THE KERALA RATION
DEALERS’ WELFARE FUND ACT, 1998
(Act 16 of 1998)
An
Act
to provide for the constitution of a Fund to grant relief
to, and to promote the Welfare of, the ration dealers in the State of Kerala
Preamble.-
WHEREAS, it is considered expedient to provide for the constitution of a Fund
to grant relief to, and to promote the welfare of, the ration dealers in the
State of Kerala and for matters incidental or ancillary thereto;
BE it enacted in the
Forty-ninth year of the Republic of India as follows:-
1. Short title,
extent and commencement.- (1) This act may be called the Kerala Ration
Dealers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1998.
(2) It
extends to the whole of the State of Kerala.
(3) It
shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in
the Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions.-
In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a)
‘contribution’ means the sum of money payable to the fund under section 6;
(b)
‘family’ means wife or husband, as the case may be, minor sons and unmarried
daughters, dependent parents and mentally retarded sons;
(c)
‘Fund’ means the Kerala Ration dealers’ Welfare fund established under section
3;
(d)
‘Managing Committee’ means the Kerala Ration Dealers’ Welfare Fund Managing
Committee constituted under sub-section (1) of section 9;
(e)
‘member’ means a member of the Fund;
(f)
‘prescribed’ means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(g)
‘ration dealer’ means a person appointed as an authorised retail distributor
under sub-clause (1) of clause 45 of the Kerala Rationing Order, 1966 and
includes a person deemed to be appointed as an authorised retail distributor
under the said sub-clause;
(h)
‘Scheme’ means, the Kerala Ration Dealers’ Welfare Fund Scheme framed under
this Act;
(i)
‘Year” means the financial year.
3. Ration
dealers’ welfare Fund Scheme.-(1) The Government may, by notification in
the Gazette, frame a Scheme to be called the “Kerala Ration Dealers' Welfare
Fund Scheme” for the establishment of a Fund under this Act for the welfare of
the ration dealers in the State and there shall be established, as soon as may
be after the framing of the Scheme, a Fund by name the “Kerala Ration Dealers’
Welfare Fund” in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Scheme.
(2) There
shall be credited to the Fund,-
(a)
the contributions specified in section 6;
(b)
the amount, if any, borrowed under section 16;
(c)
grants, loans or advances from the Government of India or any State Government
or any institution;
(d)
any donation or remittance from whatever source;
(e)
any amount raised by the Managing Committee from other sources to augment the
resources of the Fund;
(f)
fee, if any, levied under this Act or the Scheme; and
(g)
any other amount which, under the provisions of the Scheme, shall be credited
to the Fund.
(3) The
fund shall vest in, and be administered by, the Managing Committee.
(4) The
Fund may be utilised for all or any of the following purposes namely:-
(a) for
payment of-
(i)
the mount specified in the Second Scheduled;
(ii) financial
assistance to a member who suffers from permanent disablement or infirmity;
(iii)
compensation to a member for the loss suffered by him. In his ration business
due to natural calamity or fire;
(iv) loans or
advances to a member for the improvement of his ration business;
(b) to provide for
medical expenses to the members and the members of their families, subject to
such limits and conditions, as may be specified in the Scheme.
(c) to provide financial
assistance in the form of scholarships to the children of the members, for such
courses of study as may be specified in the Scheme;
(d) to institute annual
awards to the children of members who are academically more excellent;
(e) for pension scheme,
if any; and
(f) for any other
purpose specified in the Scheme.
(5)
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Scheme framed under sub-section (1)
may provide for all or any of the matters specified in sub-section (4) and in
the First Schedule.
(6)
The Scheme shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is framed, before the
Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days
which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if,
before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session
immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the
Scheme, the Scheme shall, thereafter have effect only in such modified form;
so, however, that any such modification shall be without prejudice to the
validity of anything previously done under the Scheme.
4.
Membership in the Fund.- (1) Every person who is a ration dealer shall
register himself as a member of the Fund.
(2)
A person who is a ration dealer at the commencement of this Act shall, within
six months from such commencement, and a person who becomes a ration dealer
after the commencement of this Act shall, within three months of his
appointment under the Kerala Rationing Order, 1966, as an authorised retail
distributor, apply to the Managing Committee or any officer authorised by the
Managing Committee in that behalf, for admission as a member of the Fund.
