The Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1994

AUTHORITATIVEENGLISH TEXT THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Sections: CHAPTER-I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement. 2. Definitions. CHAPTER - II CONSTITUTION OF CORPORATION 3. Declaration of municipal area as Corporation. 4. Incorporation and constitution of Corporation. 5. Duration of Corporation. 6. Delimitation of wards. 7. Qualifications for Councillors. 8. Disqualifications of Councillors. 9. Election to the Corporation. 10. Reservation of seats of Councillors. 11. Right to vote. 12. Filling of casual vacancies. 13. Publication of results of elections. 13-A Account of election expenses and maximum thereof. 13-B. Lodging of accounts. 14. Election petitions. 14-A. Parties to the Petition. 15. Relief that may be claimed by the petitioner. 16. Grounds for declaring election to be void. 17. Procedure to be followed by the prescribed authority. 18. Decision of prescribed authority. 19. Procedure in case of equality of votes. 20. Finality of decision. 21. Corrupt practices. 2 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 22. Maintenance of secrecy of voting. 23. Officers etc. at elections not to act for candidates or to influence voting. 24. Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station and of public meeting on election day. 25. Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling station. 26. Penalty for misconduct at the polling station. 27. Breaches of official duty in connection with election. 28. Removal of ballot papers from polling station to be an offence. 29. Offence of booth capturing. 30. Other offences and penalties. 31. Power to make rules regulating the election Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors. 32. Bar to interference by Courts in electoral matters. 33. Oath or affirmation by Councillor. 34. Removal of and resignation by Councillors. 35. Payment of allowances to Councillors. 36. Annual election of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and their term of office. 37. Motion of no confidence against Mayor or Deputy Mayor. 38. Discharge of functions of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor. 39. Resignation of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. 40. Standing Committees. CHAPTER-III FUNCTIONS OF THE CORPORATION 41. General powers of Corporation. 42. Functions of Corporation to be entrusted by the Government. 43. Obligatory functions of Corporation. 44. Discretionary functions of the Corporation. CHAPTER-IV MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE CORPORATION 45. Appointment of Commissioner. 46. Appointment of Joint/Assistant Commissioner and certain other officers. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 3 47. Salary and Allowances of Commissioners. 48. Leave etc. to Commissioner. 49. Contribution by Corporation. 50. Functions of the Commissioner. 51. Power of the Corporation to require Commissioner to produce documents and furnish returns, reports etc. 52. Exercise of powers to be subject to sanction. CHAPTER-V MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE CORPORATION 53. Meetings. 54. First meeting of the Corporation after general elections for election of Mayor. 55. Notice of meetings and business. 56. Quorum. 57. Presiding Officer. 58. Method of deciding question. 59. Maintenance of order at, and admission of public to meetings withdrawal and suspension of Councillors. 60. Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors not to vote on matter in which he is interested. 61. Right to attend meetings of Corporation and its committees etc. and right of Councillor to ask questions in relation to the administration of municipal area. 62. Power to make regulations. 63. Keeping of minutes and proceedings. 64. Circulation of minutes and inspection of minutes and reports of proceedings. 65. Forwarding minutes and reports of proceeding to the Government. 66. Validation of proceedings etc. CHAPTER-VI CORPORATION OFFICERS AND OTHER CORPORATION EMPLOYEES 67. Posts in Corporation and appointments thereto. 68. Officers and other employees not to be interested in any 4 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 contract etc. with Corporation. CHAPTER - VII REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE 69. Constitution of Corporation fund. 70. Corporation fund to be kept in State Bank of India or in a Schedule Bank or in a Government Treasury. 71. Operation of accounts with banks. 72. Payment not to be made unless covered by a budget grant. 73. Duty of persons signing cheques. 74. Procedure when money not covered by a budget grant is expended. 75. Application of Corporation Fund. 76. Payments from Corporation Fund for works urgently required for public service. 77. Investment of surplus money. 78. Constitution of special funds. 79. Finance Commission. 80. Budget estimates. 81. Power of Corporation to alter budget estimates. 82. Power of Corporation to re-adjust income and expenditure during the year. 83. Provisions as to unexpended budget grant. CHAPTER-VIII TAXES AND FEES 84. Taxes etc. to be imposed by Corporation under this Act and arrangement of certain taxes collected by Government. 85. Fees and user charges. 86. Rates of tax on lands and buildings. 87. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. 88. Determination of rateable value of lands and buildings assessable to taxes 89. Taxation of union properties. 90. Incidence of taxes on lands and buildings. 91. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 92. Recovery of taxes on lands and buildings from occupiers. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 5 93. Taxes on lands and buildings a first charge on premises on which they are assessed. 94. Assessment list. 95. Evidentiary value of assessment list. 96. Amendment of assessment list. 97. Preparation of new assessment list. 98. Notice of transfers. 99. Notice of erection of building etc. 100. Notice of demolition or removal of building. 101. Power of Commissioner to call for information. 102. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. 103. Assessment in case of amalgamation of premises. 104. Power of Commissioner to assess separately out houses portion of buildings. 105. Power of Commissioner to employ valuers. 106. Recovery of tolls or taxes. 107. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 108. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 109. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 110. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 111. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 112. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 113. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 114. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. 115. Tax on advertisements. 116. Prohibition on advertisement without written permission of Commissioner. 117. Permission of Commissioner to become void in certain cases. 118. Presumption in case of contravention. 119. Power of Commissioner in case of contravention. 120. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 121. Time and manner of payment of taxes or fees. 122. Presentation of bill of tax or fee. 123. Consequences of failure to pay tax or fee within thirty days. 6 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 124. Manner of recovering tax or fee. 125. Power of seizure of vehicles and animals in case of non- payment’s of tax thereon. 126. Demolition etc. of building. 127. Remission or refund of tax on lands and buildings. 128. Power to require entry in assessment list of details of buildings. 129. Notice to be given of circumstances in which remission or refund is claimed. 130. What building etc. are to be deemed vacant. 131. Notice to be given of every occupation of vacant land or building. 132. Appeal against assessment etc. 133. Conditions of rights to appeal. 134. Finality of appellate orders. 135. Taxation not to be questioned except under this Act. 136. Power to inspect for purposes of determining the rateable value or tax or fee. 137. Composition. 138. Irrecoverable debts. 139. Obligation to disclose liability. 140. Power to amend list in certain cases. 141. Immaterial error not to affect liability. 142. Power of exemption. 143. Power of Government in regard to taxes. CHAPTER-IX BORROWING 144. Power of Corporation to borrow. 145. Time for repayment of money borrowed under section 144. 146. Form and effect of debentures. 147. Receipt by joint holders for the interest or dividend. 148. Maintenance and investment of sinking fund. 149. Application of sinking fund. 150. Annual statement by Commissioner. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 7 151. Priority of payment for interest and repayment of loans over other payment. 152. Attachment of Corporation Fund for recovery of money borrowed from Government. 153. Power to make regulations. 154. Property vested in Corporation and management of public institutions. CHAPTER-X PROPERTIES AND CONTRACTS 155. Acquisition of immovable property by agreement. 156. Procedure when immovable property cannot be acquired by agreement. 157. Disposal of property. 158. Contracts by Corporation. 159. Procedure for making contracts. 160. Mode of executing contracts. CHAPTER-XI ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 161. Maintenance of accounts. 162. Report by audit agency. 163. Action by Commissioner on the report. 164. Procedure to be followed by audit agency. 165. Power of auditor to make queries etc. and call for returns etc. CHAPTER-XII WATER SUPPLY, DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL 166. Definitions. 167. Power to require Corporation to carry out surveys and formulate proposals. 168. Power to construct additional works. 169. Functions in relation to water supply. 170. Supply of water to connected premises. 171. Power to supply water for non-domestic purposes. 172. Making connection with municipal water works. 173. Obligation of owner or occupier to give notice of waste of water. 8 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 174. Cutting of supply to premises. 175. New premises no to be occupied without arrangement for water supply. 176. Public gratuitous water supply. 177. Power to lay mains. 178. Power to lay service pipes etc. 179. Provision of fire hydrants. 180. Power to enter premises to detect waste or misuse of water. 181. Power to test water fittings. 182. Power to close or restrict use of water from polluted source of supply. 183. Water pipes etc. not to be placed where water will be polluted 184. Joint and several liability of owners and occupiers for offence in relation to water supply. 185. Public drains etc. to vest in Corporation. 186. Control of drains and sewage disposal works. 187. Certain matters not to be passed into municipal drains. 188. Application by owners and occupiers to drain into municipal drains. 189. Drainage of untrained premises. 190. New premises not to be erected without drainage. 191. Power to drain group or block of premises by combined operations. 192. Power of Commissioner to close or limit the use of private drain in certain cases. 193. Use of drain by a person other than owner. 194. Sewage and rain water drains to be distinct. 195. Powers of Commissioner to require owner to carry out certain works for satisfactory drainage 196. Appointment of places for the emptying of drains and disposal of sewage. 197. Connection with water works and drains not to be made without permission. 198. Buildings, railways and private streets not to be erected or constructed over drains or water works without permission. 199. Rights of user of property for aqueducts, lines etc. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 9 200. Power of owner of premises to place pipes and drains through land belonging to other persons. 201. Railway administration to be informed in certain cases. 202. Power of Commissioner to execute work after giving notice to the person liable to do so. 203. Power of Commissioner to affix shafts etc. for ventilation of drain or, cesspool. 204. Power of Commissioner to examine and test drain etc. believed to be defective. 205. Employment of Government agencies for repairs etc. 206. Work to be done by licensed plumber. 207. Prohibition of certain acts. CHAPTER-XIII STREETS 208. Vesting of public streets in Corporation. 209. Functions of Commissioner in respect of public streets. 210. Disposal of land forming site of public streets permanently closed. 211. Power to make new public streets. 212. Minimum width of new public streets. 213. Power to prohibit use of public streets for certain kinds of traffic. 214. Power to acquire land and buildings for public streets and for public parking places. 215. Defining regular lines of streets. 216. Setting back of buildings to regular line of street. 127. Compulsory setting back of building to regular line of street. 218. Acquisition of open land and land occupied by platforms etc. within the regular line of street. 219. Acquisition of remaining part of building and land after their portions within regular line of street have been acquired. 220. Setting forward of building to regular line of street. 221. Compensation to be paid in certain cases of setting back or setting forward of buildings, etc. 222. Owners obligation when dealing with land or building sites. 223. Layout plans. 10 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 224. Alteration or demolition of street made in breach of section 223. 225. Power of Commissioner to order work to be carried out or to carry it himself in default. 226. Declaration of public streets. 227. Prohibition of projection upon street etc. 228. Projection over streets may be permitted in certain cases. 229. Ground floor door etc. not to open outwards on streets. 230. Prohibition of structures, fixtures or deposit of things in streets. 231. Special provision regarding streets belonging to Government. 232. Power to remove anything deposited or exposed for sale in contravention of this Act. 233. Prohibition of tethering of animals and milking of cattle. 234. Precautions during repairs of street etc. 235. Streets not to be opened or broken up and building materials not to be deposited thereon without permission. 236. Disposal of things removed under this chapter. 237. Naming and numbering of streets. 238. Commissioner to take steps for repairing or enclosing places. 239. Measures for lighting. 240. Prohibition of removal, etc. of lamps. CHAPTER-XIV BUILDING REGULATIONS 241. Definitions. 242. Prohibition of erection of building without sanction. 243. Erection of building. 244. Applications for additions to, or repairs of building. 245. Condition of valid notice. 246. Sanction or refusal of building or work. 247. When building or work may be proceeded with. 248. Sanction accorded under misrepresentation. 249. Buildings at corners of streets. 250. Provisions as to buildings and works on either side of new streets. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 11 251. Period for completion of building or work. 252. Prohibition against use of inflammable materials for buildings etc., without permission. 253. Order of demolition and stoppage of building and works in certain cases and appeal. 254. Order of stoppage of building or works in certain cases. 254-A. Power to seal unauthorized development or construction. 255. Power of State Government to give directions for compounding deviations from sanctioned plan. 256. Power of Commissioner to require alteration of work. 257. Completion certificate. 258. Restriction on user of buildings and removal of dangerous buildings. 259. Power to order building to be vacated in certain circumstances 260. Building scheme. CHAPTER-XV SANITATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH 261. Provision for daily cleansing of streets and removal of rubbish and filth. 262. Rubbish etc. to be property of Corporation. 263. Provision for placement of receptacles, depots and places for rubbish etc. 264. Duty of owners and occupiers to collect and deposit rubbish etc. 265. Removal of rubbish etc. accumulated on premises used as factories, workshops etc. 266. Prohibition against accumulation of rubbish etc. 267. Commissioner's power to get premises scavenged and cleansed. 268. Public latrines, urinals etc. 269. Construction of latrines and urinals. 270. Latrines and urinals etc., in new buildings. 271. Latrines and urinal for labourers etc. 272. Provision of latrines and urinals for markets etc. 273. Other provisions as to private latrines. 274. Removal of congested building. 12 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 275. Power of Commissioner to require improvement of buildings unfit for human habitation. 276. Enforcement of notice requiring execution of works of improvement. 277. Power of Commissioner to order demolition of buildings unfit for human habitation 278. Insanitary huts and sheds. 279. Prohibition against washing by washerman. 280. Obligation to give information of dangerous disease. 281. Removal of patient to hospital suffering from dangerous disease. 282. Disinfection of buildings and articles. 283. Destruction of infections huts or sheds. 284. Means of disinfection. 285. Special measures in case of out-break of dangerous or epidemic diseases. 286. Infected clothes not to be sent to washerman or to laundry. 287. Contamination and disinfection of public conveyances.- 288. Driver of conveyance not bound to carry persons suffering from dangerous disease. 289. Disinfection of buildings before letting the same. 290. Disposal of infected articles without disinfection. 291. Prohibition of making or selling of food, etc, or washing of clothes by infected persons. 292. Power to restrict or prohibit sale of food or drink. 293. Control over wells and tanks etc. 294. Duty of persons suffering from dangerous diseases. 295. Disposal of infectious corpse, where any person has died from any dangerous disease. 296. Conditions of service of Safai Karamcharis and certain other classes of persons employed in Corporation services. 297. Power to call for information regarding burning or burial ground. 298. Permission for use of new burning or burial ground. 299. Power to require closing of burning and burial grounds. 300. Removal of corpses. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 13 301. Disposal of dead animals. CHAPTER-XVI PUBLIC SAFETY AND SUPPRESSION OF NUISANCES 302. Prohibition of nuisances. 303. Power of Commissioner to require removal or abatement of nuisance. 304. Registration and control of dogs. 305. Staking or collecting inflammable materials. 306. Care of naked lights. 307. Discharging fireworks, fire arms etc. 308. Power to require buildings, wells, etc. to be rendered safe. 309. Enclosure of waste land used for improper purposes. CHAPTER-XVII EXTINCTION AND PREVENTION OF FIRE 310. Establishment and maintenance of fire brigade. 311. Power of members of fire-brigades and other persons for suppression of fire. 312. Limitation on operation of this Chapter. CHAPTER-XVIII MARKETS, SLAUGHTER HOUSES, TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS 313. Provision of municipal markets and slaughter houses. 314. Use of municipal markets. 315. Private markets and slaughter houses. 316. Conditions of grant of license for private market. 317. Prohibition of keeping markets open without licence etc. 318. Prohibition of use of unlicensed market. 319. Prohibition of business and trade. 320. Levy of stallages, rents and fees. 321. Stallages, rents, etc. to be published. 322. Butcher's, fishmonger's and poulterer's licence. 323. Factory etc. not to be established without permission of Commissioner. 324. Premises not to be used for certain purposes without licence. 14 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 324-A. Registration of cattle and maintenance of their record. 325. Seizure of certain animals. 326. Power of the Commissioner to prevent use of premises in particular area for purposes referred section 324. 327. Licences for hawking articles etc. 328. Eating houses etc. not to be used without licence from Commissioner. 329. Licencing and control of theatre, circuses and places of public amusement. 330. Power of Commissioner to stop use of premises used in contravention of licences. 331. Power of Commissioner to inspect places where unlawful slaughter of animals etc. is suspected. CHAPTER-XIX IMPROVEMENT 332. Improvement scheme. 333. Matters to be provided for in an improvement scheme. 334. Submission of improvement scheme to the Corporation for approval and to the Government for sanction. 335. Publication of the notice after scheme is sanctioned. 336. Rehousing scheme. 337. Improvement scheme and rehousing scheme to comply with master plan and zonal development plan. 338. Provision of housing accommodation for the economically weaker sections. CHAPTER-XX REGULATION OF FELLING AND PLANTING TREES 339. Prohibiting felling, cutting, damaging, destroying any tree in any urban area. 340. Constitution of Tree Authority. 341. Meeting of Tree Authority. 342. Duties of Tree Authority. 343. Appointment of Tree Officer. 344. Application for permission for cutting/felling or removal of a tree. 345. Permission for felling of tree. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 15 346. Planting of adequate number of trees. 347. Planting in place of fallen/destroyed trees. 348. Responsibilities for preservation of trees. 349. The recovery of expenditure on failure to comply with orders for planting of trees. 350. Appeals. 351. Seizure. 352. Penalty. 353. Compounding of offences. 354. Operation of other laws not barred. 355. Power to make rules. CHAPTER-XXI POWERS, PROCEDURE, OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 356. Signature, conditions, duration, suspension, revocation, etc. of licences and written permissions. 357. Power of entry and inspection. 358. Power to enter land, adjoining land in relation to any work. 359. Breaking into building. 360. Time of making entry. 361. Consent ordinarily to be obtained. 362. Regard to be had to social or religious usages. 363. Prohibition of obstruction or molestration in execution of work. 364. Public notices how to be made known. 365. Newspaper in which advertisement of notices to be published. 366. Proof of consent etc. of Commissioner etc. 367. Notices, etc. to fix reasonable time. 368. Signature on notices etc., may be stamped. 369. Notice etc. by whom to be served or issued. 370. Service of notices, etc. 371. Power in case of non-compliance with notice, etc. 372. Liability of occupier to pay in default of owner. 373. Execution of work by occupier in default of owner and deduction of expenses from rent. 16 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 374. Relief to agents and trustees. 375. General power to pay compensation. 376. Compensation to be paid by offenders for damage caused by them. 377. Mode of recovery of certain dues. 378. Right of owner to apply to court of the District Judge in case of obstruction by occupier. 379. General powers and procedure of the court of District Judge 380. Fees in proceeding before court of the District Judge. 381. Repayment of half fees on settlement before hearing. 382. Power on the court of District Judge to delegate certain powers and to make rules. 383. Punishment for certain offences. 384. General. 385. Offences by Companies. 386. Police establishments. 387. Arrest of offenders. 388. Power to institute legal proceedings etc. and obtain legal advice. 389. Prosecution. 390. Composition of offences. 391. Protection or action of the Corporation etc. 392. Notice to be given of suits. CHAPTER-XXII RULES, REGULATIONS AND BYE-LAWS 393. Supplemental provisions respecting rules. 394. Supplemental provisions respecting regulations. 395. Powers to make bye-laws. 369. Penalty for breaches of bye-laws. 397. Supplemental Provisions respecting bye-laws. 398. Bye-laws to be available for inspection and purchase. CHAPTER-XXIII CONTROL 399. Power of Government to require production of documents. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 17 400. Inspection. 401. Power to give directions. 402. Power to provide for enforcement of direction under section 401. 402-A. Power to review. 403. Power of revision. 404. Dissolution of Corporation. CHAPTER-XXIV MISCELLANEOUS 405. Delegation. 406. Validity of notices and other documents. 407. Admissibility of document or entry as evidence. 408. Evidence of Corporation Officer or employee. 409. Prohibition against obstruction of Mayor or any Corporation authority etc. 410. Prohibition against removal of mark. 411. Prohibition against removal or obliteration of notice. 412. Prohibition against unauthorised removal of deposit etc. 413. Liability of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors. 414. Councillor and Corporation Officers and employees to be public servants. 415. Annual Administration report. 416. Construction of reference. 417. Special provisions as to rural areas. 418. Power to suspend any resolution or order of Corporation. 419. Power of Government to modify proceedings. 420. Power of Government to withdraw any area of Municipal area, from operation of Act. 421. District Planning Committees. 422. Transitional provisions. 423. Provisions regarding officers and employees. 424. Assets, liabilities, debts obligation, contracts and pending proceedings. 425. Provision for municipality or local authority which is superseded or dissolved. 18 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 426. Power to enquire and make report about misconduct of certain officer or officials. 427. Power to remove difficulties. 428. Repeal of Act No. 9 of 1980. 429. Repeal of Ordinance No. 3 of 1994. FIRST SCHEDULE SECOND SCHEDULE _______ THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (ACT NO. 12 OF 1994)1 (Received the assent of Governor on the 18thOctober, 1994 and was published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated the 18th October, 1994, pp. 3477- 3845). Amended, repealed or otherwise affected- 1. H.P. Act No. 12 of 19952 assented to by the Governor on the 21st November, 1995, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 22nd November, 1995, pp. 4641-4646, effective from 1st August, 1995. 2. H.P. Act No. 7 of 19973 assented to by the Governor on 18th April, 1997, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 19th April, 1997, pp. 1367-1372, effective from 10th January, 1997. 3. H.P. Act No. 3 of 19984 assented to by the Governor on 7th February, 1998, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 10th February, 1998, pp. 625-628. 1. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 19th September, 1994, pp. 2931 and 3106. 2. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 27th September, 1995, pp. 3899 and 3902. 3. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 25th March, 1997, pp. 983 and 986. 4. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 12th December, 1997, pp. 4702 and 4704. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 19 4. H.P. Act No. 2 of 20021 assented to by the Governor on the 4th February, 2002, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 11th February, 2002, pp. 4105-4108, effective from 14th December, 2001. 5. H.P. Act No. 5 of 20022 assented to by the Governor on the 4th February, 2002, published both in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 11th February, 2002, pp. 4119- 4140. 6. H.P. Act No. 6 of 20033 assented to by the Governor on the 1st August, 2003, published both in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 2nd August, 2003, pp. 1085- 1090, effective from 24th May, 2003. 7. H.P. Act No. 4 of 20054 assented to by the Governor on 23rd January 2005, published both in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 24th January, 2005, pp. 3557- 3562, effective from 26th October, 2004. 8. H.P. Act No. 29 of 20055 assented to by the Governor on the 28th September, 2005, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 30th September, 2005, pp. 3309-3312. 9. H.P. Act No. 3 of 20076 assented to by the Governor on 7th February, 2007, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 13th February, 2007, pp. 11261-11264, effective from 16th November, 2006. 1. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 21st December, 2001, pp. 3652 and 3654. 2. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 20th December, 2001, pp. 3635 and 3647. 3. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 18th July, 2003, pp. 779 and 783. 4. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 22nd December, 2004, pp. 2867 and 2871. 5. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 9th August, 2005, pp. 2234 and 2237. 6. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 27th December, 2006, pp. 9190 and 9193. 20 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 10. H.P. Act No. 19 of 20071 assented o by the Governor on 26th September, 2007, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 29th September, 2007, pp. 6152-6156. 11. H.P. Act No. 9 of 20082 assented to by the Governor on the 16th May, 2008, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 22nd May, 2008, pp. 1094- 1096. 12. H.P. Act No. 11 of 20103 assented to by the Governor on 25th May, 2010, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 28th May, 2010, pp. 905- 921. 13. H.P. Act No. 32 of 20114 assented to by the Governor on the 29th July 2011, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 2nd August, 2011, pp. 2053- 2063. Act came into a force from 20th February, 2012 vide Notification No. UD-A(3) 6/2010, dated 16th February, 2012, published in Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 17th February, 20012, pp. 5873-5874. 14. H.P. Act No. 4 of 20125 assented to by the Governor on the 18th January, 2012, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 28th January, 2012. pp. 5325-5326. 15. H.P. Act No. 48 of 20136 assented to by the Governor on the 20th September, 2013, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 26th September, 2013, pp. 3856-3862, effective from 27th July, 2013. 1. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 7th September, 2007, pp.4987-4988 and 4997-4998. 2. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 11th April, 2008, pp. 246 and 249. 3. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra-ordinary), dated 22nd April, 2010, pp. 381 and 390. 4. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 11th April, 2011, pp. 265-266 and 271-272. 5. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 22nd December, 2011, p.4734 and 4736. 6. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh dated 27th August, 2013, pp. 2969 and 2973. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 21 16. H.P. Act No. 13 of 20161 assented to by the Governor on the 19th September, 2016, published both in Hindi and English in Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh on the 27th September, 2016, pp. 4606-4630. 17. H.P. Act No. 5 of 20172 assented to by the Governor on the 7th March, 2017, published both in Hindi and English in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 15th March, 2017, pp.8259-8260, effective from 4th October, 2016. An Act to consolidate, amend and replace the law relating to the establishment of Municipal Corporations for certain Municipal areas in the State of Himachal Pradesh. BE it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh in Forty-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:- CHAPTER-I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1994. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Himachal Pradesh excluding the cantonment areas therein. (3) It shall and shall be deemed to have come into force on the 30thday of May, 1994. 2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (1) "backward classes" means such classes of citizens other than scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, as may be identified and notified for the purpose of reservation for appointments or posts in the services under the State Government; (2) "budget-grant" means the total sum entered on the expenditure side of a budget estimate under a major head and adopted by the Corporation and includes any sum by which such budget-grant may be increased or reduced by transfer from or to other heads in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the regulations made thereunder; (3) "building" means a shop, house, out-house, stable, latrine, urinal, shed, hut, wall or any other structure, whether of 1. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh dated 1st September, 2016, pp. 4195-4196 and 4207-4208. Act came into force from. 30th September, 2016 vide Notification No. UD-A(3)-2/2010-I, dated 30th September, 2016, published in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh dated 1st October, 2016, p. 4773. 2. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh dated 29th December, 2016, pp. 6219-6220 and 6221-6222. 22 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 masonry, bricks, wood, mud, metal or other material and includes a well but does not include any portable shelter; (4) "bye-law" means a bye-law made under this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette; (5) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Corporation, appointed by the State Government; (6) "Corporation" means the Municipal Corporation declared and constituted under sections 3 and 4 of this Act; (7) "corrupt practice" means any of the practices specified in section 21; (8) "casual vacancy" means a vacancy occurring otherwise than by efflux of time in the office of a Councillor or in any other elective office; 1[(8-a) “cattle” means domestic animals and includes elephants, camels, buffaloes, cows, oxen, horses, mares, geldings, ponies, colts, fillies, mules, asses, pigs, rams, ewes, sheep, lambs, goats and kids;] (9) "dangerous disease" means- (a) cholera, plague, chicken-pox, small-pox, tuberculosis, leprosy, enteric fever, cerebrospinal meningitis and diphtheria; and (b) any other epidemic, endemic or infectious disease which the Commissioner may, by notification, in the Official Gazette, declare to be dangerous disease for the purposes of this Act; (10) "Director" means the Director of Urban Local Bodies appointed by the Government; (11) "district" means a district in the State; (12) "District Judge" means the District Judge having jurisdiction over the municipal area; (13) "District Planning Committee" means a committee constituted under section 185 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (4 of 1994), at the district level to consolidate the plans prepared by the panchayats and the municipalities in the district and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole; 1. Clause (8-a) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 23 1[(14) "Divisional Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the the Davison in which the Corporation is situated and includes any other Officer appointed by the Government to perform all or any of the functions of the Divisional Commissioner under this Act.] (15) "drain" includes a sewer, a house drain, a drain of any other description, a tunnel, a culvert, a ditch, a channel and any other device for carrying of sewage, offensive matter, polluted water, waste water, rain water or subsoil water; (16) "dry latrine" means a latrine or privy from where night soil is removed through manual scavenging; (17) "entertainment" includes any exhibition, performance, amusement, game or sport to which persons are ordinarily admitted on payment; (18) "factory" means a factory as defined in the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948) ; (19) "filth" includes offensive matter and sewage; (20) "Finance Commission" means the Finance Commission constituted by the State Government under section 98 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (4 of 1994), and under articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution of India; (21) "goods" includes animals; (22) "Government" means the Government of the State of Himachal Pradesh; (23) "house gully" or "service passage" means a passage or strip of land constructed, set apart or utilised for the purpose of serving as or carrying a drain or affording access to a latrine, urinal, cesspool or other receptacle for filth or other polluted matter, by Corporation employees or other persons employed in the cleaning thereof or in the removal of such matter therefrom; (24) "hut" means any building which is constructed principally of wood, bamboo, mud, leaves, grass, cloth or thatch and includes any structure of whatever material made which the Corporation may declare to be a hut for the purposes of this Act; (25) "land" includes benefits that arise out of land, things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything 1. Sub-section (14) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002 again substituted vide H.P. Act No. 3 of 2007, effective from 16th November, 2007. 24 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 attached to the earth and rights created by law over anystreet; (26) "licensed architect", "licensed draftsman", "licensed engineer", "licensed plumber", "licensed surveyor" and "licensed town planner" means respectively a person licensed under the provision of this Act as an architect, draftsman, engineer, plumber, surveyor and town planner; (27) "member" in relation to the Corporation means a Councillor thereof : (28) "municipal area" means the territorial area of the Corporation declared under section 3 of this Act; (29) "municipal drain" means a drain vested in the Corporation; (30) "municipal market" means a market vested in or managed by the Corporation; (31) "municipal slaughter house" means a slaughter house vested in or managed by the Corporation; (32) "municipal water works" means water works vested in the Corporation; (33) "municipality" means an institution of self-Government constituted under section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 (12 of 1994), which may be a Nagar Panchayat or a Municipal Council or a Municipal Corporation; (34) "nuisance" includes any act, omission, place, animal or a thing which causes or is likely to cause injury, danger, annoyance or offence to the sense of sight, smell or hearing or disturbance to rest or sleep, or which is or may be dangerous to life or injurious to health or property; (35) "occupier" includes- (a) any person who for the time being is paying or is liable to pay to the owner the rent or any portion of the rent of the land or building in respect of which such rent is paid or is payable; (b) an owner in occupation of, or otherwise using his landor building; (c) a rent-free tenant of any land or building; (d) a licensee in occupation of any land or building; and (e) any person who is liable to pay to the owner damages for use and occupation of any land or building; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 25 (36) "offensive matter" includes animal carcasses, kitchen or stable refuse, dung, dirt and putrid or putrefying substances, other than sewage; (37) "owner" includes a person who for the time being is receiving or is entitled to receive, the rent of any land or building whether on his own account or on account of himself and others or as an agent, trustee, guardian or receiver for any other person who should so receive the rent or be entitled to receive it if the land or building or part thereof were let to a tenant; (38) "population" means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published; (39) "premises" means any land or building or part of a building and includes,- (a) the garden, ground and out-houses, if any, appertaining to a building or part of a building; and (b) any fittings affixed to a building or part of a building for the more beneficial enjoyment thereof; (40) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (41) "private street" means any street, which is not a public street and includes any passage securing access to two or more places belonging to the same or different owners; (42) "private market" means a market which is not a municipal market"; (43) "private slaughter house" means a slaughter house which is not a municipal slaughter house; (44) "public place" means any place which is open to the use and enjoyment of the public, whether it is actually used or enjoyed by the public or not; (45) "public securities" means any securities of the Central Government or a State Government or any securities guaranteed by the Central Government or a State Government or any securities issued under this Act; (46) "public street" means any street which vests in the Corporation or which under the provisions of this Act becomes, or is declared to be a public street; (47) "railway administration" would have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Indian Railway Act, 1890 (9 of 1890); 26 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (48) "rateable value" means the value of any land or building fixed in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the bye-laws made thereunder for the purpose of assessment to property taxes; (49) "regulation" means a regulation made by the Corporation under this Act, by notification, in the Official Gazette; (50) "reside"- (a) a person shall be deemed to "reside" in any dwelling house which or some portion of which he sometimes, although not uninterruptedly uses as a sleeping apartment; and (b) a person shall not be deemed to cease to "reside" in any such dwelling house merely because he is absent from it or has elsewhere another dwelling house in which he resides, if there is, liberty of returning to it at any time, and no abandonment of the intention of returning to it; (51) "rubbish" includes ashes, broken bricks, broken glass, dust, malba, mortar and refuse of any kind which is not filth; (52) "rural areas" means the part of the municipal area which immediately before their inclusion within the limits of the municipal areas were situated within the local limits of a Gram Panchayat but shall not include such portion thereof as may, by virtue of a notification under section 417 cease to be included in the rural areas as herein defined; (53) "Scheduled Castes" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (24) of article 366 of the Constitution of India; (54) "Scheduled Tribes" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (25) of article 366 of the Constitution of India; (55) "sewage" means night-soil and other contents of latrines, urinals, cesspools or drains and polluted water from sinks, bathrooms, stables, cattle sheds and other like places, and includes trade effluents and discharges from manufacturies of all kinds; (56) "shed" means a slight or temporary structure for shade or shelter; (57) "slaughter house" means any place ordinarily used for the slaughter of animals for the purpose of selling the flesh thereof for human consumption; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 27 (58) "State Election Commission" means the State Election Commission constituted by the State Government under section 160 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (4 of 1994) and under articles 243-K and 243-ZA of the Constitution of India; (59) "street" shall mean any road, footway, square, court, alley, gully or passage, accessible whether permanently or temporarily to the public and whether a thoroughfare or not, and shall include every vacant space, notwithstanding that it may be private property and partly or wholly obstructed by any gate, post, chain or other barrier, if houses, shops or other buildings abut thereon, and if it is used by any person as means of access to or from any public place or thoroughfare, whether such persons be occupiers of such buildings or not, but shall include any part of such space which the occupier of any such building has right at all hours to prevent all other persons from using as aforesaid and shall include also the drains or gutters therein, or on either side of the land, whether covered or not by any pavement, verandah or other erection, up-to the boundary of any abutting property, not accessible to the public; (60) "trade effluent" means any liquid either with or without particles of matter in suspension therein, which is wholly or in part produced in the course of any trade or industry carried on at trade premises, and in relation to any trade premises means any such liquid as aforesaid which is so produced in the course of any trade or industry carried on at those premises, but does not include domestic sewage; (61) "trade premises" means any premises used or intended to be used for carrying on any trade or industry; (62) "trade refuse" mean the refuse of any trade or industry; (63) "vehicle" includes a carriage, cart, van, dray, truck, hand- cart, bicycle, tricycle, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, motor vehicle and every wheeled conveyance which is used or is capable of being used on a street; (64) "ward" means a municipal ward of the Corporation made under sub-section (2) of section 4 of this Act for the purpose of election of a member; (65) "water course" includes any river, stream or channel whether natural or artificial; (66) "water seal latrine" means a latrine with a minimum water- seal of 20 mm. in which excreta is pushed in or flushed by water and is not required to be removed by human agency; 28 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (67) "water works" includes alllakes, tanks, streams, cisterns, springs, pumps, wells, reservoirs, aqueducts, water trucks, sluices, main pipes, culverts, hydrants, stand-pipes and conduits and all lands, buildings, machinery, bridges and things used for, or intended for the purpose of supplying water; (68) "workshop" means any premises (including the precincts thereof) other than a factory, wherein any industrial process is carried on; and (69) "year" means a year commencing on the 1st day of April. CHAPTER-II CONSTITUTION OF CORPORATION 3. Declaration of municipal area as Corporation.- (1) For the purposes of this Act, the area comprised within the limits of the Shimla Municipal Corporation constituted under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1979 (9 of 1980) shall be the Municipal Corporation of Shimla. (2) The Government may, from time to time, by a notification in the Official Gazette, declare any municipality to be a Corporation Known as "the Municipal Corporation of ............................... (Name of Corporation) ”:

Provided that no municipality or group of municipalities shall be so declared to be a Corporation unless:- (i) the population thereof exceeds fifty thousand; and (ii) the total income of the municipality or group of municipalities immediately preceding the date of issue of the notification, exceeds two corers rupees per annum. (3) The Government may, from time to time, after consultation with the Corporation, by notification in the Official Gazette, alter the limits of the municipal area of the Corporation declared under sub-sections (1) and (2) so as to include therein or exclude therefrom such areas as may be specified in the notification. (4) When the limits of the municipal area are altered, so as to include therein any area, except as the Government may otherwise by notification direct, all rules, regulations, notifications, bye-laws, orders, directions and powers issued or conferred and all taxes imposed under this Act and in force in the municipal area, shall apply to such area. (5) When a local area is excluded from the Corporation under sub- section (3),- (a) this Act, and all notifications, rules, bye-laws, orders directions and powers issued, made or conferred under this Act, shall cease to apply thereto; and THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 29 (b) the Government shall after consulting the Corporation, frame a scheme determining what portion of the balance of the Corporation fund and other property vesting in the Municipal Corporation shall vest in the Government and in what manner the liabilities of the Corporation shall be apportioned between the Corporation and the Government, and, on the scheme, being notified, the property and liabilities shall vest and be apportioned accordingly. 4. Incorporation and constitution of Corporation.- (1) The Corporation shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with power subject to the Provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property and may by the said name sue and be sued. (2) Save as provided in sub-section(3), all seats in the Corporation shall be filled by persons chosen by direct election from the territorial constituencies in the municipal area and for this purpose the municipal area shall, by a notification issued in this behalf, be divided into territorial constituencies to be known as wards. 1[(3) In the Corporation, in addition to persons chosen by direct election under this section, the Members of the State Legislative Assembly, representing constituencies which comprise wholly or partly in municipal area, shall also be the Councillors[.]2 3[XXXXXXXXXXXX] 4[(3-A). The State Government may, by notification, nominate as councillors not more than 5[five] persons having special knowledge or experience of municipal administration: Provided that a person who contested and lost the immediately preceding election of any Corporation shall not be nominated by the State Government as a Councillor of that Corporation or any other Corporation during its existing term: Provided further that a Councillor nominated under sub-section whether before or after the commencement of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2003 shall hold office during the pleasure of the State Government, but not beyond the term of Corporation as provided for in sub-section (1) of section 5 of this Act. 1. Sub-section (3) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 7 of 1997, effective from 10th January, 1997. 2. Substituted for the words “and the State Government may, by notification, also nominate as Councillors, not more than three persons having special knowledge or experience of Municipal administration” vide H.P. Act No. 6 of 2003, effective from 24th May, 2003. 3. Proviso deleted vide H.P. Act No. 6 of 2003, effective from 24th May, 2003. 4. Sub-sections (3-A) and (3-B) added vide H.P. Act No. 6 of 2003, effective from 24th May, 2003. 5 . Substituted for the words “three” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. 30 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (3-B) The nominated Councillors referred to in sub-section (3-A) and the Commissioner shall have the right to attend all the meetings of the Corporation and to take part in the discussion therein but shall not have any right to vote.] (4) Where after the commencement of this Act, any municipal area is declared to be a Corporation under sub-section (2) of section 3, all powers and duties conferred and imposed upon the Corporation by or under this Act or any other law, shall be exercised and performed by the commissioner for a period not exceeding six months or till a Corporation is constituted under the provisions of this Act, whichever is earlier. 5. Duration of Corporation.- (1) The Corporation, unless sooner dissolved under section 404 of this Act, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. (2) An election to constitute the Corporation shall be completed - (a) before the expiry of its duration specified in sub-section (1); (b) before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution : Provided that where the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Corporation would have continued is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any election under this section for constituting the Corporation for such period. (3) A Corporation constituted upon its dissolution before the expiration of its duration shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Corporation would have continued under sub-section (1) had it not been so dissolved. 6. Delimitation of wards.- For the purposes of election of Councillors the Deputy Commissioner shall, in accordance with such rules as may be, prescribed by the State Government,- (a) divide the municipal area into wards in such a manner that,- (i) one Councillor shall be elected from each ward; and (ii) as far as possible the population in each ward shall be equally distributed: Provided that the population in each ward shall not be less than 1[3000] and the number of total seats to be filled by direct election shall not exceed 2[thirty seven]; (b) determine the territorial extent of each ward; and 1. Substituted for the figure “3500” vide H.P. Act No. 2 of 2002, effective from 14th December, 2001. 2. Substituted for the words “twenty five” vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2017, effective from 14th October, 2016. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 31 (c) determine the ward or wards in which seats are reserved under this Act. 7. Qualifications for 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillors].- A person shall not be qualified to be chosen as a 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor], unless- (a) he has attained twenty-one years of age; and (b) his name is registered as an elector in the electoral roll of any ward in the municipal area. 8. Disqualifications of 3[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillors].- (1) A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a 4[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Corporation- (a) if he is so disqualified by or under any law for the time being in force for the purposes of election to the Legislature of the State: Provided that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that he is less than 25 years, if he has attained the age of 21 years; and (b) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by the Legislature of the State. (2) A person shall also be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a 5[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor]- (a) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; (b) if he is an undischarged insolvent; (c) if he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 3. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 4. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 5. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 32 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State; (d) if he has, in proceedings for questioning the validity or regularity of an election, been found to have been guilty of- (i) any corrupt practice under section 21 of this Act; (ii) any offence punishable under sections 171-E or 171-F of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860) or any offence punishable under section 29 or clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 30 of this Act; unless a period of six years has elapsed since the date of the finding; 1[(dd) if he has incurred more expenditure than prescribed under section 13-A or has failed to lodge account under section 13- B within 30 days of the declaration of the result of the election;] (e) if he has been 2[xxxxx] convicted by a criminal court to imprisonment for an offence involving moral turpitude, unless a period of six years has elapsed since his conviction; 3[Explanation.- "moral turpitude" shall mean the cases where a charge framed by a competent court involves an offence for which the maximum sentence is death or life imprisonment or 10 years or more;] (f) if he holds any office of profit under the Corporation; (g) if he is a licensed architect, draftsman, engineer, plumber, surveyor or town planner or is a partner of a firm of which any such licensed person is also a partner; (h) if he holds any office of profit under the Government or the Municipal Corporation; (i) if he is interested in any subsisting contract made with, or any work being done for the Corporation except as a share holder (other than a director) in an incorporated company or as a member of a co-operative society; (j) if he is retained or employed in any professional capacity either personally or in the name of a firm of which he is a partner or with which he is engaged in a professional capacity, in connection with any cause or proceeding in which the Corporation or any of municipal authorities is interested or concerned; 1. Clause (dd) added vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. The words “sentenced or” deleted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 3. Explanations added vide H.P. Act No.5 of 2002. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 33 (k) if he, having held any office under the Government, the Corporation or any other local authority, any Government company or any corporate body owned or controlled by the Government 1[,] has been dismissed from service; (l) if he has encroached upon or is a beneficiary of the encroachment upon any land belonging to, or taken on lease or requisitioned by or on behalf of, the State Government, a municipality, a panchayat, a co-operative society or any other local authority, unless a period of six years has elapsed since the date on which he is ejected therefrom or he ceases to be the encroacher; Explanation.- For the purposes of this clause the expression "beneficiaries" shall include the spouse and legal heirs of the encroacher; or (m) if he is registered as a habitual offender under the Himachal Pradesh Habitual Offenders Act, 1969 (8 of 1974) ; (n) if he has been ordered to give security for good behaviour under section 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) ; (o) if he fails to pay any arrears of any kind due to him, otherwise than as an agent, receiver, trustee or an executor to the Corporation within three months after a notice in this behalf has been served upon him; (p) if he is in the employment or service under any panchayat or of any other local authority or co-operative society or the State Government or Central Government or any public sector undertaking under the control of the Central or the State Government. 2[(q)XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] (r) if he has made any false statement or declaration in writing under this Act or the rules made thereunder.]. Explanation.- For the purposes of this clause the expression "service" or "employment" shall include persons appointed, engaged or employed on whole time, part time, casual, daily or contract basis. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2) above - (a) a disqualification under clause (e) of sub-section (2) shall not take effect until three months have elapsed since the date of 1. Substituted word “or” vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. Clauses (q) and (r) added vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002 and clause (q) along with proviso deleted vide H.P. Act No. 3 of 2007. 