct for purposes of section 12; (h) the authority to which an appeal under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 12 shall lie; the form and manner in which such appeal may be made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof; (i) the authority to which an appeal shall lie against the decision of the Inspector under section 17; the form and manner in which such appeal may be made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof; (j) the form and manner in which complaints may be made to Inspectors under sub-section (1) of section 17 and the procedure to be followed by them when making inquiries or causing inquiries to be made under sub-section (2) of that section; (k) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
Every rule made by the Central Government under this section shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session 1[or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid,] both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
(a) in sub-section (1), the letter and brackets “(a)” before the words “in the case of sickness”, the word “and” after the words “sickness allowance” and clause (b) shall be omitted; (b) in sub-section (2), the words “or maternity” shall be omitted.
(i) to mines, the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 1941 (19 of 1941); and (ii) to factories situate in the Union territory of Delhi, the Bombay Maternity Benefit Act, 1929 (Bom. Act VII of 1929), as in force in that territory, shall stand repealed.
Provided that where under any such award, agreement, contract of service or otherwise, a woman is entitled to benefits in respect of any matter which are more favourable to her than those to which she would be entitled under this Act, the woman shall continue to be entitled to the more favourable benefits in respect of that matter, notwithstanding that she is entitled to receive benefits in respect of other matters under this Act.
(a) the preparation and maintenance of registers, records and muster-rolls; (b) the exercise of powers (including the inspection of establishments and the performance of duties by Inspectors for the purposes of this Act; (c) the method of payment of maternity benefit and other benefits under this Act in so far as provision has not been made therefor in this Act; (d) the form of notices under section 6; (e) the nature of proof required under the provisions of this Act; (f) the duration of nursing breaks referred to in section 11; (g) acts which may constitute gross misconduct for purposes of section 12; (h) the authority to which an appeal under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 12 shall lie; the form and manner in which such appeal may be made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof; (i) the authority to which an appeal shall lie against the decision of the Inspector under section 17; the form and manner in which such appeal may be made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof; (j) the form and manner in which complaints may be made to Inspectors under sub-section (1) of section 17 and the procedure to be followed by them when making inquiries or causing inquiries to be made under sub-section (2) of that section; (k) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
(a) in sub-section (1), the letter and brackets “(a)” before the words “in the case of sickness”, the word “and” after the words “sickness allowance” and clause (b) shall be omitted; (b) in sub-section (2), the words “or maternity” shall be omitted.
(i) to mines, the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 1941 (19 of 1941); and (ii) to factories situate in the Union territory of Delhi, the Bombay Maternity Benefit Act, 1929 (Bom. Act VII of 1929), as in force in that territory, shall stand repealed.