(3)
An application under sub-section (2) shall be in such form and shall contain
such particulars and shall be filed in such manner as may be provided in the
Scheme.
(4)
On receipt of an application under sub-section (2), the Managing Committee or
the officer authorised by it in this behalf shall, after making such enquiry,
as may be deemed necessary, admit the applicant as a member of the Fund.
(5)
Every application under sub-section (2) shall be accompanied by a fee, as may
be fixed by the Managing Committee, from time to time, with the approval of the
Government.
5. Cessation
of membership.-A person shall cease to be a member when he ceases to be a
ration dealer or fails to contribute to the Fund, continuously for a period of
six months:
Provided that the Managing Committee may restore his membership to the Fund,
if it is satisfied that there is sufficient reason for the default in the
payment of contribution.
6.
Contribution to the Fund.- (1) Every member shall contribute to the
Fund, as provided in the Scheme, per month, such amount as may be fixed by the
Managing Committee from time to time, with the approval of the Government.
(2)
A ration dealer whose appointment is suspended pending enquiry under sub-clause
(6) of clause 45 of the Kerala Rationing Order, 1966, shall, in the event of
revocation of suspension of the appointment, make his contribution to the Fund
in lump, or in such number of instalments as may be fixed by the Managing
Committee, for the period spent on suspension, within three months of the
revocation of suspension.
(3)
The Government shall contribute to the Fund every year such amount , as they
deem fit.
(4)
The contributions, remittances and all other amounts due to the Fund shall be
paid to the Chief Executive Officer of the Managing Committee or an office
authorised by the Managing Committee in this behalf, within such time and in
the manner as may be specified in the scheme.
7.
Payment from Fund on cessation of membership.-(1) A member on cessation
of his membership, shall be entitled to receive from out of the Fund, the mount
specified in column (3) of the Second Schedule, subject to any deduction
authorised by the Scheme:
Provided that a ration dealer who ceases to be a member by reason of cancellation
of his appointment as authorised retail distributor under the Kerala Rationing
Order, 1966, shall be entitled only to an amount equal to the amount
contributed by him to the Fund till the date of cessation of his membership in
the Fund.
(2)
In the event of death of a member, after attaining the age of seventy, the
amount specified in column (3) of the Second Schedule shall be paid to his
nominee or , where there is no nominee, to his legal heirs,
(3)
In the event of a death of a member, before attaining the age of seventy, the
amount specified in column (2) of the Second Schedule shall be paid to his
nominee or, where there is no nominee, to his legal heirs
(4)
An application for payment from the Fund shall be made to the Managing Committee
or any officer authorised by it in that behalf, in such form and in such manner
as may be specified in the Scheme.
(5)
An application received under sub-section (4), shall be disposed of by the
Managing Committee or the officer authorised by it in this behalf, after such
enquiry, as is deemed necessary.
8.
Modification of the Scheme.-(1) The Government may, by notification in
the Gazette, add to, amend or vary the Scheme.
(2)
Every notification under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be
after it is issued, before the Legislative assembly while it is in session for
a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two
successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so
laid or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any
modification in the notification or decides that the notification should not be
issued, the notification 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 notification.
9.
Constitution of Managing Committee.-(1) The Government shall, by
notification in the Gazette, constitute, with effect from such date as may be
specified therein, a Committee to be called the “Kerala Ration Dealers’ Welfare
Fund Managing Committee” for the administration of the Fund and to supervise
and carry out the activities financed from the Fund, consisting of the
following persons as its members, namely:-
(a)
The Commissioner of Civil Supplies, ex-officio, who shall be the
chairman of the Managing Committee;
(b)
The Director of Civil Supplies, ex-officio, who shall be the secretary
and Chief Executive Officer of the Managing Committee:
Provided that the Government may appoint an officer of the Civil Supplies
Department, not below the rank of Deputy Controller of Rationing as full-time
Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Managing committee and in that
event the Chief Executive Officer shall be a member and the Director of Civil
Supplies a member ex-officio of the Managing Committee;
(c)
the Controller of Rationing, ex-officio;
(d)
the Chief Accounts Officer, Civil Supplies Department, ex-officio;
(e)
a representative of the Finance Department, not below the rank of Joint
Secretary, nominated by the Government;
(f)
a representative of the Law Department, not below the rank of Joint Secretary,
nominated by the Government;
(g)
four representatives of the ration dealers, nominated by the Government.