34 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 such disqualification or if within these three months an appeal or petition for revision is brought in respect of the conviction or sentence until that appeal or petition is disposed of; (b) a person shall not be deemed to have incurred any disqualification under clause (f), or clause (g) of sub-section (2) by reason only of his receiving - (i) any pension; or (ii) any allowance or facility for serving as a Mayor or Deputy Mayor or as a Councillor; or (iii) any fee for attendance at a meeting of any committee of the Corporation; (c) a person shall not be deemed to have any interest in a contract or work such as is referred to in clause (i) of sub-section (2) by reason only of his having a share or interest in - (i) any lease, sale, exchange or purchase of immovable property or any agreement for the same; or (ii) any agreement for the loan of money or any security for the payment of money only; or (iii) any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the Corporation is inserted; or (iv) the sale to the Corporation or to any other municipal authority or any officer or other employee of the Corporation on behalf of the Corporation of any article in which he regularly trades or the purchase from the Corporation or from any such authority, officer or other employee on behalf of the Corporation of any article of a value in either case not exceeding five thousand rupees in the aggregate in any year during the period of the contract or work; or (v) the letting out on hire to the Corporation or the hiring from the Corporation of any article not exceeding two thousand rupees in the aggregate in any year during the period of the contract or work; and (vi) any agreement or contract with the Corporation or any other municipal authority for taking water or any other thing which the Corporation may generally supply. (4) If a person sits or votes as a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Corporation when he is not qualified or that he is disqualified for such 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 35 Councillorship, he shall be liable in respect of each day on which he so sits or votes to a penalty of five hundred rupees to be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act. (5) If any question arises as to whether a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Corporation has become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in sub-sections (1) and (2), the question shall be referred for the decision of such authority and in such manner as the Government may by notification provide. (6) If a person who is chosen as a 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Corporation, becomes a Member of the House of the People, the Council of States, the State Legislative Assembly, or is or becomes member of a municipality, or an office bearer of a panchayat, then at the expiration of a period of fifteen days from the date of publication of the election result, as the case may be, within fifteen days from the date of the commencement of term of office of a Member of the House of People, the Council of State, the State Legislative Assembly or member of the municipality, or an office bearer of a panchayat, his seat in a Corporation shall become vacant, unless he has previously resigned his seat in the House of People, the Council of States, the State Legislative Assembly, the panchayat or the municipality, as the case may be. Explanation.- For the purposes of sub-section (6), the expression "office bearer of the panchayat" shall have the same meaning as is assigned to it under clause (23) of section 2 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (4 of 1994) . 9. Election to the Corporation.- (1) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls, delimitation of wards, reservation and allotment of seats by rotation for, and the conduct of all elections of the Corporation, shall be vested in the State Election Commission. (2) The Government as well as the Corporation shall, when so requested by the State Election Commission, make available to the Commission such staff 3[, material and monetary resources] as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions conferred on the State Election Commission by sub-section (1) . (3) The Commission shall frame its own rules and lay down its own procedure. 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 3. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 36 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 1[9-A. Requisitioning of premises, vehicles etc. for election purposes.- (1) If it appears to the State Government that in relation to the Municipal Corporation,- (a) any premises are needed or are likely to be needed for the purpose of being used as a polling station or for the storage of ballot boxes after a poll has been taken, or (b) any vehicle, vessel or animal is needed or is likely to be needed for the purpose of transport of ballot boxes to or from any polling station, or transport of members of the police force for maintaining order during the conduct of such election, or transport of any officer or other person for performance of any duties in connection with such election, the State Government, may by order in writing, requisition such premises, or such vehicle, vessel or animal, as the case may be, and may make such further orders as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient in connection with the requisitioning : Provided that no vehicle, vessel or animal which is being lawfully used by a candidate or his agent for any purpose connected with the election of such candidate shall be requisitioned under this sub-section until the completion of the poll at such election. (2) The requisition shall be effected by an order in writing addressed to the person deemed by the State Government to be the owner or person in possession of the property and such order shall be served in the prescribed manner on the person to whom it is addressed. (3) Whenever any property is requisitioned under sub-section (1), the period of such requisition shall not extend beyond the period for which such property is required for any of the purposes mentioned in that sub-section. (4) In this section,- (a) "premises" means any land, building or part of building and includes a hut, shed or other structure or any part thereof; and (b) "vehicle" means any vehicle used or capable of being used for the purpose of road transport, whether propelled by mechanical power or otherwise. 9-B. Payment of compensation.- (1) Whenever in pursuance of section 9-A, the State Government requisitions any premises, there shall be paid to the persons interested compensation the amount of which shall be determined by taking into consideration the following, namely:- (i) the rent payable in respect of the premises or if no rent is so payable, the rent payable for similar premises in the locality; 1. Sections 9-A to 9-E inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 37 (ii) if in consequence of the requisition of the premises the person interested is compelled to change his residence or place of business, the reasonable expenses (if any) incidental to such change: Provided that where any person interested being aggrieved by the amount of compensation so determined makes an application within the prescribed time to the State Government for referring the matter to an arbitrator, the amount of compensation, to be paid shall be such as the arbitrator appointed in this behalf by the State Government may determine: Provided further that where there is any dispute as to the title to receive the compensation or as to the apportionment of the amount of compensation, it shall be referred by the State Government to an arbitrator appointed in this behalf by the State Government for determination, and shall be determined in accordance with the decision of such arbitrator. Explanation.- In this sub-section, the expression "person interested" means the person who was in actual possession of the premises requisitioned under section 9-A immediately before the requisition, or where no person was in such actual possession, the owner of such premises. (2) Whenever in pursuance of section 9-A, the State Government requisitions any vehicle, vessel or animal, there shall be paid to the owner thereof compensation the amount of which shall be determined by the State Government on the basis of the fares or rates prevailing in the locality for the hire of such vehicle, vessel or animal: Provided that where the owner of such vehicle, vessel or animal being aggrieved by the amount of compensation so determined make an application within the prescribed time to the State Government for referring the matter to an arbitrator, the amount of compensation to be paid shall be such as the arbitrator appointed in this behalf by the State Government may determine: Provided further that where immediately before the requisitioning the vehicle or vessel was by virtue of hire-purchase agreement in the possession of a person other than the owner, the amount determined under this sub- section as the total compensation payable in respect of the requisition shall be apportioned between that person and the owner in such manner as they may agree upon, and in default of agreement, in such manner as an arbitrator appointed by the State Government in this behalf may decide. 9-C. Release of premises from requisition.- (1) When any premises requisitioned under section 9-A are to be released from requisition, the possession thereof shall be delivered to the person from whom possession was taken at the time when the premises were requisitioned, or if there were no such person, to the person deemed by the State Government to be the owner of such premises, and such delivery of possession shall be a full discharge of the State Government from all liabilities in respect of such delivery, but shall not prejudice any rights in respect of the premises which 38 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 any other person may be entitled by due process of law to enforce against the person to whom possession of the premises is so delivered. (2) Where the person to whom the possession of any premises requisitioned under section 9-A is to be given under sub-section (1) cannot be found or is not readily ascertainable or has no agent or any other person empowered to accept delivery on his behalf, the State Government shall cause a notice declaring that such premises are released from requisition to be affixed on some conspicuous part of such premises and publish the notice in the Official Gazette. (3) When a notice referred to in sub-section (2) is published in the Official Gazette, the premises specified in such notice shall cease to be subject to requisition on and from the date of such publication and be deemed to have been delivered to the person entitled to possession thereof; and the State Government shall not be liable for any compensation or other claim in respect of such premises for any period after the said date. 9-D. Delegation of functions of the State Government with regard to requisitioning.- The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any powers conferred or any duty imposed on it by any of the provisions of sections 9-A to 9-C shall, under such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the direction, be exercised or discharged by such officer or class of officers as may be so specified. 9-E. Deputation of staff and punishment on breach of official duty.- (1) The State Government shall depute staff from Government or Semi Government Organisations of the State Government for the conduct of all elections to the Municipal Corporation and the officers or staff employed in connection with the preparation, revision and correction of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections shall be deemed to be on deputation with the State Election Commission for the period during which they are so employed and such officers and staff shall, during that period, be subject to the control, superintendence and discipline of the State Election Commission. (2) If any person deputed on election duty under sub-section (1) disobeys any orders issued by an officer appointed to conduct the election under this Act regarding the performance of an election duty or deliberately abstains himself from duty or contravenes any provision of this Act and the rules made thereunder, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.] 10. Reservation of seats of Councillors.- (1) Seats shall be reserved in the Corporation,- (a) for the Scheduled Castes; and (b) for the Scheduled Tribes; and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the Corporation as the population of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 39 Tribes in the municipal area bears to the total population of the municipal area: Provided that in case no reservation of seats is possible as aforesaid due to small population of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes and the population of Scheduled Castes or of the Scheduled Tribes in the municipal area is at least five per cent of the total population of the municipal area, one seat shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, or the Scheduled Tribes, as the case may be, in such a Corporation: Provided further that where there is no eligible candidate belonging to the Scheduled Castes, or the Scheduled Tribes, as the case may be, to be elected as a member of the Corporation, no seat shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes, or Scheduled Tribes, as the case may be: Provided further that in non-tribal areas where there is Scheduled Tribes population in a municipal area, seats shall be reserved for such members of the Scheduled Tribes within the reservation provided for the members of the Scheduled Castes and the determination of seats to be reserved amongst the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be in proportion to their population in that municipal area. Explanation. -The expression "non-tribal area" for the purpose of this proviso shall mean the areas other than the Scheduled Areas specified in relation to the State of Himachal Pradesh. (2) 1[One-half] out of the total number of seats, reserved under sub- section (1), shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or, as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes. (3) 2[One-half] (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election shall be reserved for women. (4) The State Government may, by general or special order, reserve such number of seats for persons belonging to Backward Classes in a Corporation, not exceeding the proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the Corporation as the population of the persons belonging to Backward Classes in that municipal area bears to the total population of that area and may further reserve not less than 3[one half] of the total seats reserved under this sub-section for women belonging to Backward Classes. (5) The seats reserved under sub-sections (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the municipal area in such manner as may be prescribed. 1. Substituted for the words “One-third” vide H.P. Act No. 9 of 2008. 2. Substituted for the words “one-third” vide H.P. Act No. 9 of 2008. 3. Substituted for the words “one-third” vide H.P. Act No. 9 of 2008. 40 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (6) The reservation of seats under sub-section (1), shall cease to have effect on the expiration of the period specified in article 334 of the Constitution of India. (7) The reservation of seats under sub-sections (1) and (4) shall be reviewed after every decennial census. (8) The reservation of seats under this section shall be given effect to through a notification issued, at the time of each election, by the State Government. 11. Right to vote.- (1) For every municipal area there shall be a list of voters which shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder. (2) Every person who is qualified to be registered in Legislative Assembly roll relatable to the municipal area or whose name is entered therein and ordinarily resident within the municipal area shall be entitled to be registered in the list of voters of that municipal area: Provided that no person shall be entitled to be registered in the list of voters for more than one ward of the municipal area. Explanation-I.- The expression "ordinarily resident" shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1951) subject to the modification, that reference to "constituency" therein will be construed as reference to "municipal area". Explanation-II.- A person shall be disqualified for registration in the list of voters of the municipal area if he is disqualified for the registration in the Legislative Assembly roll. 12. Filling of casual vacancies.- (1) Whenever a vacancy occurring by death, resignation or removal, or by vacation of a seat for any other reason, the vacancy shall be filled within six months of the occurrence of such vacancy : Provided that no election shall be held to fill a casual vacancy occurring within six months prior to the holding of a general election. (2) Every person elected or nominated to fill a casual vacancy shall be elected or nominated to serve for the remainder of his predecessor's term of office. (3) If the vacancy be a vacancy reserved for any category, the vacancy will be filled from the same category. 13. Publication of results of elections.- The names of all persons elected as 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] shall, as soon as may be after 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 41 such election be published by the State Election Commission in the Official Gazette : Provided that the names of all the Councillors elected at a general election shall be so published as far as possible simultaneously. 1[13-A. Account of election expenses and maximum 2[limit] thereof.- (1) Every candidate at an election shall, either himself or by his election agent, 3[or by any other person with his authority, consent or knowledge] keep a separate and correct account of all expenditure in connection with the election incurred or authorised by him or by his election agent 4[or by any other person with his authority, consent or knowledge] between the date on which he has been nominated and the date of declaration of the result thereof, both dates inclusive. (2) The account shall contain such particulars, as may be prescribed by the State Government in consultation with the State Election Commission. (3) The total of the said expenditure shall not exceed such amount as may be prescribed by the State Government in consultation with the State Election Commission. 13-B. Lodging of account.- Every contesting candidate at an election shall, within thirty days from the date of election of the returned candidate or, if there are more than one returned candidates at the election and the dates of their election are different, the later of those of those two dates lodge with the officer, as may be appointed by the State Election Commission, an account of his election expenses which shall be a true copy of the account kept by him or by his election agent 5[or by any other person with his authority, consent or knowledge] under section 13-A.] 14. Election petitions.- (1) No election of a 6[XXXXXX] Councillor shall be called in question except by any election petition presented to the Divisional Commissioner], having jurisdiction over that municipal area hereinafter in this Chapter referred to as the prescribed authority within thirty 1. Sections 13-A and 13-B inserted by Act No. 12 of 1995, effective from 1st August, 1995. 2. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 3. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 4. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 5. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 6. In sub-section (1) the words “Deputy Commissioner” substituted by the words “Revenue Commissioner” vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002, amended vide H.P. Act No. 3 of 2007, again for the words “Councillor shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to the Revenue Commissioner” the words and sign “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor shall be called in question except by any election petition presented to the Divisional Commissioner” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 42 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 days from the date of the publication of the result of the election under section 13. (2) An election petition calling in question any such election may be presented on one or more of the grounds specified in section 16, by any candidate at such election or by any elector of the ward concerned. (3) Petitioner shall join as respondents to his petition all the candidates at the election. (4) An election petition- (a) shall contain a concise statement of the material facts on which the petitioner relies; (b) shall, with sufficient particulars, set forth the ground or grounds on which the election is called in question; and (c) shall be signed by the petitioner and verified in the manner laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), for the verification of pleadings. 1[14-A. Parties to the petition.- A petitioner shall join as respondents to his petition,- (a) where the petitioner, in addition to claiming declaration that the election of all or any of the returned candidates is void, claims a further declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected, all the contesting candidates other than the petitioner, and where no such further declaration is claimed, all the returned candidates; and (b) any other candidate against whom allegations of any corrupt practice are made in the petition.]. 15. Relief that may be claimed by the petitioner.- A petitioner may claim- (a) a declaration that the election of all or any of the returned candidates is void; and (b) in addition thereto, a further declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected. Explanation.- The expression "returned candidate" means a candidate whose name has been published in the Official Gazette, under section 13. 16. Grounds for declaring election to be void.- (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), if the prescribed authority is of the opinion - (a) that on the date of his election a returned candidate was not qualified or was disqualified, to be chosen as a 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor]; or 1. Section 14-A inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 43 (b) that any corrupt practice has been committed by a returned candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of a returned candidate or his agent; or (c) that any nomination paper has been improperly rejected; or (d) that the result of the election in so far as it concerns, a returned candidate has been materially affected- (i) by the improper acceptance of any nomination; or (ii) by any corrupt practice committed in the interest of the returned candidate by a person other than the candidate or his agent or a person acting with the consent of such candidate or agent; or (iii) by the improper acceptance or refusal of any vote or reception of any vote which is void; or (iv) by the non-compliance with the provisions of this Act or any rules or orders made thereunder, prescribed authority shall declare the election of the returned candidate to be void. (2) If in the opinion of the prescribed authority, a returned candidate or any of his agents, has been alleged to be guilty of any corrupt practice, but the prescribed authority is satisfied- (a) that no such corrupt practice was committed at the election by the candidate, or such corrupt practice was committed contrary to the orders, and without the consent of the candidate; (b) that the candidate took all reasonable means for preventing the commission of corrupt practices at the election; and (c) that in all other respects the election was free from any corrupt practice on the part of the candidate or any of his agents, the prescribed authority may decide that the election of the returned candidate is not void. 17. Procedure to be followed by the prescribed authority.- The procedure provided in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in regard to suits shall be followed by the prescribed authority in the trial and disposal of an election petition under this Act. 18. Decision of prescribed authority.- Subject to the provisions of this Act and of any rules made thereunder every election petition shall be decided by the prescribed authority within a period of six months from the substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 44 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 date of its presentation under section 14, and at the conclusion of the hearing of an election petition, the prescribed authority shall make an order- (a) dismissing the election petition; or (b) declaring the election of all or any of the returned candidates to be void; or (c) declaring the election of all or any of the returned candidates to be void and the petitioner and any other candidate to have been duly elected. (2) If any person who has filed an election petition has, in addition to calling in question the election of the returned candidate, claimed declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected and the prescribed authority is of opinion - (a) that in fact the petitioner or such other candidate received a majority of the valid votes; or (b) that but for the vote obtained by the returned candidate the petitioner or such other candidate would have obtained a majority of the valid votes, the prescribed authority shall after declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void, declare the petitioner or such other candidate, as the case may be, to have been duly elected. 19. Procedure in case of equality of votes. -If during the hearing of an election petition it appears that there is an equality of votes between any candidate at the election and that the addition of a vote would entitle any of those candidate to be declared elected, then the prescribed authority shall decide between them by lot and proceed as if the one on whom the lot falls had received an additional vote. 20. Finality of decision.- (1) Save as otherwise provided, an order of the prescribed authority on an election petition shall be final. (2) An election of a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] not called in question in accordance with the foregoing provisions shall be deemed to be a good and valid election. (3) Any person aggrieved by the order of the prescribed authority may file an appeal to the 2[Financial Commissioner (Appeal) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh or such other officers, as may be authorised, by notification, by the State Government in consultation with the State Election Commission], within a period of thirty days from the date of the order and he shall hear and dispose of the appeal within a period of ninety days. 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. Substituted for the word “Director” vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 45 21. Corrupt practices.- The following shall be deemed to be corrupt practices, namely:- (1) Bribery as defined in sub-section (1) of section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951); (2) Undue influence as defined in sub-section (2) of the said section; (3) An appeal by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his election agent to vote or refrain from voting on grounds of caste, race, community or religion or the use of or appeal to, religious symbols or, the use of or appeal to, national symbols such as the national flag or the national emblem, for the furtherance of the prospects of that candidate's election; (4) The publication by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his election agent of any statement of fact which is false, and which he either believes to be false or does not believe to be true, in relation to the personal character or conduct of any candidate, or in relation to the candidature, or withdrawal from contest of any candidate being a statement reasonably calculated to prejudice the prospects of that candidate's election; 1[(4-A) The promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of citizen of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, by a candidate or his agent or any other person with the consent of candidate or his agent for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate.]; and (5) The hiring or procuring, whether on payment or otherwise, of any vehicle or vessel by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his election agent for conveyance of any elector (other than the candidate himself, and the members of his family or his agent) to or from any polling station provided in accordance with the rules made under this Act: 2[(5-A) the incurring, or authorising, of expenditure in contravention of section 13-A:] Provided that the hiring of a vehicle or vessel by an elector or by several electors at their joint cost for the purpose of conveying him or them to or from any such polling station shall not be deemed to be a corrupt 1. Sub-section (4-A) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. Sub-section (5-A) added vide H.P. Act No. 12 of 1995, effective from 1st August, 1995. 46 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 practice under this clause, if the vehicle or vessel so hired is a vehicle or vessel not propelled by mechanical powers: Provided further that the use of any public transport vehicle or vessel or any railway carriage by an elector at his own cost for the purpose of going to or coming from any such polling station shall not be deemed to be a corrupt practice under this sub-section; Explanation.- In this sub-section the expression "vehicle" means any vehicle used or capable of being used for the purpose of road transport whether propelled by mechanical power or otherwise and whether used for drawing other vehicles or otherwise. (6) The holding of any meeting in which intoxicating liquors are served. (7) The issuing of any circular, placard or poster having a reference to the election which does not bear the name and address of the printer and publisher thereof. 1[(7-A) The obtaining or procuring or abetting or attempting to obtain or procure by a candidate or his agent, or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his agent, any assistance (other than the giving of vote) for the furtherance of the prospects of that candidate's election, from any person in the service of the Government of India or any State or a local authority.] (8) Any other practice which the Government may by rules specify to be corrupt practice. 22. Maintenance of secrecy of voting.- (1) Every officer, or official, agent or other person who performs any duty in connection with the recording or counting of votes at an election, shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not (except for some purpose authorised by or under any law) communicate to any person any information calculated to violate such secrecy. (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine, or with both. 23. Officers etc. at elections not to act for candidates or to influence voting.- (1) No person who is a returning officer, or an assistant returning officer or a presiding officer or polling officer at an election or an officer or official appointed by the returning officer or the presiding officer to perform any duty in connection with an election or a member of a police force, shall, in the conduct or management of the election do any act (other than the giving of votes) for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of a candidate. 1. Sub-section (7-A) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 47 (2) No such person as aforesaid shall endeavour- (a) to persuade any person to give his vote at an election; or (b) to dissuade any person for giving his vote at an election; or (c) to influence the voting of any person at an election in any manner. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine, or with both. 1[(4) An offence punishable under sub-section (3) shall be cognizable.] 24.

Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station and of public meeting on election day.- (1) No person shall, on the date or dates on which the poll is taken at any polling station, commit any of the following acts within the polling station, or in any public or private place within a distance of one hundred metres of the polling station, namely :- (a) canvassing for votes; or (b) soliciting the votes of any elector; or (c) persuading any elector not to vote for any particular candidate; or (d) persuading any elector not to vote at the election; or (e) exhibiting any notice or sign (other than an official notice) relating to the election. 2[(2) No person shall,- (a) convene, hold, attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election; or (b) display to the public any election matter by means of cinematography, television or other similar apparatus; or (c) propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public thereto; in any polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of poll for any election in that polling area. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine not exceeding rupees ten thousand, or with both. 1. Sub-section (4) added vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. Sub-sections (2) and (3) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 48 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Explanation.- In this section the expression "election matter" means any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election.] (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees. (4) An offence committed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be cognizable. 25. Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling station.- (1) No person shall, on the date or dates on which a poll is taken at any polling station,- (a) use or operate within or at the entrance of the polling station or in any public or private place in the neighbourhood thereof any apparatus for amplifying or reproducing the human voice, such as a megaphone or a loud speaker; or (b) shout or otherwise act in a disorderly manner, within or at the entrance of the polling station, or in any public or private place in the neighbourhood thereof , so as to cause annoyance to any person visiting the polling station for the poll, or so as to interfere with the work of the officer and other persons on duty at the polling station. (2) Any person who contravenes or wilfully aids or abets the contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both. (3) If the presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under this section, he may direct any police officer to arrest such person, and thereupon the police officer shall arrest him. (4) Any police officer may take such steps and use such force as may be reasonably necessary for preventing any contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1), and may seize any apparatus used for such contravention. 26. Penalty for misconduct at the polling station.- (1) Any person who during the hours fixed for the poll at any polling station, misconducts himself or fails to obey the lawful directions of the presiding officer, may be removed from the polling station by the presiding officer or by any police officer on duty or by any person authorised in this behalf by such presiding officer. (2) The power conferred by sub-section (1) shall not be exercised so as to prevent any elector who is otherwise entitled to vote at a polling station from having an opportunity of voting at that station. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 49 (3) If any person who has been so removed from a polling station re- enters the polling station without the permission of the presiding officer, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine, or with both. (4) An offence punishable under sub-section (3) shall be cognizable. 27. Breaches of official duty in connection with election.- (1) If any person to whom this section applies, is without reasonable cause guilty of any act or omission in breach of his official duty, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. An offence punishable under this section shall be cognizable. (2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any such person for damages in respect of any such act or omission as aforesaid. (3) The persons to whom this section applies are returning officers, assistant returning officers, presiding officers, polling officers and any other person appointed to perform any duty in connection with receipt of nominations or withdrawal of candidatures or the recording or counting of votes at an election; and the expression "official duty" shall for the purposes of this section be construed accordingly. 28. Removal of ballot papers from polling station to be an offence.- (1) Any person who at an election fraudulently takes or attempts to take a ballot paper out of a polling station, or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both. (2) If the presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1), such officer may, before such person leaves the polling station, arrest or direct a police officer to arrest such person and may search such person or cause him to be searched by a police officer: Provided that when it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency. (3) Any ballot paper found upon the person arrested on search shall be made over for safe custody to a police officer by the presiding officer or when the search is made by a police officer, shall be kept by such officer in safe custody. (4) An offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable. 29. Offence of booth capturing.- Whoever commits an offence of booth capturing, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years and with fine, and where such offence is committed by a person in the service of the Government, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to three years and with fine. 50 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, "booth capturing" includes, among other things, all or any of the following activities, namely:- (a) seizure of a polling station or a place fixed for the poll by any person or persons making polling authorities surrender the ballot papers or voting machines and doing of any other act which affects the orderly conduct of elections; (b) taking possession of a polling station or a place fixed for the poll by any person or persons and allowing only his or their own supporters to exercise their right to vote and prevent others from voting; (c) threatening any elector and preventing him from going to the polling station or a place fixed for the poll to cast his vote; (d) seizure of a place for counting of votes by any person or persons making the counting authorities surrender the ballot papers or voting machine and the doing of anything which affects the orderly counting of votes; (e) doing by any person in the service of Government, of all or any of the aforesaid activities or aiding or conniving at, any such activity in the furtherance of the prospects of the election of a candidate. 30. Other offences and penalties.- (1) A person shall be guilty of an electoral offence, if at any election he- (a) fraudulently defaces, destroys any nomination paper; or (b) fraudulently defaces, destroys or removes any list, notice or other document affixed by or under the authority of the returning officer; or (c) fraudulently defaces or destroys any ballot paper or the official mark on any ballot paper or any declaration of identify or official envelope used in connection with voting by postal ballot; or (d) without due authority supplies any ballot paper to any person or receives any ballot paper from any person or is in possession of any ballot paper; or (e) fraudulently puts into any ballot-box anything other than the ballot paper which he is authorised by law to put in; or (f) without due authority destroys, takes, opens or otherwise interferes with any ballot box or ballot paper then in use for the purpose of the election; or (g) fraudulently or without due authority, as the case may be, attempts to do any of the foregoing acts or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such acts. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 51 1[(h) violates the Model Code of Conduct issued by the State Election Commission.] (2) Any person guilty of an offence under this section shall- (a) if he is a returning officer or an assistant returning officer or a presiding officer or a polling officer or any other officer or official employed on official duty in connection with the election, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; (b) if he is any other person, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both. (3) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to be on official duty if his duty is to take part in the conduct of any election or part of an election including the counting of votes or to be responsible after an election for the used ballot papers and other documents in connection with such election. (4) An offence punishable under sub-section (2) shall be cognizable. (5) No court shall take cognizance of any offence under section 24, or under section 28, or under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of this section unless there is a complaint made by order of, or under authority from, the State Election Commissioner. 2[30-A. Promoting enmity between classes of citizen in connection with the election.- Any person who in connection with an election under this Act promotes or attempts to promote on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizen of India shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. 30-B. Disturbances at election meetings.- (1) Any person who at a public meeting to which this section applies acts or incites others to act, in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the transaction of the business for which the meeting was called together, shall be punishable 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) An offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable. (3) This section applies to any public meeting of a political character held in any constituency between the date of the issue of a notification under this Act calling upon constituency to elect a member or members and the date on which election is held. (4) If any police officer reasonably suspects any person of committing an offence under sub-section (1), he may, if requested so to do by the 1. Clause (h) added vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. Sections 30-A to 30-I inserted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 52 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Chairman of the meeting require that person to declare to him immediately his name and address and, if the persons refuses or fails to declare his name and address, or if the police officer reasonably suspects him of giving a false name or address, the police officer may arrest him without warrant. 30-C. Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters etc.- (1) No person shall print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher thereof. (2) No person shall print or cause to be printed any election pamphlet or poster- (a) unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher thereof, signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known, is delivered by him to the printer in duplicate; and (b) unless within reasonable time after the printing of the document, one copy of the declaration is sent by the printer, together with one copy of the document,- (i) where it is printed in the Capital of the State, to the State Election Commission; and (ii) in any other case, to the District Magistrate of the district, it is printed. (3) For the purposes of this section,- (a) any process for multiplying copies of a document, other than copying it by hand, shall be deemed to be printed and the expression "printer" shall be construed accordingly; and (b) "election pamphlet or poster" means any printed pamphlet, hand-bill or other document distributed for the purpose of promoting or prejudicing the election of a candidate or group of candidates or any placard or poster having reference to an election, but does not include any hand-bill, placard or poster merely announcing the date, time, place and other particulars of an election meeting or routine instructions to election agents or workers. (4) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both. 30-D. Penalty for failure to observe procedure for voting.- If any elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued, refuses to observe the procedure prescribed for voting, the ballot paper issued to him shall be liable for cancellation. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 53 30-E. Penalty for illegal hiring or procuring of conveyance at elections.- If any person is guilty of any such corrupt practices as specified in sub-section (5) of section 21 of this Act, at or in connection with an election, he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine. 30-F. Penalty for Government servants for acting as election agent, polling agent or counting agent.- If any person in the service of the Government acts as an election agent or a polling agent or a counting agent of a candidate at an election, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both. 30-G. Prohibition of going armed to or near a polling station.- (1) No person, other than the returning officer, the presiding officer, any police officer and any other person appointed to maintain peace and order at a polling station who is on duty at the polling station, shall, on a polling day, go armed with arms, as defined in the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959), of any kind within the neighbourhood of polling station. (2) If any person contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959), where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the arms as defined in the said Act found in his possession shall be liable to confiscation and the licence granted in relation to such arms shall be deemed to have been revoked under section 17 of that Act. (4) An offence punishable under sub-section (2) shall be cognizable. 30-H. Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll.- (1) Every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at election to the Municipal Corporation shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday. (2) No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday having been granted in accordance with sub-section (1) and if such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive wages for such a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such day the wages he would have drawn had not a holiday been granted to him on that day. (3) If an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. (4) This section shall not apply to any elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he is engaged. 30-I. Liquor not to be sold, given or distributed on polling day.- (1) No spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of a 54 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, catering house, tavern, shop or any other place, public or private, within a polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area. (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both. (3) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of a like nature found in his possession shall be liable to confiscation and the same shall be disposed off in such manner as may be prescribed.] 31. Power to make rules regulating the election of 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillors].- (1) The Government may in consultation with State Election Commission make rules to provide for or regulate all or any of the following matters for the purpose of holding elections of a Councillors under this Act, namely:- (a) qualifications of elector and the preparation, publication, correction and revision of electoral rolls; (b) the appointment of returning officers, assistant returning officers presiding officers and polling officers for the conduct of election; (c) the nomination of candidates, form of nomination papers, objections to nominations and scrutiny of nominations and allotment of symbols to candidates; (d) the deposits to be made by candidates, time and manner of making such deposits and the circumstances under which such deposits may be refunded to candidates or forfeited to the Corporation; (e) the withdrawal of candidature; (f) the appointment of agents of candidates; (g) the procedure in contested and uncontested elections; (h) the date, time and place for poll and other matters relating to the conduct of elections including - (i) the appointment of polling stations for each ward; (ii) the hours during which the polling station shall be kept open for the casting of votes; (iii) the printing and issue of ballot papers; 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 55 (iv) the checking of voters by reference to electoral roll; (v) the making with indelible ink of the left fore-finger or any other finger or limb of the voter and prohibition of the delivery of the ballot paper to any person if at the time such person applies for such person applies for such paper he has already such mark, so as to prevent personation of voters; (vi) the manner in which votes are to be given and in particular in the case of illiterate voters or of voters under physical or other disability; (vii) the procedure to be followed in respect of challenged votes and tendered votes; (viii) the scrutiny of votes, counting of votes, the declaration of the results and the procedure in case of equality of votes or in the event of a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] being elected to represent more than one ward; (ix) the custody and disposal of papers relating to elections; (x) the suspension of polls in case of any interruption by riot, violence or any other sufficient cause and the holding of a fresh poll; (xi) the holding of a fresh poll in the case of destruction of or tampering with the ballot boxes before the count; (xii) the countermanding of the poll in the case of the death of a candidate before the poll; (i) the requisitioning of premises, vehicles, vessels or animals, payment of compensation in connection with such requisitioning, eviction from requisitioned premises and release of premises from requisition; (j) the fee to be paid on an election petition; (k) any other matter relating to elections or election disputes which is to be prescribed or in respect of which the Government deems it necessary to make rules under this section or in respect of which this Act makes no provisions or makes insufficient provision and provision is, in the opinion of the Government, necessary. 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 56 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of any rule framed under this section shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. 32. Bar to interference by Courts in electoral matters.- Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats to such constituencies, made or purporting to be made under article 243-K of the Constitution of India shall not be called in question in any Court. 33. Oath or affirmation by a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor].- (1) Every a 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe at a meeting of the Corporation an oath or affirmation according to the following form, namely:- "I A.B. having been elected/nominated as a 3[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Municipal Corporation of ............... do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will bear true and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter." (2) If a person sits or votes as a 4[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] before he has complied with the requirements of sub-section (1), he shall be liable in respect of each day on which he so sits or votes to a penalty of five hundred rupees to be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act, and his vote will be considered invalid. 34. Removal of and resignation by Councillors.- (1) The Government may, by notification, remove any Councillor, if in its opinion - (a) he becomes subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in section 8; or (b) he has flagrantly abused his position as a Councillor or has through negligence or misconduct been responsible for the loss or misapplication of any money or property of the Corporation; (c) he has become physically or mentally incapacitated for performing his duties as a Councillor; or 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 3. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 4. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 57 (d) he absents himself during three successive months from the meetings of the Corporation; or (e) he acts in contravention of the provisions of section 61; or 1[(f) he has without reasonable cause in the opinion of the State Government fails to convene more than three consecutive meetings of the Ward Committee :] Provided that before making an order under this section, reasonable opportunity shall be given to the Councillor to be heard and to show cause against such an order. (2) If a Councillor resigns his seat by writing under his hand addressed to the Commissioner, he shall cease to be a Councillor on the date of acceptance of his resignation and his office shall thereupon fall vacant. 2[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.] 35. Payment of allowances to Councillors.- The Councillors shall be entitled to receive allowances for attendance at meetings of the Corporation and of its committees at such rates as may be prescribed subject to the limits as may be imposed by the Government. 36. 3[Election] of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and their term of office.- 4[(1) The Corporation shall at its first meeting and thereafter at the expiration of every two and half years, elect one of its Councillors to be the Chairperson to be known as the Mayor and another Councillor to be the Deputy Mayor of the Corporation: Provided that the office of the Mayor shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Women; by rotation or by lots in the manner prescribed: Provided further that where the population of any class of persons referred to in the foregoing proviso is less than fifteen percent of the total population of the Municipal area, the office of the Mayor shall not be reserved for that class. (2) The term of office of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of the 1. Clause (f) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 2. Section 34-A. inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 3. Substituted for the words “Annual election” vide H.P. Act No. 3 of 1998 effective from 2nd June, 1997, i.e. the day on which the existing Municipal Corporation of Shimla was constituted and its Mayor shall be deemed to have been elected under the amended provisions, as if the office of the Mayor was to be filled up out of the Councillors belonging to unreserved category. 4. Sub-Section (1) amended vide H.P. Act No. 3 of 1998, sub-sections (1) and (2) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010, amended vide H.P. Act No. 4 of 2012 and again substituted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 58 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Corporation shall be two and half years from the date of his election, as such, unless in the meantime he resigns his office as Mayor or Deputy Mayor or unless in the case of Deputy Mayor is elected as the Mayor and he shall cease to hold his office on the expiry of his term of office: Provided that if the office of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor is vacated or falls vacant during the tenure on account of death, resignation or no- confidence motion, a fresh election within a period of one month of the vacancy shall be held from the same category, for the remainder period:] Provided further that the election of the new Mayor or the Deputy Mayor, as the case may be, at the end of every term, shall be held before the expiry of the term specified in this sub-section. (3) The Mayor and Deputy Mayor shall be entitled to the payment of such honorarium and may be given such facilities in respect of residential accommodation, telephone, conveyance and the like as may be prescribed by bye-laws. (4) The Mayor of the Corporation shall have access to the record of the Corporation and issue directions to the Commissioner or other functionaries of the Corporation or call for reports from them with a view to ensuring proper implementation of the decisions of the Corporation. (5) The Mayor shall have such powers as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act and to implement the decisions of the Corporation. 1[37.Motion of no confidence against Mayor or Deputy Mayor.- (1) A motion of no confidence against the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor may be made in accordance with the procedure as may be prescribed. (2) Where a notice of intention to move a resolution requiring the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor of the Corporation to vacate his office, signed by not less than majority of its total elected Councilors is given and if a motion of no confidence is carried by a resolution passed by a majority of elected Councillors present and voting at its general or special meeting, the quorum of which is not less than one-half of its total elected members, the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor against whom such resolution is passed shall cease to hold office forthwith. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the rules made thereunder, the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor of the Corporation shall not preside over a meeting in which a motion of no confidence is to be discussed against him. Such meeting shall be presided over by such a person, and convened in such manner, as may be prescribed and the person against whom a motion of no confidence is moved, shall have a right to vote and to take part in the proceedings of such meeting. (4) Motion of no confidence under this section shall not be 1. Section 37 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again inserted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 59 maintainable within six months of the date of his election to such office and any subsequent motion of no confidence shall not be maintainable within the interval of six months of the last motion of no confidence.] 38. Discharge of functions of the Mayor by Deputy Mayor.- (1) When the office of the Mayor is vacant, the Deputy Mayor shall act as Mayor until a new Mayor is elected. (2) When the Mayor is absent from duty on account of illness or any other cause, the Deputy Mayor, shall act, as Mayor during his absence. 39. Resignation of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.- (1) The Mayor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Deputy Mayor, resign his office: 1[Provided that if the office of the Deputy Mayor is vacant, then the Mayor may submit his resignation to the Deputy Commissioner of the District.] (2) The Deputy Mayor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Mayor, resign his office: 2[Provided that if the office of the Mayor is vacant, then the Deputy Mayor may submit his resignation to the Deputy Commissioner of the District.] (3) A resignation under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall take effect from the date of its acceptance by the Mayor or Deputy Mayor, 3[or the Deputy Commissioner] as the case may be. 40. Standing Committees.