(1) This Act may be called the Himachal Pradesh Instruments (Control of Noises) Act, 1969.

(2) It shall extend to the whole of Himachal Pradesh.

(3) It shall come into force in such areas3 and on such date, as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct.

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:

(a) District Magistrate means a District Magistrate appointed under section 10 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. (5 of 1898).

(b) Government means the Government of Himachal Pradesh;

(c) Instrument means a loud-speaker, an amplifier, and such other apparatus for the play of sounds as may be declared4 to be an instrument under this Act by the Government;

(d) Notification means Notification published under proper authority, in the Official Gazette;

(e) Official Gazette means Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh.

No person shall use or operate any instrument in or upon any premises at such pitch or volume as to be audible beyond the precincts thereof except under the written permission of the District Magistrate or any officer authorised by him, in this behalf and under such conditions as may be attached to it.

No person shall use or operate any instrument between ten o'clock in the night and six o'clock in the morning except with the written permission of the District Magistrate or any officer authorised by him in this behalf and under such conditions as may be attached to it.

No permission under section 4 shall be given unless the application for permission bears a court-fee stamp of the value calculated at the rate of five rupees for every day or part thereof in respect of which the permission is sought:

Provided that where the permission is either refused or given for a period which is less than the one applied for, the amount of fee shall be refunded wholly or proportionately as the case may be.

Whoever contravenes the provisions of the Act shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. (5 of 1898) an offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable.

The Punjab Instruments (Control of Noises) Act, 1956. (36 of 1956) as in force in the areas added to Himachal Pradesh under section 5 of the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966 (31 of 1966) is hereby repealed:

Provided that anything done or any action taken (including any notification issued, permission granted or proceedings commenced or continued) under the provisions of the said Act, shall be deemed to have been done or taken, under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

1. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see R.H.P. Extra., dated 24.3.1969, p. 253.

2. Received the assent of the President of India on the 9th December, 1969 and was published in R.H.P. Extra., dated the 6th February, 1970 at p. 28-30

3. Enforced w.e.f. 4th May, 1970, in all the Municipal and Notified Areas of H.P. including Municipal areas of Shimla Corporation, vide Not. No. 1-15/68-Home, dated the 4th May, 1970 and the 11th Feb., 1971 (appended).

4. For such declaration see Not appended.