(2)
The Managing Committee shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having
perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of
this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable,
and to enter into contracts and shall, by the said name, sue and be sued.
(3)
The Managing Committee shall administer the Fund in such manner as may be
specified in the Scheme.
(4)
The Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer shall exercise such powers and
perform such functions as may be specified in the Scheme.
(5)
The Managing Committee may, with the previous approval of the Government,
delegate to the Chairman or to any other member or to the Chief Executive
Officer of the Managing Committee or to any other officer, such of its powers
and functions under this Act or the Scheme, as it may consider necessary, for
the effective administration of the Fund, subject to such conditions and
restrictions, if any, as it may specify.
10.
Term of office of the members of the Managing Committee.- (1) The
members of the Managing Committee nominated under clause(g) of sub-section (1)
of section 9 (hereinafter referred to as non-official members) shall hold
office during the pleasure of the Government which shall not exceed three years
at a time.
(2)
A non-official member of the Managing Committee may resign his membership by
giving notice in writing to the Government, but shall continue to hold office
until his resignation is accepted by the Government.
11.
Disqualification and removal of non-official members of the Managing
Committee.- (1) A person shall be disqualified to be nominated as a
non-official member, if he-
(a)
is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or
(b)
is an undischarged insolvent; or
(c)
has been convicted by a criminal court for an offence involving moral
turpitude, unless such conviction has been set aside.
(2)
A non-official member shall be disqualified for being a member of the Managing
Committee, if he-
(a)
becomes subject to any of the disqualifications specified in sub-section (1);
or
(b)
absent himself, without permission of the Managing Committee, for three
consecutive meetings of the Managing Committee:
Provided that such absence may be condoned by the Managing Committee before the
publication of the notification under sub-section (3) removing him form office;
(c)
cease to be a member of, or is a defaulter to, the fund, in case he is a member
of the Fund.
(3)
The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, remove any non-official
member from office,-
(a)
if he is subject to any of the disqualifications referred to in sub-section
(2); or
(b)
if, in the opinion of the Government, he is incapable of acting as a member of
the Managing Committee or has abused his position in such manner as to render
his continuance, as such member, detrimental to public interest:
Provided that before removing a member of the Managing Committee under this
sub-section, he shall be given a reasonable opportunity to show cause, why he
should not be removed.
(4)
A non-official member removed under clause(a) of sub-section (3) shall be disqualified
for renomination so long as the disqualifications referred to in the said
clause continue.
(5)
A non-official member removed under clause (b) of sub-section (3) shall not be
eligible for renomination until he is declared by an order of the Government to
be no longer ineligible.
12.
Filling up of casual vacancies.- A casual vacancy in the office of a
non-official member may be filled up by the Government, by nomination, as soon
as the vacancy arises and a person nominated to fill the vacancy shall hold
office for the remaining term of office of the member, in whose place he was
nominated.
13.
Acts of Managing Committee not to be invalidated by vacancy, defects etc.-
No act done or proceedings taken by the Managing Committee under this Act or the
Scheme shall be invalidated merely by reason of,-
(a)
any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, the Managing Committee; or
(b)
any defect or irregularity in the nomination of a person as a member of the
Managing Committee; or
(c)
any defect or irregularity in such act or proceeding not affecting the merits
of the case.
14.
Meetings of Managing Committee.- The time and the place of meeting of
the Managing Committee, the quorum thereof and the procedure to be followed
therein, shall be such as may be specified in the Scheme
15.
Appointment of officers and staff.- (1) The Managing Committee may, with
the prior approval of the Government, appoint such number of officers and staff
as they consider necessary to assist the Managing Committee in the discharge of
its functions and duties under this Act.
(2)
Method of appointment, salary and allowances, discipline and other conditions
of service of the officers and staff appointed under sub-section (1), shall be
such as may be specified by the Managing Committee, with the previous approval
of the Government.
(3)
Where appointment is made by direct recruitment, the Managing Committee shall, mutatis
mutandis, observe the provisions of clauses (a), (b) and (c) of rule 14 and
the provisions of rules, 15, 16, 17 and 17A of the Kerala State and Subordinate
Services Rules, 1958, as amended from time to time.
(4)
The powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer and other officers and
staff of the Managing Committee shall be such as may be provided in the Scheme.
16.
Power of Managing Committee to borrow.- The Managing Committee may, from
time to time, with the previous approval of the Government and subject to such
terms and conditions as may be specified by the Government, borrow money for
the purposes of the Scheme.