- (1) The Corporation shall have the following standing committees, namely:- (a) General Functions Committee; (b) Finance, Contracts and Planning Committee; and (c) Social Justice Committee. (2) Each standing committee shall consist of not less than three and not more than five Councillors including the Mayor or Deputy Mayor, as the case may be, elected by the Councillors of the Municipal Corporation from amongst elected Councillors: Provided that Social Justice Committee shall include at least one member who may be a woman or a member of a Scheduled Caste or of a Scheduled Tribe. (3) The General Functions Committee shall perform functions relating to the establishment matters, communications, construction of buildings and roads, urban housing, relief against natural calamities, water supply, 1. Proviso inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 2. Proviso to Sub-section (2) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 3. Substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 60 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 sewerage disposal, health and sanitation and all miscellaneous residuary matters. (4) The Finance, Contracts and Planning Committee shall perform the functions relating to the finances of the Corporation, preparation of budget, scrutinising proposals for increase of revenue including taxes, examination of receipts and expenditure statement, sales and leases of Corporation properties, recovery of loans, examination of schedule of rates, consideration of all proposals affecting the finances of the Corporation and general supervision of the revenue and expenditure of the Corporation and any other functions relating to the development of the municipal area. (5) The social Justice Committee shall perform functions relating to- (a) promotion of education, economic, social, cultural and other interests of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes; and weaker sections of the society; (b) protection from social injustice and all other forms of exploitation; (c) amelioration of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes including other weaker sections of society; (d) securing social justice to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and other weaker sections of the society. (6) The Mayor shall be the ex-officio member and also Chairman of the General Functions Committee and Finance, Contracts and Planning Committee. The Deputy Mayor shall be the ex-officio member and Chairman of the Social Justice Committee: Provided that if the Deputy Mayor acts as the Mayor of the Corporation, the members of the Social Justice Committee or any other standing committee of which the Deputy Mayor, is the ex-officio member and the Chairman, the members of Committee shall elect its Chairman from amongst themselves. (7) No elected member of the Corporation shall be eligible to serve on more than two standing committees at a time, (8) A Standing Committee may with the approval of the Corporation, co-opt not more than two persons who are not Councillors of the Corporation but who in the opinion of the Corporation possess special qualifications for serving on such a committee: Provided that such co-opted members shall not be deemed to be Councillors of the Corporation and shall have no right to vote in any capacity whatsoever but shall be entitled to participate in all the proceedings of the committee in an advisory capacity. (9) The Chairman of every committee shall in respect of the work of the committee, be entitled to call for any information, return, statement, account or report from the office of the Corporation and to enter on and THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 61 inspect any immovable property of the Corporation or work in progress connected with the work of the committee. (10) Each committee shall be entitled to attendance at its meetings of any officer of the municipal Corporation who is connected with the work of the committee. The Commissioner shall under the instructions of the committee, issue notices and secure the attendance of the officer. (11) The Corporation may frame regulations relating to election of members of the Standing Committees, conduct of business therein, and all other matters relating thereto. (12) The Commissioner, or the Joint/Assistant Commissioner, appointed under section 46, shall be the ex-officio Member Secretary of the Standing Committee. CHAPTER-III FUNCTIONS OF THE CORPORATION 41. General powers of Corporation.- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, regulations and bye-laws made thereunder, the municipal administration of the municipal area shall vest in the Corporation. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub- section (1), it shall be the duty of the Corporation to consider all periodical statements of the receipts and disbursement and all progress reports and pass such resolutions thereon as it deems fit. 42. Functions of Corporation to be entrusted by the Government.- (1) Without prejudice to the generality of the provision of sub-section (1) of section 41, the State Government shall by notification endow the Corporation with such powers and authority as may be necessary from time to time to enable it to function as institution of Local Self Government, subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, with regard to,- (a) the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice; (b) the performance of functions and implementation of schemes which may be entrusted to it including the functions in respect of the following matters, namely :- (i) urban planning including town planning; (ii) regulation of land-use and construction of buildings; (iii) planning for economic and social development; (iv) roads and bridges; (v) water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes; (vi) public health, sanitation, conservancy and solid waste management; 62 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (vii) fire services; (viii) urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects; (ix) safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of the society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded; (x) slum improvement and up-gradation; (xi) urban poverty alleviation; (xii) provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens and play grounds; (xiii) promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects; (xiv) burials and burial grounds, cremations and cremation grounds and electric crematoriums. (xv) cattle ponds, prevention of cruelty to animals; (xvi) vital statistics including registration of births and deaths; (xvii) public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences; (xviii) regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries : Provided that the notification regarding the devolution of powers under this sub-section shall be issued within three months from the date of the commencement of this Act, in the first instance. (2) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to divest the Corporation of various powers and functions vested in it under various provisions of this Act, rules, bye-laws made thereunder. 43. Obligatory functions of Corporation.- It shall be incumbent on the Corporation to make adequate provisions by any means or measures which it may lawfully use or take for each of the following matters, namely:- (a) the construction, maintenance and cleaning of drains and drainage works and of public latrines, urinals and similar conveniences; (b) the construction and maintenance of works and means for providing supply of water for public and private purposes; (c) the scavenging, removal and disposal of filth, rubbish and other obnoxious or polluted matters; (d) the reclamation of unhealthy localities, the removal of noxious vegetation and generally the abatement of all nuisances; (e) the regulation of places for the disposal of the dead and the provision and maintenance of places for the said purpose; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 63 (f) the construction and maintenance of cattle pond; (g) measures for preventing and checking the spread of dangerous diseases; (h) the construction and maintenance of municipal markets and the regulation thereof; (i) the regulation and abatement of offensive or dangerous trades or practices; (j) the securing or removal of dangerous buildings and places; (k) the construction, maintenance, alteration and improvements of public streets, bridges, culverts, cause ways and the like; (l) the lighting, watering and cleaning of public streets and other public places; (m) the removal of obstructions and projections in or upon streets, bridges and other public places; (n) the naming and numbering of streets and premises; (o) the maintenance of municipal offices; (p) the laying out of the maintenance of public parks, gardens or recreation grounds; (q) the maintenance of monuments and memorials vested in a local authority in the municipal area immediately before the commencement of this Act or which may be vested in the Corporation after such commencement; (r) the maintenance and development of the value of all properties vested in or entrusted to the management of the Corporation; (s) the fulfilment of any other obligation imposed by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force; (t) planting and care of trees on road sides etc.; and (u) survey of buildings and lands. 44. Discretionary functions of the Corporation.- The Corporation may provide either wholly or in part for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (a) the furtherance of education including cultural and physical education; (b) the establishment and maintenance of, and aid to, libraries, museums, art galleries, botanical or zoological collections; (c) the establishment and maintenance of, and aid to stadia, gymnasia, akharas and places for sports and games; 64 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (d) the civic reception to persons of distinction; (e) the providing of music or other entertainments in public places or places of public resort and the establishment of theatres and cinemas; (f) the organisation and management of fairs and exhibitions; (g) the construction and maintenance of- (i) rest houses; (ii) poor houses; (iii) infirmaries; (iv) children's homes; (v) houses for the deaf and dumb and for disabled and handicapped children; (vi) shelters for destitute and disabled persons; (vii) asylums for persons of unsound mind; (h) the building or purchase and maintenance of dwelling houses for Corporation officers and other Corporation employees; (i) any measures for the welfare of the Corporation officers and other Corporation employees or any class of them, including the sanctioning of loans to such officers and employees or any class of them for construction of houses and purchase of vehicles; (j) the organisation or management of chemical or bacteriological laboratories for the examination or analysis of water, food and drugs for the detection of diseases or research connected with the public health or medical relief; (k) the provision for relief to destitute and disabled persons; (l) public vaccination and inoculation; (m) the organisation, construction, maintenance and management of swimming pools, public wash houses, bathing places and other institutions designed for the improvement of public health; (n) the organisation and management of farms and dairies within or outside the municipal area for the supply, distribution and processing of milk and milk products for the benefit of the residents of the municipal area; (o) the organisation and management of cottage industries, handicraft centres and sales emporium; (p) the construction and maintenance of warehouses and godowns; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 65 (q) the construction and maintenance of garages, sheds and stands for vehicles and cattle biers; (r) the provision for unfiltered water supply; (s) the improvement of the municipal area in accordance with improvement schemes approved by the Corporation; (t) the provision of housing accommodation for the inhabitants of any area or for any class of inhabitants; (u) the establishment and maintenance of hospitals, dispensaries and maternity and child welfare centres and the carrying out of other measures necessary for public medical relief; (v) any measure not hereinbefore specifically mentioned, likely to promote public safety, health, convenience or general welfare. 1[44-A. Ward Sabha.- All persons comprised in the electoral roll of a ward shall constitute the Ward Sabha for the purposes of this Act. 44-B. Meetings of Ward Sabha.- (1) There shall be two meetings of the Ward Sabha in a year. The meeting shall be convened by the elected ward Councillor at a public place after public notice alongwith agenda. (2) The officer, to be nominated by the Commissioner, shall be the Secretary of the Ward Sabha. The minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Ward Sabha shall be recorded by the Secretary and a copy of minutes of the proceedings of each meeting shall be forwarded by him to the Commissioner. 44-C. Ward Committee.- (1) There shall be a Ward Committee for each ward in the Corporation to be constituted within six months of the constitution of Corporation. (2) Each Ward Committee shall consist of a President and not exceeding nine eminent members, to be nominated by the Ward Sabha. (3) The elected Ward Councillor representing that ward shall be the President of the Ward Committee: Provided that at least fifty per cent seats of members of the Ward Committee shall be reserved for women. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, “eminent member” of Ward Sabha means any person or a representative of a non-government organization or an association or a community based organization working for or representing any section of civil society in fields such as environment, social welfare, rural development, health, culture, business, trade etc. (4) A person shall be disqualified for being nominated as a member of the Ward Committee under sub-section (2) or to continue as such if, under the 1. Sections 44-A to 44-J inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 66 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force,he is disqualified for being elected as a member of the Corporation. (5) The Secretary of the ward Sabha shall also be the Secretary of the Ward Committee. The minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Ward Committee shall be recorded by the Secretary and a copy of minutes of the proceedings of each meeting shall be forwarded by him to the Corporation. (6) The term of office of the member of the Ward Committee shall be two and half years from the date of nomination and he shall be eligible for re- nomination. 44-D. Meetings of Ward Committees.- It shall be the duty of the President to conduct meetings of the ward Committee at least once in two months for discussing the developmental issues and plans of the ward concerned. 44-E. Agenda.- It shall be the duly of the President to set agenda for the meetings of the Ward Committee . 44-F. Procedure for conduct of Ward Committee meetings.- Following procedure shall be followed while conducting meetings of the Ward Committee, namely:- (i) reasonable notice of the Ward Committee meetings shall be given at least one week in advance and placed on the notice board in the office of Corporation and in the ward concerned; (ii) minutes of the Ward Committee meetings shall be maintained by the Secretary and the same shall be made available to the general public for perusal at the office of the Ward Committee; and (iii) the minutes shall be presented at the next meeting of the Ward Committee for confirmation. 44-G. Disqualifications.- If a Member fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Ward Committee, then the President may bring are solution before the Ward Sabha, for removal of such member, for its approval. On approval of such resolution, such member shall stand removed from the Ward Committee and in his place, the Ward Sabha may nominate another person. 44-H. Duties and functions of the Ward Committee.- The Ward Committee shall discharge and perform the following duties and functions, namely:- (a) to prepare annual ward plan and forward the same to the Corporation for its integration with annual plan of the Corporation;

(b) to ensure proper implementation of various developmental schemes approved by the Corporation for the concerned ward; (c) to provide assistance in solid waste management in the ward; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 67 (d) to supervise sanitation work in the ward; (e) to provide assistance for the preparation and encouragement of the developmental scheme(s) for the ward; (f) to encourage harmony and unity among various groups of people in the ward; (g) to provide assistance in the implementation of developmental schemes relating to the ward; (h) to provide assistance for identification of beneficiaries for the implementation of development and welfare schemes; (i) to encourage art and cultural activities and sports activities and games; (j) to ensure people’s participation in the voluntary activities necessary for successful implementation of the developmental activities of the Corporation; (k) to suggest community water taps, public wells, public sanitation units, and such other public amenity schemes within the ward concerned; (l) to identify the deficiencies in the water supply and street lighting arrangements in the ward and suggest remedial measures; (m) to render necessary assistance to the Corporation Authorities for timely collection of taxes, fees and other arrears due to the Corporation; (n) to generate proposals/plans and determine the priority of scheme and developmental programmes to be implemented in the Ward; (o) to improve/promote the overall environment situation by integrating environmental considerations more systematically within the Ward Sabha; and (p) to perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Corporation . 44-I. Right to seek information.- (1) The President and the members of the Ward Committee shall have the right to seek information from the Commissioner, on any matter relating to the ward; (2) The Ward Committee shall submit periodical reports to the Corporation in respect of the matters specified theirin. 44-J. Function of the Commissioner.- The Commissioner shall bring to the notice of the Corporation any act or resolution of the Ward Committee which is done or passed in contravention of any of the Government instructions or the provisions of this Act; provided that if such act or omission is not rectified within 15 days, the Commissioner shall bring 68 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 such omission or violation to the notice of the State Government.] CHAPTER - IV MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE CORPORATION 45. Appointment of Commissioner.- (1) The Government shall, by notification, in the Official Gazette, appoint a Class I Officer of the Government having a service as such of ten years, as the Commissioner of the Corporation. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the Commissioner so appointed shall hold office for a term of three years in the first instance: Provided that his appointment may be renewed for a term not exceeding three years: Provided further that no officer who has attained the age of superannuation shall be appointed or continued as Commissioner. (3) The Government - (a) shall recall the Commissioner if at a special meeting of the Corporation called for the purpose, a resolution for such recall has been passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members; (b) may in the public interest recall the Commissioner at any time during the term of his appointment. 46. Appointment of 1[Additional/Joint Commissioner] and certain other officers.- (1) The State Government may, if in its opinion it is expedient to do so in the public interest, appoint a person or persons to be called 2[Additional/Joint Commissioner] appointed under section 45 for the efficient performance of the functions of the Corporation and they shall be governed by such conditions of service as may be fixed by the State Government from time to time: 3[Provided that an officer posted in the Corporation with less than seven years service shall be designated as Joint Commissioner and an officer with more than seven years service shall be designated as Additional Commissioner.] (2) Subject to the approval of the Corporation and rules made in this behalf, the 4[Additional/Joint Commissioner] appointed under sub-section (1) shall be subordinate to the Commissioner and shall exercise such powers and 1. Substituted for the words and sign “Joint/Assistant Commissioner” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. 2. Substituted for the words and sign “Joint/Assistant Commissioner” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. 3. Proviso inserted vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. 4. Substituted for the words and sign “Joint/Assistant Commissioner” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 69 perform such duties as may be conferred and imposed upon the Commissioner under this Act and are further delegated to them by the Commissioner. 1[(3) There shall be a Legal Advisor-cum-Law Officer to aid and advice the Corporation in all legal matters, to be appointed by the Corporation, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed:] 2[Provided that he shall be designated as Joint Commissioner (Legal) after completion of five years regular service in the grade and Additional Commissioner (Legal) on completion of at least two years regular service as Joint Commissioner (legal).] 47. Salary and allowances of Commissioners.- The Commissioner and the officers appointed under section 46 shall be paid out of the Corporation Fund such monthly salary and such monthly allowance, as may from time to time be fixed by the Government and may be given such facilities in relation to residential accommodation conveyance and the like as may from time to time be fixed by the Government. 48. Leave etc. to Commissioner.- On the recommendations of the Mayor, leave (except casual leave) may be granted, to the Commissioner by the Government and the casual leave shall be granted by the Mayor, and whenever the Commissioner is on leave, or is on training, another officer may be appointed by the Government in his place. 49. Contribution by Corporation.- The Corporation shall make such contribution towards leave, allowances, pension and provident fund of the Commissioner as may be required by the conditions of his service under the Government. 50. Functions of the Commissioner.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act, and subject to supervision and control of the Corporation and its Mayor the executive power for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, shall vest in the Commissioner, who shall also- (a) exercise all the powers and perform all the duties specifically conferred or imposed upon him by this Act or by any other law for the time being in force; (b) prescribe the duties of and exercise supervision and control over the acts and proceedings of all Corporation officers and other Corporation employees, and subject to any rules that may be made in this behalf dispose of all questions relating to the service of the said officers and other employees and their pay, privileges, allowances and other conditions of service; (c) on the occurrence or threatened occurrence of any sudden accident or any unforeseen event or natural calamity 1. Sub-section (3) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 19 of 2007. 2. Proviso inserted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 70 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 involving or likely to involve extensive damage to any property of the Corporation, or danger to human life, take such immediate action in consultation with the Mayor and make a report forthwith to the Corporation of the action he has taken and the reasons for the same as also of the amount of cost, if any, incurred or likely to be incurred in consequence of such action, which is not covered by a budget grant; (d) the Commissioner shall bring to the notice of the Corporation any act or resolution of the Corporation which may be in violation of any Government instructions or the provisions of this Act, provided that if such act or omission of the directions of the Government or the provisions of the Act, as the case may be, is not rectified within 15 days of the communication, it shall be the duty of the Commissioner to bring such omission or violation to the notice of the Government. 51. Power of the Corporation to require Commissioner to produce documents and furnish returns, reports etc.- (1) The Corporation and Mayor may at any time require the Commissioner - (a) to produce any record, correspondence, plans or other documents which are in his possession or under his control as Commissioner or which are recorded or filed in his office or in the office of any Corporation officer or other Corporation employee subordinate to him; (b) to furnish any return, plan, estimate, statement, account of statistics concerning or connected with any matter pertaining to the administration of this Act or any municipal authority; (c) to furnish a report by himself or to obtain from any Corporation officer or other employee subordinate to him and furnish with his own remarks thereon, a report upon any subject concerning or connected with the administration of this Act or any municipal authority. (2) Every such requisition shall be complied with by the Commissioner without any unreasonable delay; and it shall be incumbent on every Corporation officer and other Corporation employee to obey any order made by the Mayor or Corporation or Commissioner in pursuance of any such requisition: Provided that the Commissioner shall not be bound to comply with any such requisition if with the previous approval of the Mayor he makes a statement that such compliance would be prejudicial to public interest or to the interests of the Corporation. 52. Exercise of powers to be subject to sanction.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the exercise of any power or the performance of any THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 71 duty conferred or imposed upon the Corporation or any other authority by or under this Act, which will involve expenditure, shall be subject to the following conditions, namely:- (a) that such expenditure, in so far as it is to be incurred in the year in which such power is exercised or duty performed, shall be provided for under a current budget-grant; and (b) that if the exercise of such power or the performance of such duty involves or is likely to involve expenditure for any period or at any time after the close of the said year, such expenditure shall not be incurred without the sanction of the Corporation. CHAPTER-V PROCEDURE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS BY THE CORPORATION 53. Meetings.- (1) The Corporation shall ordinarily hold at least one meeting in every month for the transaction of its business. (2) The Mayor or in his absence the Deputy Mayor may, whenever he thinks fit, and shall upon a requisition in writing by not less than one-fourth of the total number of Councillors, convene a special meeting of the Corporation. (3) Any meeting may be adjourned until the next or any subsequent date, and an adjourned meeting may be further adjourned in the like manner. 1[(54. First meeting of the Corporation after general elections for election of the Mayor.- (1) The first meeting of the Corporation after general elections shall be held as early as possible but not later than thirty days after the publication of the results of the election of the Councillors under section 13 and shall be convened by the Director. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 57, for election of the Mayor, the Director shall nominate a Councillor who is not a candidate for such election to preside over the meeting. (3) If during the election of Mayor it appears that there is an equality of votes between the candidates at such election and that the addition of a vote would entitle any of these candidates to be elected as Mayor, then, the person presiding over the meeting shall decide between them by lot to be drawn in the presence of the candidates and in such manner as he may determine, and the candidate on whom the lot falls shall be deemed to have received an additional vote.] 55. Notice of meetings and business.- A list of the business to be transacted at every meeting except at an adjourned meeting shall be sent at 1. Section 54 was amended vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and substituted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 72 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 the recorded address of each 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] at least five days before the time fixed for such meeting and no business shall be brought before or transacted at, any meeting other than the business of which a notice has been so given : Provided that an urgent meeting may be called on a notice of a lesser period than five days: Provided further that any 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] may send or deliver to the Commissioner notice of any business going beyond the matters mentioned in the notice given of such meeting so as to reach him at least forty-eight hours before the date fixed for the meeting and the Commissioner shall with all possible despatch take steps to circulate such resolution to every 3[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] in such manner as he may think fit: Provided further that such other business or resolution may be transacted or taken up only with the permission of the Chair. 56. Quorum.- (1) The quorum necessary for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Corporation shall be one-third of the total number of Councillors 4[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]. (2) If at any time during a meeting of the Corporation there is no quorum it shall be the duty of the Mayor or the person presiding over such meeting either to adjourn the meeting or to suspend the meeting until there is a quorum. (3) Where a meeting has been adjourned under sub-section (2), the business which would have been brought before the original meeting if there had been a quorum present there at, shall be brought before, and may be transacted at an adjourned meeting, whether there is quorum present or not : Provided that notice of an adjourned meeting under sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be given to all Councillors 5[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]. 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 3. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 4. The words “including Mayor and Deputy Mayor” inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 5. The words “including Mayor and Deputy Mayor” inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 73 57. Presiding Officer.- (1) The Mayor or in his absence, the Deputy Mayor shall preside atevery meeting of the Corporation. (2) In the absence of both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor from the meeting the Councillors present shall elect one from amongst themselves to preside. (3) The Mayor or the person presiding over a meeting shall have and exercise a second or a casting vote in all cases of equality of votes. 58. Method of deciding question.- (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, all matters required to be decided by the Corporation shall be decided by majority of the votes of Councillors 1[XXXXXXXXXXXXXX] present and voting. (2) The voting shall be by show of hands, but the Corporation may, subject to such regulations as may be made by it, resolve that any question or class of questions shall be decided by secret ballot. (3) At any meeting, unless voting be demanded by at least four Councillors 2[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX].a declaration by the presiding officer at such meeting that a resolution has been carried or lost, and an entry to that effect in the minutes, of the proceedings shall, for the purposes of this Act, be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. (4) If voting as aforesaid is demanded, the votes of all of the members present who desire to vote shall be taken under the direction of the presiding officer at the meeting and the result of the voting shall be deemed to be resolution of the Corporation at such meeting. 59. Maintenance of order at, and admission of public to meetings, withdrawal and suspension of Councillors.- (1) The Mayor or the person presiding over a meeting shall preserve order thereat and shall have all power necessary for the purpose of preserving such order. (2) The Mayor or the person presiding over a meeting may, direct any Councillor whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the meeting, and any Councillor so directed to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the remainder of the meeting. (3) If any Councillor is ordered to withdraw at a second time within fifteen days, the Mayor or the person presiding may suspend such Councillor from attending the meetings of the Corporation for a period not exceeding 1. The words “including Mayor and Deputy Mayor” inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. The words “including Mayor and Deputy Mayor” inserted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 74 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 fifteen days and the Councillor so suspended shall absent himself accordingly: Provided that the Mayor or the person presiding may at any time cancel such suspension: Provided further that such suspension shall not debar the suspended Councillor from serving on any committee of the Corporation of which he is a member. (4) Subject to sub-section (5), every meeting shall be open to the public unless a majority of the Councillors present at the meeting decide that any inquiry of deliberation pending before the Corporation shall be held in camera. (5) The Corporation may make regulations for the purpose of admission of the members of the public to its meetings and for the removal by force if necessary, of any members of the public admitted to a meeting for interrupting or disturbing the proceedings of the meeting. (6) The Corporation may make regulations for removal of persons for disorderly conduct. (7) In the case of grave disorder arising in a meeting the Mayor or the person presiding may, if he thinks it necessary to do so, adjourn the meeting to a date or time specified by him. 60. 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillors] not to vote on matter in which he is interested.- No 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] shall vote at a meeting of the Corporation or of any committee thereof on any question relating to his own conduct or vote or take part in any discussion on any matter (other than matter affecting) generally the residents of the municipal area or of any particular ward, which affects his pecuniary interest or any property in respect of which he is directly or indirectly interested, or any property of or for which he is a manager or an agent. 61. Right to attend meetings of Corporation and its committees etc. and right of Councillor to ask questions in relation to the administration of municipal area.- (1) The Commissioner or any Corporation officer authorised by him in this behalf may attend, speak in, or otherwise take part in the proceedings of any meetings of the Corporation or any of its committees, but he shall not be entitled to vote in any such meeting. (2) A Councillor may, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), ask the Commissioner, during first half of an hour of every meeting, question on 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 75 any matter relating to the municipal administration of the area or the administration of this Act. (3) The right to ask a question shall be governed by the following conditions, namely:- (a) not less than seven days clear notice in writing specifying the question shall be given to the Commissioner. (b) no question shall - (i) bring in any name or statement not strictly necessary to make the question intelligible; (ii) contain arguments, ironical expression, imputations, epithets or defamatory statement; (iii) ask for an expression of opinion or the solution of a hypothetical proposition; (iv) ask as to the character or conduct of any person except in his official or public capacity; (v) relate to a matter which is not primarily the concern of the Corporation or any of the municipal authorities; (vi) make or imply a charge of a personal character; (vii) raise question of policy too large to be dealt with within the limits of an answer to a question; (viii) repeat in substance questions already answered or to which an answer has been refused; (ix) ask for information on trivial matters; (x) ordinarily ask for information on matters of past history; (xi) ask for information set forth in accessible documents or in ordinary works of reference; (xii) raise matters under the control of bodies or persons not primarily responsible to the Corporation; or (xiii) ask for any information on a matter which is under adjudication by a Court of Law. (4) The Mayor shall disallow any question which is, in his opinion, in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (3) . (5) If any doubt arises whether any question is or is not in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (3), the Mayor shall decide the point and his decision shall be final. (6) The Commissioner shall not be bound to answer a question if it asks for information which has been communicated to him in confidence or 76 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 in the opinion of the Mayor it cannot be answered without prejudice to public interest or the interest of the Corporation. (7) Unless otherwise directed by the Mayor or the Presiding Officer of the meeting every question shall be answered by the Commissioner at a meeting of the Corporation. 62. Power to make regulations.- The Corporation may make regulations for the transaction of business at its meetings and at the meetings of its Standing Committee or any other committee and the manner in which notice of such meetings shall be given: Provided that the time, place and procedure for the first meeting, after the constitution of the Corporation under section 4, shall be determined by the Director. 63. Keeping of minutes and proceedings.- Minutes, in which shall be recorded the names of the a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] present at and the proceedings of each meeting of the Corporation or of its committee, shall be drawn up and recorded by the Commissioner in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall be laid before the next ensuing meeting of the Corporation or of the committee, as the case may be, and shall be signed at such meeting by the presiding officer thereof. 64. Circulation of minutes and inspection of minutes and reports of proceedings.- Minutes of the proceedings of each meeting of the Corporation shall be circulated to all the a 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Corporation and shall at all reasonable times be available at the Corporation office for inspection without charge by any 3[XXXXXXXXXX Councillor] or person on payment of a fee prescribed by regulations. 65. Forwarding minutes and reports of proceeding to the Government.- (1) The Corporation shall forward to the Government and the Director a copy of the minutes of the proceedings of each meeting of the Corporation within three days from the date of the meeting. (2) The Director or the Government may also in any case ask for a copy of any paper or all the papers which were laid before the Corporation or any committee thereof and the Corporation shall forward to the Government, a copy of such paper or papers. 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 3. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and again the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omittedvide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 77 66. Validation of proceedings etc.- (1) The Corporation shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership thereof and no act done or the proceedings taken under this Act shall be questioned on the ground merely of - (a) the seat of any Councillor remaining unfilled for any cause whatsoever; (b) the existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the Corporation, or in any committee thereof; (c) any Councillor having voted or taken part in any proceedings in contravention of section 61; (d) any defect or irregularity not affecting the merits of the case. (2) Every meeting of the Corporation or of any committee thereof, the minutes of proceedings which have been duly drawn up and signed, shall be deemed to have been duly convened and to be free from all defects and irregularities. CHAPTER- VI CORPORATION OFFICERS AND OTHER CORPORATION EMPLOYEES 67. Posts in Corporation and appointments thereto.- (1) Subject to the provisions contained in this Act and the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Services Act, 1994 (14 of 1994), the Corporation may, with the previous approval of the State Government or any other officer authorised in this behalf, appoint such officers and servants as it considers necessary for the efficient discharge of its duties. (2) The qualifications, methods of recruitment, salaries, leave, allowance and other conditions of service including disciplinary matters of such officers and servants shall be such as may be prescribed. (3) The salary, allowances, gratuity, pension, contributions and other payments required to be made, in accordance with the conditions of the services, to the officers and officials employed for the discharge of duties of the Corporation under this Act, shall be charged from the Corporation Fund in the prescribed manner. (4) An employee in regular employment of the Corporation may in lieu of the Contributory Provident Fund benefits admissible to him under the Provident Fund Act, 1925 (19 of 1925), opt for service and family pensions and in that event he will be governed by the rules, as are applicable to the employees of the State Government; and such a person shall contribute to the General Provident Fund: Provided that,- (a) the share of money contribution by the Corporation, alongwith interest accrued thereon, to the credit of such a person in his Contributory Provident Fund, shall be credited 78 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 to the pension and Gratuity Fund; established for this purpose; (b) the share of money, alongwith interest accrued thereon, to the credit of such a person in the Contributory Provident Fund on account of his own contribution, shall be transferred to his credit in the General Provident Fund established for the purpose; and any loss caused to the Corporation through withdrawals during the service shall be made good by him. (5) The Corporation shall, in relation to such employees who have exercised the option for pension under sub-section (4), shall credit its contributions regularly but not later than fifth day of each month following the month to which the contributions relate, into the Pension and Gratuity Fund. (6) The "Pension and Gratuity Fund" and "General Provident Fund" referred to in sub-section (4), shall be established and maintained by the Director, Urban Local Bodies, Himachal Pradesh in such manner, as may be prescribed. (7) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the persons, who were in the regular service of any Corporation as on 1st April, 1992 and had retired before the 30th day of May, 1994, provided they opt for service and family pension under this section, and refund to the Director, within such period as may be specified, the employer's contribution to the Provident Fund including interest received by them from the employer together with simple interest at the rate of six per cent per annum from the date of its withdrawal till the date of repayment, will also be eligible for service and family pension under this Act. (8) The approval for creation of post in a Corporation services shall be given by the Government after taking into consideration the requirements of the Corporation and its financial capacity. (9) In making appointment to any post referred to in this section, the appointing authority shall, follow the instructions issued by the Government from time to time in relation to reservation of appointments or posts for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and any other category of persons. 68. Officers and other employees not to be interested in any contract etc with Corporation.- (1) A person shall be disqualified for being appointed in the Corporation if he has, directly or indirectly, by himself or by a partner or any other person, any share or interest in any contract, made with, or any work being done for the Corporation, other than as an employee. (2) If any such officer or employee acquires, directly or indirectly, by himself or by a partner or any other person, any share or interest in any such contract or work as is referred to in sub-section (1), he shall, unless the authority appointing him in any particular case otherwise decides, be liable to be removed from his office by an order of such authority: THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 79 Provided that before an order of removal is made such officer or other employee shall be given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the action proposed to be taken in regard to him. CHAPTER - VII REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE 69. Constitution of Corporation fund.- (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, - (a) all funds which immediately before the declaration and constitution of the Corporation under sections 3 and 4 of this Act vested in anybody or local authority in the municipal area or any part thereof or rural area or a part thereof, if any; (b) all moneys received by or on behalf of the Corporation under the provisions of this Act or of any law for the time being in force or under any contract; (c) all proceeds of the disposal of property by, or on behalf of the Corporation; (d) all rents occurring from any property of the Corporation; (e) all moneys raised by any tax, rate or cess levied for the purposes of this Act; (f) all fees collected and all fines levied under this Act or under any rule, regulation or by-law made thereunder; (g) all moneys received by or on behalf of the Corporation from the Government or any individual or association of individuals by way of grant or gift or deposit; (h) all interests and profits arising from any investment of, or from any transaction in connection with, any money belonging to the Corporation including loans and advances under this Act; (i) all moneys received by or on behalf of the Corporation from any other source whatsoever shall form one fund to be known as the Corporation Fund. (2) The Corporation Fund shall be held by the Corporation in trust for the purposes of this Act subject to the provisions herein contained and a general account relating to all moneys received by or on behalf of the Corporation shall be maintained. 70. Corporation fund to be kept in State Bank of India or in a Scheduled Bank or in a Government Treasury.- All moneys payable to the credit of the Corporation Fund shall be received by the Commissioner and shall be forthwith paid into the State Bank of India or into any Scheduled Bank or in treasury of the Government or any other bank approved by the Government in this behalf. 80 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 71. Operation of accounts with banks.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act, no payment shall be made by any bank referred to in section 70 out of the Corporation Fund except on a cheque signed by both.- (a) officer incharge of the accounts; (b) the Commissioner or an officer subordinate to him authorised by him in this behalf. 72. Payment not to be made unless covered by a budget grant.- No payment of any sum out of the Corporation Fund shall be made unless the expenditure of the same is covered by a current budget grant and sufficient balance of such budget grant is still available notwithstanding any reduction or transfer thereof which may have been made under the provisions of this Act: Provided that this section shall not apply to payment made in the following classes of cases, namely:- (a) repayment of moneys, belonging to contractors or other persons and held in deposit and of moneys collected or credited to the Corporation Fund by mistake; (b) refund of taxes and other moneys which are authorised under this Act. (c) sums payable in any of the following circumstances - (i) under orders of the Government on failure of the Corporation to take any action as required by the Government; or (ii) under any other enactment for the time being in force; or (iii) under the decree of order of a civil or criminal court passed against the Corporation; or (iv) under a compromise of any claim, suit or other legal proceeding; or (v) on account of cost incurred in taking immediate action by the Corporation or the Commissioner to avert a sudden threat of danger to the property of the Corporation or to human life . (d) temporary payment for works urgently required by the Government in the public interest; (e) sums payable as compensation under this Act or under any rules, regulations or bye-laws made thereunder; (f) expenses incurred by the Corporation as special measures taken on the outbreak of dangerous diseases; and (g) amount payable to Government by way of audit fee. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 81 73. Duty of persons signing cheques.- Before any person signs a cheque in accordance with section 72 or signs any bill for payment of any amount from the treasury, he shall satisfy himself that the sum which is specified for payment in the bill or for which the cheque is drawn, as the case may be, is either - (a) required for a purpose or work specifically sanctioned by the proper authority and covered by a current budget grant; or (b) required for any payment referred to, or specified in section 72. 74. Procedure when money not covered by a budget grant is expended.- Whenever any sum is expended under clauses (c), (e) or (f) of the proviso to section 72, the Commissioner shall forthwith communicate the circumstances to the Corporation to take such action under the provisions of this Act as shall, in the circumstances, appear possible and expedient for covering the amount of the additional expenditure. 75. Application of Corporation Fund.- (1) The money from time to time credited to the Corporation Fund, shall be applied in payment of all sums, charges and costs necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act and of the rules, regulations and bye-laws made thereunder or of which payment is duly directed, sanctioned or required by or under any of the provisions of this Act, and in payment of such sum as may be required to meet the establishment charges and the salary, allowances, provident fund, and gratuity of the members of municipal services including such subscription and contributions as are referred in the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Services Act, 1994 (4 of 1994) : Provided that the total expenditure on establishment shall not exceed one third of the total expenditure of the Corporation. (2) The moneys referred to in sub-section (1) shall likewise be applied in payment of all sums payable out of the Corporation Fund under any other enactment for the time being in force: Provided that an amount allotted to the Corporation by the Central or State Government or any other person or local authority for any specific work or purpose shall be utilised exclusively for such work or purpose and in accordance with such instructions, as the State Government may either generally or specially issue in this behalf. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the moneys referred to in sub-section (1) may also be applied in payment of all sums, charges and costs on all acts and things which are likely to promote the safety, health, welfare, or convenience of the inhabitants, or expenditure whereof may be declared by the Corporation with the sanction of the Government to be an appropriate charge on the Corporation Fund. 76. Payments from Corporation Fund for works urgently required for public service.- On the written requisition of the Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Himachal Pradesh or the Director, the Commissioner may at any time undertake the execution of any work certified 82 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 by such Secretary or the Director, as the case may be, to be urgently required in public interest, and for this purpose may temporarily make payments from the Corporation Fund so far as the same can be met without unduly interfering with the regular work of the Corporation. 77. Investment of surplus money.- Surplus moneys standing at the credit of Corporation Fund which cannot immediately or at an early date be applied for the purposes specified in section 75, shall be invested in the prescribed manner. 78. Constitution of special funds.- (1) The Corporation shall constitute such special fund or funds as may be prescribed by regulations and such other funds necessary for the purposes of this Act as may be so prescribed. (2) The constitution and disposal of such funds shall be effected in the manner laid down by regulations. 79. Finance Commission.- (1) The Finance Commission constituted by the State Government under section 98 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (4 of 1994) and articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution of India shall review the financial position of the Corporation and make recommendations to the Government as to - (a) the principles which should govern - (i) the distribution between the State and the Corporation of the net proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees leviable by the State, which may be divided between them and the allocation between the Corporation at all levels of their respective shares of such proceeds; (ii) the determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned to or appropriated by the Corporation; (iii) the grants-in-aid to the Corporation from the Consolidated Fund of the State; (b) the measures needed to improve the financial position of the Corporation; (c) any other matter referred to the Finance Commission by the Government in the interest of sound finances of the Corporation. (2) The Government shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission under this section together with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken thereon, to be laid before the Legislature of the State. 80. Budget estimates.- (1) The Corporation shall not later than the first week of February of every year, adopt for the ensuing year a budget estimate which shall be an estimate of the income and expenditure of the Corporation to be received and incurred on the account of the Corporation. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 83 (2) The budget estimate adopted under sub-section (1) shall be submitted to the Government not later than the last week of February preceding the year to which the budget estimate relates. (3) The budget estimates received by the Government under sub- section (2), shall be returned to the Corporation before the 31stday of March after approval without any modification or with such modification as the Government may deem fit. (4) The budget estimate shall be prepared in such manner and shall provide for all such matters as may be prescribed. 81. Power of Corporation to alter budget estimates.- (1) On the recommendations of the Commissioner, the Corporation may from time to time during the year - (i) increase the amount of any budget grant under any head; (ii) make an additional budget grant for the purpose of meeting any special or unforeseen requirement arising during the said year; (iii) transfer the amount or portion of the amount of the budget grant under any head to the account of budget grant under any other head; or (iv) reduce the amount of the budget grant under any head: Provided that due regard shall be had to all the requirements of this Act and in making any increase or any additional budget grant, the estimated cash balance at the close of the year shall not be reduced below the sum of one lakh rupees or such higher sum as the Corporation may determine in respect of each budget estimate. (2) Every increase in a budget grant and every additional budget grant made in any year under sub-section (1) shall be made with the prior approval of the Government and after such approval shall be deemed to be included in the budget estimate finally adopted for that year. (3) The Commissioner may, from time to time during the year, - (a) reduce the amount of a budget grant; or (b) sanction the transfer of any amount within a budget grant: Provided that every reduction if it exceeds fifty thousand rupees shall be reported forthwith by the Commissioner to the Corporation and the Commissioner shall give effect to any order that may be passed by the Corporation in relation thereto. (4) The Commissioner may, from time to time during the year, sanction the transfer of any amount not exceeding fifty thousand rupees within a minor head if such transfer does not involve a recurring liability. 82. Power of Corporation to re-adjust income and expenditure during the year.- (1) If at any time during the year it appears to the 84 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Corporation that, notwithstanding any reduction of budget grant that has been made under section 81, the income of the Corporation Fund during the same year will not suffice to meet the expenditure sanctioned in the budget estimate of that year and to leave at the close of the year, the cash balances specified or determined under the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 81 then it shall be incumbent on the Corporation to sanction forthwith any measures which it may consider necessary for adjusting that year's income to the expenditure. (2) For the purpose of sub-section (1), the Corporation may either reduce the sanctioned expenditure of the year so far as it may be possible to do with regard to all the requirements of this Act. 83. Provisions as to unexpended budget grant.- If the whole or any part of any budget grant included in the budget estimates for a year remains unexpended at the close of that year, and the amount thereof has not been taken into account in the opening balance entered in the budget estimates of any of the next two following years, the Commissioner may sanction the expenditure of such budget grant or the unexpended portion thereof during the next two following years for the completion of the purposes of object for which the budget grant was originally made and not for any other purpose or object. CHAPTER - VIII TAXES AND FEES 84. Taxes etc. to be imposed by Corporation under this Act and arrangement of certain taxes collected by Government.- (1) The Corporation shall, for the purposes of this Act, levy the following taxes:- (a) taxes on buildings and lands; (b) such other taxes, at such rates as the State Government may, by notification, in each case direct: 1[Provided that no tax shall be imposed under clause (b) unless an opportunity has been given in the prescribed manner to the residents of the municipal area or to the affected parties to file objections and the objections, if any, thus received have been considered;] 2[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 3[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 1. Proviso inserted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Clause (c) deleted vide H.P. Act No. 19 of 2007. 3. Sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) omitted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 85 1[85. Fee and users charges.- The Corporation may levy a fee and user charges for the services provided by it at such rates and in such manner as may be determined by the Corporation from time to time.] 2[86. Rate of tax on lands and buildings.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the unit area rate of tax on lands and buildings within the municipal area shall be between one per cent to twenty five per cent of the rateable value of land and building, as may be determined by the Corporation from time to time: Provided that the Corporation may exempt wholly or partially or levy lower rate of tax on the lands and buildings or portion thereof, which is exclusively used for the purpose of public worship and the area of vacant lands and buildings or portion thereof, exclusively used for the purpose of public burial or as a cremation ground, or any other place used for the disposal of dead.] 3[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 4[88. Determination of rateable value of lands and buildings assessable to taxes.- The rateable value of lands and buildings assessable to taxes specified in section 86 shall be,- (a) in the case of land, the rateable value shall be based upon per square metre of the actual area of land multiplied by the 5[XXXX] relevant factors prescribed for the particular zone and in the case of building, the rateable value shall be based upon per square metre of plinth area multiplied by 6[XXXX] relevant factor prescribed for the particular zone. (b) for levy of tax on lands and buildings, the entire municipal area shall be divided into different zones and each zone shall have relevant factors having different values. (c) for the purpose of determination of 7[ratable value], there shall be five factors i.e. (i) location, (ii) occupancy, (iii) age of building, (iv) use of building and (v) type of structure. 1. Section 85 substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Section 86 substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 3. Section 87 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 4. Section 88 substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 5. The words “unit area rate of tax and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 6. The words “unit area rate of tax and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 7.

