Act 03 of 1897 : The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

3 Feb 1897
Department
  • Department of Health and Family Welfare
Ministry
  • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Enforcement Date

3 Feb 1897

The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

ACTNO. 03 OF 1897
04 February, 1897

Section 1: Short title and extent.

(1) This Act may be called the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

1[(2) It extends to the whole of India except 2[the territories which, immediately before the 1st

November, 1956, were comprised in Part B States] ] 3

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1. Subs. by the A.0. 1950.

2. Subs. by the Adaptation of Laws (No. 2) Order, 1956 for "Part B States".

3. The word "and" rep. by Act 10 of 1914, s. 3 and the Second Schedule.

4. Sub-section (3) rep. by s. 3 and the Second Schedule, ibid.

Section 2: Power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease.

12. Power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemicdisease.--(1) When at any time the 2[State Government] is satisfied that 2[the State] or any partthereof is visited by, or threatened with, an outbreak of any dangerous epidemic disease, the 3[StateGovernment], if 4[it] thinks that the ordinary provisions of the law for the time being in force areinsufficient for the purpose, may take, or require or empower any person to take, such me asuresand, by public notice, prescribe such temporary regulations to be observed by the public or by anyperson or class of persons as 4[it] shall deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease orthe spread thereof, and may determine in what manner and by whom any expenses incurred(including compensation if any) shall be defrayed.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the 2[StateGovernment] may take measures and prescribe regulations for--

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(b) the inspection of persons travelling by railway or otherwise, and the segregation, in hospital,temporary accommodation or otherwise, of persons suspected by the inspecting officer of being infectedwith any such disease.

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1. For Notifications issued under this section, see different local Rules and Orders.

2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for "G.G. in C."

3. Subs., ibid., for "India".

4. Subs., ibid., for "he".

5. Paragraph (a) omitted, ibid.

6. Sub-section (3) omitted by Act 38 of 1920, s. 2 and the First Schedule.

Section 3: Powers of Central Government.

1 [2A. Powers of Central Government.--When the Central Government is satisfied that Indiaor any part thereof is visited by, or threatened with, an outbreak of any dangerous epidemicdisease and that the ordinary provisions of the law for the time being in force are insuffici ent toprevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof, the Central Government may takemeasures and prescribe regulations for the inspection of any ship or vessel leaving or arriving atany port in 2[the territories to which this Act extends] and for such detention thereof, or of anyperson intending to sail therein, or arriving thereby, as may be necessary.]

1 Ins. by Act 38 of 1920, s. 2 and the First Schedule. Earlier substituted by the A.O.1937.

2. Subs. by the Adaptation of Laws (No.2) Order, 1956, for "a Part A State or a Part C State".

Section 4: Penalty.

Any person disobeying any regulation or order made under this Act shall bedeemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860).

Section 5: Protection to persons acting under Act.

No suit or other legal proceeding shalllie against any person for anything done or in good faith intended to be done under thisAct.