17.
Mode of recovery of money from ration dealers.- Any amount due from a
ration dealer in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or the Scheme may, if
the amount is in arrears, be recovered together with interest at the rate of
twelve per cent per annum, compounded annually, in the same manner as an arrear
of public revenue due on land.
18.
Ration dealer not to collect any amount in excess of price etc.- No
ration dealer shall, by reason only of his liability for payment of
contribution to the Fund, collect any amount, in excess of the price, or reduce
or cause to be reduced the weight or measurement of rationed articles
distributed through him.
Explanation.- In this section, the expression ‘rationed article’ shall have
the same meaning as assigned to it in the Kerala Rationing Order, 1966.
19.
Members of Managing Committee, etc., to be public servants.- Members of
the Managing Committee and the officers and staff of the Managing Committee
shall, while exercising their powers and discharging their duties and functions
under this Act or the Scheme, be deemed to be public servants within the
meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (Central Act 45 of 1860).
20.
Penalty.- (1) Whoever,-
(a)
contravenses or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or the
Scheme; or
(b)
for the purpose of avoiding any payment to be made by himself under this Act or
the Scheme or of enabling any other person to avoid such payment, knowingly
makes or causes to be made any false statement or false representation, shall,
without prejudice to any other punishment that may be imposed on him under any
other law for the time being in force, on conviction, be punished with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine, which may
extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.
(2)
No court shall take cognisance of an offence punishable under this Act except
on a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made with the
previous sanction of the Chief Executive Officer.
21.
Enhanced punishment for second or subsequent offences.- Whoever, having
been convicted by a court, of an offence punishable under this Act again
commits the same offence shall be punished for every such subsequent offence
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, but which shall not
be less than three months, and with fine, which may extend to four thousand
rupees:
Provided that the court may; for adequate and special reason to be recorded in
the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than three
months.
22.
Amendment of the Schedule.-The Managing Committee may, with the previous
approval of the Government, alter the amount specified in the Second Schedule
and in the case of such alteration, the second Schedule shall be deemed to
have been amended accordingly.
23.
Protection of action taken in good faith.- No suit or other legal
proceedings shall lie against any member of the Managing Committee or any other
person in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be
done under this Act or the Scheme.
24.
Directions by Government.- (1) The Government may give to the Managing
Committee such directions, as it deems fit, to be followed by the Managing
Committee.
(2)
In the exercise of its powers and performance of its duties under this act, the
Managing Committee shall not depart from any direction issued under sub-section
(1), except with the previous permission of the Government.
25.
Power to order inquiry.-(1) The Government may, at any time appoint an
officer, not below the rank of a Special Secretary to Government to inquire
into the working of the Managing Committee and to submit a report to the
Government.
(2)
The Managing Committee shall give the person so appointed all facilities for
the proper conduct of the inquiry and furnish to him such documents, accounts
and information in the possession of the Managing Committee, as he may require.
26.
Power to supersede Managing Committee.- (1) If, on consideration of the
report under section 25 or otherwise, the Government are of opinion that the
Managing Committee has persistently made default in the performance of the
duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act or the Scheme or
has exceeded or abused its powers, the Government may, by notification in the
Gazette, supersede the Managing committee for such period, not exceeding six
months, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that before issuing a notification under this sub-section, the
Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the Managing Committee, to
show cause why it should not be superseded, and shall consider the explanations
and objections, if any, of the Managing Committee.
(2)
Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1),-
(a)
all the members of the Managing Committee shall, from the date of such
publication, vacate their offices as such members;
(b)
all the powers and duties which may be exercised or performed by the Managing
Committee shall, during the period of supersession, be exercised or performed
by such officer or officers, as may be specified in the notification;
(c)
all funds and other properties vested in the Managing Committee shall, during
the period of supersession, vest in the Government.
(3)
On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification
issued under sub-section (1), the Government shall reconstitute the Managing
Committee, in the manner provided in section 9.
27.
Accounts and Audit.- (1) The Managing Committee shall maintain or cause
to be maintained true and proper accounts and other relevant records and
prepare or cause to be prepared annual statement of accounts including the
balance sheet, in such manner as may be prescribed, under the Kerala Local Fund
Audit Act, 1994 (14 of 1994).