Substituted for the words “unit area tax” vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 86 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Each factor shall have different value for different zone as may be determined by the Corporation, from time to time. (d) the mode for levy, calculation and assessment of tax as per provisions of this Act, which relates to the classification, usages of the buildings or apportionment of buildings or vacant land and open spaces forming part of the land and building shall be prescribed by bye-laws: Provided that annual deduction of ten per cent on the rateable value of building shall be allowed on account of repair and maintenance expenses necessary for the maintenance of the building and a rebate of ten per cent shall also be allowed on the amount of tax, in case the amount of tax specified in the bill is paid within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such bill, however, this rebate shall not be applicable in the case of defaulters who are in arrear of tax and shall be liable for penalty of five percent of the tax due.] 89. Taxation of union properties.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, lands and buildings being properties of the Union of India shall be exempted from the taxes on lands and buildings specified in section 86 : Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent the Corporation from levying any of the said taxes on such lands and buildings to which immediately before the 26th January, 1950, they were liable, or treated as liable, so long as that tax continues to be levied by the Corporation on other lands and buildings: 1[Provided that the public sector undertakings or companies owned and controlled fully or partially by the Central Government shall be assessable to taxes under the provisions of this Act or bye-laws made thereunder, and shall also be liable to pay fee or service charges, as the case may be, in lieu of services provided by the Corporation.] 2[90. Incidence of taxes on lands and buildings.- (1) The taxes on lands and buildings shall be primarily leviable upon the owner and in the absence of owner, it shall be leviable and recovered from the occupier including tenants. (2) The assessment, levy and payment of tax on land and building shall not in any manner confer any right, title or interest in the property upon either on the owner or the occupier and shall not be a proof of the fact that the building or premises is authorized one and further that any building or premises or part thereof which is erected in contravention of the provisions of this Act, regulations or bye-laws made thereunder, shall not be considered for regularization by virtue of being assessed to tax on lands and buildings under the provisions of this Act.] 1. Second proviso substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Section 90 substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 87 1[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 92. Recovery of taxes on lands and buildings from occupiers.- (1) On the failure to recover any sum due on account of taxes specified in section 86 in respect of any land or building from the person primarily liable therefor under section 90, the Commissioner shall in the prescribed manner recover from every occupier of such land or building by attachment of the rent payable by such occupier, a portion of the total sum due which bears, as nearly as maybe, the same proportion to that sum as the rent annually payable by such occupier bears to the total amount of rent annually payable in respect of the whole of the land or building. (2) An occupier from whom any sum is recovered under sub-section (1) shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the person primarily liable for the payment and may in addition to having recourse to other remedies that may be open to him, deduct the amount to be recovered from the amount of any rent from time to time becoming due from him to such person. 93. Taxes on lands and buildings a first charge on premises on which they are assessed.- Taxes due under this Act in respect of any land or building shall subject to the prior payment of the land revenue, if any due to the Government, be a first charge thereon. Explanation. -The term 'taxes' in this section shall be deemed to include the costs of recovery thereof and the penalty, if any, payable as specified in the bye-laws. 94. Assessment list.- (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act the Corporation shall cause an assessment list of all lands and buildings in the municipal area to be prepared in such form and manner and containing such particulars with respect to each land and building as may be prescribed by bye-laws. (2) When the assessment list has been prepared, the Commissioner shall give public notice, thereof, and of the place where the list or a copy thereof may be inspected, and every person claiming to be the owner, lessee or occupier of any land or building included in the list and any authorised agent of such person, shall be at liberty to inspect the list and to take extract therefrom free of charge. (3) The Commissioner shall, at the same time, give public notice of a date, not less than one month thereafter, when he will proceed to consider the rateable value of lands and buildings, entered in the assessment list, and in all cases in which any land or building is for the first time assessed (or the rateable value of any land or building is increased), he shall also give written notice thereof to the owner or to any lessee or occupier of the land or building. 1. Section 91 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 88 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (4) Any objection to a rateable value or any other matter as entered in the assessment list, shall be made in writing to the Commissioner before the date fixed in the notice and shall state in what respect the rateable value or other matter is disputed, and all objections so made shall be recorded in register to be kept for the purpose. (5) The objection shall be inquired into and investigated and the persons making them shall be allowed an opportunity of being heard either in person or by authorised agent, by a Committee consisting of two members elected by the Corporation for that purpose and the Commissioner or an officer of the Corporation authorised by him in this behalf. (6) When all objections have been disposed of, and the revision of the rateable value has been completed, the assessment list shall be authenticated by the signature of the commissioner, or as the case may be, the officer authorised by him in this behalf, who shall certify that except in the cases, if any, in which amendments have been made as shown therein, no valid objection has been made to the rateable value or any other maters entered in the said list. (7) The assessment list so authenticated shall be deposited in the office of the Corporation and shall be open for inspection free of charge during office hours to all owners, lessees and occupiers of lands and buildings comprised therein or the authorised agents of such persons, and a public notice that it is so open shall forthwith be published. 95. Evidentiary value of assessment list.- Subject to due alterations as may thereafter be made in the assessment list under section 96 and to the result of any appeal made under the provisions of this Act, the entries in the assessment list authenticated and deposited as provided in section 94 shall be accepted as conclusive evidence, for the purposes of assessing any tax levied under this Act, of the rateable value of all lands and buildings to which such entries respectively relate. 96. Amendment of assessment list.- (1) The Commissioner, may, at any time, amend the assessment list- (a) by inserting therein the name of any person whose name ought to be inserted; or (b) by inserting therein any land or building previously omitted; or (c) by striking out the name of any person not liable for the payment of taxes on lands and buildings; or (d) by increasing or reducing for adequate reasons the amount of any rateable value and of the assessment thereupon; or (e) by making or cancelling any entry exempting any land or building from liability to any tax; or THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 89 (f) by altering the assessment on the land or building which has been erroneously valued or assessed through fraud, mistake or accident; or (g) by inserting or altering an entry in respect of any erected, re- erected, altered or added after the preparation of the assessment list : Provided that no person shall by reason of any such amendment become liable to pay any tax or increase of tax in respect of any period prior to the commencement of the year in which the notice under sub-section (2) is given. (2) Before making any amendment under sub-section (1), the Commissioner shall give to any person affected by the amendment, notice of not less than one month that he proposes to make the amendment and consider any objections which may be made by such person. 97. Preparation of new assessment list.- It shall be in the discretion of the Commissioner to prepare for the whole or any part of the Corporation a new assessment list every year or to adopt the valuation and assessment contained in the list for any year with such alterations as may in particular cases be deemed necessary, as the valuation and assessment for the year, giving to persons affected by such alterations the same notice of the valuation and assessment as if a new assessment list had been prepared : Provided that the valuation and assessment contained in the list for any year shall not be adopted for a period exceeding five years. 98. Notice of transfers.- (1) Whenever the title of any person primarily liable for the payment of taxes specified in section 86 on any land and building is transferred the person whose title is transferred and the person to whom the same is transferred shall within three months after execution of the instrument of transfer or after its registration, if it is registered, or after the transfer is effected, if no instrument is executed, give notice of such transfer in writing to the Commissioner. (2) In the event of the death of any person primarily liable as aforesaid, the person on whom the title of the deceased devolves, shall give notice of such devolution to the Commissioner within six months from the date of the death of the deceased. (3) The notice to be given under this section shall be in such form as may be determined by bye-laws made under this Act, and the transferee or the other person on whom the title devolves shall, if so required, be bound to produce before the Commissioner any documents evidencing the transfer or devolution. (4) Every person who makes a transfer as aforesaid without giving such notice to the Commissioner, shall, in addition to any penalty to which he may be subjected under the provisions of this Act, continue to be liable for the payment of all taxes specified in section 86 from time to time payable in respect of the land or building transferred until he gives such notice or until 90 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 the transfer has been recorded in the Commissioner's book, but nothing in this section shall be held to affect the liability of the transferee for the payment of the said taxes. (5) The Commissioner shall record every transfer or devolution of title notified to him under this section in his books and in the assessment list. (6) On a written request by the Commissioner, the Registrar or Sub- Registrar, having jurisdiction in the municipal area, appointed under the Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1906), shall furnish such particulars regarding the registration of instruments of transfer of immoveable properties in the municipal area, as the Commissioner may from time to time require. (7) Such information shall be furnished as soon as may be after the registration of an instrument of transfer is effected, or if the Commissioner so requests, by periodical returns at such intervals as the Commissioner may fix. 99. Notice of erection of building etc.- When any new building is erected or when any building is re-built or enlarged or when any building which has been vacant is reoccupied, the person primarily liable for the taxes specified in section 86 assessed on the building, shall give notice thereof in writing to the Commissioner within fifteen days from the date of its completion or occupation, which ever first occurs or as the case may be, from the date of its enlargement or re-occupation and the said taxes shall be assessable on the building from the said date. 100. Notice of demolition or removal of building.- (1) When any building or any portion of a building, which is liable to the payment of taxes specified in section 86 is demolished or removed, otherwise than by order of the Commissioner, the person primarily liable for the payment of the said taxes, shall give notice thereof in writing to the Commissioner. (2) Until notice is given, by person as mentioned under sub-section (1), he shall continue to be liable to the payment of such taxes as he would have been liable to pay in respect of such building if the same or any portion thereof had not been demolished or removed. 101. Power of Commissioner to call for information.- (1) To enable the Commissioner to determine the rateable value of any land or building and the person primarily liable for the payment of any taxes specified in section 86 leviable in respect thereof, the Commissioner may require the owner or occupier of such land or building, or of any portion thereof to furnish him within such reasonable period as the Commissioner fixes in this behalf, with information by such owner or occupier - (a) as to the name and place of residence of the owner or occupier or of both, the owner and occupier of such land or building; (b) as to the measurements or dimensions of such land or building or any portion thereof and the rent, if any, obtained for such land or building or any portion thereof; and THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 91 (c) as to the actual cost or other specified details connected with the determination of the value of such land or building. (2) Every owner or occupier on whom any such requisition is made shall be bound to comply with the same and to give true information to the best of his knowledge or belief. (3) Whoever omits to comply with any such requisition or fails to give true information to the best of his knowledge or belief shall, in addition to any penalty to which he may be liable be precluded from objecting to any assessment made by the Commissioner in respect of such land or building of which he is the owner or occupier. 1[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 103.Assessment in case of amalgamation of premises.- If any land or building, bearing two or more municipal numbers, or portions thereof, be amalgamated into one or more new premises, the Commissioner shall on such amalgamation assign to them one or more numbers and assess them to taxes specified in section 86 accordingly : Provided that the total assessment on amalgamation shall not be greater than the sum of the previous assessments of the several premises except when there is any re-valuation of any of the said premises. 104. Power of Commissioner to assess separately outhouses portion of buildings.- The Commissioner may in his discretion assess any out houses appurtenant to a building, or any portion of a land or building separately from such building or, as the case may be, from the rest of such land or building. 105. Power of Commissioner to employ valuers.- (1) The Commissioner may, if he thinks fit, employ one or more competent persons to give advice or assistance in connection with the valuation of any land or building, and any person so employed shall have power at all reasonable times and after giving due notice, and on production, if so required, of authorisation in writing in that behalf from the commissioner, to enter on, survey and value any land or building which the Commissioner may direct him to survey and value. (2) No person shall wilfully delay or obstruct any such person in the exercise of any of his powers under this section. 106. Recovery of tolls or taxes.- (1) In case of non-payment of any toll on demand, the officer empowered to collect the same may seize any article or any vehicle or animal on which the toll is chargeable, or any part of its burden of sufficient value to satisfy the demand. (2) The Corporation after the lapse of five days from the seizure and after the issue of a proclamation fixing the time and place of sale may cause 1 Section 102 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 92 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 any property so seized, or so much thereof, as may be necessary to be sold by auction to satisfy the demand with the expenses occasioned by the seizure, custody and sale thereof, unless the demand and expenses are in the meantime paid: Provided that, by order of the Commissioner articles of a perishable nature which cannot be kept for five days without serious risk of damage may be sold after the lapse of such shorter time as he may, having regards to the nature of the articles, think proper. 1[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 115. 2[Fees] on advertisements.- (1) Every person, who erects, exhibits, fixes or retains upon or over any land, building wall boarding, frame, post or structure or upon or in any vehicle any advertisement or, who displays any advertisement to public view in any manner whatsoever visible from a public street or public place (including any advertisement exhibited by means of cinematograph) shall pay for every advertisement which is so erected, exhibited, fixed or retained or so displayed to public view a fee calculated at such rates, as may from time to time, be 3[specified by the Corporation] : Provided that no fee shall be levied under this section on any advertisement which,- (a) appears in newspapers, relates to a public meeting, or to an election to Parliament or Legislative Assembly or the Corporation or to candidature in respect of such election; or (b) is exhibited within the window of any building if the advertisement relates to the trade, profession or business carried in that building; or (c) relates to the trade, profession or business carried on within the land or building upon or over which such advertisement is exhibited or to any sale or letting of such land or building or any effect therein or to any sale, entertainment or meeting to be held on or upon or in the same; or (d) relates to the name of the land or building upon or over which the advertisement is exhibited, or to the name of the owner or occupier of such land or building; or (e) relates to the business of a railway administration and is exhibited within any railway station or upon any wall or other property of the railway administration; or 1. Sections 107 to 114 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Substituted for the word “tax” vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 3. Substituted for the words “specified by the Government” vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 93 (f) relates to any activity of the Government or Union of India or the Corporation. (2) The fee on any advertisement leviable under this section shall be payable in advance in such number of instalments and in such manner as may be determined by bye-laws made in this behalf. Explanation -I.- The word 'structure ' in this section includes any moveable board on wheels used as an advertisement or an advertisement medium. Explanation-II.- The word "advertisement" in relation to a fee on advertisement under this Act, means any word, letter, model, sign, placard, notice, device or representation whether illuminated or not, in nature of and employed wholly or in part for the purposes of advertisement, announcement or direction. 116. Prohibition of advertisement without written permission of Commissioner.- (1) No advertisement shall be erected, exhibited, fixed or retained upon or over any land, building, wall boarding, frame, post or structure or upon in any vehicle or shall be displayed in any manner, whatsoever in any place within the municipal area without the written permission of the Commissioner granted in accordance with bye-laws, made under this Act. (2) The Commissioner shall not grant such permission, if - (a) the advertisement contravenes any bye-law made under this Act; or (b) the fee, if any, due in respect of advertisement has not been paid. (3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) in the case if an advertisement liable to the advertisement fee, the Commissioner shall grant permission for the period to which the payment of the fee relates and no fee shall be charged in respect of such permission. 117. Permission of Commissioner to become void in certain cases.- The permission granted under section 116 shall become void in the following cases, namely :- (a) if the advertisement contravenes any bye-law made under this Act; (b) if any material change is made in the advertisement or any part thereof without the previous permission of the Commissioner; (c) if the advertisement or any part thereof falls otherwise than through accident; (d) if any addition or alteration is made to, or in the building, walls boarding, frame, post or structure upon or over which the advertisement is erected, exhibited, fixed or retained if 94 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 such addition or alteration involves the disturbance of the advertisement or any part thereof; and (e) if the building wall, boarding, frame, post or structure over which the advertisement is erected, exhibited, fixed or retained is demolished or destroyed. 118. Presumption in case of contravention.- Where any advertisement has been exhibited, fixed or retained upon or over any land, building, wall, boarding, frame, post or structure or upon or in any vehicle or displayed to public view from a public street or public place in contravention of the provisions of this Act or any bye-law made thereunder, it shall be presumed, unless and until contrary is proved, that the contravention has been committed by the person or the persons on whose behalf the advertisement purports to be or the agents of such person or persons. 119. Power of Commissioner in case of contravention.- If any advertisement is erected exhibited or fixed, retained in contravention of the provisions of section 116, the Commissioner may require the owner or occupier of the land, building, wall, boarding, frame, post or structure or vehicle upon or over or in which the same is erected, exhibited, fixed or retained, to take down or remove such advertisement or may enter any land, building, property or vehicle and have the advertisement dismantled, taken down or removed or spoiled, defaced or screened. 1[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 121. Time and manner of payment of taxes or fees.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act, any tax or fee levied under this Act shall be payable on such dates, in such number of instalments and in such manner as may be determined by bye-laws in this behalf : Provided that if the tax or fee is not paid within one month of the due date, an interest at the rate of one percent per month shall be charged for every calendar month or part thereof: 2[Provided further that the Commissioner may, after affording an opportunity of being heard, deny or withdraw the No Objection Certificate issued for installation of electricity connection and disconnect the water connection and sewerage connection, if the owner, or the occupier of the premises in question is assessable to taxes and arrears to the Corporation as per the demand raised and the same may be restored on the written request of such owner or occupier, by the Commissioner by imposition of a penalty not exceeding twenty thousand rupees.] 122. Presentation of bill of tax or fee.- (1) When any tax or fee has become due, the Commissioner shall cause to be presented to the person liable for the payment thereof, a bill for the amount due : 1 Section 120 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Proviso inserted vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 95 Provided that no such bill shall be necessary in the case of - (a) tax on vehicles and animals; (b) show tax; and (c) tax on advertisement. (2) Every such bill which shall be in the prescribed form, shall for the purposes of this Act be considered a notice of demand and shall specify the particulars of the tax or fee and the period for which the charge is made. (3) If the amount specified in the bill is paid within a period or fifteen days from the presentation thereof, a rebate of ten per cent shall be allowed in the amount of tax or fee. (4) If the tax on vehicles and animals or the show tax is not paid after it has become due, the Commissioner may cause to be served upon the person liable for the payment of the same a notice of demand in the prescribed form. (5) For every notice of demand served under sub-section (4) a fine of such amount not exceeding fifteen rupees as may be determined by bye-laws made in this behalf shall be payable by the person on whom the notice is served and shall be included in the costs of recovery. 123. Consequences of failure to pay tax or fee within thirty days. - If the person liable for the payment of any tax or fee does not within thirty days from the service of the notice of demand under sub-section (2) or sub- section (4) of section 122, pay the same, the tax or fee together with the costs of recovery shall be recoverable in the manner provided hereinafter. 124. Manner of recovering tax or fee.- Any sum due on account of tax or fee payable under this Act may be recovered, together with costs of recovery by all or any of the following processes, in the manner prescribed - (i) as arrears of land revenue; (ii) by distraint and sale of a defaulter's movable property; (iii) by the attachment and sale of a defaulter's immovable property; (iv) in the case of octroi and toll, by the seizure and sale of goods and vehicles; (v) in the case of taxes on lands and buildings by the attachment of rent due in respect of the property; and (vi) by a suit. 125. Power of seizure of vehicles and animals in case of non- payments of tax thereon.- (1) If the tax on any vehicle or animal is not paid, then instead of proceeding against the defaulter by distraint and sale of his other movable property the commissioner may, at any time after the tax has become due, seize and detain the vehicle or animal or both, and if the owner or other person entitled thereto does not within seven days in respect of a 96 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 vehicle and two days in respect of animal from the date of such seizure and detention, claim the sale and pay the tax due together with the charges incurred in connection with the seizure and detention, the Commissioner may cause the same to be sold and apply the proceeds to the sale or such part thereof as is required in the discharge of the sum due and the charges incurred as aforesaid. (2) The surplus, if any, remaining after the application of the sale proceeds under sub-section (1) shall, immediately after the sale of the property be credited to the Corporation Fund and notice of such credit shall be given at the same time to the person whose property has been sold or his legal representative and if the same, is claimed by written application to the Commissioner within one year from the date of the notice a refund thereof shall be made to such person or his representative. (3) Any surplus not claimed within one year as aforesaid shall be the property of the Corporation. 126. Demolition etc. of building.- If any building is wholly or partly demolished or destroyed or otherwise deprived of value, the Commissioner may, on the application in writing of the owner of occupier, remit or refund such portion of any tax assessed on the rateable value thereof as he thinks fit. 127. Remission or refund of tax on lands and buildings.- (1) If any building together with land appurtenant thereto has remained vacant and unproductive of rent for sixty or more consecutive days, the Commissioner shall remit or refund, as the case may be, two-thirds of such portion of the fire tax and the general tax assessed or the rateable value thereof as may be proportionate to the number of days during which the said building together with the land appurtenant thereto has remained vacant and unproductive of rent. (2) If any land not being land appurtenant to a building has remained vacant and unproductive of rent for sixty or more consecutive days, the Commissioner shall remit or refund, as the case may be, on half of such portion of the fire tax and the general tax assessed on the rateable value thereof, as may be proportionate to the number of days during which the said land has remained vacant and unproductive of rent. (3) If any land whether appurtenant to a building or not or any building, has remained vacant and unproductive of rent for sixty or more consecutive days, the Commissioner shall remit or refund, as the case may be, such portion of the water tax assessed on the rateable value thereof as may be proportionate to the number of days during which the said land or building has remained vacant and unproductive of rent: Provided that no remission or refund of the water tax shall be allowed unless an application in such form as may be prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf has been made to the Commissioner to stop the supply of water to such land or building and that the Commissioner is satisfied that having regard to the circumstances of any case such remission or refund should be allowed. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 97 128. Power to require entry in assessment list of details of buildings.- (1) For the purpose of obtaining a partial remission or refund of tax, the owner of a building composed of separate tenements may request the Commissioner, at the time of the assessment of the building, to enter in the assessment list in addition to the rateable value of the whole building, a note regarding any detail of the rateable value of each separate tenement. (2) When any tenement, the rateable value of which has been thus separately recorded, has remained vacant, unproductive of rent for sixty or more consecutive days such portion of any tax assessed on the rateable value of the whole building shall be remitted or refunded as would have been remitted or refunded if the tenement has been separately assessed. 129. Notice to be given of circumstances in which remission or refund is claimed.- No remission or refund under section 127 or section 128 shall be made unless notice in writing of the fact that the land, building or tenement has become vacant and unproductive of rent has been given to the Commissioner and no remission or refund shall take effect in respect of any period commencing more than fifteen days before delivery of such notice. 130. What building etc. are to be deemed vacant.- (1) For the purposes of sections 127 and 128 no land, building or tenement shall be deemed vacant if maintained as a pleasure resort or town or country house or be deemed unproductive of rent if let to a tenant who has a continuing right of occupation thereof, whether he is in actual occupation or not. (2) The burden of proving the facts entitling any person to claim relief under section 126, or section 127 or section 128, shall be upon him. 131. Notice to be given of every occupation of vacant land or building.- The owner of any land, building or tenement in respect of which a remission or refund of tax has been given under section 127, or section 128, shall give notice of the re-occupation of such land, building or tenement within fifteen days of such re-occupation. 132. Appeal against assessment etc.-(1) An appeal against the levy or assessment of any tax under this Act shall lie to the Divisional Commissioner and every such appeal shall subject to the provisions of this Act be received, heard and disposed of by him. (2) In every appeal, the costs shall be in the discretion of the appellate authority. (3) Costs awarded under this section to the Corporation shall be recoverable by the Corporation as an arrear of tax due from the appellant. (4) If the Corporation fails to pay any costs awarded to an appellant within ten days after the date of the order for payment thereof, the appellate authority may order the Commissioner to pay the amount to the appellant. 133. Conditions of rights to appeal.- No appeal shall be entertained under section 132, unless - 98 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (a) the appeal is, in the case of tax on lands and buildings brought within thirty days next after the date of authentication of the assessment list under section 94 (exclusive of the time requisition for obtaining a copy of the relevant entries therein), or, as the case may be, within thirty days of the date of the receipt of the notice of assessment or of alteration of assessment or, if no notice has been given, within thirty days of the date of the receipt of the notice of assessment or of alteration of assessment or, if no notice has been given, within thirty days after the date of service of the first notice of demand in respect thereof : Provided that an appeal may be admitted after the expiration of the period prescribed therefor by this section if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period. (b) the amount, if any, in dispute in the appeal has been deposited by the appellant in the office of the Corporation. 134. Finality of appellate orders.- Any person aggrieved by an order passed in appeal under section 132 may within thirty days of the communication to him of such order, make an application in writing to the State Government for revision against the said order and the State Government may confirm, alter or rescind the said order : Provided that the Government shall not pass an order under this section prejudicial to any person without giving such person a reasonable opportunity of being heard. 135. Taxation not to be questioned except under this Act.- (1) No objection shall be taken to any valuation or assessment, nor shall the liability of any person to be assessed or taxed be questioned in any other manner or by any other authority than is provided in this Act. (2) No refund of any tax shall be claimable by any person otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the rules made thereunder. 136. Power to inspect for purposes of determining the rateable value or tax or fee.- (1) The Commissioner or any other person authorised by him in this behalf, may without giving any previous notice, enter upon and make an inspection of - (a) any land or building for the purpose of determining the rateable value of such land or building; (b) any stable, garage, or coach house or any place wherein he may have reason to believe that there is any vehicle or animal liable to a tax or fee under this Act; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 99 (c) any place or premises which he has reason to believe are being used or are about to be used for any performance or show in respect of which the show tax is payable or would be payable; and (d) any land, building or vehicle in or upon which any advertisement liable to fee under this Act is exhibited or displayed. (2) The Commissioner may, by written summons, require the attendance before him of any person whom he has reason to believe to be liable to the payment of a tax in respect of a vehicle or animal, or of any servant of any such person and may examine such person or servant as to the number and description of vehicles and animals owned by or in the possession or under the control of such person; and every person or servant of such person so summoned shall be bound to attend before the Commissioner and to give information to the best of his knowledge and belief as to the said matters. 137. Composition.- (1) Subject to the rules made in this behalf, the Commissioner, may with the previous sanction of the Corporation allow any person to compound any tax for a period not exceeding one year at a time. (2) Every sum due by reason of the composition of a tax under sub- section (1) shall be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act. 138. Irrecoverable debts.- (1) The Commissioner may write off any sum due on account of any tax or of the costs of recovering any tax if such sum is, in his opinion irrecoverable : Provided that no sum exceeding one thousand rupees shall be written off in favour of any one person without the previous sanction of the Corporation. (2) The Commissioner shall report to the Corporation every case in which any sum has been written off under sub-section (1). 139. Obligation to disclose liability.- (1) The Commissioner may, by written notice, call upon any person in the municipal area to furnish such information as may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining- (a) whether such inhabitant is liable to pay any tax or fee imposed by the Corporation under this Act; (b) at what amount he should be assessed; or (c) the rateable value of the land or building which he occupies and the name and address of the owner or lessee thereof. (2) If any person when called upon under sub-section (1) to furnish information neglects to furnish it within the period specified in this behalf by the Commissioner or furnishes information which is not true to the best of his knowledge or belief, he shall be liable, in addition to any penalty which may be imposed under this Act to be assessed at such amount on account of tax or fee as the Commissioner may deem proper. 100 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 140. Power to amend list in certain cases.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, where the prescribed authority is satisfied that any property has been erroneously valued or assessed through fraud, accident or mistake whether on the part of the Corporation or any officer or employees of the Corporation or of the assessee, it may , after giving to the assessee an opportunity of being heard or after making such enquiry as it may deem fit, pass an order amending the assessment already made and fixing the amount of tax payable for that property and on the issue of such an order the assessment list then in force shall, subject to the order, if any, passed in appeal or revision be deemed to have been amended accordingly with effect from first day of January, or first day of April, or first day of July, or first day of October next following the month in which the order is passed. (2) Any person aggrieved by an order of the prescribed authority may, within a period of thirty days of the date of communication to him of the order, file an appeal to the Government which shall decide the appeal after giving to the appellant an opportunity of being heard. 141. Immaterial error not to affect liability.- No assessment and no charge or demand on account of any tax shall be impeached or affected by reason only or any mistake in the name, residence, place of business or occupation of any person liable to pay the tax or in the description of any property or thing, or of any mistake in the amount of the assessment, charge or demand, or by reason only of clerical error or other defect of form, if the directions contained in this Act and the bye-laws made thereunder have in substance and effect been complied with; and it shall be enough in the case of any such tax on property or any assessment of value for the purpose of any such tax, if the property taxed or assessed is so described as to be generally known, and it shall not be necessary to name the owner or occupier thereof. 142. Power of exemption.- The Corporation may, by resolution passed in this behalf, exempt, in whole or in part for any period not exceeding one year from the payment of any tax, any person who by reason of poverty may in its opinion, be unable to pay the same, and may renew such exemption as often as may be necessary. 143. Power of Government in regard to taxes.- (1) The Government may by order exempt in whole or in part from the payment of any tax any person or class of persons or any property or description of property. (2) If at any time it appears to the Government, on complaint made or otherwise, that any tax imposed is unfair in its incidence or that the levy thereof or of any part thereof is injurious to the interests of the general public, it may require the Corporation to take within a specified period, measures to remove the objection; and, if within that period the requirement is not complied with to the satisfaction of the Government, the Government may, by notification, suspend, the levy of the tax or such part thereof until the objection has been removed. CHAPTER-IX THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 101 BORROWING 144. Power of Corporation to borrow.-(1) The Corporation may, in pursuance of any resolution passed by it, borrow by way of debenture or otherwise on the security of any immoveable property vested in it or proposed to be acquired by it or of all or any of the taxes, rates, cesses, fees and charges authorised by or under this Act or from public financial institutions, any sums of money which may be required:- (a) for acquiring any land which it has power to acquire; (b) for erecting any building which it has power to erect; (c) for the execution of any permanent work, the provision of any plant, or the doing of any other thing which it has power to execute, provide or do, if the cost of carrying out the purpose in question ought to be spread over a term of years; (d) to pay off any debt due to the Government; (e) to repay a loan previously raised under this Act or any other Act previously in force; or (f) for any other purpose for which the Corporation is, by virtue of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, authorised to borrow : Provided that - (i) no loan shall be raised without the previous sanction of the Government; (ii) the amount of loan, the rate of interest and the terms including the date of floatation, the time and method of the repayment and the like shall be subject to the approval of the Government. (2) When any sum of money has been borrowed under sub-section (1), no portion of any sum of money borrowed for any of the purposes referred to in clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be applied to the payment of salaries and allowances to any Corporation officers or other Corporation employees other than those exclusively employed in connection with the carrying out of that purpose. (3) The Corporation shall be deemed to be a local authority for the purposes of Local Authorities Act, 1914 (9 of 1914). 145. Time for repayment of money borrowed under section 144. - The time for the repayment of any money borrowed under section 144 shall in no case exceed sixty years and the time for repayment of any money borrowed for the purpose of discharging any previous loan shall not, except with the express sanction of the Government extend beyond the unexpired portion of the period for which such previous loan was sanctioned. 102 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 146. Form and effect of debentures.- All debentures issued under this chapter shall be in such form as the Corporation may, with the previous sanction of the Government, determine and shall be transferable in such manner as shall be expressed therein, and the right to sue in respect of the money secured by any of such debentures shall vest in the holders thereof for the time being without any preference by reason of some of such debentures being prior in date to others. 147. Receipt by joint holders for the interest or dividend.- When two or more persons are joint holders of any debenture or security issued under this Act, any one of such persons may give an effectual receipt for any interest or dividend payable in respect of such debentures or security, unless notice to the contrary has been given to the Corporation by the other persons. 148. Maintenance and investment of sinking fund.- (1) The Corporation shall maintain sinking funds for the repayment of money borrowed on debentures issued and shall pay every year into such sinking funds such sum as will be sufficient for the repayment within the period fixed for the loan of all moneys borrowed on the debentures issued. (2) All moneys paid into the sinking funds shall, as soon as possible be invested by the Commissioner in public securities and every such investment shall be reported by the Commissioner to the Corporation within fifteen days. (3) All dividends and other sums received in respect of any such investment shall, as soon as possible after receipt, be paid into the sinking funds and invested in the manner laid down in sub-section (2). (4) Any investment made under this section may, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), be varied or transposed. 149. Application of sinking fund.- A sinking fund or any part thereof shall be applied in or towards the discharge of loan or a part of the loan for which such fund was created, and until such loan or part is wholly discharged shall not be applied for any other purpose. 150. Annual statement by Commissioner.- (1) The Commissioner shall, at the end of every year, submit to Corporation a statement showing:- (a) the amount which has been invested during the year under section 148; (b) the date of the last investment made previous to the submission of the statement; (c) the aggregate amount of the securities then in his hand; and (d) the aggregate amount which has up to the date of the statement been applied under section 149, in or towards discharging loans. (2) A copy of every such statement shall also be submitted to the Government. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 103 151. Priority of payment for interest and repayment of loans over other payments.- All payments due from the Corporation on account of interest and repayment of loans shall be made in priority to all other payments due from the Corporation. 152. Attachment of Corporation Fund for recovery of money borrowed from Government.- (1) If any money borrowed or deemed to have been borrowed by the Corporation from the Government or any interest or costs due in respect thereof be not repaid according to the conditions of the loan, the Government may attach the Corporation Fund or any part thereof. (2) After such attachment no person except an officer appointed in this behalf by the Government shall in any way deal with the attached fund; but such officer may do all acts in respect thereof which any Corporation authority, officer or other employees might have done if such attachment had not taken place and may apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the arrears and of all interest and costs due in respect thereof and of all expenses caused by the attachment and subsequent proceedings: Provided that no such attachment shall defeat or prejudice any debt for which the fund was previously charged in accordance with law; and all such prior charges shall be paid out of the proceeds of the funds before any part of the proceeds is applied to the satisfaction of the debt due to the Government. 153.

Power to make regulations.- The Corporation may make regulations to carry out purposes of this chapter including, in particular, the issue of duplicate in case of loss of debentures by theft, destruction or otherwise, and renewal of debentures on payment of fees prescribed in this behalf by such regulations. 154.Property vested in Corporation and management of public institutions.- (1) Subject to any special reservation made or to any special conditions imposed by the Government, all property of the nature hereinafter in this section specified and situated within the municipal area, shall vest in and be under the control of the Corporation, and with all other property, which vests in the Corporation by virtue of the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, shall be held and applied by it for the purposes of this Act, that is to say,- (a) all such public towns, walls, gates, market, stalls, slaughter houses, manure and depots and public buildings of every description as have been constructed or are maintained out of the Corporation Fund; (b) all public streams, springs and works for the supply, storage and distribution of water for public purposes, and all bridges, buildings, engines, materials and things connected therewith or appertaining thereto, and also any adjacent land (not being private property) appertaining to any public tank or well; 104 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (c) all public sewers and all drains, and sewers, culverts and water courses in or under any public street, or constructed by or for the Corporation along side any public street, and all works material and things appertaining thereto; (d) all public lamps, lamp posts, and apparatus connected therewith or appertaining thereto; (e) all land or other property transferred to the Corporation by the Government or acquired by gift, purchase or otherwise for public purposes; (f) all public streets, not being land owned by Government and the payments, stones and other materials thereof and also trees growing on and erections, materials, implements and things, provided for such streets. (2) Where any immovable property is transferred otherwise than by sale by the Government to the Corporation for public purposes, it shall be deemed to be a condition of such transfer, unless specially provided to the contrary that should the property be at any time resumed by Government the compensation payable therefor shall in no case exceed the amount, if any, paid to the Government for the transfer, together with the cost or the present value whichever shall be less, of any buildings erected, other works executed on the land by the Corporation. (3) The Corporation shall maintain a register and a map of immovable property of which it is the proprietor or which vests in it, or which it holds in trust for the Government. (4) The management, control and administration of every public institution maintained out of the Corporation Fund shall vest in the Corporation. (5) When any public institution has been placed under the direction, management and control of the Corporation, all property, endowments and funds belonging thereto shall be held by the Corporation in trust for the purposes to which such property, endowments and funds were lawfully applicable at the time when the institution was so placed : Provided that the extent of the independent authority of the Corporation in respect of any such institution may be prescribed by the Government. CHAPTER-X PROPERTIES AND CONTRACTS 155.Acquisition of immovable property by agreement.- Whenever the Corporation decides to acquire any immovable property, for the purpose of this Act, the Commissioner shall acquire such property on behalf of the Corporation by agreement on such terms and at such price as may be approved by the Government. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 105 156. Procedure when immovable property cannot be acquired by agreement.- Whenever the Commissioner is unable to acquire any immovable property, under section 155 by agreement, Government may at the request of the Commissioner acquire the same under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), and on payment by the Corporation of the compensation awarded under that Act and of the charges incurred by the Government in connection with the proceedings, whereafter the land shall vest in the Corporation. 157. Disposal of property.- With respect to the disposal of property belonging to the Corporation, the following provisions shall have effect, namely:- 1[(a) the Commissioner, with the prior approval of the Standing Committee constituted under sub-section (4) of section 40 of the Act, may dispose of, by sale, lease or otherwise, any movable or immovable properties belonging to the Corporation, by public auction, except such movable and immovable properties which is to be given on lease or otherwise, to the Government Departments, Boards or Corporations for public utility;] (b) the mode and condition precedent to the transfer of immovable property, shall be governed by regulations or bye- laws made by the Corporation; and (c) the Commissioner shall maintain a register giving therein the detail of the immovable properties and prepare annual statement indicating the changes, if any, in the said inventory, in such manner as may be prescribed by bye-laws and shall place the same before the Corporation for consideration at the end of the year.] 158. Contracts by Corporation.- (1) Subject to the provisions of section 159 the Corporation shall be competent to enter into and perform any contract necessary for the purposes of this Act. (2) The contracts by the Corporation under this Act would be made in the manner prescribed. 159. Procedure for making contracts.- With respect to the making of contracts, the following provisions shall have effect, namely:- (a) every such contract shall be made on behalf of the Corporation by the Commissioner; (b) no such contract, for any purpose which in accordance with any provision of this Act the Commissioner may not carry out without the approval or sanction of the Corporation, shall be 1. Substituted for clauses (a) to (g) vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012 and again clause (a) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. 106 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 made by him until and unless such approval or sanction has been duly obtained; 1[(c) every contract involving an expenditure not exceeding 2[rupees ten lac] or such higher amount as the Corporation may fix, may be made by the Commissioner:] 3[Provided that the contract exceeding 4[rupees ten lac] in value or such higher amount as the Corporation may fix, shall be made by the Commissioner only after prior approval of the Corporation.] 160. Mode of executing contracts.- (1) The mode of executing contracts under this Act shall be prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf. (2) No contract which is not made in accordance with the provisions of this Act and bye-laws made thereunder shall be binding on the Corporation. CHAPTER XI ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 161. Maintenance of accounts.- (1) There shall be kept in such manner and in such form as may be prescribed by regulations accounts of receipts and expenditure of the Corporation. (2) Till regulations as mentioned in sub-section (1) are framed, the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Account Code, 1975, presently in force in respect of the municipalities shall be applicable. (3) The accounts of the Municipal Corporation Fund shall be audited by a separate and independent audit agency 5[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]. (4) For the purposes of examination and audit of the Corporation accounts, the audit agency shall have access to all the Corporation Accounts and to all records and correspondence relating thereto and the Commissioner shall forthwith furnish to the audit agency any explanation concerning any receipts or expenditure which they may call for. 162. Report by audit agency.- (1) The audit agency shall,- (a) report to the Corporation any material impropriety or irregularity which it may at any time observe in the expenditure or in the recovery of moneys due to the Corporation or in the Corporation accounts; 1. Substituted for clauses (c) and (d) vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Substituted for the words “rupees five lac” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016 3. Proviso substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 4. Substituted for the words “rupees five lac” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016 5. The words and sign “, under the control of the Director” deleted vide H.P. Act No. 19 of 2007. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 107 (b) furnish to the Corporation such information as it may from time to time require concerning the progress of the audit. (2) On receipt of the report under sub-section (1) the Corporation shall take such action thereon as may be deemed necessary. (3) As soon as may be after the commencement of each year, the audit agency shall deliver to the Corporation, a report of the entire Corporation accounts for the previous year. (4) The Commissioner shall cause the said report to be printed and shall forward as soon as may be a printed copy thereof to each member. 163. Action by Commissioner on the report.- (1) The Commissioner shall, as soon as may be, remedy defects or irregularities if any, pointed out in the said report and shall also forward without delay to the Government so many copies of the said report as may be required by the Government with a brief statement of the action, if any, taken or proposed to be taken thereon. (2) If there is a difference of opinion between the audit agency and the Commissioner or if the Commissioner does not remedy the defects or irregularities pointed out in the report within a reasonable period, the audit agency shall refer the matter to the Secretary, Local Government Department whose decision shall be final and binding. 164. Procedure to be followed by audit agency.- (1) Audit agency shall audit the accounts of the Corporation with the assistance of officers and other employees subordinate to it. (2) In the discharge of his functions under this section, the auditor shall- (a) audit the accounts of expenditure of the Corporation and shall ascertain whether moneys shown therein as having been disbursed were legally available for, and applicable to the service or purpose to which they have been applied or charged, and whether the expenditure conforms to the authority which governs it; (b) audit the accounts of debt, deposits, sinking funds, advances, suspense and remittance transactions of the Corporation and report upon those accounts and upon the results of verification of the balances relating thereto. (3) The auditor shall examine and audit the statement of accounts relating to the commercial services conducted in any department of the Corporation, including the trading, manufacturing and profit and loss accounts, and the balance-sheets where such accounts are maintained under the order of the Corporation, and shall certify and report upon these accounts. (4) The auditor shall, in consultation with the Commissioner and subject to any directions given by the Government, determine the form and manner to which his reports on the accounts of the Corporation shall be 108 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 prepared and shall have authority to call upon any officer of the Corporation to provide any information necessary for the preparation of these reports. 165. Power of auditor to make queries etc. and call for returns etc.- (1) The auditor may make such queries and observations in relation to and of the accounts of the Corporation which he is required to audit and call for such vouchers, statements, returns and explanations in relation to such accounts as he may think fit. (2) Every such query or observation as aforesaid shall be promptly taken into consideration by the officer or authority to whom it may be addressed and returned without delay with the necessary vouchers, documents or explanations to the auditor. (3) The powers of the auditor with regard to the disapproval of, and the procedure with regard to the settlement of objections to the expenditure from the revenues of the Corporation shall be such as may be prescribed in consultation with the auditor. (4) If the auditor considers it desirable that the whole or any part of the audit applied to any accounts which he is required to audit shall be conducted in the offices in which those accounts originate, he may require that those accounts together with all books and documents having relation thereto shall at all convenient times be made available to the said officers for inspection. (5) The auditor shall have the power to require that any books or other documents relating to the accounts he is required to audit shall be sent for inspection by him: Provided that if the documents are confidential he shall be responsible for preventing disclosure of their contents. (6) The audit agency shall have authority to frame standing orders and to give directions on all matters relating to audit, and particularly in respect of the method and the extent of audit to be applied and the raising and pursuing of objections. CHAPTER-XII WATER SUPPLY, DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL 166. Definitions.- In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions in relation to water supply shall have the respective meanings given below, namely- (1) "communication pipe" means - (a) where the premises supplied with water about on the part of the street in which the main is laid, and the service pipe enters those premises otherwise than through the outer wall of a building on the street and has a stopcock placed in those premises and as near to the boundary of THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 109 that street as is reasonably practicable, so much of the service pipe as lies between the main and that stopcock; (b) in any other case, so much of the service pipe as lies between the main and the boundary of the street in which the main is laid, and includes the ferrule at the junction of the service pipe with the main, and also- (i) where the communication pipe ends at a stopcock that stopcock; and (ii) any stopcock fitted on the communication pipe between the end thereof and the main; (2) "main" means a pipe laid by the Corporation for the purpose of giving a general supply of water individual consumers and includes any apparatus used in connection with such a pipe; (3) "service pipe" means so much of any pipe for supplying water from a main to any premises as is subject to water pressure from that main, or would be so subject but for the closing of some tap; (4) "supply pipe" means so much of any service pipe which is not a communication pipe; (5) "trunk main" means a main constructed for the purposes of conveying water from a source of supply to a filter or reservoir or from one filter or, reservoir to another filter or reservoir, or for the purpose of conveying water in bulk from one part of the limits of supply to another part of those limits or for the purpose of giving or taking a supply of water in bulk; (6) "water fitting" includes pipes (other than mains) taps, cocks, valves, ferrules, meters, cisterns, baths and other similar apparatus used in connection with the supply and use of water. 167. Power to require Corporation to carry out surveys and formulate proposals.- The Government may require the Corporation to - (a) carry out a survey of the existing consumption of and demand for water supplies in the municipal area and of the water resources in or available for the municipal area; (b) prepare an estimate of the future water supply requirements of the municipal area; (c) carry out a survey of the existing quality of sewage disposed of and the manner in which it is disposed of; (d) formulate proposals as to - 110 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (i) the existing or future sewage disposal requirements of the municipal area, (ii) the existing or future sewage disposal requirements in the municipal area including proposals for the manner in which and the place or places at which such sewage should be carried, treated and disposed of. 168. Power to construct additional works.- If the Corporation is of the opinion that the works and other properties for the time being vested in it for the purpose of water supply, drainage and sewage disposal are inadequate for the purpose of sufficient supply of water or for the purpose of proper drainage and efficient disposal of sewage under this Act, it may take steps in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the construction of additional works, whether within or outside the limits of the Corporation and for the acquisition of additional properties for such works. 169. Functions in relation to water supply.- (1) It shall be the duty of the Corporation to take steps from time to time- (a) for ascertaining the sufficiency and wholesomeness of water supplies within the municipal area; (b) for providing a supply of wholesome water in pipes to every part of the municipal area in which there are houses for the domestic purpose of the occupants thereof, and for taking the pipes affording that supply to such point or points will enable the houses to be connected thereto at a reasonable cost, so, however, that this clause shall not require the Corporation to do anything which is not practicable at a reasonable cost or to provide such supply to any part of municipal area where such a supply is already available at such point or points aforesaid; (c) for providing, as far as possible, a supply of wholesome water otherwise than in pipes to every part of the municipal area in which there are houses, for the domestic purposes of the occupants thereof and to which it is not practicable to provide a supply in pipes at a reasonable cost, and in which danger to health arises from the insufficiency or unwholesomeness of the existing supply and a public supply is required and can be provided at a reasonable cost, and for securing that such supply is available within a reasonable distance of every house in that part. (2) If any question arises under clause (b) of sub-section (1) as to whether anything is or is not practicable at a reasonable cost or is to the point or points, to which pipes must be taken in order to enable houses to be connected to them at reasonable cost, or under clause (c) thereof as to whether a public supply can be provided at a reasonable cost the Corporation shall determine that question and thereupon the Commissioner shall give effect to that determination. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 111 170. Supply of water to connected premises.- (1) The Commissioner may, on application by the owner of any building arrange for supplying water from the nearest main to such building for domestic purposes in such quantities as he deems reasonable, and may at any time limit the amount of water to be supplied whenever he considers necessary. (2) Apart from the charges for the domestic supply at rates as may be fixed by the Government, additional charges will be payable for the following supplies of water:- (a) for animals or for washing vehicles where such animals or vehicles are kept for sale or hire; (b) for any trade, manufacture or business; (c) for fountains, swimming baths, or for any ornamental or mechanical purposes; (d) for gardens or for purposes of irrigation; (e) for watering roads and paths; (f) for building purposes. 171. Power to supply water for non-domestic purposes.- (1) The Commissioner may supply water for any purpose other than a domestic purpose on such terms and conditions consistent with this Act and the bye- laws made thereunder as may be laid down in this behalf by the Corporation in receiving a written application specifying the purpose for which the supply is required and the quantity likely to be consumed : Provided that for building purposes, water supply shall be made for a period of one year in the first instance, on an application accompanied by a copy of a building plan duly sanctioned by a competent authority and thereafter be extended, by six months at a time, for a period of not exceeding the period allowed for the completion of the construction or for three years whichever is less: Provided further that the water supply made, for the building purposes, on or before the commencement of this Act, shall continue for a period of three years reckoned from such commencement. (2) The Commissioner may withdraw such supply at any time if it should appear necessary to do so in order to maintain a sufficient supply of water for domestic purposes. 172. Making connection with municipal water works.- (1) Where an application under section 170 or section 171 has been received, all necessary communication pipes and fittings shall be supplied by the Corporation and the work of laying and applying such communication pipes and fittings shall be executed by Corporation agency under the orders of the Commissioner, but the cost of making any such connection and of all communication pipes and fittings so supplied and of all works so executed, shall be paid by the owner or the person making such application. The 112 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Corporation may either provide a meter and charge rent for the same or may require the owner or applicant to provide a meter of such size, material and description as it shall approve. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Commissioner may require any owner or person applying for a supply of water to provide all communication pipes and fittings and to carry out at his own cost under his supervision and inspection all the work of laying and applying such communication pipes and fittings. 173. Obligation of owner or occupier to give notice of waste of water.- Any owner or occupier of any building or land in or on which water supplied under this Act is misused from negligence or other circumstances under his control or used without permission in excess of the quantity fixed under section 170 or section 171 or in which the pipes, mains or other works are out of repair to such an extent as to cause waste of water, shall, if he has knowledge thereof, be bound to give notice of the same to such officer as the Corporation may appoint in this behalf. 174. Cutting of supply to premises.- If any person whose premises are supplied with water, neglects to pay the water-tax or any sum payable, under section 170 or section 171 when due, or to give notice as provided in the last preceding section, or wilfully or negligently misuses or causes waste of water the Corporation may cut off the supply of water from the said premises. 175. New premises no to be occupied without arrangement for water supply.- It shall not be lawful for the owner of any premises which may be newly constructed or reconstructed within any portion of the municipal area, in respect of which the Commissioner has given public notice under clause (b) of section 87 to occupy it or cause or permit it to be occupied until he has obtained a certificate from the Commissioner that there is provided within, or within a reasonable distance of, the premises, such supply of wholesome water as appears to the Commissioner to be adequate for the person who may occupy, or be employed in, such premises for their domestic purposes. 176. Public gratuitous water supply.- (1) The Commissioner, with the approval of the Corporation, may provide gratuitous supply of wholesome water to the public within the municipal area and may, for that purpose, erect public hydrants or other conveniences. (2) The Commissioner, may, with like approval, close a public hydrant for other convenience when it is no longer, required for the supply of wholesome water to the public. 177. Power to lay mains.- (1) The Commissioner may, lay a main whether within or outside the limits of the Corporation - (a) in any street; and (b) with the consent of every owner and occupier of any land not forming part of a street, in, over or on that land, and may, from THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 113 time to time in respect of, repair, alter or renew or may at any time remove any main so laid whether by virtue of this section or otherwise : Provided that where a consent required for the purpose of this sub- section is withheld, the Commissioner may, after giving the owner or occupier of the land a written notice of his intention so to do, lay the main in, over or on that land even without such consent. (2) Where the Commissioner, in exercise of the powers under this section lays a main, in, over or on any land not forming part of a street or inspects, repairs, alters, renews or removes a main so laid down in, over or on any such land, he shall pay compensation to every person interested in that land for any damage done to, or injurious affection of that land by reasons of the inspection, laying, repair, alteration, renewal or removal of the main. 178. Power to lay service pipes etc.- (1) The Commissioner may, in any street, whether within or outside the limits of the Corporation, lay such service pipes with such stopcocks and other water fittings as he may deem necessary for supplying water to premises and may, from time to time, inspect, repair, alter or renew and may at any time, remove any service pipe laid in a street whether by virtue of this section or otherwise. (2) Where a service pipe has been lawfully laid in, over or on the land not forming part of a street, the Commissioner may, from time to time, enter upon that land and inspect, repair, alter, renew or remove the pipe or lay a new pipe in substitution thereof but shall pay compensation for any damage done in the course of such action. 179. Provision of fire hydrants.- (1) The Commissioner shall fix hydrants on water mains (other than trunk mains) at such places as may be most convenient for affording supply of water for extinguishing any fire which may break out and shall keep in good order and from time to time renew every such hydrant. (2) To denote the situation of every hydrant placed under this section, letters, marks or figures shall be displayed prominently on some wall, building or other structure near such hydrant. (3) As soon as any such hydrant is completed, the Commissioner shall deposit a key thereof at each place where a public fire engine is kept and in such other places as he deems necessary. (4) The Commissioner may at the request and expense of the owner or occupier of any factory, workshop trade premises or place of business, situated in or near a street in which a pipe is laid (and not being a trunk main and being of sufficient dimensions to carry a hydrant), fix on the pipe and keep in good order from time to time to renew one or more fire hydrants to be used only for extinguishing fires as near as conveniently may be to that factory, workshop, trade premises or place of business. 114 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (5) The Commissioner shall allow all persons to take water for extinguishing fires from any pipe on which a hydrant is fixed without any payment. 180. Power to enter premises to detect waste or misuse of water.- The Commissioner or any Corporation officer authorised by the Commissioner in writing may, between sunrise and sunset, enter any premises supplied with water by the Corporation in order to examine if there be any waste or misuse of such water and the Commissioner or such officer shall not be refused admittance to the premises nor shall be obstructed by any person in making his examination. 181. Power to test water fittings.- The Commissioner may test any water fittings used in connection with water supplied by the Corporation. 182. Power to close or restrict use of water from polluted source of supply.- (1) If the Commissioner is of opinion that the water in or obtained from any well, tank or other source of supply not vested in the Corporation, being water which is or is likely to be used for domestic purposes, or for the preparation of food or drink for human consumption, or is likely to become so polluted as to be prejudicial to health, the Commissioner may after giving the owner or occupier of the premises in which the source of supply is situated a reasonable opportunity of being heard, by order direct, that the source of supply be permanently or temporarily closed or cut off or the water therefrom be used for certain purposes only or make such order as appears to him necessary to prevent injury or danger to the health of persons using the water or consuming food or drink prepared therewith or therefrom. (2) Before making any order under this section, the Commissioner may cause the water to be analysed at the cost of the Corporation. (3) If the person to whom an order is made under this section fails to comply therewith, the Commissioner may do whatever may be necessary for giving effect to the order and any expenses reasonably incurred by him in so doing may be recovered by him from the person in default as an arrear of tax under this Act. 183. Water pipes etc. not to be placed where water will be polluted.- (1) No water pipes shall be laid in a drain or on the surface of any open channel or house gully or within six meters of a cesspool or in any position where the pipe is likely to be injured or the water therein polluted; and no well or tank except with the consent of the Commissioner, no cistern shall be constructed within six meters of a latrine or cesspool. (2) No latrine or cesspool shall be constructed or made within six meters of any well, tank, water pipe or cistern or in any position where the pipe, well, tank or cistern is likely to be injured or the water therein polluted. 184. Joint and several liability of owners and occupiers for offence in relation to water supply.- If any offence relating to water supply is committed under this Act on any premises connected with the Corporation water works the owner, the person primarily liable for the payment of the THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 115 water tax, and the occupiers of the said premises shall be jointly and severally liable for such offence. 185. Public drains etc. to vest in Corporation.- (1) All public drains, all drains in, alongside or under any street, and all sewage disposal works whether constructed out of the Corporation Fund or otherwise and all works, materials and things pertaining thereto which are situated in the municipal area shall vest in the Corporation. (2) All public and other drains which are vested in the Corporation are hereafter in this Act referred to as Corporation drains. (3) For the purpose of enlarging, deepening or otherwise repairing or maintaining any drain or sewage disposal work so much of the sub-soil pertaining thereto as may be necessary for the said purposes shall also be deemed to vest in the Corporation. (4) All drains and ventilation-shafts, pipes and all appliances and fittings connected with the drainage works constructed, erected or set up out of the Corporation Fund in or upon premises not belonging to the Corporation, whether - (a) before or after the commencement of this Act, and (b) for the use of the owner or occupier of such premises or not, shall unless the Corporation has otherwise determined, or does at any time otherwise determine, vest and be deemed always to have vested in the Corporation. 186. Control of drains and sewage disposal works.- (1) All Corporation drains, all sewage disposal works and works, materials and things appertaining thereto, shall be under the control of the Commissioner. (2) The Commissioner shall maintain and keep in repair all municipal drains and sewage disposal works and when authorised by the Corporation in this behalf, shall construct as may new drains and sewage disposal works as may from time to time be necessary for effectual drainage and sewage disposal. 187. Certain matters not to be passed into municipal drains.- No person shall throw, empty, or turn into any Corporation drain or into any drain communicating with a Corporation drain- (a) any matter likely to injure the drain or to interfere with the free flow of its contents, or to affect prejudicially the treatment and disposal of its contents; or (b) any chemical, refuse or waste steam, or any liquid of a temperature higher than forty five degrees Celsius being refuse or steam which or a liquid which when so heated is either alone or in combination with the contents of the drain, dangerous or the cause of nuisance, prejudicial to health; or (c) any dangerous petroleum. 116 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Explanation.- "In this section the expression” "dangerous petroleum" has the same meaning as is assigned to it in the Petroleum Act, 1934 (30 of 1934). 188. Application by owners and occupiers to drain into municipal drains.- (1) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf, the owner or occupier of any premises having a private drain, or the owner of any private drain within the municipal area may apply to the Commissioner to have his drain made to communicate with the drains and thereby to discharge foul water and surface water from those premises or that private drain: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall entitle any person- (a) to discharge directly or indirectly into any Corporation drain - (i) any trade effluent from any trade premises except in accordance with bylaws made in this behalf; or (ii) any liquid or other matter the discharge of which into Corporation drains is prohibited by or under this Act or any other law; or (b) where separate Corporation drains are provided for foul water and for surface water to discharge directly or indirectly,- (i) foul water into a drain provided for surface water; or (ii) except with the permission of the Commissioner, surface water into drain provided for foul water; or (c) to have his drains made to communicate directly with a storm water overflow drain. (2) Any person desirous of availing himself of the provisions of sub- section (1), shall give to the Commissioner a notice of his proposals, and at any time within one month after receipt thereof, the Commissioner may by notice to him refuse to permit the communication to be made, if it appears to him that the mode of construction or condition of the drain is such that the making of the communication would be prejudicial to the drainage system, and for the purpose of examining the mode of construction and condition of the drain he may, if necessary, require it to be laid open for inspection. (3) The Commissioner may, if he thinks fit, construct such part of the work necessary for having a private drain made to communicate with the municipal drain as is in or under a public street and in such a case the expenses incurred by the Commissioner, shall be paid by the owner or occupier of the premises, or as the case may be, the owner of the private drain and shall be recoverable from the owner or occupier as an arrear of tax under this Act. 189. Drainage of undrained premises.- (1) Where any premises are in the opinion of the Commissioner, without sufficient means of effectual drainage and a municipal drain or some place approved by the Commissioner THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 117 for the discharge of filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter is situated at a distance of not exceeding thirty metres from any part of the said premises, he may, by written notice require the owner of the said premises- (a) to make a drain emptying into such Corporation drain or place; (b) to provide and set up all such appliances and fittings as may appear to the Commissioner necessary for the purpose of gathering and receiving the filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter from and conveying the same off, the said promises and of effectually flushing such drain and every fixture connected therewith; (c) to remove any existing drain or other appliance or thing used or intended to be used for drainage which is injurious to health; (d) to provide a close drain in substitution of an open drain or to provide such other appliance or thing either newly or in substitution of any existing appliance or thing or to provide both a closed drain and such other appliance or thing in substitution of the existing open drain and other appliance or thing which is or is likely to be injurious to health; (e) to provide and set up all such appliances and fittings as may appear to the Commissioner to be necessary for the purpose of gathering and receiving the waste water from floors and galleries of buildings when they are washed and conveying the same through spouts, by down take pipes so as to prevent such waste water from discharging directly on streets or inside and lower portion of the premises; (f) to carry out any work to improve or re-model an existing drain which is inadequate, insufficient or faulty. (2) Where in any case not provided for in sub-section (1), any premises are in the opinion of the Commissioner, without sufficient means of effectual drainage, he may, by written notice, require the owner of the premises - (a) to construct a drain up to a point to be prescribed in such notice but not at a distance of more than thirty metres from any part of the premises; or (b) to construct a close cesspool a soakage pit and drain or drains supplying into such cesspool or soakage pit. (3) Any requisition for the construction of any drain under sub- section (2) may contain any of the details specified in sub-section (1). 190. New premises not to be erected without drainage.- (1) It shall not be lawful to erect or to re-erect any premises in the municipal area or to occupy any such premises unless - 118 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (a) a drain be constructed of such size, materials, and with such fall as shall appear to the Commissioner to be necessary for the effectual drainage of such premises; (b) there have been provided and set up on such premises, such appliances and fittings as may appear to the Commissioner to be necessary for the purpose of gathering or receiving the filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter from, and conveying the same off, the said premises and of effectually flushing the drain of the said premises and every fixture connected therewith. (2) The drain so constructed shall empty into a Corporation drain situated at a distance of not exceeding thirty metres from the premises, but if no Corporation drain is situated within that distance then such drain shall empty into a cesspool situated within that distance. to be specified by the Commissioner for the purpose. 191. Power to drain group or block of premises by combined operations.- (1) If it appears to the Commissioner that any group or block of premises may be drained more economically or advantageously in combination than separately, and a Corporation drain of sufficient size already exists or is about to be constructed within thirty metres of any part of that group or block of premises, the Commissioner may cause that group or block of premises, to be drained by a combined operation. (2) The expenses incurred in carrying out any work under sub-section (1) in respect of any group or block of premises shall be paid by the owners of such premises in such proportion as the Commissioner may determine and shall be recoverable from them as an arrear of tax under this Act. (3) Not less than fifteen days, before any such work is commenced, the Commissioner shall give to each such owner - (a) written notice of the nature of the proposed work; and (b) an estimate of the expenses to be incurred in respect thereof and of the proportion or such expenses payable by him. (4) The Commissioner may require the owners of such group or block of premises to maintain the work executed under this section. 192. Power of Commissioner to close or limit the use of private drain in certain cases.- Where a drain connecting any premises with a Corporation drain is sufficient for the effectual drainage of such premises and is otherwise unobjectionable but is not in the opinion of the Commissioner, adapted to the general system of drainage in the municipal area, he may by written notice addressed to the owner of the premises, direct - (a) that such drain be closed, discontinued or destroyed and that any work necessary for that purpose be done; or THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 119 (b) that such drain shall, from such date as may be specified in the notice in this behalf, be used for filth and polluted water only or for rain water and un-polluted sub-soil water only : Provided that - (i) no drain may be closed, discontinued or destroyed by the Commissioner under clause (a) except on condition of his providing another drain equally effectual for the drainage of the premises and communicating with any Corporation drain which he thinks fit; and (ii) the expenses of the construction of any drain so provided by the Corporation and of any work done under clause (a) may be paid out of the Corporation Fund. 193. Use of drain by a person other than owner.- (1) Where the Commissioner either on receipt of an application from the owner of any premises or otherwise is of opinion that the only or the most convenient means of effectual drainage of the premises into Corporation drain is through a drain belonging to another person, the Commissioner may, by notice in writing, require the owner of such drain to show cause within a period specified in the notice as to why an order under this section should not be made. (2) Where no cause is shown within the specified period or the cause shown appears to the Commissioner invalid or insufficient, the Commissioner may, by in writing, either authorise the owner of the premises to use the drain or declare him to be joint owner thereof. (3) An order made under sub-section (2) may contain directions as to- (a) the payment of rent or compensation by the owner of the premises; (b) the construction of a drain for the premises for the purpose of connecting with the aforesaid drain; (c) the entry upon the land in which the aforesaid drain is situated with assistants and workmen at all reasonable hours; and (d) the respective responsibilities of the parties for maintaining, repairing, flushing, cleaning and emptying the aforesaid drain. 194. Sewage and rain water drains to be distinct.- Wherever it is provided in this Chapter that steps shall or may be taken for the effectual drainage of any premises, it shall be competent for the Commissioner to require that there shall be one drain for filth and polluted water and an entirely distinct drain for rain water and un-polluted sub-soil water or both rain water and un-polluted sub-soil water, each emptying into separate Corporation drains or other suitable places. 120 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 195. Powers of Commissioner to require owner to carry out certain works for satisfactory drainage.- For the purpose of efficient drainage of any premises the Commissioner may be notice in writing - (a) require any courtyard, alley or passage between two or more buildings to be paved by the owner of owners of such buildings, with such materials and in a such manner as may be approved by the Commissioner; and (b) require such paving to be kept in proper repair. 196. Appointment of places for the emptying of drains and disposal of sewage.- The Commissioner may cause any or all of the Corporation drains to empty into, and all sewage to be disposed of at such place or places as he considers suitable: Provided that no place which has been not before the commencement of this Act used for any of the purposes specified in this section, shall after such commencement be used therefor without the approval of the Corporation: Provided further that on and after such date as may be appointed by the Government in this behalf no sewage shall be discharged into any water course until it has been so treated as not to affect prejudicially the purity and quality of the water into which it is discharged. 197. Connection with water works and drains not to be made without permission.- Without the written permission of Commissioner, no person shall for any purpose whatsoever, at any time make or cause to be made any connection or communication with any drain referred to in section 186 or any water-works, constructed or maintained by, or vested in the Corporation. 198. Buildings, railways and private streets not to be erected or constructed or constructed over drains or water works without permission.- (1) Without the written permission of the Commissioner no railway or private street, shall be constructed and no building, wall, fence or other structure shall be erected on any municipal drain or on any waterworks constructed or maintained by or vested, in the Corporation. (2) If any railway or private street be constructed or any building, wall, fence or structure erected on any drain or water-works as aforesaid without the written permission, the Commissioner may remove or otherwise deal with the same as he may think fit. (3) The expenses incurred by the Commissioner in so doing shall be paid by the owner of the private street or of the building, fence, wall or other structure as the case may be, by the railway administration or the person offending and shall be recoverable as an arrear of tax under this Act. 199. Rights of user of property for aqueducts, lines etc.- (1) The Commissioner may place and maintain aqueducts, conduits and lines of mains or pipes or drains over, under, along or across any immovable property THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 121 whether within or outside the limits of the municipal area, if necessary through an agreement, and may at any time for the purpose of examining, repairing, altering or removing any aqueducts, conduits or lines of mains or pipes, or drains, after giving a reasonable notice of his intention so to do, enter on any property over, under, along or across which the aqueducts, conduits or lines of mains or pipes or drains have been placed: Provided that the Corporation shall not acquire any right other than a right of user in the property over, under, along or across which any aqueduct, conduit or line of mains or pipes, or drain is placed. (2) The powers conferred by sub-section (1) shall not be exercisable in respect of any property vested in the Government or under the control or management of the Government or railway administration or vested in any local authority save with the permission of the Government or railway administration or the local authority, as the case may be, and in accordance with any bye-laws made in this behalf: Provided that the Commissioner may, without such permission, repair renew or amend any existing works of which the character or positions is not to be altered if such repair, renewal or amendment is urgently necessary in order to maintain without interruption the supply of water, drainage or disposal of sewage or is such that delay would be dangerous to health, human life or property. (3) In the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by this section, the Commissioner shall cause as little damage and inconvenience as may be possible and shall make full compensation for any damage or inconvenience caused by him. 200.

Power of owner of premises to place pipes and drains through land belonging to other persons.- (1) If it appears to the Commissioner that the only or most convenient means of water supply to and drainage of, any premises is by placing, or carrying any pipe or drain over, under, along or across the immovable property of another person, the Commissioner may, by order in writing, authorise the owner of the premises to place or carry such pipe or drain over, under, along or across such immovable property: Provided that before making any such order, the Commissioner shall give to the owner of the immovable property a reasonable opportunity of showing cause within such time as may be prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf as to why the order should not be made: Provided further that the owner of the premises shall not acquire any right other than a right of user in the property over, under, along or across which any such pipe or drain is placed or carried. (2) Upon the making of an order under sub-section (1), the owner of the premises may, after giving reasonable notice of his intention so to do enter upon the immovable property with assistants and workmen at any time between sun rise and sun set for the purpose of placing a pipe or drain over, 122 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 under, along or across such immovable property or for the purpose of repairing the same. (3) In placing or carrying a pipe or drain under this section, as little damage as possible shall be done to the immovable property and the owner of the premises shall- (a) cause the pipe or drain to be placed or carried with the least practicable delay : (b) fill in, reinstate and make good at his own cost and with the least practicable delay an land opened, broken up or removed for the purpose of placing or carrying such pipe or drain; and (c) pay compensation to the owner of the immovable property and to any other person who sustains damage by reason of the placing or carrying of such pipe or drain. (4) If the owner of the immovable property, over, under, along or across which a pipe or drain has been placed or carried under this section while such immovable property was not built upon, desires to erect any building on such property, the Commissioner shall by notice in writing, require the owner of the premises to close, remove or divert the pipe or drain in such manner as shall be approved by him and to fill in, reinstate and make good the immovable property as if the pipe or drain had not been placed or carried over, under, along or across the same: Provided that no such requisition shall be made unless in the opinion of the Commissioner it is necessary or expedient for the construction of the proposed building or the safe enjoyment thereof that the pipe or drain should be closed, removed or diverted. 201. Railway administration to be informed in certain cases.- If the Corporation desires to place or carry any pipe or drain or do any other work connected with the water supply or drainage across any railways line, it shall inform the railway administration who may execute the same at the cost of the Corporation. 202. Power of Commissioner to execute work after giving notice to the person liable to do so.- (1) When under the provisions of this Chapter any person may be required or is liable to execute any work the Commissioner may, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and of any bye-laws made in this behalf, cause such work to be executed after giving such person an opportunity of executing the same within such time as may be specified by him for this purpose. (2) The expenses incurred or likely to be incurred by the Commissioner in the execution of any such work shall be payable by the said person and the expenses incurred by the Commissioner in connection with the maintenance of such work or the enjoyment of amenities and conveniences rendered possible by such work, shall be payable by the person or persons enjoying such amenities and conveniences. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 123 (3) The expenses referred to in sub-section (2), shall be recoverable from the person or persons liable therefor as an arrear of tax under this Act. 203. Power of Commissioner to affix shafts etc. for ventilation of drain or, cesspool.- For the purpose of ventilating any drain or cesspool, whether vested in the Corporation or not, the Commissioner may, in accordance with bye-laws made in this behalf, erect upon any premises or affix to the outside of any building or to any tree any such shaft or pipe as may appear to him to be necessary 204. Power of Commissioner to examine and test drain etc. believed to be defective.- (1) Where it appears to the Commissioner that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a private drain or cesspool is in such condition as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance or that a private drain communicating directly or indirectly with a municipal drain, is so defective as to admit sub-soil water, he may examine its condition and for that purpose may apply any test other than a test of water under pressure and if he deems it necessary open the ground. (2) If on examination the drain or cesspool is found to be in proper condition, the Commissioner shall, as soon as possible, reinstate any ground which has been opened by him and make good any damage done by him. 205. Employment of Government agencies for repairs etc.- The Government may, for reasons to be recorded, direct that any specified work, repair, renewal or replacement which is to be undertaken by or for the Corporation under this Chapter, shall be carried out on behalf of the Corporation by the Government and the Corporation shall pay the charges therefor at the rate and subject to the terms for the time being applicable in the case of works constructed by the Government on behalf of a local authority. 206. Work to be done by licensed plumber.- (1) No person other than a licensed plumber shall execute any work described in this Chapter and no person shall permit any such work to be executed except by a licensed plumber: Provided that if, in the opinion of the Commissioner, the work is of a tri-vial nature, he may grant permission in writing for the execution of such work by a person other than a licensed plumber. (2) Every person who employs licensed plumber to execute any work shall, when so required, furnish to the Commissioner, the name of such plumber. (3) When any work is executed except in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1), such work shall be liable to be dismantled at the discretion of the Commissioner without prejudice to the right of the Corporation to prosecute under this Act the person at whose instance such work has been executed. (4) The Corporation may make bye-laws for the guidance of licensed plumbers and a copy of all such bye-laws shall be attached to every licence granted to a plumber by the Corporation. 124 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (5) The Corporation may, from time to time, prescribe the charges to be paid to licensed plumbers for any work done by them under or for any of the purposes of this Chapter. (6) No licensed plumber shall, for any work referred to in sub-section (5) demand or receive more than the charges prescribed therefor, under that sub-section. (7) The Corporation shall make bye-laws providing for- (a) the exercise of adequate control on all licensed plumbers; (b) the inspection of all works carried out by them; and (c) the hearing and disposal of complaints made by the owners or occupiers of premises with regard to the quality of work done, material used, delay in execution of work and the charges made by a licensed plumber. (8) No licensed plumber shall contravene any of the bye-laws made under this section or execute carelessly or negligently any work under this Act or make use of bad materials, appliances or fittings. (9) If any licensed plumber contravenes sub-section (8), his licence may be suspended or cancelled whether he is prosecuted under this Act or not. 207. Prohibition of certain acts.- (1) No person shall - (a) wilfully, obstruct any person acting, under the authority of the Corporation or the Commissioner, in setting out the lines of any works or pull up or remove any pillar, post of stake fixed in the ground for the purpose of setting out lines of such work or deface or destroy any works made for the same purpose; or (b) wilfully or negligently break, injure, turn on, open, close, shut off or otherwise interfere with any lock, cock, valve, pipe, meter or other work or apparatus belonging to the Corporation; or (c) unlawfully obstruct the flow of, or flush, draw off, or divert, or take water from any water works belonging to the Corporation or any water course by which any such water is supplied; or (d) unlawfully obstruct the flow of, or flush, draw off, divert or take sewage from any sewage work belonging to the Corporation or break or damage any electrical transmission line maintained by the Corporation; or (e) obstruct any officer or other employee of the Corporation in the discharge of his duties under this Chapter or refuse or wilfully neglect to furnish him with the means necessary for the making of any entry, inspection, examination or inquiry thereunder in relation to any water of sewage work; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 125 (f) bathe in, at or upon any water work or wash or throw or cause to enter therein any animal, or throw any rubbish, dirt, filth into any water work or wash or clean therein any cloth, wool or leather or the skin of any animal or cause the water of any sink or drain or any steam-engine or boiler or any polluted water to turn or be brought into any water-work, or do any other act where by the water in any water-work is fouled or likely to be fouled. (2) Nothing in clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall apply to a consumer closing the stopcock fixed on the service pipe supplying water to his premises so long as he has obtained the consent of any other consumer whose supply will be affected thereby. CHAPTER-XIII STREETS 208. Vesting of public streets in Corporation.- (1) All streets within the municipal area which are or at any time become public streets and the pavement stones and other materials thereof, shall vest in the Corporation. (2) All public streets vesting in the Corporation shall be under the control of the Commissioner and shall be maintained, controlled and regulated by him in accordance with the bye-laws made in this behalf. 209. Functions of Commissioner in respect of public streets.- (1) The Commissioner shall, from time to time cause all public streets vested in the Corporation to be levelled, metalled or paved, channelled and altered or repaired and may widen, extend or otherwise improve, any such street or cause the soil thereof to be raised, lowered or altered or may place and keep in repair fences and posts for the safety of foot-passengers : Provided that no widening, extension or other improvement of a public street the aggregate cost of which will exceed ten thousand rupees, shall be undertaken by the Commissioner except with the previous sanction of the Corporation. (2) With the previous sanction of the Corporation, the Commissioner may permanently close the whole or any part of a public street: Provided that before according such sanction the Corporation shall by notice published in the manner specified by bye-laws give reasonable opportunity to the residents likely to be affected by such closure to make suggestions or objections with respect to such closure and shall consider all such suggestions or objections, which may be made, within one month from the date of the publication of the said notice. 210. Disposal of land forming site of public streets permanently closed.- Whenever any public street or a part thereof is permanently closed under sub-section (2) of section 209, the site of such street or of the portion thereof may be disposed of as land vesting in the Corporation. 126 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 211. Power to make new public streets.- The Commissioner may, at any time with the previous sanction of the Corporation- (a) lay out and make new public streets; (b) construct bridges and sub-ways; (c) turn or divert, any existing public streets; (d) lay down and determine the position and direction of a street or streets in any part of the municipal area notwithstanding that no proposal for the erection of any building in the vicinity has been received. 212. Minimum width of new public streets.- The Commissioner shall, from time to time, with the sanction of the Corporation, specify the minimum width of different classes of new public streets according to the nature of the traffic likely to be carried thereon and the streets with which they join at one or both ends, the localities in which they are situated, the heights up to which buildings abutting thereon may be erected and other similar consideration. 213. Power to prohibit use of public streets for certain kinds of traffic.- (1) The Commissioner may,- (a) prohibit vehicular traffic in any public street or any portion thereof so as to prevent danger, obstruction or inconvenience to the public or to ensure quietness in any locality; (b) prohibit in respect of all public streets or any particular public streets the transit of any vehicle of such form, construction, weight or size or laden with such heavy or unwidely objects as may be likely to cause injury to the roadways or any construction thereon, except under such conditions as to time, mode of the fraction or locomotion, use of appliances for the protection of roadways, number of lights and assistants and other general precautions, and upon the payment of such charges as may be specified by the Commissioner generally or specially in each case; (c) prohibit access to premises from any particular public street carrying high speed vehicular traffic: Provided that the Commissioner shall not take action without the sanction of the Corporation in cases under clauses (a) and (c). (2) Notices of such prohibition as are imposed under sub-section (1) shall be posted in conspicuous places at or near both ends of public streets or portions thereof to which they relate, unless such prohibition applied generally to all public streets. 214. Power to acquire land and buildings for public streets and for public parking places.- Subject to the provisions contained in Chapter X, the Commissioner may,- THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 127 (a) acquire any land required for the purposes of opening, widening, extending or otherwise improving any public street or of making any new public street and any building standing upon such land; (b) acquire in relation to any such land or building, all such land with buildings, if any thereon as the Corporation may think expedient to acquire outside the regular line or the intended regular line of such street; or (c) when any land, whether within or outside the limits of the municipal area, is required for the purposes of this Act the Government may, at the request of the Corporation proceed to acquire it under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894) and on payment by the Corporation of the Compensation awarded under that Act, and of any other charges incurred in acquiring the land, the land shall vest in the Corporation. Explanation.- When any land is required for a new street or for the improvement of an existing street, the Government may on the request of the Corporation proceed to acquire, in addition to the land to be occupied by the street, the land necessary for the sites of the buildings to be erected on both sides of the street, and such land shall be deemed to be required for the purposes of this Act. 215. Defining regular lines of streets.- (1) The Commissioner may define a line on one or both sides of any public street in accordance with the bye-laws made in this behalf and may with the previous sanction of the Corporation redefine at any time any such regular line : Provided that, before according sanction the Corporation shall by public notice afford reasonable opportunity to the residents of premises abutting on such public street to make suggestions or objections with respect to the proposed redefined line of the street and shall consider all suggestions or objections which may be made within one month from the date of the publication of the said notice: Provided further that the regular line of any public street operative under any law in force in any part of the municipal area immediately before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be a line defined by the Commissioner under this sub-section. (2) The line for the time being defined or redefined shall be called the regular line of street. (3) No person shall construct or reconstruct any building or a portion thereof or any boundary wall or other structure whatsoever within the regular line of a street except with the written permission of Commissioner: Provided that if within 60 days after the receipt of application from any person for permission to construct or reconstruct a boundary wall or a portion thereof the Commissioner fails to take steps to acquire the land within 128 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 the regular line of the street in accordance with section 218 then that person may, subject to any other provisions of this Act and the bye-laws made thereunder, proceed with the work of construction or reconstruction of such boundary wall or portion thereof. 216. Setting back of buildings to regular line of street.- (1) If any part of a building abutting on a public street is within the regular line of that street, the Commissioner, may, whenever it is proposed to repair, remove, construct or reconstruct or make any additions to, or structural alterations of any portion of such building which is within the regular line of the street by any order which he issues concerning the additions to rebuilding, construction, repair or alterations of such building require such building to be set back to the regular line of the street. (2) When any building or any part thereof within the regular line of a public street falls down or is burnt down or is, whether by the order of the Commissioner or otherwise, taken down, the Commissioner may forthwith, take possession on behalf of the Corporation of the portion of the land within the regular line of the street theretofore occupied by the said building and, if necessary, clear the same. (3) Land acquired under this section shall be deemed to be a part of the public street and shall vest in the Corporation. 127. Compulsory setting back of building to regular line of street.- (1) Where any building or any part thereof is within the regular line of a public street and in the opinion of the Commissioner it is necessary to set back the building or part thereof to the regular line of the street, he may, by notice served on the owner in accordance with the provisions of this Act require him to show cause within such period as may be specified in the notice as to why such building or part thereof which is within the regular line of the street should not be pulled down and the land within the regular line acquired by the Commissioner on behalf of the Corporation. (2) If such owner fails to show cause as required by sub-section (1), the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Corporation, require the owner by another notice to be served on him in accordance with the provisions of this Act, to pull down the building or part thereof which is within the regular line of the street within such period as specified in the notice. (3) If within such period the owner of the building fails to pull down the building or part thereof as required by the Commissioner, the Commissioner may pull down the same and all the expenses incurred in doing so shall be paid by the owner and be recoverable from him as an arrear of tax under this Act. (4) The Commissioner shall at once take possession on behalf of the Corporation of the portion of the land within the regular line of the street occupied by the said building or part thereof and such land shall thereupon be deemed to be a part of the public street and shall vest in the Corporation. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 129 218. Acquisition of open land and land occupied by platforms etc. within the regular line of street.- If any land, whether open or enclosed, not vesting in the Corporation and not occupied by any building is within the regular line of a public street or if a platform, verandah, step, compound wall, hedge or fence or some other structural external to a building abutting on a public street or a portion of such platform, verandah, step, compound wall, hedge or fence or some other structure is within the regular line of such street, the Commissioner may, after giving to the owner of the land or building not less than seven days notice of his intention so to do, take possession on behalf of the Corporation of the said land with its enclosing wall, hedge or fence, if any, or of the said platform, verandah, step, compound, wall, hedge, or fence or other structure or of any portion thereof which is within the regular line of the public street, and if necessary, clear the same and the land so acquired shall thereupon be deemed to be part of the public street and shall vest in the Corporation : Provided that where the land or building is vested in the Government or the Central Government, the Commissioner shall not take possession thereof without the previous sanction of the Government or the Central Government, as the case may be. 219. Acquisition of remaining part of building and land after their portions within regular line of street have been acquired.- (1) Where a land or building is partly within the regular line of a public street and the Commissioner is satisfied that the land remaining after the requisition of the portion within the said line still not be suitable or fit for any beneficial use, he may, at the request of the owner, acquire such land in addition to the land within the said line and such surplus land shall be deemed to be a part of the public street and shall vest in the Corporation. (2) Such surplus land may thereafter be utilised for the purpose of setting forward a building under section 220. 220. Setting forward of building to regular line of street.- The Commissioner may, upon such terms, as he thinks fit, allow any building to be set forward for the purpose of improving the regular line of a public street and may, with the sanction of the Corporation by notice require any building to be so set forward in the case of reconstruction thereof or of a new construction. Explanation.- For the purpose of this section a wall separating any premises from a public street shall be deemed to be a building, and it shall be deemed a sufficient compliance with permission, or requisition to set forward a building to the regular line of a street if a wall of such material and dimensions as are approved by the Commissioner is erected along the said line. 221. Compensation to be paid in certain cases of setting back or setting forward of buildings, etc.- (1) Compensation shall be paid by the Commissioner to the owner of any building or land acquired for a public street under the provisions of sections 216, 217 and 218 for any loss which such owner may sustain in consequence of his building or land being to acquired 130 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 and for any expenses incurred by such owner in consequence of any order made by the Commissioner : Provided that - (a) any increase or decrease in the value of the remainder of the property of which the building or land so acquired formed part likely to accrue from the setting back to the regular line of the street, shall be taken into consideration and allowed for in determining the amount of such compensation; and (b) if any such increase in the value exceeds the amount of loss sustained or expenses incurred by the owner, the Commissioner may recover from him half of the amount of such excess as a betterment charge. (2) If in consequence of any order to set forward a building made by the Commissioner, the owner of such building sustains any loss or damage, compensation shall be paid to him by the Commissioner for such loss or damage after taking into account any increase in value likely to accrue, from the setting forward. (3) If the additional land which will be included in the premises of any person required or permitted under sub-section (2) to set forward a building belongs to the Corporation, the order or permission of the Commissioner to set forward the building shall be a sufficient conveyance to the said owner of the said land and, the price to be paid to the Corporation by the owner for such additional land and the other terms and conditions of the conveyance shall be set forth in the order or permission. (4) If, when the Commissioner required any building to be set forward, the owner of the building is dissatisfied with the price fixed to be paid to the Corporation or with any of the terms and conditions of conveyance, the Commissioner shall, upon the application of the owner at any time within fifteen days after the said terms and conditions are communicated to him, refer the case for the determination of the Court of the District Judge whose decision thereon shall be final. 222. Owners obligation when dealing with land or building sites.- If the owner of any land utilises, sells, leases out or otherwise disposes of such land for the construction of building thereon, he shall lay down and make a street or streets giving access to the plots into which the land may be divided and connecting with an existing public or private street. 223. Layout plans.- (1) Before utilising, selling or otherwise dealing with any land under section 222 the owner thereof shall send to the Commissioner a written application with a lay-out plan of the land showing the following particulars, namely:- (a) the plots into which the land is proposed to be divided for the erection of building thereon and purpose or purposes for which such buildings are to be used; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 131 (b) the reservation or allotment of any site for any street, open space, park, recreation ground, school, market or any public purpose; (c) the intended level direction and width of street or streets; (d) the regular line of street or streets; and (e) the arrangements to be made for levelling, paving, metalling, flagging, channelling, sewering, draining, conserving and lighting street or streets. (2) The provisions of this Act and the bye-laws made thereunder as to width of the public streets and the height of building abutting thereon shall apply in the case of streets referred to in sub-section (1) and all the particulars referred to in that sub-section shall be subject to the sanction of the Corporation. (3) Within sixty days after the receipt of any application under sub- section (1) the Corporation shall either accord sanction to the layout plan on such conditions as it may think fit or ask for further information with respect to it. (4) Such sanction shall be refused,- (a) if the particulars shown in the lay-out plan would conflict with any arrangement which have been made or which are in the opinion of the Corporation likely to be made for carrying out any general scheme of development of the municipal area whether contained in the master plan or a zonal development plan prepared for the municipal area or not; or (b) if the said lay-out plan does not conform to the provisions of this Act and bye-laws made thereunder; or (c) if any street proposed in the plan is not designed so as to connect at one end with a street which is already open. (5) No person shall utilise, sell or otherwise deal with any land or lay- out or make any new street without or otherwise than in conformity with the orders of the Corporation and if further information is asked for, no step shall be taken to utilise, sell or otherwise deal with the land or to lay-out or make the street until orders have been passed upon receipt of such information: Provided that the passing of such order shall not be in any case delayed for more than 60 days after the Corporation has received the information which it considers necessary to enable it to deal with the said application. (6) The lay-out plan referred to earlier in this section shall, if so required by the Corporation, be prepared by a licensed town planner. 224. Alteration or demolition of street made in breach of section 223.- (1) If any person lays out or makes any street referred to in section 223 without or otherwise than in conformity with the orders of the Corporation, 132 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 the Commissioner may, whether or not the offender, be prosecuted under this Act by notice- (a) require the offender to show cause by a written statement signed by him and sent to the Commissioner on or before such date as may be specified in the notice, why such street should not be altered to the satisfaction of the Commissioner or if such alteration be impracticable why such street should not be demolished; or (b) require the offender to appear before the Commissioner whether personally or by duly authorised agent or on such day and at such time and place as may be specified in the notice and show cause as aforesaid. (2) If any person on whom such notice is served fails to show cause to the satisfaction of the Commissioner why such street should not be so altered or demolished, the Commissioner may pass an order directing the alteration or demolition of such street. 225. Power of Commissioner to order work to be carried out or to carry it himself in default.- (1) If any private street or part thereof is not levelled, paved, metalled, flagged, channelled, sewered, drained, conserved or lighted to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, he may by notice require the owners of such street or part and the owners of the lands and buildings fronting or abutting on such street or part to carry out any work which in his opinion may be necessary and within such time as may be specified in such notice. (2) If such work is not carried out within the time specified in the notice, the Commissioner may, if he thinks fit, execute it and the expenses incurred shall be paid by the owners referred to in sub-section (1) in such proportion as may be determined by the Commissioner and shall be recoverable from them as an arrear of tax under this Act. 226. Declaration of public streets.- (1) If any street has been levelled, paved, metalled, flagged, channelled, sewered, drained, conserved and lighted under the provisions of section 225, the Commissioner may, and on the requisition of the majority of the owners referred to in sub-section (1) of that section shall declare such a street to be a public street and thereupon the street shall vest in the Corporation. (2) The Commissioner may at any time, by notice fixed up in any street or part thereof not maintainable by the Corporation, give intimation of his intention to declare the same a public street and unless within one month next after such notice has been so put up, the owner or any one of the several owners of such street or such part of a street lodge objection thereto at the Corporation Office, the Commissioner, may by notice in writing, put up in such street of such part, declare the same to be a public street vested in the Corporation. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 133 227. Prohibition of projection upon street etc.- (1) Except as provided in section 228, no person shall erect, setup, add to or place against or in front of any premises any structure or fixture which will- (a) overhang, jut or project into, or in any way encroach upon and obstruct in any way the safe or convenient passage of the public along, any street; or (b) jut or project into or encroach upon any drain or open channel in any street so as in any way to interfere with the use or proper working of such drain of channel or to impede the inspection or cleansing thereof. (2) The Commissioner may by notice require the owner or occupier of any premises to remove or to take such other action as he may direct in relation to any structure or fixture which has been erected, set-up, added to or placed against, or in front of the said premises in contravention of this section. (3) If the occupier of the said premises removes or alters any structure or fixture in accordance with such notice, he shall be entitled, unless the structure or fixture was erected, set-up or placed by himself, to credit into account with the owner of the premises for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in complying with the notice. 228. Projection over streets may be permitted in certain cases.- (1) The Commissioner may give a written permission on such terms and on payment of such fee as he in each case thinks fit, to the owner or occupier of the building or any street- (a) to erect an arcade, over such street or any portion thereof; or (b) to put up a verandah, balcony, arch connecting passage, sunshade, weather frame, canopy, awning or other such structure or thing projecting from any storey over or across any street or portion thereof : Provided that no permission shall be given by the Commissioner for the erection of an arcade in any public street in which construction of an arcade has not been generally sanctioned by the Corporation. (2) The Commissioner may at time by notice require the owner or occupier of any building to remove a verandah, balcony, sunshade, weather frame or the like put up in accordance with the provisions of this Act and such owner or occupier shall be bound to take action accordingly but shall be entitled to compensation for the loss caused to him by such removal and the cost incurred thereon. 229. Ground floor, door etc. not to open outwards on streets.- The Commissioner may at any time by notice require the owner of any premises on the ground floor of which any door, gate, bar or window opens outwards upon a street or upon any land required for the improvement of a street in such manner as in the opinion of the Commissioner is likely to obstruct the safe or 134 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 convenient passage of the public along such street, to have the said door, gate, bar or window altered so as not to open outwards. 230. Prohibition of structures, fixtures or deposit of things in street.- (1) No person shall, except with the permission of the Commissioner granted in this behalf erect or set-up any wall, fence, rail, post, step, booth or other structure whether fixed or movable or whether of a permanent or temporary nature, or any fixture in or upon any street or upon or over any open channel, drain, well or tank in any street so as to form an obstruction to or an encroachment upon, or projection over, or to occupy any portion of such street, channel, drain, well or tank. (2) No person shall, except with the permission of the Commissioner and on payment of such fee as he in each case thinks fit, place or deposit upon any street, or upon any open channel, drain or well in any street or upon any public place any stall, chair, bench, box, ladder, bale or other thing whatsoever so as to form an obstruction thereto or encroachment thereon. (3) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply to any erection or thing to which clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 235 applies and nothing in sub- section (2) shall apply to building materials. 231. Special provision regarding streets belonging to Government.- Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 220, 227, 228 or in clause (5) of Part C of section 395 and subject to any general or special order that the Government may make in this behalf, if any street is vested in the Government- (a) the Commissioner shall not, in respect of such street grant permission to do any act the doing of which without his written permission would contravene the provisions of section 227 or section 228 or allow any building to be set forward under the provision of section 220 except with the sanction of the Government which may be given in respect of a class of cases generally or in respect of a particular case; (b) the Commissioner shall, if so required by the Government, exercise the powers conferred upon him by sections 220, 227, 228 or clause (5) of Part C of section 395 or any bye-law made in exercise of the power conferred by the aforesaid clause (5) in respect of encroachment or overhanging structure on or over such street or any materials, goods or articles of merchandise deposited on such street. 232. Power to remove anything deposited or exposed for sale in contravention of this Act.- The Commissioner may, without notice cause, to be removed- (a) any stall, chair, bench, box, ladder, bale or other thing whatsoever placed, deposited, projected, attached or suspended in, upon, from or to any place in contravention of this Act. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 135 (b) any article whatsoever hawked or exposed for sale on any public place in contravention of this Act and any vehicle, package, box or any other thing in or on which such article is placed. 233. Prohibition of tethering of animals and milking of cattle.- (1) No person shall tether any animal or cause or permit the same to be tethered in any public street. (2) No person shall milk or cause or permit to be milked any cow or buffalo in any street. (3) Any animal tethered or any cow or any buffalo found being milked as aforesaid in any street may be removed by the Commissioner or any Corporation Officer or employee and be impounded and dealt with under the provisions of the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871 (1 of 1871) . 234. Precautions during repairs of street etc.- (1) The Commissioner shall, so far, as is practicable during the construction or repair of any public street, or any municipal drain or any premises vested in the Corporation- (a) cause the same to be fenced and guarded; (b) take proper precautions against accident by shorting up and protecting the adjoining buildings; (c) cause such bars, chains or posts to be fixed across or in any street in which any such work of construction or repair is under execution as are necessary in order to prevent the passage of vehicles or animals and avert danger. (2) The Commissioner shall cause such street, drain or premises to be sufficiently lighted or guarded during night while under construction or repair. (3) The Commissioner shall, with all reasonable speed, cause the said work to be completed, the ground to be filled in the said street, drain or premises to be repaired and the rubbish occasioned thereby to be removed. (4) No person shall, without the permission of the Commissioner or other lawful authority, remove any bar, chain, post or shorting, timber or remove or extinguish any light. 235. Streets not to be opened or broken up and building materials not to be deposited thereon without permission.- (1) No person other than the Commissioner or a Corporation Officer or other Corporation employee shall without the written permission of the Commissioner- (a) open, break-up, displace, take up or make any alteration in or cause any injury to the soil or pavement or any wall, fence, post, chain or other material or thing forming part of any street; or (b) deposit any building material in any street; or 136 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (c) set up in any street any scaffold or any temporary erection for the purpose of any work whatever, or any posts, bars, rolls, boards or other things by way of an enclosure, for the purposes of making mortar or depositing bricks, lime, rubbish or other materials. (2) Any permission granted under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub- section (1) shall be terminable at the discretion of the Commissioner on his giving not less than twenty-four hours notice of such termination to the person to whom such permission was granted. (3) The Commissioner may, without notice cause, to be removed any of the things referred to in clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (1) which has been deposited or set up in any street without the permission specified in that sub-section or which having been deposited or set up with such permission has not been removed within the period specified in the notice issued under sub-section (2) : Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to cases under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (1) in which application for permission has been made with such fee as may be prescribed by the Commissioner in this behalf but no reply has been sent to the applicant within seven days from the date of the application. 236. Disposal of things removed under this chapter.- (1) Any of the things caused to be removed by the Commissioner under this chapter shall, unless the owner thereof turns up to take back such things and pays to the Commissioner the charges for the removal and storage of such things, be disposed of by public auction or in such other manner and within such time as the Commissioner thinks fit. (2) The charges for removal and storage of the things sold under sub- section (1) shall be paid out of the proceeds of the sale thereof and the balance, if any, shall be paid to the owner of the things sold on a claim being made therefor within a period of two years from the date of sale, and if no such claim is made within the said period, shall be credited to the Corporation. 237. Naming and numbering of streets.- (1) The Commissioner may- (a) with the sanction of the Corporation determine the name or number by which any street or public place vested in the Corporation shall be known; (b) cause to be put up or painted at a conspicuous part of any building, wall or place, at or near each end, corner or entrance of such street or on some convenient part of such street, the name or number by which it is to be known; (c) cause to be put up or painted on boards of suitable size the name of any public place vested in the Corporation; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 137 (d) determine the number or sub-number by which any premises or part of such premises shall be known and cause such number or sub-number to be fixed to the side or outer door of such premises or to some place at the entrance of the enclosure thereof. (2) No person shall destroy, remove, deface or in any way injure or alter such name or number or sub-number or put up or paint any name or number or sub-number different from that put up or painted by order of the Commissioner. 238. Commissioner to take steps for repairing or enclosing places.- (1) If any place is, in the opinion of the Commissioner, for want of sufficient repair or protection or enclosure, or owing to some work being carried on thereupon, dangerous or causing inconvenience to passengers along a street or to other persons including the owner or occupier of the said place, who have legal access thereto or to the neighbourhood thereof, the Commissioner may by notice in writing require the owner or occupier of such place to repair, protect or enclose the same or take such other steps as shall appear to the Commissioner necessary in order to prevent the danger or inconvenience arising therefrom. (2) The Commissioner may, before giving any such notice or before the period of any such notice has expired, take such temporary measures as he thinks fit to prevent the danger or inconvenience arising therefrom and any expense incurred by the Commissioner in taking such temporary measures shall be recoverable from the owner or occupier of the place as an arrear of tax under this Act. 239. Measures for lighting.- The Commissioner shall- (a) take measures for lighting in a suitable manner all such public streets and public places as may be specified by the Corporation; (b) procure, erect and maintain such number of lamps, lamp posts and other appurtenances as may be necessary for the said purpose; (c) cause such lamps to be lighted by means of oil, electricity or such other light as the Corporation may determine. 240. Prohibition of removal, etc. of lamps.- (1) No person shall, without lawful authority take away wilfully or negligently break or throw down or damage - (a) any lamp or any appurtenance of any lamp or lamp post or lamp iron set up in any public street or any public place; (b) any electric wire for lighting such lamp; (c) any post, pole, standard stay, strut, bracket or other contrivance for carrying, suspending or supporting any electric wire or lamp. 138 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (2) No person shall wilfully or negligently extinguish the light of any lamp set up in any public street or any public place. (3) If any person wilfully or through negligence or accident breaks or causes any damage to any of the things described in sub-section (1), he shall in addition to any penalty to which he may be subjected to under this Act, pay the expenses of repairing the damage so done by him. CHAPTER - XIV BUILDING REGULATIONS 241. Definitions.- In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the expression "to erect building" means,- (a) to erect a new building on any site whether previously built upon or not; (b) to re-erect - (i) any building of which more than one-half of the cubical contents above the level of the plinth have been pulled down, burnt or destroyed; or (ii) any building of which more than one-half of the superficial area of the external walls above the level of the plinth has been pulled down; or (iii) any frame building of which more than half of the number of the posts or beams in the external walls have been pulled down; (c) to convert into a dwelling house any building or any part of a building not originally constructed for human habitation or, if originally so constructed, subsequently appropriated for any other purpose; (d) to convert into more than one dwelling houses a building originally constructed as one dwelling house only; (e) to convert into a place of religious worship or into sacred building any place or building not originally constructed for such purpose; (f) to roof or cover an open space between walls or buildings to the extent of the structure which is formed by the roofing or covering of such space; (g) to convert two or more tenements in a building into greater or lesser number; (h) to convert into a stall, shop, warehouse or godown, stable, factory or garage any building not originally constructed for use as such or which was not so used before the charge; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 139 (i) to convert a building which when originally constructed was legally exempt from the operations of any building regulations contained in this Act or in any bye-laws made thereunder or in any other law, into a building which had it been originally erected in its converted form, would have been subject to such building regulations; and (j) to convert into or use as a dwelling house any building which has been discontinued as or appropriated for any purpose other than a dwelling house. 242. Prohibition of erection of building without sanction.- No person shall erect or commence to erect any building or execute any of the works specified in section 244 except with the previous sanction of the Commissioner, nor otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and of the bye-laws made under this Act in relation to the erection of buildings or execution of works. 243.