(2)
The account of the Fund as prepared by the Managing Committee shall be audited
by an auditor under the Karala Local Fund Audit Act, 1994 (14 of 1994), in
accordance with the provisions of that Act and the accounts as certified by
such auditor together with the audit report thereof shall be forwarded annually
to the Government.
(3)
The Government shall, as soon as may be after the receipt of the report under
sub-section (2) make arrangements to cause the same to be laid before the
Legislative Assembly.
28.
Power to make rules.- (1) The Government, may, by notification in the
gazette, make rules, either prospectively or retrospectively, for the purpose
of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act,
(2)
Every rule made under this act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is
made, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period
of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive
sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or
the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly make any
modification in the rule or decides that the rule should not be made, the rules
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
29.
Repeal.- Kerala Ration Dealers Welfare Fund Ordinance, 1998 (10 of
1998), is here by repealed.
THE FIRST SCHEDULE
[See sub-section (5) of section 3]
Matters for which provision may be made in the Scheme.
1.
Form of application and the manner of registration of ration dealers as members
of the Fund.
2.
The time within which and the manner in which contribution shall be made by a
member, to the Fund.
3.
The maximum amount of financial assistance that may be given to a member who
suffers from permanent disablement or infirmity.
4.
The maximum amount of medical expenses that may be given to a member or the
members of his family and the conditions subject to which it may be given.
5.
The courses of study for which educational assistance in the form of scholarship
may be provided.
6.
The manner in which the Fund shall be administered by the Managing Committee
7.
The time and the venue of the meeting of the Managing Committee, the quorum
thereof and the procedure to be followed therein.
8.
The powers and the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and other officers and
staff of the Managing Committee.
9.
The investment of money belonging to the Fund in accordance with any direction
issued or conditions specified by the Government.
10.
The manner of preparation and approval of annual budget.
11.
The conditions subject to which withdrawals from the Fund may be permitted and
any deduction or forfeiture may be made and maximum amount of such deduction or
forfeiture.
12.
The form in which a member shall furnish particulars about himself and his
family, whenever required.
13.
The nomination of a person by a member to receive any amount from the Fund due
to him on his death and cancellation or variation of such nomination.
14.
Registers and records to be maintained with respect to the Fund and the
members.
15.
The fees to be levied for any of the purposes specified in this Schedule.
16.
The purposes for which the Fund may be utilised for the welfare of the members
and members of their families.
17.
The procedure for defraying the expenditure incurred in the administration of
the Fund.
18.
Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Scheme or which may be
necessary or proper for the purpose of implementing the Scheme.
THE SECOND SCHEDULE
Amount payable to a member on Death or Cessation of membership
[ Sub-section (1), (2) and (3) of section 7 ]
(Amount in Rupees)
|
Completed years of membership |
Amount payable to nominee / legal heirs of a member in the event of his death before attaining the age of seventy |
Amount payable to a member on cessation of membership or to the nominee / legal heirs of a member in the event of his death after attaining the age of seventy |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
|
0 year |
10,000 |
0 |
|
1 years |
11,000 |
620 |
|
2 years |
12,000 |
1,270 |
|
3 years |
13,000 |
1,950 |
|
4 years |
14,000 |
2,660 |
|
5 years |
15,000 |
3,410 |
|
6 years |
16,000 |
4,200 |
|
7 years |
17,000 |
5,030 |
|
8 years |
18,000 |
5,900 |
|
9 years |
19,000 |
6,810 |
|
10 years |
20,000 |
7,770 |
|
11 years |
21,000 |
8,770 |
|
12 years |
22,000 |
9,820 |
|
13 years |
23,000 |
10,930 |
|
14 years |
24,000 |
12,090 |
|
15 years |
25,000 |
13,310 |
|
16 years |
26,000 |
14,590 |
|
17 years |
27,000 |
15,930 |
|
18 years |
28,000 |
17,340 |
|
19 years |
29,000 |
18,820 |
|
20 years |
30,000 |
20,380 |
|
21 years |
31,000 |
22,010 |
|
22 years |
32,000 |
23,730 |
|
23 years |
33,000 |
25,530 |
|
24 years |
34,000 |
27,420 |
|
25 years |
35,000 |
29,410 |
|
26 years |
36,000 |
31,500 |
|
27 years |
37,000 |
33,690 |
|
28 years |
38,000 |
35,990 |
|
29 years |
39,000 |
38,400 |
|
30 years and above |
40,000 |
40,000 |
( True Translation )