Erection of building.- (1) Every person who intends to erect a building shall apply for sanction by giving notice in writing of his intention to the Commissioner in such form and containing such information as may be prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf. (2) Every such notice shall be accompanied by such documents and plans alongwith specification as may be prescribed: 1[Provided that every such plan and specifications shall be duly signed by a qualified Structural Engineer or Architect or Planner or Junior Engineer or Draughtsman registered with the Corporation, on payment of such fee as may be fixed by the Corporation, from time to time.] Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-section the expression "a qualified structural engineer" means a graduate (civil) engineer. 244. Applications for additions to, or repairs of building. (1) Every person who intends to execute any of the following works, namely:- (a) to make any addition to a building; (b) to make any alteration or repairs to a building involving the removal or re-erection of any external or partition wall thereof or of any wall which supports the roof thereof to an extent exceeding one half of such wall above the plinth level, such half to be measured in superficial metres; (c) to make any alteration or repairs to a frame building involving the removal or re-erection of more than one half of the posts in any such wall thereof as aforesaid or involving the removal or re-erection of any such wall thereof as aforesaid to an extent exceeding one half of such wall above plinth level, such half to be measured in superficial metres; 1. Proviso substituted vide H.P. Act No. 19 of 2007. 140 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (d) to make any alteration in a building involving- (i) the sub-division of any room in such building so as to convert the same into two or more separate rooms; or (ii) the conversion of any passage or space in such building into a room or rooms; (e) to repair, remove, construct, reconstruct, or make any addition to or structural alteration in any portion of a building abutting on a street which stands within the regular line of such street; (f) to close permanently any door or window in an external wall; and (g) to remove or reconstruct the principal staircase or to alter its position, shall apply for sanction by giving notice in writing of his intention to the Commissioner in such form and containing such information as may be prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf. (2) Every such notice shall be accompanied by such documents and plans as may be so prescribed. 245. Condition of valid notice.- (1) A person giving the notice required by section 243 shall specify the purpose for which it is intended to use the building to which such notice relates and a person giving the notice required by section 244 shall specify whether the purpose for which the building is being used in proposed or likely to be changed by the execution of the proposed work. (2) No notice shall be valid until the information required under sub- section (1) and any further information and plans which may be required by bye-laws made in this behalf have been furnished to the satisfaction of the Commissioner alongwith the notice. 246. Sanction or refusal of building or work.- (1) The Commissioner shall sanction the erection of a building or the execution of a work unless such building or work would contravene any of the provisions of sub-section (2) of this section or the provisions of section 250. (2) The grounds on which the sanction of a building or work may be refused shall be the following, namely:- (a) that the building or work, or the use of the site for the building or work or any of the particulars comprised in the site plan, ground plan, elevation, section or specification would contravene the provisions of any bye-law made in this behalf or of any other law or rule, bye-law or order made under such other law; (b) that notice for sanction does not contain the particulars or is not prepared in the manner required under the bye-laws made in this behalf; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 141 (c) that any information or documents required by the Commissioner under this Act or any bye-laws made thereunder has or have not been duly furnished; (d) that in cases falling under section 222 lay out plans have not been sanctioned in accordance with section 223; (e) that the building or work would be an encroachment on Government land or land vested in the Corporation; (f) that the site of the building or work does not abut on a street or projected street and that there is no access to such building or work from any such street by a passage or pathway appertaining to such site; (g) that the building or work would be in contravention of any scheme sanctioned under section 260; and (h) that a building for habitation, does not provide for a flush or a water seal latrine. (3) The Commissioner shall communicate the sanction to the person who has given the notice; and where he refused sanction on any of the grounds specified in sub-section (2) of this section or under section 250 he shall record a brief statement of his reasons for such refusal and communicate the refusal alongwith the reasons for such refusal and communicate the refusal alongwith the reasons therefor to the person who has given the notice. (4) The sanction or refusal as aforesaid shall be communicated in such manner as may be specified in the bye-laws made in this behalf. 247. When building or work may be proceeded with.- (1) Where within a period of sixty days after the receipt of any notice under section 243 or section 244 or of the further information, if any, required under section 245 the Commissioner does not refuse to sanction the building or work or upon refusal does not communicate the refusal to the person who has given the notice, the Commissioner shall be deemed to have accorded sanction to the building or work and person by whom the notice has been given shall be free to commence and proceed with the building or work in accordance with his intention as expressed in the notice and the documents and plans accompanying the same : Provided that if it appears to the Commissioner that the site of the proposed building or work is likely to be affected by any scheme of acquisition of land for any public purpose or by any proposed regular line of a public street or extension, improvement, widening or alteration of any street, the Commissioner may withheld sanction of the building or work for such period not exceeding sixty days as he deems fit and the period of sixty days shall be deemed to commence from the date of the expiry of the period for which the sanction has been withheld. (2) Where a building or work is sanctioned or deemed to have been sanctioned by the Commissioner under sub-section (1), the person who has 142 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 given the notice shall be bound to erect the building or execute the work in accordance with such sanction but not so as to contravene any of the provisions of this Act or any other law or of any bye-law made thereunder. (3) If the person or any one lawfully claiming under him does not commence the erection of the building or the execution of the work within one year of the date on which the building or work is sanctioned or is deemed to have been sanctioned, he shall have to give notice under section 244 or, as the case may be, under section 243 for fresh sanction of the building or the work and the provisions of this section shall apply in relation to such notice as they apply in relation to the original notice. (4) Before commencing the erection of a building or execution of a work within the period specified in sub-section (3), the person concerned shall give notice to the Commissioner of the proposed date of the commencement of the erection of the building or the execution of the work: Provided that if the commencement does not take place within seven days of the date so notified, the notice shall be deemed not to have been given and a fresh notice shall be necessary in this behalf. (5) Where the building plan is sanctioned or deemed to have been sanctioned, the person, at whose instance building operations are to be carried on, shall, after the excavation of the foundation and before starting construction thereon, intimate the Corporation about the excavation of the foundation. (6) For the purpose of ascertaining, whether the strata of the land, over which a building is to be erected is geologically fit, and the building operation thereon can be carried out in accordance with the sanctioned plan, the Corporation may, within seven days from the intimation under sub-section (5), cause inspection of excavated foundation to be made by such persons as it may direct, and in such manner as may be prescribed: Provided that the person at whose instance the building operations are carried out shall be associated in the inspection. (7) The persons making the inspection under sub-section (6), may communicate to the person, from whom intimation under sub-section (5) has been received, its views in regard to the result of such inspection and may after ascertaining the opinion of the said person, recommend to that person the action to be taken as a result of such inspection and also report to the Commissioner the action, if any, which is proposed to be taken for the purposes of implementation of any such recommendation. (8) On the receipt of the report under sub-section (7), the Corporation may, within seven days from the date of intimation under sub-section (5), give such direction to the person concerned, as it may deem fit. 248. Sanction accorded under misrepresentation.- If at any time after the sanction of any building or work has been accorded, the Commissioner is satisfied that such sanction was accorded in consequence of any material misrepresentation or fraudulent statement contained in the notice THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 143 given or information furnished under sections 243, 244 and 245, he may by order in writing, cancel for reasons to be recorded such sanction and any building or work commenced, erected, or done shall be deemed to have been commenced, erected or done without such sanction : Provided that before making any such order the Commissioner shall give reasonable opportunity to the person affected as to why such order should not be made. 249. Buildings at corners of streets.- The Commissioner may require any building intended to be erected at the corner of two streets to be rounded off or splayed or cut off to such height and to such extent as he may determine, and may acquire such portion of the site at the corner as he may consider necessary for public convenience or amenity. 250. Provisions as to buildings and works on either side of new streets.- (1) The erection of any building on either side of a new street may be refused by the Commissioner unless and until such new street has been levelled and wherever in the opinion of the Commissioner practicable, metalled or paved, drained, lighted and laid with a water main to his satisfaction. (2) The erection of any such building or the execution of any such work may be refused by the Commissioner if such building or any portion thereof or such work comes within the regular line of any street, the position and direction of which has been laid down by the Commissioner but which has not been actually constructed or if such building or any portion thereof or such work is in contravention of any building or any other scheme or plan prepared under this Act or any other law for the time being in force. 1[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 252. Prohibition against use of inflammable materials for buildings etc., without permission.- In such areas as may be specified by bye-laws made in this behalf, no roof, verandah, pandal or wall of a building or no shed or fence shall be constructed or reconstructed of cloth, grass, leaves, mats or other inflammable material except with the written permission of the Commissioner nor shall any such roof, verandah, pandal, wall, shed or fence constructed or reconstructed in any year be retained in subsequent year except with fresh permission obtained in this behalf. 253. Order of demolition and stoppage of building and works in certain cases and appeal.- (1) where the erection of any work has been commenced, or is being carried on or has been completed without or contrary to the sanction referred to in section 246 or in contravention of any condition subject to which such sanction has been accorded or in contravention of the provisions of this Act or bye-laws made thereunder, the Commissioner may in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, make an order directing that such erection or work shall be demolished by the person at 1. Section 251 deleted vide H.P. Act No. 19 of 2007. 144 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 whose instance the erection or work has been commenced or is being carried on or has been completed within such period (not being less than seven days from the date on which a copy of the order of demolition with a brief statement of the reasons therefor has been delivered to that person) as may be specified in the order of demolition: Provided that no order of demolition shall be made unless the person has been given, by means of a notice served in such manner as the Commissioner may think fit, a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why such order should not be made: Provided further that where the erection or work has not been completed, the Commissioner may by the same order or by a separate order, whether made at the time of the issue of the notice under the first proviso or at any other time, direct the person to stop the erection or work until the expiry of the period within which an appeal against the order of demolition, if made, may be preferred under sub-section (2). (2) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Commissioner made under sub-section (1) may prefer an appeal against the order to District Judge of the municipal area within the period specified in the order for the demolition of the erection or work to which it relates. (3) Where an appeal is preferred under sub-section (2) against an order of demolition, the District Judge may stay the enforcement of that order on such terms, if any, and for such period, as it may think fit: Provided that where the erection of any building or execution of any work has not been completed at the time of the making of the order of demolition, no order staying the enforcement of the order of demolition shall be made by the District Judge, unless reasonable opportunity of being heard is afforded to the Commissioner and security sufficient in the opinion of the District Judge, has been furnished given by the appellant for not proceeding with such erection or work pending the disposal of the appeal. (4) Save as provided in this section no court shall entertain any suit, application or other proceedings for injunction or other relief against the Commissioner or restrain him from taking any action or making any order in pursuance of the provisions of this section. (5) Every order made by the District Judge on appeal and subject only to such order, the order of demolition made by the Commissioner shall be final and conclusive. (6) Where no appeal has been preferred against an order of demolition made by the Commissioner under sub-section (1) or where an order of demolition made by the Commissioner under that sub-section has been confirmed on appeal, whether with or without variation, the person against whom the order has been made shall comply with the order within the period specified therein or, as the case may be, within the period, if any fixed by the District Judge on appeal, and on the failure of the person to comply with the order within such period, the Commissioner may himself cause the erection of THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 145 the work to which the order relates to be demolished and the expenses of such demolition shall be recoverable from such person as an arrear of tax under this Act. 254. Order of stoppage of building or works in certain cases.- (1) Where the erection of any building or execution of any work has been commenced or is being carried on (but has not been completed) without or contrary to the sanction referred to in section 246 or in contravention of any condition subject to which such sanction has been accorded or in contravention of any provisions of this Act or bye-laws made thereunder, the Commissioner may in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act by order require the person at whose instance the building or the work has been commenced or is being carried on, to stop the same forthwith. (2) If an order made by the Commissioner under section 253 or under sub-section (1) of this section directing any person to stop the erection of any building or execution of any work is not complied with, the Commissioner may require any police officer to remove such person and all his assistants and workmen from the premises within such time as may be specified in the requisition and such police officer shall comply with the requisition accordingly. (3) After the requisition under sub-section (2) has been complied with, the Commissioner may, if he thinks fit, depute by a written order a police officer or a Corporation officer or other Corporation employee to watch the premises in order to ensure that the erection of the building or the execution of the work is not continued. (4) Where a police officer or a Corporation officer or other Corporation employee has been deputed under sub-section (3) to watch the premises, the cost of such deputation shall be paid by the person at whose instance such erection or execution is being continued or to whom notice under sub-section (1) was given and shall be recoverable from such person as an arrear of tax under this Act. 1[(5) Where the owner of the building submits the revised plan, after the work has been stopped by him or the work is completed by him and there are deviations from the sanctioned plan, the Commissioner may, subject to the special or general directions of the State Government under section 255, compound the cases of deviations upto 10% from the sanctioned plan: Provided that where the revised plan involves erection of building- (i) on any Government land or the land vested in a municipality or a local authority; or (ii) by covering any public road, street, path or drain; or 1. Sub-Sections (5), (5-A),(5-B), (5-C) and (5-D) substituted for Sub-section (5) vide H.P. Act No. 7 of 1997, effective from 10th January, 1997. 146 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (iii) by contravening the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Roadside Land Control Act, 1968 (21 of 1969); the Commissioner shall not compound deviations from the sanctioned plan. (5-A) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner under sub-section (5), may, within thirty days from the passing of the order by the Commissioner and in such manner as may be prescribed, appeal to the Divisional Commissioner. (5-B) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Divisional Commissioner in appeal under sub-section (5-A), may, within thirty days from the order made by the Divisional Commissioner and in such manner as may be prescribed, appeal to the State Government. (5-C) The appellate authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, allow the appeals to be filed after the expiry of the period of thirty days specified in sub-sections (5-A) and (5-B) and for calculating the period of thirty days under the said sub-sections, the time spent in procuring the certified copies of the orders to be appealed against shall be excluded. (5-D) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (5), (5-A) and (5-B), the State Government may, in exceptional cases of extreme hardship, compound the cases of deviations from sanctioned plans.] 1[(6) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the Commissioner, shall, within three months after affording an opportunity of being heard, deny or withdraw the no objection certificate issued for installation of electricity connection, the civic amenities including water and sewerage connection, if the owner, or the occupier of the building carry out unauthorized construction without sanction or make deviations from the sanctioned plan, erection of a building on any Government land or land vested in the Corporation, or by covering any public road, street, path or drain or obtain sanction on misrepresentation or by concealing material facts at the time of making the application for sanction of building plan and shall dispose of the proceedings within six months.] 2[254-A. Power to seal unauthorized development or construction.- (1) It shall be lawful for the Commissioner, at any time, before or after making an order of demolition or stoppage of building works under section 253 or section 254 to make an order directing the sealing of such development in the manner as may be prescribed by bye-laws made by the Corporation for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, or for preventing any dispute as to the nature and extent of such development. (2) Where any development has been sealed under sub-section (1), the Commissioner may, for the purpose of demolishing such development, order 1. Sub-section (6) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Section 254-A inserted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 147 the seal to be removed. (3) No person shall remove such seal except, under an order made by the Commissioner under sub-section (2) or under an order of the appellate authority made in an appeal under this Act.] 255. Power of State Government to give directions for compounding deviations from sanctioned plan.- Without prejudice to the provisions contained in this Act the Government may, from time to time, give such special or general directions in the matters of policy in relation to the compounding of the cases involving deviations from the sanctioned plans as in its opinion are required to be followed by the Commissioner for compounding such cases under sub-section (5) of section 254 of this Act. 256. Power of Commissioner to require alteration of work.- (1) The Commissioner may, at any time during the erection of any building or execution of any work or at any time within three months after the completion thereof, by a written notice specify any matter in respect of which such erection or execution is without or contrary to the sanction referred to in section 246 or is contravention of any condition of such sanction or any of the provisions of this Act or any bye-laws made thereunder and require the person who gave the notice under section 243 or section 244 or the owner of such building or work either- (a) to make such alterations as may be specified in the said notice with the object of bringing the building or work in conformity with the said sanction, condition or provisions, or (b) to show cause why such alterations should not be made within the period stated in the notice. (2) If the person or the owner does not show cause as aforesaid he shall be bound to make the alterations specified in the notice. (3) If the person or the owner shows cause as aforesaid, the Commissioner shall by an order either cancel the notice issued under sub- section (1) or confirm the same subject to such modifications as he thinks fit. 257. Completion certificate.- (1) Every person who employs a licensed architect or engineer or a person approved by the Commissioner to design or erect a building or execute any work shall, within one month after the completion of the erection of the building in whole or part thereof or execution of the work, deliver or send or cause to be delivered or sent to the Commissioner a notice in writing of such completion accompanied by a certificate in the form prescribed by bye-laws made in this behalf and shall give to the Commissioner all necessary facilities for the inspection of such building or work. (2) No person shall occupy or permit to be occupied any such building or use or permit to be used any building or a part thereof effected by any such work until permission has been granted by the Commissioner in this behalf in accordance with bye-laws made under this Act: 148 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Provided that if the Commissioner fails, within a period of thirty days after the receipt of the notice of completion of a building or part thereof to communicate his refusal to grant such permission, such permission shall be deemed to have been granted. 258. Restriction on user of buildings and removal of dangerous buildings.- (1) No person shall, without the written permission of the Commissioner, or otherwise than in conformity with the conditions, if any of such permission- (a) use or permit to be used for human habitation any part of a building not originally erected or authorised to be used for that purpose or not used for that purpose before any alteration has been made therein by any work executed in accordance with the provisions of this Act and of the bye-laws made thereunder; (b) change or allow the change of the use of any land or building; (c) convert or allow the conversion of one kind of tenement into another kind. (2) If it appears to the Commissioner at any time that any building is in a ruinous condition, or likely to fall, or in any way dangerous to any person occupying, resorting to or passing by such building or any other building or place in the neighbourhood of such building, the Commissioner may, by order in writing, require the owner or occupier of such building to demolish, secure or repair such building or do one or more of such things within such period as may be specified in the order, so as to prevent all cause of danger therefrom. (3) The Commissioner may also, if he thinks fit, require such owner or occupier by the said order either forthwith or before proceeding to demolish secure or repair the building to set up a proper and sufficient board or fence for the protection of passers-by and other persons, with a convenient platform and hand rail wherever practicable to serve as a footway for passengers outside of such board or fence. (4) If it appears to the Commissioner that danger from a building which is in a ruinous condition or likely to fall is imminent, he may, before making the order aforesaid fence off, demolish, secure or repair the said building or take such steps as may be necessary to prevent the danger. (5) If the owner or occupier of the building does not comply with the order within the period specified therein, the Commissioner shall take such steps in relation to the building as to prevent all cause of danger therefrom. (6) All expenses incurred by the Commissioner in relation to any building under this section shall be recoverable from the owner or occupier thereof as arrears of tax under this Act. 259. Power to order building to be vacated in certain circumstances.- (1) The Commissioner may by order in writing direct that any building which in his opinion is in a dangerous condition or is not THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 149 provided with sufficient means of egress in case of fire or is occupied in contravention of section 257, be vacated forthwith or within such period as may be specified in the order : Provided that at the time of making such order the Commissioner shall record a brief statement of the reasons therefor. (2) If any person fails to vacate the building in pursuance of such order the Commissioner may direct any police officer to remove such person from the building and the police officer shall comply with such direction accordingly. (3) The Commissioner shall, on the application of any person who has vacated, or has been removed from any building in pursuance of an order made by him, allow such person to re-occupy the building on the expiry of the period for which the order has been in force; provided that the reasons on account of which the vacation was ordered have been rectified or have ceased to exist. 260. Building scheme.- (1) The Corporation may, and if so required by the Government shall, within six months of the date of such requisition, draw up a building scheme for built areas, and a town planning scheme for unbuilt areas, which may among other things provide for the following matters, namely :- (a) the restriction of the erection or re-erection of buildings or any class of buildings in the whole or any part of the city, and of the use to which they may be put; (b) the prescription of a building line on either side or both sides of any street existing or proposed; (c) the amount of land in such unbuilt area which shall be transferred to the Corporation for public purposes including use as public streets by owners of land either on payment of compensation or otherwise; provided that the total amount so transferred shall not exceed thirty five per cent and the amount transferred without payment shall not exceed twenty five per cent of any one owner's land within such unbuilt area; (d) the determination of the size and shape of a reconstituted plot so as to render it suitable for building purposes and where the plot is already built upon, to ensure that the building, so far as possible complies with the provisions of the scheme in respect of open spaces; (e) the formation of a reconstituted plot by the alteration of the boundaries of an original plot; (f) the formation of a reconstituted plot by the transfer wholly or partly of the adjoining lands; (g) the allotment of a plot to any owner dispossessed of land in furtherance of the scheme; 150 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (h) the transfer of ownership of a plot from one person to another; and (i) the details of the internal services, estimated cost for providing them, the extent of the liability of the owners of buildings and lands for the payment of the cost and the manner of payment of the same. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section- (1) the "reconstituted plot" shall mean a plot which is altered in ownership or otherwise as a result of making of a town planning scheme; (2) "internal services" shall mean- (i) metalling of roads and paving of footpaths; (ii) turfing and plantation with trees of open spaces; (iii) street lighting; (iv) adequate and wholesome water supply; (v) sewers and drains both for storm and sullage water and necessary provision for their treatment and disposal; and (vi) any other works that the Corporation may think necessary for the development of the area comprised in the scheme. (2) when a scheme has been drawn up under the provisions of sub- section (1), the Corporation shall give public notice of such scheme and shall at the same time intimate a date not less than thirty days from the date of such notice by which any person may submit to the Corporation in writing any objection or suggestion with regard to such scheme which he may wish to make. (3) The Corporation shall consider every objection or suggestion with regard to the scheme which may be received by the date intimated under the provisions of sub-section (2) and may modify the scheme in consequence of any such objection or suggestion and shall then forward such scheme as originally drawn up or as modified to the Government which may sanction such scheme or may refuse to sanction it, or may return it to the Corporation for reconsideration and re-submission by a specified date. (4) If a Corporation fails to submit a scheme within six months of being required to do so under sub-section (1) or fails to re-submit a scheme by a specified date, when required to do so under sub-section (3) or re-submit a scheme which is not approved by the Government, the Government may draw up a scheme of which public notice shall be given by notification and by publication within the city together with an intimation of the date by which any person may submit in writing to the Government any objection or suggestion which he may wish to make and the Government may sanction THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 151 such scheme as originally notified or modified in consequence of any such objections or suggestions as the Government may think fit, and the cost of such scheme or such portion of the cost as the Government may deem fit shall be defrayed from the Corporation Fund. (5) While sanctioning a scheme the Government may impose condition for the submission of periodical reports to it on the progress of the scheme and for the inspection and supervision of the schemes. (6) After the scheme has been sanctioned, the Corporation shall proceed to provide internal services as soon as possible and complete it with a period of five years from the date of its sanction. (7) If under the provisions of any scheme sanctioned under the preceding sub-sections the erection or re-erection of building in a specified area for a specified purpose is prohibited, any person who after such scheme is sanctioned, uses any building for such purpose shall, unless it was used for this purpose before the scheme was sanctioned, on conviction be liable to fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, and if after such conviction he continues to use such building for such purpose shall be liable to fine which may extend to one hundred rupees for every day during which such use continues. (8) For the purpose of drawing up a building scheme for built up areas and a town planning scheme for unbuilt up areas, the Corporation may, and if so required by the State Government shall, cause the geological survey of the municipal area conducted by such persons and in such manner as may be prescribed. Explanation.- For the purpose of this section- (i) 'built area' is that portion of a municipal area of which the greater part has been developed as a business or residential area; and (ii) 'unbuilt area' is an area within the local limits of a municipal area which is declared as such at a special meeting of the Corporation by a resolution confirmed by the Government, or which is notified as such by the Government. CHAPTER-XV SANITATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH 261. Provision for daily cleansing of streets and removal of rubbish and filth.- (1) For the purpose of securing the efficient scavenging and cleansing of all streets and premises, the Commissioner, shall provide- (a) for the daily surface cleansing of all streets and the removal of the sweepings therefrom; and (b) for the removal of the contents of all receptacles and depots and of the accumulation at all places provided or appointed by 152 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 him under the provisions of this Act for the temporary deposit of rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter. (2) The Commissioner may, by public notice issue directions as to the time at which, the manner in which, and the conditions subject to which, any matter referred to in sub-section (1) may be removed along a street or may be deposited or otherwise disposed of. 262. Rubbish etc. to be property of Corporation.- All matters deposited in public receptacles depots and places provided or appointed under section 263 and all matters collected by Corporation employees or contractors in pursuance of sections 261 and 266 shall be property of the Corporation. 263. Provision for placement of receptacles, depots and places for rubbish etc.- (1) The Commissioner shall- (a) provide or place in proper and convenient situations public receptacles, depots or places for the temporary deposit of rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matters and for the final disposal of rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter; (b) provide dustbins for the temporary deposit of rubbish; (c) provide vehicles or other suitable means for the removal of rubbish and offensive matters; and (d) provide covered vehicles or vessels for the removal of filth and other polluted and obnoxious matters. (2) The Commissioner shall make adequate provision for preventing receptacles, depots, dustbins, vehicles and vessels referred to in sub-section (1) from becoming sources of nuisance. 264. Duty of owners and occupiers to collect and deposit rubbish etc.- It shall be the duty of the owners and occupiers of all premises - (a) to have the premises swept and cleaned; (b) to cause all filth, rubbish and other polluted and obnoxious matter to be collected from their respective premises and deposited at such times as the Commissioner, by the public notice prescribe, in public receptacles, depots or places provided or appointed under section 263 for temporary deposit or final disposal thereof; (c) to provide receptacles of the type and in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner for the collection therein of all filth, rubbish and other polluted and obnoxious matters from such premises and to keep such receptacles in good condition and repair. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 153 1[(d) to collect and deposit the garbage for further disposal by the Municipal Corporation in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner, on payment of fee for such disposal as may be fixed by the Government]. 265. Removal of rubbish etc. accumulated on premises used as factories, workshops etc.- The Commissioner may, if he thinks fit,- (a) by written notice require the owner or occupier of any premises used for carrying on any manufacture, trade or business or used as a factory, workshop, trade premises or market or in any way so that rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matters are accumulated in large quantities, to collect all such rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter accumulating thereon and to remove the same at such time and in such carts or receptacles and by such routes as may be specified in the notice to a depot or place provided or appointed under section 263; or (b) after giving such owner or occupier notice of his intention cause all rubbish filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter accumulated in such premises to be removed and charge the said owner or occupier for such removal such fee as may, with the sanction of the Corporation, be specified in the notice issued under clause (a) . 266. Prohibition against accumulation of rubbish etc.- (1) No owner or occupier of any premises shall keep or allow to be kept for more than twenty four hours or otherwise than in a receptacle approved by the Commissioner, any rubbish, filth or other polluted and obnoxious matters, on such premises or any place belonging thereto or neglect to employ proper means to remove such rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter from or to cleanse, such receptacle and to dispose such rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter in the manner directed by the Commissioner, or fail to comply with any requisition of the Commissioner as to the construction, repair, pavement or cleansing of any latrine or urinal on or belonging to the premises. (2) No owner or occupier shall allow the water of any sink, drain latrine or urinal or any rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter to run down on or to be thrown or put upon, any street or into any drain in or along the side of any street except in such manner as shall prevent any avoidable nuisance from any such water, rubbish, filth or other polluted and obnoxious matters. (3) No person shall, after due provision had been made in this respect under the foregoing provisions of this chapter for the deposit and removal of the same,- 1. Clause (d) added vide H.P. Act No. 4 of 2005, effective from 26th October, 2004. 154 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (a) deposit any rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matters in any street or on the verandah of any building or on any unoccupied ground along side any street or on the bank of a water course; or (b) deposit any filth or other polluted and obnoxious matter in any dustbin or in any vehicle not intended for the removal of the same; or (c) deposit rubbish in any vehicle or vessel intended for the removal of filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter. 267. Commissioner's power to get premises scavenged and cleansed.- If any premises are not properly and regularly scavenged or cleansed or are in a filthy and unwholesome condition, the Commissioner may cause them to be scavenged and cleansed and recover the expenses from the owner or, as the case may be, occupier as an arrear of tax under this Act. 268. Public latrines, urinals etc.- (1) The Commissioner shall provide and maintain in proper and convenient places sufficient number of public latrines and urinals. (2) Such public latrines and urinals shall be so constructed as to provide separate compartments for each sex and not to be a nuisance, and shall be provided with all necessary conservancy establishments and shall regularly be cleansed and kept in proper order. 269. Construction of latrines and urinals.- (1) The Commissioner may require the owner or occupant of any service latrine, within a period to be specified in the notice, to demolish or close such service latrine and convert it into water flush latrine; and on the failure to convert such latrine, the Commissioner may himself get the same converted and recover the cost incurred thereon from the owner or occupier, as the case may be. (2) No building plans shall be sanctioned by the Corporation unless the provisions for flush or water-seal latrine is made. 1[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), it shall be the duty of the house-owner or occupant of any premises to connect his latrines, urinals and septic tank, as the case may be, with sewerage line of the Corporation at his own expenses by getting sewerage connection from the Corporation, and if he fails to do so, he shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to two thousand rupees but shall not be less than five hundred rupees, in addition to other charges for such connection 2[the house owner or the occupant shall also pay user charges for the sewerage connection as may be fixed by the Government/Municipal Corporation from time to time. In case of continuous default by the house owner or occupant in getting the sewerage connection or failure to pay the charges as fixed by the Government, the civic 1. Sub-section (3) added vide H.P. Act No. 4 of 2005. effective from 26th October, 2004. 2. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 29 of 2005. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 155 amenities viz. water, electricity etc. shall also be liable to be disconnected ]. Provided that where sewerage line is passing through other person's land, the sewerage connection shall be connected to the sewerage line through the boundary lines of such land or where the building has been constructed, the line shall be laid through the setbacks of such building, whichever is feasible.] 270. Latrines and urinals etc., in new buildings.- (1) It shall not be lawful to erect any residential building without providing flush or water seal latrine and accommodation for bathing or for washing clothes and utensils on each floor of such building as may be prescribed. (2) While prescribing such accommodation it may in each case be determined - (a) whether such building shall be served by the flush system or by water seal system; (b) what shall be the site or position of each latrine, urinal, bathing or washing place or site and their number on each floor and their clear internal dimensions. (3) It shall not be lawful to erect a residential building composed of separate tenements on the flat system without providing atleast one latrine and one bathing or washing place for servants on the ground floor of such building or at any other suitable place in the same premises. (4) In this section the expression to erect a building has the same meaning as in section 241. 271. Latrines and urinals for labourers etc.- Every person employing workmen, labour or other persons exceeding twenty in number shall provide and maintain for the separate use of persons of each sex so employed, latrines and urinals, of such description and number as the Commissioner may by notice require and within such time as may be fixed in the notice and shall keep the same in clean and proper order. 272. Provision of latrines and urinals for markets etc.- The Commissioner may by notice require any owner or manager of a market, cart stand, cattle shed, theatre, railway station and other places of public resort within such time as may be specified in such notice to provide and maintain for the separate use of persons of each sex, latrines and urinals of such description and number and in such position as may be specified and to keep the same in clean and proper order. 273. Other provisions as to private latrines.- The Commissioner may, by written notice- (a) require the owner or other person having the control of any private latrine or urinal not to put the same to public use; or (b) require the owner or other person having control of such private latrine or urinal which in the opinion of the 156 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Commissioner constitutes a nuisance, to remove the latrine or the urinal; or (c) require any person having the control whether as owner, lessee or occupier of any land or building- (i) to have any latrine provided for the same shut out by a sufficient roof, wall or fence from the view of persons passing by or dwelling in the neighbourhood; or (ii) to cleanse in such manner as the Commissioner may specify in the notice any latrine or urinal belonging to the land or building; or (d) where any premises intended or used for human habitation are without any latrine or urinal accommodation or are provided with insufficient latrine or urinal accommodation, require the owner, lessee or occupier of such premises to provide such or such additional latrine or urinal accommodation as may be prescribed, if necessary, by causing any part of such premises to be vacated and demolished in accordance with the bye- laws made in this behalf. 274. Removal of congested building.- (1) Where it appears to the Commissioner that any block of building is in an unhealthy condition by reason of the manner in which the buildings are crowded together, or of the narrowness, closeness, or faulty arrangement of streets, or for want of proper drainage and ventilation, or of the impracticability of cleansing the building or other similar cause, he shall cause the block to be inspected by the Corporation Health Officer and the Corporation Engineer, who shall make a report in writing to him regarding the sanitary condition of the block. (2) If upon receipt of such report the Commissioner considers that the sanitary condition of the block is likely to cause risk of disease to the inhabitants of the buildings or of the neighbourhood or otherwise to endanger the public health, he shall with the approval of the Corporation select the buildings which in his opinion should wholly or in part be removed in order to abate the unhealthy condition of the block and may thereupon by notice in writing require the owner of such buildings to remove them within such period as may be specified in the notice: Provided that before issuing the notice, reasonable opportunity should be afforded to the owners to show cause why the buildings should not be removed: Provided further that the Commissioner shall pay compensation to the owners for any buildings so removed which may have been erected under proper authority.

(3) If a notice under sub-section (2) requiring any owner of a building to remove it is not complied with, then, after the expiration of the time specified in the notice the Commissioner may himself remove the building THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 157 required to be removed by the notice and recover from the owner of the building the expenses of such removal as an arrear of tax under this Act. 275.Power of Commissioner to require improvement of buildings unfit for human habitation.- (1) Where the Commissioner upon information in his possession is satisfied that any building is in any respect unfit for human habitation, he may, unless in his opinion the building is not capable at a reasonable expense of being rendered fit, serve upon the owner of the building a notice requiring him within such time not being less than thirty days as may be specified in the notice to execute the works of improvement specified therein and stating that in his opinion those works will render the building fit for human habitation. (2) In addition to serving a notice under this section on the owner, the Commissioner may serve a copy of the notice on any other person having an interest in the building whether as a lessee, mortgagee or otherwise. (3) In determining whether a building can be rendered fit for human habitation at a reasonable expense regard shall be had to the estimated cost of the work necessary to render it so fit and the value which it is estimated that the building will have when the works are completed. 276. Enforcement of notice requiring execution of works of improvement.- If a notice under section 275 requiring the owner of the building to execute works of improvement is not complied with, then, after the expiration of the time specified in the notice the Commissioner may himself do the works required to be done by the notice and recover the expenses incurred in connection therewith as an arrear of tax under this Act. 277. Power of Commissioner to order demolition of buildings unfit for human habitation.- (1) Where the Commissioner upon any information in his possession is satisfied that any building is unfit for human habitation and is not capable at a reasonable expense of being rendered so fit, he shall serve upon the owner of the building and upon any other person having an interest in the building, whether as a lessee, mortgagee or otherwise a notice to show cause within such time as may be specified in the notice as to why an order of demolition of the building should not be made. (2) If any of the persons upon whom a notice has been served under sub-section (1), appears in pursuance thereof before the Commissioner and gives an undertaking to him that such person shall, within a period specified by the Commissioner, execute such works of improvement in relation to the building as will, in the opinion of the Commissioner, render the building fit for human habitation or an undertaking that the building shall not be used for human habitation until the Commissioner on being satisfied that it has been rendered fit for that purpose, cancel the undertaking the Commissioner shall not make an order of demolition of the building. (3) If no such undertaking as is mentioned in sub-section (2) is given, or if in a case where any such undertaking has been given, any work of improvement to which the undertaking relates is not carried out within the specified period or the building is at any time used in contravention of the 158 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 terms of the undertaking, the Commissioner shall forthwith make an order of demolition of the building requiring that the building shall be vacated within a period to be specified in the order not being less than thirty days from the date of the order, and that it shall be demolished within six weeks of the expiration of that period. (4) Where an order of demolition of a building under this section has been made, the owner of building or any other person having an interest therein shall demolish that building within the time specified in that behalf by the order, and if the building is not demolished within that time, the Commissioner, shall demolish the building and sell the materials thereof. (5) Any expenses incurred by the Commissioner under sub-section (4), if not satisfied out of the proceeds of the sale of materials of the building, shall be recovered from the owner of the building or any other person having an interest therein as an arrear of tax under this Act. (6) In determining, for the purposes of section 275 and this section, whether a building is unfit for human habitation, regard shall be had to its condition in respect of the following matters that is to say:- (a) repair; (b) stability; (c) freedom from damp; (d) natural light and air; (e) water supply; (f) drainage and sanitary conveniences; (g) facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of rubbish, filth and other polluted matter; and the building shall be deemed to be unfit as aforesaid if and only if it is so far defective in one or more of the said matters that it is not reasonably suitable for occupation in that condition. Explanation.- In sections 275, 276 and this section, "work of improvement" in relation to a building includes any one or more of the following works, namely :- (a) necessary repairs; (b) structural alterations; (c) provision of light points and water taps; (d) construction of drains, open or covered; (e) provision of latrines and urinals; (f) provision of additional or improved fixtures and fittings; (g) opening up or paving of court yard; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 159 (h) removal of rubbish, filth and other polluted and obnoxious matter; (i) any other work including the demolition of any building or any part thereof which, in the opinion of the Commissioner is necessary for executing any of the works specified above. (7) The provisions of sections 274, 275, 276 and this section shall not apply in relation to any building etc., in any area which has been declared to be a slum area under the Himachal Pradesh Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance ) Act, 1979 (19 of 1979) . 278. Insanitary huts and sheds.- Where the Commissioner upon any information in his possession is satisfied that any hut or shed used as dwelling house or as a stable or for any other purpose, is likely, by reason of its being constructed without a plinth or on account of the impracticability of scavenging and cleansing it or owing to the manner in which it and other huts or sheds are crowded together, to cause risk of disease to the inmates thereofor to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, or is for any reason likely to endanger public health or safety, he may by notice in writing require the owner or occupier of the hut or shed or the owner or occupier of the land on which the hut or shed stands to remove or alter the hut or shed or carry out such improvement thereof as the Commissioner may deem necessary within such time as may be specified in the notice. 279. Prohibition against washing by washerman.- (1) The Commissioner may by public notice, prohibit the washing of clothes by washermen in the exercise of their callings except at such places as he may appoint for the purpose. (2) When any such prohibition has been made, no person who is by calling a washerman shall in contravention of such prohibition wash clothes except for himself or for personal and family service or for hire on or within the premises of the hirer at any place other than a place appointed under sub- section (1) . 280. Obligation to give information of dangerous disease.- Any person being in charge of or in attendance whether as medical practitioner or otherwise, upon any person whom he knows or has reason to believe to be suffering from a dangerous disease, or being owner, lessee, or occupier of any building in which he knows that any such person is so suffering shall forthwith give information in respect of the existence of such disease to the Corporation Health Officer. 281. Removal of patient to hospital suffering from dangerous disease.- When any person suffering from any dangerous disease is found to be - (a) without proper lodging or accommodation; or (b) living in a room or house which he neither owns nor pays rent for, nor occupies as the guest or relative of person who owns, or pays rent for it; or 160 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (c) living in a sarai, hotel, boarding house or other public hostel; or (d) lodged in premises occupied by members of two or more families, the Commissioner or any person authorised by him in this behalf may, on the advice of any medical officer of the rank not inferior to that of an assistant surgeon, remove the patient to any hospital or place at which persons suffering from such disease are received for medical treatment and may do anything necessary for such removal. 282. Disinfection of buildings and articles.- Where the Commissioner is of the opinion that the cleansing and disinfection of any building or part of a building or of any article in such building or part of which are likely to retain infection or the renewal or flooring of any building or part of such building and the renewal or plastering of the walls thereof, would tend to prevent or check the spread of any dangerous disease, he may, by notice in writing, require the owner or occupier to cleanse and disinfect the said building, part or articles, as the case may be, or to renew the said flooring and if necessary the said plastering also within such time as may be specified in the notice: Provided that where in the opinion of the Commissioner the owner or occupier is from poverty unable effectually to carry out any such requisition, the Commissioner may at the expense of the Corporation cleanse and disinfect the building, or articles, or as the case may be, renew the flooring and if necessary, the plastering also. 283. Destruction of infectious huts or sheds.- (1) Where the destruction of any hut or shed is in the opinion of the Commissioner necessary to prevent the spread of any dangerous disease, the Commissioner may by notice in writing require the owner to destroy the hut or shed and the materials thereof within such time as may be specified in the notice. (2) Where the Commissioner is satisfied that the destruction of any hut or shed is immediately necessary for the purpose of preventing the spread of any dangerous disease, he may, order the owner or occupier of the hut or shed to destroy the same forthwith or may himself cause it to be destroyed. (3) Compensation may be paid by the Commissioner, in any case which he thinks fit to any person who sustains substantial loss by the destruction of any such hut or shed, but, except as so allowed by the Commissioner, no claim for compensation shall lie for any loss or damage caused by any exercise of the power conferred by this section. 284. Means of disinfection.- (1) The Commissioner shall - (a) provide proper places with necessary attendants and apparatus for the disinfection of conveyances, clothing, bedding and other articles which have been exposed to infection; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 161 (b) cause conveyances, clothing and other articles brought for disinfection to be disinfected either free of charge or on payment of such charges as he may fix. (2) The Commissioner may notify places at which articles of clothing, bedding and conveyances or other articles which have been exposed to infection shall be washed and if he does so, no person, shall wash any such thing at any place not so notified without having previously disinfected such thing. (3) The Commissioner may direct the destruction of any clothing, bedding or other articles likely to retain infection and may give such compensation as he thinks fit for any article so destroyed. 285. Special measures in case of out-break of dangerous or epidemic diseases.- (1) In the event of the municipal area or any part thereof being visited or threatened by an outbreak of any dangerous disease among the inhabitants thereof or of any epidemic disease among any animals therein, the Commissioner, if he thinks that the other provisions of this Act and the provisions of any other law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose may, with the previous sanction of the Corporation,- (a) take such special measures; and (b) by public notice, give such directions to be observed by the public or by any class or section of the public, as he thinks necessary to prevent the outbreak or spread of the disease: Provided that where in the opinion of the Commissioner immediate measures are necessary, he may take action without such sanction as aforesaid and if he does so, shall forthwith report such action to the Corporation. (2) No person shall commit a breach of any direction given under sub- section (1) and if he does so he shall be deemed to have committed an offence under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860) . 286. Infected clothes not to be sent to washerman or to laundry.- (1) A person shall not send or take to any washerman or to any laundry or place set apart for the exercise by washerman or their calling for the purpose of being washed or to any place for the purpose of being cleansed, any cloth or other article which he knows to have been exposed to infection from a dangerous disease unless that cloth or article has been disinfected by or to the satisfaction of the Corporation Health Officer. (2) The occupier of any building in which a person is suffering from a dangerous disease shall, if required by the Corporation Health Officer furnish to him the address of any washerman to whom or any laundry or other place to which clothes and other articles from the building have been or will be, sent during the continuance of the disease for the purpose of being washed or cleansed. 287. Contamination and disinfection of public conveyances.- (1) Whoever- 162 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (a) uses a public conveyance while suffering from a dangerous disease; or (b) uses a public conveyance for the carriage of person who is suffering from any disease; or (c) uses a public conveyance for the carriage of the corpse of a person who had died from such disease; shall be bound to take proper precautions against the communication of the disease to other person using or who may thereafter use the conveyance and to notify such use to the owner, driver or person in charge of the conveyance and further report without delay to the Commissioner the number of the conveyance and the name of the person so notified. (2) Where any person suffering from, or the corpse of any person who has died from a dangerous disease has been carried, in public conveyance which ordinarily plies in the municipal area or any part thereof, the driver thereof, shall forthwith report the fact to the Commissioner who shall forthwith cause the conveyance to be disinfected if that has not already been done. (3) No such conveyance shall be again brought into use until the Corporation Health Officer has granted a certificate stating that it can be used without causing risk of infection. (4) Whoever fails to make to the Commissioner any report which he is required to make under this section shall be guilty of an offence. 288. Driver of conveyance not bound to carry persons suffering from dangerous diseases.- Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force no owner, driver or person in charge of a public conveyance shall be bound to convey or to allow to be conveyed in such conveyance in or in the vicinity of the municipal area any person suffering from a dangerous disease or the corpse of any person who had died from such disease unless and until such person pays or tenders a sum sufficient to recover any loss and expenses which would ordinarily be incurred in disinfecting the conveyance. 289. Disinfection of buildings before letting the same.- (1) Where any building or part of a building is intended to be let in which any person has, within six weeks immediately preceding, been suffering from a dangerous disease, the person letting the building or part shall, before doing so disinfect the same in such manner as the Commissioner may by general or special notice direct together with all articles therein liable to retain infection. (2) For the purposes of this section the keeper of a hostel, hotel, lodging house or sarai shall be deemed to let a part of the building to any person accommodated in such hostel, hotel, lodging house or sarai, as the case may be. 290. Disposal of infected articles without disinfection.- No person shall, without previous disinfection give, lend, sell, transmit or otherwise THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 163 dispose of to another person any article or thing which he knows or has reason to believe was exposed to contamination by dangerous disease and is likely to be used in or taken into the municipal area or any part thereof. 291. Prohibition of making or selling of food, etc. or washing of clothes by infected persons.- No person while suffering from, or in circumstances in which he is likely to spread any dangerous disease, shall - (a) make, carry or offer for sale or take any part in the business of making, carrying or offering for sale, any article of food or drink or any medicine or drug for human consumption, or any article of clothing or bedding for personal use or wear; or (b) take any part in the business of the washing or carrying of clothes. 292. Power to restrict or prohibit sale of food or drink.- When the municipal area or any part thereof is visited or threatened by an outbreak of any dangerous disease, the Commissioner may, by public notice, restrict in such manner or prohibit for such period as may be specified in the notice, the sale or preparation of any article of food or drink for human consumption specified in the notice or the sale of flesh of any description of animal so specified. 293. Control over wells and tanks etc.- (1) If the Commissioner is of opinion that the water in any well, tank or other place is likely if used for drinking, to endanger, or cause the spread of any disease, he may - (a) by public notice, prohibit the removal or use of such water for drinking; or (b) by notice in writing, require the owner or person having control of such, well, tank or place to take such steps as may be directed by the notice to prevent the public from having access to or using such water; or (c) take such other steps as he may consider expedient to prevent the outbreak or spread of any such disease. (2) In the event of the municipal area or any part thereof being visited or threatened by an outbreak of a dangerous disease, the Corporation Health Officer or any person authorised by him in this behalf, may without notice and at any time, inspect and disinfect any well, tank or other place from which water is or is likely to be taken for the purpose of drinking and may further take such steps as he may think fit to ensure the purity of the water or to prevent the use of the same for drinking purposes. 294. Duty of persons suffering from dangerous diseases.- No person shall- (a) knowing that he is suffering from dangerous disease expose other persons to the risk of infection by his presence or conduct in any public street or public place; 164 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (b) having the care of a person whom he knows to be suffering from a dangerous disease, cause or permit that person to expose other persons to the risk of infection by his presence or conduct in any such street or place as aforesaid; (c) place or cause to be placed in a dustbin or other receptacle for the deposit of rubbish, any matter which he knows to have been exposed to or having infection from a dangerous disease and which has not been disinfected properly; (d) throw or cause to be thrown into any latrine or urinal any matter which he knows to have been exposed to infection from a dangerous disease and which has not been disinfected properly. 295. Disposal of infectious corpse where any person has died from any dangerous disease.- Where any person has died from any dangerous disease the Commissioner may by notice in writing- (a) require any person having charge of corpse to convey the same to mortuary thereafter to be disposed of in accordance with law; or (b) prohibit the removal of corpses from the place where the death occurred except for the purpose of being burnt, buried or from being conveyed to a mortuary. 296. Conditions of service of Safai Karamcharis and certain other classes of persons employed in Corporation services.- (1) No person being a Safai Karamchari employed in the Corporation service shall in the absence of any contract authorising him so to do, resign his employment without having given one month's notice to the Commissioner or shall abstain himself or neglect or refuse to perform his duties without reasonable cause. (2) The Corporation may by resolution direct that on or from such date as may be specified in the resolution, the provisions of this section shall apply in the case of any specified class of persons employed by the Corporation whose functions are intimately concerned with public health or safety. 297. Power to call for information regarding burning or burial ground.- The Commissioner may, by notice in writing, require the owner or person incharge of any building or burial grounds, cremation ground or electric crematorium to supply such information as may be specified in the notice concerning the condition, management or position of such ground. 298. Permission for use of new burning or burial ground.- (1) No place which has not been used as a burning or burial ground, cremation ground or electric crematorium before the commencement of this Act, shall be so used without the permission in writing of the Commissioner. (2) Such permission may be granted subject to any condition which the Commissioner may think fit to impose for the purpose of preventing any THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 165 annoyance to or danger to the health of any person residing in the neighbourhood. 299. Power to require closing of burning and burial grounds.- (1) Where the Commissioner, after making or causing to be made local enquiry, is of opinion that any burning or burial grounds or cremation ground or electric crematorium, has become offensive to, or dangerous to the health of persons residing in the neighbourhood, he may with the previous sanction of the Corporation, by notice in writing, require the owner or person incharge of such ground to close the same from such date as may be specified in the notice. (2) No corpse shall be burnt or buried at the burning or burial ground in respect of which a notice has been issued under this section. 300. Removal of corpses.- The Commissioner may by public notice prescribe routes by which alone corpses may be removed to burning or burial grounds. 301. Disposal of dead animals.- (1) Whenever any animal in the charge of any person dies, the person incharge thereof shall within twenty- four hours either - (a) convey the carcass to a place provided or appointed under section 263 for the final disposal of the carcasses of dead animals; or (b) give notice of the death to the Commissioner where upon he shall cause the carcass to be disposed of. (2) In respect of the disposal of the carcass of dead animals under clause (b) of sub-section (1) the Commissioner may charge such fees as he may by public notice specify. CHAPTER - XVI PUBLIC SAFETY AND SUPPRESSION OF NUISANCES 302. Prohibition of nuisances.- (1) No person shall- (a) in any public street or public place :- (i) ease himself; or (ii) carry meat exposed to public view; or (iii) picket animals or collect carts; or (iv) being engaged in the removal of rubbish, filth or other polluted and obnoxious matter wilfully or negligently permit any portion thereof to spill or fall or neglect to sweep away or otherwise effectually to remove any portion thereof which may spill or fall in such street or place; or 166 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (v) without proper authority affix, upon any building, monument, post, wall, fence, trees or other things, any bill, notice or other document : or (vi) without proper authority deface or write upon or otherwise mark any building, monument, post, wall, fence, tree or other thing; or (vii) without proper authority remove, destroy, deface or otherwise obliterate any notice or other document put up or exhibited under this Act or the rules or bye-laws made thereunder; or (viii) without proper authority displace, damage, make any alteration in, or otherwise interfere with, the pavement, gutter, storm, water-drain, sign-board or other materials of any such street or any lamp, bracket, direction post, hydrant or water pipe maintained by the Corporation in any such street or place, or extinguish a public light; or (ix) carry rubbish, filth or other polluted or obnoxious matter at any hour prohibited by the Commissioner by public notice, or in any pattern of cart or receptacle which has not been approved for the purpose by the Commissioner, or fail to close such cart or receptacle when in use; or (b) carry rubbish, filth or other polluted or obnoxious matter along any route in contravention of any prohibition made in this behalf by the Commissioner by public notice; or (c) deposit, or cause or permit to be deposited, earth or materials of any description or any rubbish or polluted or obnoxious matter in any place not intended for the purpose or in any public street or public place or unoccupied land under the management of the Corporation; or (d) make any grave or burn or bury any corpse at any place not set a part for such purpose; or (e) at any time or place at which the same has been prohibited by the Commissioner by public or special notice, beat a drum or tom-tom or blow a horn or trumpet, or beat any utensil, or sound any brass or other instrument, or play any music; or (f) disturb the public peace or order by singing, screaming or shouting or by using any apparatus for amplifying or reproducing the human voice, such as a megaphone or a loudspeaker; or (g) let loose any animal so as to cause, or negligently allow any animal to cause, injury, danger, alarm or annoyance to any person; or THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 167 (h) save with the written permission of the Commissioner and in such manner as he may authorise, store or use night-soil, cow-dung, manure, rubbish or any other substance omitting an offensive smell; or (i) use or permit to be used as a latrine any place not intended for that purpose. 1[(j) feed monkeys, langoors and other stray animals in any public place; or (k) spit on public place, public road, public street or walls; or (l) throw any type of garbage/refuse etc. on any public place, road, street or in open hill side except in a container provided by the Corporation for this purpose. Explanation.- For the purpose of clause (j), the expression "public place" shall not include temple.] (2) Every person shall take all reasonable means to prevent every child under the age of twelve years being in his charge from easing himself in any public street or public place. (3) The owner or keeper of any animal shall not allow it straying in public street or public place without a keeper. (4) Any animal found straying as aforesaid may be removed by an officer or employee of the Corporation or by any police officer to a pound. (5) Any swine found straying in a public street or public place shall be liable to be destroyed by any officer or other employee of the Corporation appointed in this behalf. 2[(6) Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to the amount specified against this section in the 3rd column of the table to the SECOND SCHEDULE for first offence, and for second contravention, in addition to the penalty as specified for first offence, he shall be liable to render community service by personally clearing the public area in and around his premises in question under the supervision of authorized officer of the Corporation for not less than a period of one week under videography: Provided that if such person commits the same offence third time and subsequently, the Corporation may deny or stop the civic amenities like water, electricity etc. in residential as well as commercial establishments, as the case may be.] 1. Clauses (j), (k) and (l) added vide H.P. Act No. 4 of 2005, effective from 26th October, 2004. 2. Sub-section (6) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 168 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 303. Power of Commissioner to require removal or abatement of nuisance.- Where the Commissioner is of opinion that there is a nuisance on any land or building, he may, by notice in writing, require the person by whose act, default or sufferance the nuisance arises or continues or the owner, lessee or occupier of the land or building, or one or more of these persons to remove or abate the nuisance by taking such measures in such manner and within such period as may be specified in the notice. 304. Registration and control of dogs.- (1) The Corporation may, by bye-laws made in this behalf,- (a) require the registration by the registering authority appointed by the Commissioner in this behalf of all dogs kept within the municipal areas; (b) require that every registered dog shall wear a collar to which shall be attached a metal token to be issued by the registering authority, and fix the fee payable for the issue thereof; (c) require that any dog which has not been registered or which is not wearing such token shall, if found in any public place, be detained at a place set apart for the purpose; and (d) fix the fee which shall be charged for such detention and provide that any such dog shall be liable to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of unless it is claimed and the fee in respect thereof is paid within one week. (2) The Commissioner may,- (a) cause to be destroyed or to be confined for such period as he may direct, any dog or other animal which is, or is reasonably suspected to be, suffering from rabbis, or which has been bitten by any dog or other animal suffering or suspected to be suffering from rabbis; (b) by public notice direct that, after such date as may be specified in the notice, dogs which are without collars or without marks, distinguishing them as private property and are found straying on the streets or beyond the enclosures of the houses of their owners, if any, may be destroyed and cause them to be destroyed accordingly. (3) No damages shall be payable in respect of any dog or other animals destroyed or otherwise disposed of under this section. (4) No one, being the owner or person incharge of any dog, shall allow it to be at large in any public street or public place without being muzzled and without being secured by a chain lead in any case in which - (a) he knows that the dog is likely to annoy or intimidate any person; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 169 (b) the Commissioner has, by public notice during the prevalence of rabbis, directed that dogs shall not be at large without muzzled and chain leads. (5) No one shall - (a) allow any ferocious dog which belongs to him or is in his charge to be at large without being muzzled; or (b) set on or urge any dog or other animal to attack, worry or intimidate any person; or (c) knowing or having reason to believe that any dog or animal belonging to him or in his charge has been bitten by any animal suffering or reasonably suspected to be suffering from rabbis, fail or neglect to give immediate information of the fact to the Commissioner or give information which is false. 305. Staking or collecting inflammable materials.- The Commissioner may by public notice, prohibit in any case where such prohibition appears to him to be necessary for the prevention of danger to life or property, the stacking or collecting of wood, dry grass, straw or other inflammable materials or the placing of mats or thatched huts or the lighting of fires in any place which may be specified in the notice. 306. Care of naked lights.- No person shall set a naked light on or near any building in any public street or other public place in such manner as to cause danger of fire : Provided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of lights for the purpose of illumination on the occasion of a festival or public or private entertainment. 307. Discharging fireworks, fire arms etc. -No one shall discharge any fire-arm or let off fireworks or fire-balloons or engage in any game in such manner as to cause or to be likely to cause danger to person passing by or dwelling or working in the neighbourhood or risk of injury to property. 308. Power to require buildings, wells, etc. to be rendered safe.- Where any building, or wall, or anything affixed thereto, or any well, tank, reservoir, pool depression or excavation, or any bank or tree, is in the opinion of the Commissioner, in a ruinous state, for want of sufficient repairs, protection or enclosure, a nuisance or dangerous to persons passing by or dwelling or working in the neighbourhood, the Commissioner may by notice in writing require the owner or part-owner or person claiming to be the owner or part-owner thereof or failing any of them, the occupier thereof, to remove the same or may require him to repair, protect or enclose the same in such manner as he thinks necessary; and if the danger is, in the opinion of the Commissioner, imminent, he shall forthwith takes such steps as he thinks necessary to avert the same. 309. Enclosure of waste land used for improper purposes.- The Commissioner may, by notice in writing, require the owner or part-owner, or 170 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 person claiming to be the owner or part-owner of any land or building or the lessee or the person claiming to be the lessee of any such land which by reason of misuse or disputed ownership or other cause, has remained unoccupied and has become the resort of the idle and disorderly person or of persons who have no ostensible means of subsistence or cannot give a satisfactory account of themselves or is used for gaming or immoral purposes or otherwise occasions or is likely to occasion a nuisance, secure and enclose the same within such time as may be specified in the notice. CHAPTER- XVII EXTINCTION AND PREVENTION OF FIRE 310. Establishment and maintenance of fire-brigade.- For the prevention and extinction of fire, the Corporation may, and if the State Government so directs shall, establish and maintain a fire-brigade and provide implements, machinery or means of communicating intelligence for the efficient discharge of their duties by the brigade. 311. Power of members of fire-brigades and other persons for suppression of fire.- (1) On the occasion of a fire in the municipal area any Magistrate, the Commissioner of the Corporation, any member of a fire brigade maintained by the Corporation directing the operations of men belonging to the brigade, and any police officer not below the rank of Sub- Inspector may - (a) remove or order the removal of any person which by his presence interferes with or impedes the operations for extinguishing the fire or for saving life or property; (b) close any street or passage in or near which any fire is burning; (c) for the purposes of extinguishing the fire break into or through or pull down, or cause to be broken into or through or pulled down or used for the passage of houses or other appliances, any premises; (d) cause mains and pipes to be shot off so as to give greater pressure of water in or near the place where the fire has occurred; (e) call on the persons incharge of any fire engine to render such assistance as may be possible; (f) generally, take such measures as may appear necessary for preservation of life or property. (2) When any Government building is endangered by fire, the officer of the Public Works Department for the time being incharge of the building may also exercise the powers conferred under sub-section (1). (3) No person shall be liable to pay damage for any act done by him under sub-sections (1) and (2) in good faith. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 171 (4) Any damage done in the exercise of a power conferred or a duty imposed by this section, shall be deemed to be damaged by fire within the meaning of any policy of insurance against fire. 312. Limitation on operation of this Chapter.- The powers conferred by the last foregoing section shall be subject to any regulations, conditions or restrictions which may be imposed by the rules. CHAPTER-XVIII MARKETS, SLAUGHTER HOUSES, TRADES AND OCCUPATION 313. Provision of municipal markets and slaughter houses.- (1) The Commissioner, when authorised by the Corporation in this behalf, may provide and maintain municipal markets and slaughter houses in such number as he thinks fit together with stalls, shops, sheds, pens and other buildings and conveniences for the use of persons carrying on trade or business in, or frequenting such markets or slaughter houses and may provide and maintain in such markets, buildings and places, machines, weights, scales and measures for the weighment or measurement of goods sold therein. (2) Municipal markets and slaughter houses shall be under the control of the Commissioner who may at any time, by public notice, close any municipal market or slaughter house or any part thereof. 314. Use of municipal markets.- (1) No person shall, without the general or special permission in writing of the Commissioner, sell or expose for the sale of any animal or article in any municipal market. (2) Any person contravening the provisions of sub-section (1), and any animal or article exposed for sale by such person, may be summarily removed from the market by or under the orders of the Commissioner or any officer or employees of the Corporation authorised by the Commissioner in this behalf. 315. Private markets and slaughter houses.- (1) No place other than a municipal market shall be used as a market unless such place has been licensed as a market by the Commissioner. (2) No place other than a municipal slaughter house shall be used as slaughter house: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be deemed- (a) to restrict the slaughter of any animal in any place on the occasion of any religious festival or ceremony, subject to such conditions as the Commissioner may, by public or special notice, impose in this behalf, or (b) to prevent the Commissioner, with the sanction of the Corporation, from setting apart places for the slaughter of animals in accordance with religious customs. 172 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 316. Conditions of grant of license for private market.- (1) The Commissioner may charge such fees as he thinks fit to impose for the grant of a licence to any person to open a private market and may grant such licence subject to such conditions, consistent with this Act and any bye-laws made thereunder, as he thinks fit to impose. (2) When the Commissioner refuses to grant any licence, he shall record a brief statement of the reasons for such refusal. (3) The Commissioner may, with the previous approval of the Corporation and for reasons to be recorded, suspend a licence in respect of a private market for such period as he thinks fit or cancel such licence: Provided that no such licence shall be cancelled without giving an opportunity of being heard to the licensee. (4) A private market of which the licence has been suspended or cancelled as aforesaid, shall be closed with effect from such date as may be specified in the order of suspension or cancellation. 317. Prohibition of keeping markets open without licence etc.- (1) No person shall keep open for public use any market in respect of which a licence is required by or under this Act without obtaining a licence therefor or while the licence therefor is suspended or after the same has been cancelled. (2) When a licence to open a private market is granted or refused or is suspended or cancelled, the Commissioner shall cause a notice of the grant, refusal, suspension or cancellation to be pasted in such language or languages as he thinks necessary in some conspicuous place by or near the entrance to the place to which the notice relates. 318. Prohibition of use of unlicensed market.- No persons knowing that any market has been opened to the public without a licence having been obtained thereof when such licence is required by or under this Act or that the licence granted therefor is for the time being suspended or that it has been cancelled, shall sell or expose for sale any animal or article in such market. 319. Prohibition of business and trade.- (1) No animal or article shall be sold or exposed for sale within a distance of one hundred metres of any municipal market or licenced private market without the permission of the Commissioner. (2) Any person contravening the provision of sub-section (1) and any animal or article exposed for sale by such person may be summarily removed by or under the order or the Commissioner or any officer or employee of the Corporation appointed by him in this behalf. 320. Levy of stallages, rent and fees.- The Commissioner, with the previous approval of the Corporation, may- (a) charge such stallages, rents or fees as may from time to time be fixed by him in this behalf - THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 173 (i) for the occupation or use of any stall, shop, stand, shed or pen in a municipal market or municipal slaughter house; (ii) for the right to expose articles for sale in a municipal market; (iii) for the use of machines, weights, scalesand measures provided for in any municipal market; and (iv) for the right to slaughter animals in any municipal slaughter house and for the feed of such animals before they are ready for slaughter; or (b) put upto public auction or dispose of by private sale, the privilege of occupying or using any stall, shop, stand, shed or pen in a municipal market or municipal slaughter house for such period and on such condition as he may think fit. 321. Stallages, rents etc. to be published.- A copy of the table of stallages, rents and fees, if any, chargeable in any municipal market or municipal slaughter house and of the bye-laws made under this Act for the purpose of regulating the use of such market or slaughter house printed in such language or languages as the Commissioner may direct, shall be affixed in some conspicuous place in the market or slaughter house. 322.Butcher's, fishmonger's and poulterer's licence.- (1) No person shall without or otherwise than in conformity with a licence from the Commissioner carry on the trade of a butcher, fishmonger, poulterer or importer of flesh intended for human food or use any place for the sale of flesh, fish or poultry intended for human food : Provided that no licence shall be required for any place used for the sale or storage for sale of preserved flesh or fish contained in air tight hermetically sealed receptacles. (2) The Commissioner may, by order and subject to such conditions as to supervision and inspection as he thinks fit to impose, grant a licence or may by order, refuse for reasons to be recorded, to grant the same. (3) Every such licence shall expire at the end of the year for which it is granted or at such earlier date as the Commissioner may, for special reasons, specify in the licence. (4) If any place is used for the sale of flesh, fish or poultry in contravention of the provisions of this section, the Commissioner may stop the use thereof by such means as he may consider necessary. 323. Factory etc. not to be established without permission of Commissioner.- (1) No person shall, without the previous permission in writing of the Commissioners establish in any premises, or materially alter, enlarge or extend, any factory, workshop or trade premises in which it is intended to employ steam, electricity, water or other mechanical power. 174 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (2) The Commissioner may refuse to give such permission, if he is of opinion that the establishment, alteration, enlargement or extension of such factory, workshop or trade premises, in the proposed position would be objectionable by reasons of the density of the population in the neighbourhood thereof, or would be a nuisance to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. 324. Premises not to be used for certain purposes without licence.- (1) No person shall use or permit to be used any premises for any of the following purposes without or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence issued by the Commissioner in this behalf, namely :- (a) any of the purposes specified in Part-I of the Schedule I; (b) any purpose which is, in the opinion of the Commissioner dangerous to life, health or property or is likely to create a nuisance; (c) keeping horses, cattle or other quadruped animals or birds for transportation, sale or hire or for sale of the produce thereof; or (d) storing any of the articles specified in Part II of the Schedule- I except for domestic use of those articles: Provided that the Corporation may declare that premises in which the aggregate quantity of article stored for sale does not exceed such quantity as may be prescribed by bye-laws in respect of any such articles shall be exempted from the operation of clause (d). (2) In prescribing the terms of a licence granted under this section for the use of premises as mills or iron yards or for similar purposes, the Commissioner may, when he thinks fit, require the licensee to provide a space or passage within the premises for carts for loading and unloading purposes. (3) The Corporation shall fix a scale of fees to be paid in respect of premises licenced under sub-section (1): Provided that no such fee shall exceed five hundred rupees. 1[324-A. Registration of cattle and maintenance of their record.- (1) Head of every family shall be responsible to give or cause to be given, either orally or in writing, the details of cattle owned by his family to the Corporation within a period of one month from the commencement of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2011, and thereafter, every time as and when any change in the number of cattle takes place by any reason. (2) On receipt of the details of cattle under sub-section (1), the Corporation shall register cattle and shall maintain records thereof in such manner as may be notified by the Corporation: 1. Section 324-A inserted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 175 Provided that the Corporation may charge registration fee at such rate as may be fixed by it. (3) It shall be the duty of the Corporation to assist the officials or persons engaged by Animal Husbandry Department for applying appropriate identification mark on each cattle and to maintain the record of identification. (4) If any cattle with identification mark is found stray, the owner of the cattle shall be identified by the Corporation from the record maintained by it and such owner shall be liable for penalty of rupees five hundred for the first offence which shall be imposed by the Commissioner or the Officer authorized by him in this behalf.

(5) If the Corporation fails in identifying such stray cattle due to tempering with identification mark or mutilation thereof, it shall report the matter to the In-charge of the nearest Animal Husbandry Department who shall lodge the stray cattle to the nearest Goshala.] 325. Seizure of certain animals.- (1) If any horses, cattle or other quadruped animals or birds are kept on any premises in contravention of the provision of section 324 or are found abandoned and roaming or tethered on any street or public place or on any land belonging to the Corporation, the Commissioner or any officer empowered by him may seize them and may cause them to be impounded or removed to such place as may be appointed by the Government or the Corporation for this purpose and cost of seizure of these animals or birds and of impounding or removing them and of feeding and watering them shall be recoverable by sale by auction of these animals or birds: Provided that anyone claiming such animals or birds may, within seven days of this seizure get them released on his paying all expense incurred by the Commissioner in seizing, impounding or removing and in feeding and watering such animals or birds, and on his producing a licence for keeping these animals and birds issued under the provisions of section 324. (2) Whenever the Commissioner is of the opinion that the user of any premises for any of the purposes referred to in sub-section (1) of section 324 in causing a nuisance and such nuisance should be immediately stopped, the Commissioner may order the owner or the occupier of the premises to stop such nuisance within such time as may be specified in the order and in the event of the failure of the owner or occupier to comply with such order, the Commissioner may himself or by an officer subordinate to him, cause such user to be stopped. (3) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section any person by whom or at whose instance any horses, cattle or other quadruped animals or birds are so kept, abandoned or tethered, shall also be punishable under this Act. 326. Power of the Commissioner to prevent use of premises in particular area for purposes referred to in section 324.- (1) The Commissioner may give public notice of his intention to declare that in any 176 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 area specified in the notice, no person shall use any premises for any of the purposes referred to in sub-section (1) of section 324 which may be specified in such notice. (2) No objections to any such declaration shall be received after period of one month from the publication of the notice. (3) The Commissioner shall consider all objections received within the said period giving any person affected by the notice an opportunity of being heard and may thereupon make declaration in accordance with the notice published under sub-section (1), with such modifications, if any, as he may think fit. (4) Every such declaration shall be published in the Official Gazette and in such other manner as the Commissioner may determine, and shall take effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. (5) No person shall, in any area specified in any declaration published under sub-section (4), use any premises for any of the purposes referred to in section 324 specified in the declaration and the Commissioner shall have the power to stop the use of any such premises by such means as he considers necessary. 327. Licences for hawking articles etc.- No person shall, without or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted by the Commissioner in this behalf - (a) hawk or expose for sale in any place any article whatsoever whether it be for human consumption or not; (b) use in any place his skill in any handicraft or for rendering service to and for the convenience of the public for the purposes of gain or making a living. 328. Eating houses etc. not to be used without licence from Commissioner.- (1) No person shall, without or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted by the Commissioner in this behalf, keep any eating house, lodging house, hotel, boarding houses, tea shop, coffee house, cafe, restaurant, refreshment room or any place where the public is admitted for repose or for the consumption of any food or drink or any place where food is sold or prepared for sale. (2) The Commissioner may at any time cancel or suspend any licence granted under sub-section (1) if he is of opinion that the premises covered thereby are not kept in conformity with the conditions of such licence or with the provisions of any bye-laws made in this behalf. 329. Licencing and control of theatre, circuses and places of public amusement.- No person shall without or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of licence granted by the Commissioner in this behalf, keep open any theatre, circus, cinema house, dancing hall or other similar place of public resort, recreation or amusement : THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 177 Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to private performances in any such place. 330. Power of Commissioner to stop use of premises used in contravention of licences.- If the Commissioner is of opinion that any eating house, lodging house, hotel, boarding house, tea shop, coffee house, cafe, restaurant, refreshment room or other place where the public is admitted for repose or for consumption of any food or drink or where food is sold or prepared for sale or any theatre, circus, cinema house, dancing hall or similar other place of public resort, recreation or amusement is kept open without a licence or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted in respect thereof, he may stop the use of any such premises for any such purpose for a specified period by such means as he may consider necessary. 331. Power of Commissioner to inspect places where unlawful slaughter of animals etc. is suspected.- (1) If the Commissioner or any person authorised by him in this behalf has reason to believe that any animal intended for human consumption is being slaughtered or that the flesh of any such animal is being sold or exposed for sale, in any place or manner not duly authorised under this Act, he may at any time by day or night without notice, inspect such places for the purpose of satisfying himself as to whether any provisions of this Act or any bye-law made under this Act at the time in force is being contravened there at and may seize any such animal or the carcass of such animal or such flesh found therein. (2) The Commissioner may remove and sell by auction or otherwise dispose of any animal or carcass of any animal or any flesh seized under sub- section (1). (3) If within one month of such seizure the owner of the animal, carcass or flesh fails to appear and prove his claim to the satisfaction of the Commissioner or if the owner is convicted of an offence under this section in respect of such animal, carcass or flesh, the proceeds of any sale under sub- section (1) shall vest in the Corporation. (4) Any person slaughtering any animal or selling or exposing for sale the flesh of any such animal in any place or manner not duly authorised under the provisions of this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment upto six months and may be arrested by any police officer without a warrant. (5) No claim shall lie against any person for compensation for any damage necessarily caused by any entry or by the use of any force necessary for effecting any entry under this section. CHAPTER - XIX IMPROVEMENTS 332. Improvement scheme.- Where the Commissioner upon information is satisfied in respect of any area - (a) that the buildings in that area are by reason of disrepair or sanitary defects, unfit for human habitation or are by reason 178 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 of their bad arrangement, or the narrowness or bad arrangement of the streets or the want of light, air, ventilation or proper conveniences, dangerous or injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the area; and (b) that the most satisfactory method dealing with the conditions in the area is the rearrangement and reconstruction of the streets and buildings in the area in accordance with an improvement scheme, he may frame an improvement scheme in respect of the area in accordance with the bye-laws made in this behalf. 333. Matters to be provided for in an improvement scheme.- (1) An improvement scheme may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (a) the acquisition by agreement or under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894) of any property necessary for or affected by the execution of the scheme; (b) the relaying out of any land comprised in the scheme; (c) the redistribution of sites belonging to owners of property comprised in the scheme; (d) the closure or demolition of building or portions of buildings unfit for human habitation; (e) the demolition of obstructive buildings or portions thereof; (f) the construction and reconstruction of buildings; (g) the construction and alteration of streets; (h) the water supply, street lighting, drainage and other conveniences; (i) the provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, garden, play ground; (j) the sanitary arrangements required for the area comprised in the scheme; (k) the provision of accommodation for any class of the inhabitants; (l) the provision of facilities for communication; (m) the sale, letting or exchange of any property comprised in the scheme; (n) urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects; (o) Urban poverty elevation; (p) promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 179 (q) cattle pounds, prevention of cruelty to animals; (r) public amenities including street light, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences; and (s) any other matter for which, in the opinion of the Commissioner it is expedient to make provision with a view to the improvement of the area to which the scheme relates. (2) Where any land is designated in an improvement scheme as subject to acquisition or is required by the scheme to be kept as an open space, then, if at the expiration of ten years from the date of sanction of the scheme by the Government under sub-section (2) of section 334 the land is not acquired by the Commissioner, the owner of the land may serve on the Commissioner, a notice requiring his interest in the land to be so acquired. (3) If the Commissioner fails to acquire the land within a period of six months from the receipt of the notice, the improvement scheme shall have effect after the expiration of the said six months and if the land were not designated as subject to acquisition by the Commissioner or were not required to be kept as an open space. (4) The Commissioner may prepare a scheme in the slum improvement and up-gradation of the area as provided in the Himachal Pradesh Slum Areas (Improvement and clearance) Act, 1979 (19 of 1979) . 334. Submission of improvement scheme to the Corporation for approval and to the Government for sanction.- (1) Every improvement scheme shall, as soon as may be, after it has been framed, be submitted by the Commissioner for approval to the Corporation and the Corporation may either approve the scheme without modifications or with such modifications as it may consider necessary or reject the scheme with directions to the Commissioner to have a fresh scheme framed according to such directions. (2) No improvement scheme approved by the corporation under sub- section (1) shall be valid unless it has been sanctioned by the Government. 335. Publication of the notice after scheme is sanctioned.- (1) After an improvement scheme is sanctioned by the Government, the Commissioner shall prepare a notice stating - (a) the fact that the scheme has been sanctioned; (b) the boundaries of the area comprised in the scheme; and (c) the place at which particulars of the scheme, a map of the area comprised in the scheme, and a statement of the land which it is proposed to acquire may be seen. (2) The Commissioner shall cause the aforesaid notice to be published in the Official Gazette and also in the manner specified in section 364. 336. Rehousing scheme.- The Commissioner, while framing the improvement scheme under this chapter for any area may also frame a scheme, (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the rehousing scheme,) for the 180 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 construction, maintenance and management of such and so many buildings as he may consider necessary for providing accommodation for persons who are likely to be displaced by the execution of the improvement scheme. 337. Improvement scheme and rehousing scheme to comply with master plan and zonal development plan.- No improvement scheme or rehousing scheme framed under this chapter after development plan for the municipal area or a zonal development plan for any part thereof has been prepared in accordance with law shall be valid unless such scheme is in conformity with the provisions of the development plan or the zonal development plan. 338. Provisions of housing accommodation for the economically weaker sections.- If the corporation, upon consideration of report from the commissioner or any other information is satisfied that is expedient to provide housing accommodation for the economically weaker sections in any area and that such accommodation can be provided without making an improvement scheme, the Corporation shall cause that area to be defined on a plan and pass a resolution authorising the Commissioner to provide such accommodation - (a) by the erection of buildings or by attachment of land belonging to the Corporation or of land acquired by the corporation for the purpose; (b) by the conversion of any buildings belonging to the corporation into dwellings for the economically weaker sections. CHAPTER-XX REGULATION OF FELLING AND PLANTING TREES 339. Prohibiting felling, cutting, damaging, destroying any tree in any urban area.- No person shall cut, damage, destroy, fell or remove any tree of the prescribed class, whether included in a private holding or not, within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation, except with prior permission obtained from the State Government under the provisions made in this Chapter or any rules made thereunder. Explanation.- For the purpose of this section the expression "damage" in relation to a tree shall include,- (a) girdling, drilling of holes, boring and use of poisonous substance; (b) cutting and exposure of roots or making a tree dangerous; (c) setting fire to a tree or its branches; (d) debarking or stripping of the bark; (e) extraction of resin and gum; (f) lopping of branches; (g) extraction and removal of torchwood; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 181 (h) damage to trees by throwing debris or stones; but such damage shall not include the damage which is caused,- (1) by the bonafide exercise of the rights of the right holders of the area; (2) by lopping of branches of trees which are grown mainly for fodder, horticultural or ornamental purposes. 340. Constitution of Tree Authority.- (1) The State Government shall by notification, constitute the Tree Authority consisting of the following:- (i) the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation; (ii) the Commissioner; (iii) the Divisional Forest Officer having jurisdiction over the city; (iv) the District Horticulture Officer having jurisdiction over the city; and (v) one Councillor to be nominated by the Mayor. (2) The Mayor shall be the Chairman of the Tree Authority. 341. Meeting of Tree Authority.- (1) The Tree Authority shall meet at least once in two months at such place and time as the chairman may decide. (2) The quorum to constitute a meeting of the Tree Authority shall be one half of the total number of its members. 342. Duties of Tree Authority.- Notwithstanding anything in the Act, the Tree Authority shall subject to any general or special order of the state Government be responsible for- (a) the preservation of all trees within its jurisdiction; (b) obtaining declaration from all owners or occupants about the number of trees in their lands; (c) specifying the standards regarding the number and kind of trees in each locality, type of land and premises shall have; (d) assisting private and public institutions connected with planting and preservation of trees; and (e) undertaking such schemes or measures as may be directed from time to time for achieving the objectives of these provisions. 343. Appointment of Tree Officer.- The State Government shall appoint one or more Forest Officers not below the rank of an Assistant Conservator of Forests as Tree Officer for the territorial limits of a Municipal Corporation. Every Tree Officer shall exercise jurisdiction over the whole or 182 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 such part of the areas of the Municipal Corporation as the State Government may from time to time determine. 344. Application for permission for cutting/felling or removal of a tree.- (1) Any person intending to cut, fell or remove a tree within the territorial jurisdiction of the corporation shall make an application to the Tree Officer, in such form and containing such particulars and accompanied by such documents as may be prescribed. (2) Such application shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed. 345. Permission for felling of tree.- (1) On receipt of application from any person to fell any standing tree or to cut, lop, remove or otherwise dispose of a fallen tree, the Tree Authority shall, after making such inquiry as it may think fit, and with prior approval of the Government either permit in whole or in part or refuse the permission applied for : Provided that no such permission shall be refused if the tree - (i) is dead, diseased or wind-fallen; or (ii) constitute a danger to life or property; or (iii) is substantially damaged or destroyed by fire, lightning, rain or other natural causes. (2) Where permission to fell a standing tree or to cut, remove or otherwise dispose of a fallen tree is granted, the Tree Authority may impose condition that the applicant shall plant another tree or trees of the same or other suitable species preferably on the same site within sixty days of the date on which the tree is felled or within such extended time as the Tree Authority may allow. (3) The permission granted under this section shall be valid for a period of 180 days from the date on which the sanction is conveyed to the applicant. If the applicant fails to cut, fell, lop or remove the tree permitted to be cut, felled, lopped, or removed within the aforesaid period of 180 days, the permission granted shall lapse, unless the applicant obtains from the Commissioner an extension of time on an application for extension and payment of prescribed fee. 346. Planting of adequate number of trees.- (1) If in the opinion of the Tree Officer the number of trees in any land is not adequate according to the standards prescribed under clause (c) of section 342, the Tree Officer may, by order, after giving a reasonable opportunity to the owner or occupier of the land of being heard, require him to plant such trees or additional trees and at such places in the land as may be specified in the order. (2) When an order is made under sub-section (1), the owner or occupier of the land shall comply with such order within thirty days from the receipt thereof or such extended time as the Tree Officer may allow. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 183 347. Planting in place of fallen/destroyed trees.- (1) When any tree is fallen or destroyed by wind, fire, lighting, rain or such other natural causes, the Tree Officer may suo-motu or on information given to him after holding such enquiry as he deems fit, by order require such owner or occupier to plant a tree or trees in place of the tree so fallen or destroyed as may be specified in the order. (2) When an order is made under sub-section (1), the owner or occupier of the land shall comply with such order within thirty days from the receipt thereof or such extended time as the Tree Officer may allow. 348. Responsibilities for preservation of trees.- When an order is made by the Tree Officer under section 345, section 346 and section 347 subject to the provisions of section 349, it shall be the duty of owner or occupier of the land who is directed to plant a tree to see that the tree grows properly and is well preserved. It shall also be the duty of such owner or occupier to preserve all other trees existing on the land at the time of commencement of this Act within the area in which the land is situated. 349. The recovery of expenditure on failure to comply with orders for planting of trees.- Where the owner or occupier of the land fails to comply with any orders made by the Tree Officer under section 346 or section 347 or section 348, the Tree Officer may after giving a reasonable opportunity to such owner or occupier of being heard and without prejudice to any other action which may be taken against the defaulter under these provisions take the necessary action himself and recover the expenditure incurred therefrom, from the owner or the occupier, as the case may be. 350. Appeals.- (1) When any decision is given or order is made under section 346, section 347 or section 348 by the Tree Officer an appeal shall lie to the Tree Authority. (2) The appeal shall be made within thirty days from the date the decision is communicated to or the order is received by the owner or occupier of the land. (3) The Tree Authority shall, as far as possible, decide the appeal within ninety days from the date of its receipt after giving a reasonable opportunity to the appellant of being heard. (4) The decision of the Tree Authority shall be final and shall not be questioned in any court of law. 351. Seizure.- When the Tree Officer has reason to believe that an offence under the provisions of this Chapter has been committed in respect of any tree he may seize the tools, ropes, chains, boats, vehicles or animals used for the commission of the said offence along with tree or part thereof which has been severed from the ground or the trunk, as the case may be. 352. Penalty.- Whoever falls or abets the falling of any tree or causes any tree to be felled in contravention of the provisions of this Chapter or any rules made thereunder without any reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any order issued or conditions imposed by the Tree Officer or any other 184 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 officer subordinate to him in the discharge of their functions under the provisions of this Chapter shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 1[two years] or with fine 2[of ten thousand rupees] or with both. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section a breach of the provisions of this Chapter or abetment of breach thereof in respect of cutting or destroying each tree shall be a separate offence. 353. Compounding of offences.- No offence or breach of the provisions of this Chapter shall be compounded by any authority empowered to compound without providing for forfeiture of the tree fuel, or timber along with articles seized under section 351 in favour of the concerned Municipal Corporation. 354. Operation of other laws not barred.- Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act or omission which constituted an offence under these provisions or from being liable under such other law to higher punishment or penalty than that provided by these provisions or the rules made thereunder. 355. Power to make rules.- The State Government may by notification make rules to carry out the purposes of the provisions of this Chapter. CHAPTER-XXI POWERS, PROCEDURE, OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 356. Signature conditions, duration, suspension, revocation, etc. of licences and written permissions.- (1) Whenever it is provided in this Act or any bye-law made thereunder that a licence or written permission may be granted for any purpose, such licence or written permission shall be signed by the Commissioner or by the officer empowered to grant the same under this Act or the bye-laws made thereunder or by any Corporation Officer authorised by the Commissioner and shall specify, in addition to any other matter required to be specified under any other provision of this Act or any provision of any bye-law made thereunder- (a) the date of the grant thereof; (b) the purpose and the period, if any, to which it is granted; (c) restrictions or conditions, if any, subject to which it is granted; (d) the name and address of the person to whom it is granted; and (e) the fee, if any, paid for the licence or written permission. 1. Substituted for the words “three months” vide H.P. Act No. 29 of 2005. 2. The words “five thousand” substituted for the words “five hundred” vide H.P. Act No. 29 of 2005 and again substituted for the words “which may extend to five thousand rupees” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 185 (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Act or any bye-law made thereunder, for every such licence or written permission a fee may be charged at such rate as may from time to time be fixed by the Commissioner with the sanction of the Corporation and such fee shall be payable by the person to whom the licence or written permission is granted. (3) Save as otherwise provided in this Act or any by-law made thereunder any licence or written permission granted under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder may at any time be suspended or revoked by the Commissioner or by the officer by whom it was granted, if he is satisfied that it has been secured by the grantee through misrepresentation or fraud or if any of its restrictions or conditions has been infringed or evaded by the grantee, or if the grantee has been convicted for the contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or any bye-law made thereunder relating to any matter for which the licence or permission has been granted : Provided that- (a) before making any order of suspension or revocation, reasonable opportunity should be afforded to the grantee of the licence or the written permission to show cause why it should not be suspended or revoked; (b) every such order shall contain a brief statement of the reasons for the suspension or revocation of the licence or the written permission. (4) When any such licence or written permission is suspended or revoked or when the period for which the same was granted has expired, the grantee shall, for all purposes of this Act or any bye-law made thereunder, be deemed to be without a licence or written permission until such time as the order suspending or revoking the licence or written permission is rescinded or until the licence or written permission is renewed. (5) Every grantee of any licence or written permission granted under this Act shall at all reasonable times, while such licence or written permission remains in force if so required by the Commissioner or the authority by whom it was granted, produce such licence or written permission. 357. Power of entry and inspection.- The Commissioner or any Corporation officer or other Corporation employee authorised by him in this behalf or empowered in this behalf by or under any provision of this Act may enter into or upon any land or building with or without assistants and workmen- (a) for the purposes of ascertaining whether there is or has been on or in connection with the land or building any contravention of the provisions of this Act or any bye-law made thereunder; (b) for the purposes of ascertaining whether or not circumstances exist which would authorise or require the Commissioner, or any Corporation officer or employee authorised or 186 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 empowered in this behalf to take any action or execute any work under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder; (c) for the purposes of taking any action or executing any work authorised or required by this Act or any bye-law made thereunder; (d) to make any inquiry, inspection, examination, measurement, valuation or survey authorised or required by or under this Act or necessary for the proper administration of this Act; (e) generally for the purpose of efficient discharge of the functions by any of the municipal authorities under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder. 358. Power to enter land, adjoining land in relation to any work.- (1) The Commissioner, or any person authorised by him in this behalf or empowered in this behalf by or under any provision of this Act, may enter on any land within thirty five metres of any work authorised by or under this Act with or without assistants and workmen for the purpose of depositing thereon any soil, gravel, stone or other materials or for obtaining access to such work or for any other purposes connected with the execution of the same. (2) The person so authorised shall, before entering on any such land state the purpose thereof and shall, if so required by the owner or occupier thereof, fence off so much of the land as may be required for such purpose. (3) The person so authorised shall, in exercising any power conferred by this section, do as little damage as may be, and compensation shall be payable by the Corporation in accordance with bye-laws made in this behalf to the owner or occupier of land or to both for any such damage, whether permanent or temporary. 359. Breaking into building.- (1) It shall be lawful for the Commissioner, or any person authorised by him in this behalf or empowered in this behalf by or, under any provision of this Act to make any entry into any place, and to open or cause to be opened any door, gate or other barrier:- (a) if he considers the opening thereof necessary for the purpose of such entry; and (b) if the owner or occupier is absent or being present, refuses to open such door, gate or barrier. (2) Before making any entry into any such place or opening or causing to be opened any such door, gate or other barrier the Commissioner, or the person authorised or empowered in this behalf, shall call upon two or more respectable inhabitants of the locality in which the place to be entered into is situate, to witness the entry or opening and may issue an order in writing to them or any of them so to do. (3) A report shall be made to the Corporation as soon as may be after any entry has been made into any place or any door, gate or other barrier has been opened under this section. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 187 360. Time of making entry.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act or any bye-law made thereunder no entry authorised by or under this Act shall be made except between the hours of sunrise and sunset. 361. Consent ordinarily to be obtained.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act or any bye-laws made thereunder, no land or building shall be entered into without the consent of the occupier, or if there is no occupier, of the owner thereof and no such entry shall be made without giving the said owner or occupier, as the case may be, not less than twenty four hours written notice of the intention to make such entry: Provided that no such notice shall be necessary if the place to be inspected is a factory, workshop or trade premises or a place used for any of the purposes specified in section 324 or a stable for horses or a shed for cattle or a latrine or urinal or a work under construction or for the purpose of ascertaining whether any animal intended for human food is slaughtered in that place in contravention of this Bill or any bye-law made thereunder. 362. Regard to be had to social or religious usages.- When any place used as a human dwelling is entered under this Act, due regard shall be paid to the social and religious customs and usages of the occupants of the place entered and no apartment in the actual occupancy of a female, shall be entered or broken open until she has been informed that she is at liberty to withdraw and every reasonable facility has been afforded to her for withdrawing. 363. Prohibition of obstruction or molestration in execution of work.- No person shall obstruct or molest any person authorised or empowered by or under this Act or any person with whom the Corporation or the Commissioner has lawfully contracted, in the execution of his duty or of anything which he is authorised or empowered or required to do by virtue or in consequence of any of the provisions of this Act or any bye-law made thereunder, or in fulfilment of his contract, as the case may be. 364. Public notices how to be made known.- Every public notice given under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder, shall be in writing under the signature of the Commissioner or of any Corporation Officer authorised by him in this behalf and shall be widely made known in the locality to be affected thereby, by affixing copies thereof in conspicuous public places within the said locality or by publishing the same or by beat of drum or by advertisement in local newspaper or by any two or more of these means and by any other means that the appropriate municipal authority may think fit. 365. Newspaper in which advertisement of notices to be published.- Whenever it is provided by this Act or any bye-law made thereunder that notice shall be given by advertisement in local newspaper or that a notification or information shall be published in local newspapers, such notice, notification or information shall be inserted if practicable in at least two newspapers in such languages as the Corporation may from time to time specify in this behalf: 188 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Provided that if the Corporation publishes a municipal journal a publication in that journal shall be deemed to be a publication in a newspaper of the language in which the said journal may be published. 366. Proof of consent, etc. of Commissioner etc.- Whenever under this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder the doing of or the omission to do anything or the validity of anything depends upon the approval, sanction, consent, concurrence, declaration, opinion or satisfaction of the Commissioner or of any Corporation Officer a written document signed by the Commissioner or officer purporting to convey or set forth, such approval, sanction, consent, concurrence, declaration, opinion or satisfaction, shall be sufficient evidence thereof. 367. Notices, etc. to fix reasonable time.- Where any notice, bill, order or requisition issued or made under this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder requires anything to be done for the doing of which no time is fixed in this Act or the rule, regulation or bye-law, the notice, bill, order or requisition shall specify a reasonable time for doing the same. 368. Signature on notices etc, may be stamped.- (1) Every licence, written permission, notice, bill, summons or other document which is required by this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder to bear the signature of the Commissioner or of any Corporation Officer, shall be deemed to be properly signed if it bears a facsimile of the signature of the Commissioner or officer, as the case may be, stamped thereupon. (2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to apply to a cheque drawn upon the Corporation Fund under section 71 and such classes of documents as may be prescribed. 369. Notice etc. by whom to be served or issued.- All notices, bills, summons and other documents required by this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-laws made thereunder to be served upon or issued to any person shall be served or issued by municipal officers or other Corporation employee or by other persons authorised by the Commissioner. 370. Service of notices, etc.- (1) Every notice, bill, summons, order, requisition or other document required or authorised by this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder to be served or issued by or on behalf of the Corporation or by the Commissioner or any Corporation Officer on any person shall save as otherwise provided in this Act or such rule, regulation or bye-law, be deemed to be duly served - (a) where the person to be served is a company, if the document is addressed to a Director or the Secretary of the Company at its registered office or at its principal office or place of business and is either - (i) sent by registered post; or (ii) delivered at the registered office or at the principal office or place of business of the company; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 189 (b) where the person to be served is a partnership firm, if the document is addressed to the partnership firm at its principal place of business, identifying it by the name or style under which its business is carried on and is either - (i) sent by registered post; or (ii) delivered at the said place of business; (c) where the person to be served is a public body, or a corporation, a society or other body if the document is addressed to the Secretary, treasurer or other head officer of that body, Corporation or a society at its principal office, and is either - (i) sent by registered post or (ii) delivered at that office; (d) in any other case, if the document is addressed to the person to be served and - (i) is given or tendered to him; or (ii) if such person cannot be found; is affixedon some conspicuous part of his last known place of residence or business, if within the municipal area, or is given or tendered to some adult member of his family or is affixed on some conspicuous part of the land or building; if any, to which it relates; or (iii) is sent by registered post to that person. (2) Any document which is required or authorised to be served on the owner or occupier or any land or building may be addressed "the owner" or "the occupier" as the case may be, of that land or building (naming that land or building) without further name or description and, shall be deemed to be duly served- (a) if the document so addressed is sent or delivered in accordance with clause (d) of sub-section (1) ; or (b) if the document so addressed or a copy thereof so addressed, is delivered to some person on the land or building to whom it can be delivered, is affixed to some conspicuous part of the land or building. (3) Where a document is served on a partnership firm in accordance with this section, the document shall be deemed to be served on each partner. (4) For the purpose of enabling any document to be served on the owner of any premises, the Commissioner may by notice in writing require the occupier of the premises to state the name and address of the owner thereof. 190 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (5) Where the person on whom a document is to be served is a minor, the service upon his guardian or any adult member of his family shall be deemed to be service upon the minor. (6) Nothing in section 368 and section 369 and in this section shall apply to any summons issued under this Act by a Court. (7) A servant is not a member of the family within the meaning of this section. 371. Power in case of non-compliance with notice, etc.- In the event of a non-compliance with the terms of any notice, order or requisition issued to any person under this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-laws made thereunder, requiring such person to execute any work or to do any act, it shall be lawful for the authority or officer at whose instance the notice, order or requisition has been issued, whether or not the person in default is liable to punishment for such default or has been prosecuted or sentenced to any punishment therefor, after giving notice in writing to such person, to take such action or such steps as may be necessary for the completion of the act or the work required to be done or executed by such person and all the expenses incurred on such account shall be payable to the Commissioner on demand and if not paid within ten days after such demand, shall be recoverable as an arrear of tax under this Act 372. Liability of occupier to pay in default of owner.- (1) If any notice, order or requisition has been issued to any person in respect of property of which he is the owner, the authority or officer at whose instance such notice, order or requisition has been issued may require the occupier of such property or any part thereof to pay to him, instead of to the owner, any rent payable by him in respect of such property as it falls due up to the amount recoverable from the owner under section 371 : Provided that if the occupier refuses to disclose the correct amount of the rent payable by him or the name or address of the person to whom it is payable, the authority or officer may recover from the occupier the whole amount recoverable under section 371 as an arrear of tax under this Act. (2) Any amount recovered from an occupier instead of from an owner under sub-section (1), shall in the absence of any contract between the owner and the occupier to the contrary, be deemed to have been paid by the owner. 373. Execution of work by occupier in default of owner and deduction of expenses from rent.- Whenever the owner of any land or building fails to execute any work which he is required to execute under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder, the occupier, if any, of such land or building may, with the approval of the Commissioner, execute the said work and he shall, subject to any contract between the owner and occupier to the contrary, be entitled to recover from the owner the reasonable expenses incurred by him in the execution of the work and may deduct the amount thereof from the rent payable by him to the owner. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 191 374. Relief to agents and trustees.- (1) Where any person, by reason of his receiving rent of immovable property as a receiver, agent or trustee would be bound to discharge any obligation imposed by this Act, or any rule, bye-law, regulation or order made under it for the discharge the obligation unless he has, or but for his own improper act or default might have had, funds in his hands belonging to the owner sufficient for the purpose. (2) The burden of proving any act entitling a receiver, agent or trustee to relief under sub-section (1) shall lie upon him. (3) Where any receiver, agent or trustee has claimed and established his right to relief under this section, the Commissioner may, by notice in writing, require him, to apply to the discharge of his obligation as aforesaid, the first moneys which may come to his hands on behalf, or for the use of the owner, and on failure to comply with the notice, he shall be deemed to be personally liable to discharge the obligation. 375. General power to pay compensation.- In any case not otherwise provided for in this Act or in any bye-law made thereunder, the Commissioner, with the previous approval of the Corporation, may pay compensation to any person who sustains damage by reasons of the exercise of any of the power vested by this Act or any bye-law in the Commissioner or in any Corporation officer or other Corporation employee. 376. Compensation to be paid by offenders for damage caused by them.- (1) Any person who has been convicted of an offence against this Act or any bye-law made thereunder shall, notwithstanding any punishment to which he may have been sentenced for the said offence, be liable to pay such compensation for any damage to the property of the Corporation resulting from the said offence as the appropriate municipal authority may consider reasonable. (2) In the event of a dispute regarding the amount of compensation, payable under sub-section (1) such amount shall, on application made to him be determined by the magistrate before whom the said person was convicted of the said offence; and on non-payment of the amount of compensation so determined, the same shall be recovered under a warrant from the said magistrate as if it were a fine imposed by him on the person liable therefor. 377. Mode of recovery of certain dues.- In any case not expressly provided for in this Act or any bye-law made thereunder any sum due to the Corporation on account of any charges, costs, expenses, fees, rates or rent for on any other account under the Act or any such bye-law may be recoverable from any person from whom such sum is due as arrears of tax under this Act: Provided that no proceedings for the recovery of any sum under this section, shall be commenced after the expiry of three years from the date on which such sum becomes due. 378. Right of owner to apply to court of the District Judge in case of obstruction by occupier.- (1) The owner of any land or building may if he is prevented by the occupier thereof from complying with any provision of 192 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 this Act or any bye-law made thereunder or with any notice, order or requisition issued under such provision, apply to the court of the District Judge, and where such application is made within any time that may be fixed for the compliance with such provision or notice, order or requisition, the owner shall not be liable for his failure to comply with the provision or notice, order or requisition within the time so fixed. (2) The court on receipt of such application may make a written order requiring the occupier of the land or building to afford all reasonable facilities to the owner for complying with the said provision, or notice, order or requisition and may also, if it thinks fit direct that the costs of such application and order be paid by the occupier. (3) After eight days from the date of the order referred to in sub- section (2), the occupier shall afford all such reasonable facilities to the owner for the purpose aforesaid as may be specified in the order and in the event of his continued refusal to do so, the owner shall be discharged during the continuance of such refusal from any liability which may have been otherwise incurred by reasons of his failure to comply with the said provisions or notice, order or requisition. 379. General powers and procedure of the court of District Judge.- The procedure provided in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in regard to suits shall be followed in the disposal of application, appeals or references that may be made to the court of the District Judge under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder. 380. Fees in proceeding before court of the District Judge.- (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, prescribe what fee shall be paid- (a) on any application, appeal or reference under this Act or any bye-law made thereunder to the court of the District Judge; and (b) for the issue, in connection with any inquiry or proceedings before that court under this Act or bye-law, of any summons or other process: Provided that the fee, if any prescribed under clause (a) shall not in cases in which the value of the claim or subject matter is capable of being estimated in money, exceed the fees liable for the time being under the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Court Fees Act, 1968 (8 of 1968), in cases in which the amount of the claim or subject matter is of a like amount. (2) The Government may, by like notification, determine the person by whom the fee, if any, prescribed under clause (a) of sub-section (1) shall be payable. (3) No application, appeal or reference shall be received by the court of the District Judge until the fee, if any, prescribed therefor under clause (a) of sub-section (1) has been paid:

THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 193 Provided that the court may in any case in which it thinks fit so to do - (i) receive an application, appeal or reference made by or on behalf of a poor person; and (ii) issue process on behalf of any such person, without payment or on part payment of the fees prescribed under this section. 381. Repayment of half fees on settlement before hearing.- Whenever an application, appeal or reference made under this Act or any bye- law made thereunder to the court of the District Judge, is settled by agreement between the parties before the hearing, half the amount of all fees paid up to that time, shall be repaid by the court to parties by whom the same have respectively been paid. 382. Power of the court of District Judge to delegate certain powers and to make rules.- The Court of the District judge may - (a) delegate, either generally or specially, to the court of an additional district Judge, power to receive applications and reference under this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-laws made thereunder, and to hear and determine such application and references; and (b) with the approval of the Government, make rules not inconsistent with this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder, providing for any matter connected with the exercise to the jurisdiction conferred upon the court by this Act which is not herein specifically provided for. 383. Punishment for certain offences.- Whoever - (a) contravenes any provision of any of the sections, sub- sections, clauses, provisos or other provisions of this Act, mentioned in the first column of the table in the Second Schedule; or (b) fails to comply with any order lawfully given to him or any requisition lawfully made upon him under any of the said sections, sub-sections, clauses, provisos or other provisions shall be punishable - (i) with fine which may extend to the amount, specified in the third column of the said Table; and (ii) in the case of a continuing contravention or failure; with an additional fine which may extend to the amount specified in the fourth column of that Table for every day during which such contravention or failure continues after conviction for the first such contravention or failure. 384. General.- Whoever, in any case in which a penalty is not expressly provided by this Act, fails to comply with any notice, order or requisition issued under any provision thereof, or otherwise contravenes any 194 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 of the provisions of this Act, shall be punishable with fine 1[of five thousand rupees, and in case of a continuing failure or contravention with an additional fine of five hundred rupees] for every day after the first, during which he has persisted in the failure or contravention. 385. Offences by Companies.- (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was incharge of and was responsible to the Company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly : Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, Secretary or other officer shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section - (a) "Company" means a body corporate, and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and (b) "director" in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm. 386. Police establishments.- (1) Every Corporation shall, unless relieved of this obligation by the Government, maintain sufficient police establishment for its police requirements within the municipal area and for the performance of the duties imposed on it by the Act. (2) The establishment maintained under sub-section (1) shall consist of part of the general police force under the Government within the meaning of section 2 of the Police Act, 1861 (5 of 1861) and, shall consist of such number of officers and men who shall respectively receive such pay, leave, allowances, gratuities and pensions as the Corporation may from time to time after consultation with the Director General of Police, and subject to the final decision of the Government, direct. 387. Arrest of offenders.- (1) Any police officer may arrest any person who commits in his view any offence against this Act or against any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder if - 1. Substituted for the words and sign “which may extend to five hundred rupees, and in the case of a continuing failure or contravention with an additional fine which may extend to fifty rupees” vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 195 (a) the name and address of such person be unknown to him; and (b) such person on demand declines to give his name and address or gives a name and address which such officer has reason to believe to be false. (2) No person so arrested shall be detained in custody after his true name and address are ascertained or, without the order of the nearest Magistrate, for a period longer than twenty-four hours from the time of arrest exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of such magistrate. (3) It shall be the duty of all police officers to give immediate information to the Commissioner or any other appropriate Corporation Officer, of the commission of, the attempt to commit any offence against this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder and to assist all Corporation Officers and other Corporation employees in the exercise of their lawful authority. 388. Power to institute legal proceedings etc. and obtain legal advice.- The Commissioner may- (a) take, or withdraw from, proceedings against any person who is charged with- (i) any offence against this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder; or (ii) any offence which affects or is likely to affect any property or interest of the Corporation or the due administration of this Act, or (iii) committing any nuisance whatsoever; (b) contest or compromise any appeal against rateable value or assessment of any tax or rate; (c) take, or withdraw from or compromise, proceedings under section 376 for the recovery of expenses or compensation claimed to be due to the Corporation; (d) withdraw or compromise any claim for a sum not exceeding one thousand rupees against any person; (e) defend any suit or other legal proceeding brought against the Corporation or against the Commissioner or a Corporation Officer or other Corporation employee in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any one of them in his official capacity; (f) with the approval of the Corporation, admit or compromise any claim, suit or other legal proceeding brought against the Corporation or against the Commissioner or any Corporation Officer or other Corporation employee in respect of anything done or omitted to be done as aforesaid; 196 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (g) withdraw or compromise any claim against any person in respect of a penalty payable under contract entered into with such person by the Commissioner on behalf of the Corporation; (h) obtain such legal advice and assistance as from time to time he thinks necessary or expedient to obtain or as he may be required by the Corporation to obtain for any of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing clauses or for securing lawful exercise of discharge of any power or duty vesting in or imposed upon any municipal authority or any corporation officer or other Corporation employee. 389. Prosecution.- Save as otherwise provided in this Act, no court shall try an offence made punishable by or under this Act or any rule or any bye-law made thereunder, except on the complaint of, or upon information received from the commissioner, or any other officer of the Corporation authorised by it in this behalf. 390. Composition of offences.- (1) The Commissioner or any other officer of the Corporation authorised by it in this behalf by a general or special order or a sub-committee of the Corporation appointed by it may, either before or after the institution of the proceedings, compound any offence made punishable by or under this Act, or any rule or any bye-law made thereunder. (2) Where an offence has been compounded, the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceeding shall be taken against him in respect of the offence so compounded. 391. Protection of action of the Corporation etc.- No suit or prosecution shall be entertained in any court against any Corporation Officer or other Corporation employee or against any person acting under the order or direction of the Corporation, the Commissioner or any Corporation officer or other Corporation employee, for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done, under this Act or any rule regulation or bye-law made thereunder. 392. Notice to be given of suits.- (1) No suit shall be instituted against the Corporation or against the Commissioner or against any Corporation officer or other Corporation employee or against any person acting under the order or direction of the Corporation or the Commissioner or any Corporation Officer or other Corporation employee, in respect of any act done, or purporting to have been done, in pursuance of this Act or any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder, until the expiration of two months after notice in writing has been left at the Corporation office and, in the case of such employee or person unless notice in writing has also been delivered to him or left at his office or place of residence, and unless such notice states explicitly the cause of action, the nature of the relief sought, the amount of compensation claimed and the name and place of residence of intending THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 197 plaintiff, and unless the plaint contains a statement that such notice has been so left or delivered. (2) No suit, such as is described in sub section (1) shall, unless it is a suit for the recovery of immovable property or for a declaration of title thereto be instituted after the expiry of six months from the date on which the cause of action arises. (3) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to apply to a suit in which the only relief claimed is an injunction of which the object would be defeated by giving of the notice or the postponement of the institution of the suit. CHAPTER-XXII RULES, REGULATIONS AND BYE-LAWS 393. Supplemental provisions respecting rules.- (1) Any rule which the Government is empowered to make under this Act may provide that any contravention thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid as soon as maybe after it is made, before the House of the State Legislature while it is in session for a total period of ten days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the successive sessions aforesaid, the House agrees to making any modification in the rule or the House agrees 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, however, any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done or omitted to be done under that rule. 394. Supplemental provisions respecting regulations.- (1) Any regulation which the Corporation under this Act, may make with the approval of Government, may be altered, or rescinded by the Corporation with the approval of the Government in the exercise of its powers under this Act. (2) Any regulation made under this section may provide that contravention thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. (3) No regulation made by the Corporation under this Act shall have effect until it has been published in the Official Gazette by the Government. 395. Powers to make bye-laws.- Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Corporation may in addition to any bye-laws which it is empowered to make under any other provisions of this Act make bye-laws to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- A. Bye-laws relating to taxation.- 198 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (1) the maintenance of tax books and registers by the Commissioner and the particulars which such books and registers should contain; (2) the inspection of and the obtaining of copies and extracts from such books and registers and fees, if any, to be charged for the same; (3) the publication of rates, of taxes as determined by the Government from time to time; (4) the requisition by the Commissioner of information and returns from persons liable to pay taxes; (5) the notice to be given to the Commissioner by any person who becomes the owner or possessor or of a vehicle or animal in respect of which any tax is payable under this Act; (6) the wearing of badge by the driver of any such vehicle and the display of number plate on such vehicle; (7) the submission of returns by the persons liable to pay any tax under this Act; and (8) any other matter relating to the levy, assessment, collection refund or remission of taxes under this Act. B. Bye-laws relating to water supply, drainage and sewage disposal.- (1) the power of the Commissioner to close water works for the supply of water, whether for domestic purposes or not, or for gratuitous use and to prohibit the same and use of water for the purpose of business; (2) the connection of supply pipes for conveying to any premises a supply of water from municipal water works; (3) the making and renewing connections with municipal water works; (4) the power of the Commissioner to take charge of private connection; (5) the power of the Commissioner to alter the position of connection; (6) the equitable distribution of water supplied to occupiers; (7) the size, material, quality, description and position of the pipes and fittings to be used for the purpose of any connection with or any communication from any THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 199 municipal water works and the stamping of pipes and fittings and fees for such stamping; (8) the size, material, quality and description of pipes, cisterns and fittings which are found on an examination under the provisions of this Act to be so defective that they cannot be effectively repaired; (9) the provision and maintenance of meters when water is supplied by measurement; (10) the prohibition of fraudulent and un-authorised use of water and the prohibition of fraud in connection with meters; (11) the maintenance of pipes, cisterns and other water works; (12) the regulation or prohibition of the discharge or deposit of offensive or obstructive matter, polluted water or other polluted and obnoxious matter into sewers; (13) the regulation in any manner not specifically provided for in this Act of the construction, alteration, maintenance, preservation, cleaning and repairs of drains, ventilation, shafts, pipes, latrines, urinals, cesspools and other drainage works; (14) the cleansing of drains; (15) the prohibition of erection of buildings over drains without the permission of the Commissioner; (16) the connection of private drains with municipal drains; (17) the location and construction of cesspools; (18) the covering and ventilation of cesspools; (19) the period or periods of the day during which trade effluent may be discharged from any trade premises into municipal drains; (20) the exclusion from trade effluent of all condensing water; (21) the elimination from trade effluent, before it enters a municipal drain, of any constituent which in the opinion of the Corporation would, either alone or in combination with any matter with which it is likely to come into contact while passing through municipal drains, injure or obstruct those drains or make 200 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 specially difficult or expensive the treatment or disposal of the sewage from those drains; (22) the maximum quantity of trade effluent which may, without any consent or permission, be discharged from any trade premises into municipal drains on any one day and the highest rate at which trade effluent may, without such consent or permission, be discharged from any trade premises into municipal drains; (23) the regulation of the temperature of trade effluent at the time of its discharge into municipal drains and the securing of the neutrality of trade effluent (that is to say that is neither acid nor alkaline) at the time of such discharge; (24) the charges to be paid to the Corporation by occupiers of trade premises for the reception of trade effluent into municipal drains and disposal thereof; (25) the provisions and maintenance of such an inspection chamber or main hole as will enable a person readily to take at any time, samples of what is passing into municipal drains from trade premises; and (26) the provision and maintenance of such meters as may be required to measure the volume of any trade effluent being discharged from any trade premises into municipal drains, and the testing of such meters. C. Bye-laws relating to streets.- (1) the closure of streets when any work is in progress and alternative passage during the progress of such work; (2) the erections of a temporary nature during festivals; (3) the setting up of boards on buildings adjacent to streets during their construction or repair; (4) the precautions to be taken when permission is granted to any private individual for opening or breaking up any public street and the fees to be paid for the restoration of a street in its original sanction; (5) the permission, regulation or prohibition of use or occupation of any street or place by itinerant vendors or hawkers or by any person for the sale of articles or the exercise of any calling or the setting up of any booth or stall and the fees chargeable for such occupation. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 201 (6) any other matter in connection with the construction, repair, maintenance, naming, numbering and lighting of streets for which provision is necessary or should be made. D. Bye-laws relating to building.- (1) the regulation or restriction of the use of sites for buildings for different areas; (2) the regulation or restriction of buildings in different areas; (3) the form of notice of erection of any building or execution of any work and the fee in respect of the same; (4) the plans and documents to be submitted together with such notice and the information and further information to be furnished; (5) the level and width of foundation, level of lowest floor and stability of structure; (6) the construction of buildings and the materials to be used in the construction of buildings; (7) the height of buildings whether absolute or relative to the width of streets or to different areas; (8) the number and height of storeys composing a building and the height of rooms and the dimensions of rooms intended for human habitation; (9) the provision of open spaces, external and internal and adequate means of light and ventilation; (10) the provision of means of egress in case of fire, fire escapes and water lifting devices; (11) the provision of secondary means of access for the removal of house refuse; (12) the materials and methods of construction of external and party walls, roofs and floors; (13) the position, materials and methods of construction of hearths, smoke escapes, chimneys, staircases, drains, latrines and cesspools; (14) the provisions of lifts; (15) the paving of yards; (16) the restrictions on the use of inflammable materials in buildings; 202 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (17) the restrictions on construction of foundation on certain sites; (18) the measures to be taken to protect buildings from damp arising from sub-soil; (19) the wells, tanks and cisterns and pumps for the supply of water for human consumption in connection with buildings; (20) in the case of wells, the dimensions of the well, the manner of enclosing it and if the well is intended for drinking purposes the means which shall be used to prevent pollution of the water; (21) the supervision of buildings; (22) the setting back of garages and shops from the regular line of a street; (23) the construction of portable structures and permission for such construction. E. Bye-laws relating to sanitation and public health.- (1) the position of latrines and urinals; (2) the provision of air spaces between latrines and buildings of places used for various purposes; (3) the white washing of buildings; (4) the provision of living accommodation for sweepers in buildings newly erected requiring ten or more latrines; (5) the regulation or prohibition of the stabling or herding of animals or any class of animals so as to prevent danger to public health; (6) the seizure of ownerless animals straying within the limits of the municipal area and the regulation and control of ponds; (7) the fixing and regulation of the use of public bathing and washing places; (8) the prevention of the spread of dangerous diseases; (9) the segregation in or the removal or expulsion from any part of the municipal area or the destruction of animals suffering or reasonably suspected to be suffering from any infectious or contagious disease; (10) the supervision, regulation, conservation and protection from injury, contamination or trespass of THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 203 sources and means of public water supply and of appliances for the distribution of water; (11) the enforcement of compulsory vaccination and inoculation; (12) the proper disposal of corpses, the regulation and management of burning and burial places and other places for the disposal of corpses and the fees chargeable for the use of such places where the same are provided or maintained at the expense of the Corporation Fund. F. Bye-laws relating to public safety and suppression of nuisances.- the regulation or prohibition for the purposes of sanitation or the prevention of disease or the promotion of public safety or conveniences of any act which occasions or is likely to occasion a nuisance and for the regulation or prohibition of which no provision is made elsewhere by this Act. G. Bye-laws relating to markets, slaughter houses, trades and occupations,- (1) the day on, and the hours during which any market or slaughter house may be kept open for use; (2) the regulation of the design, ventilation and drainage of markets and slaughter houses and the materials to be used in the construction thereof; (3) the keeping of markets and slaughter houses and the lands and buildings appertaining thereto in a clean and sanitary condition, the removal of filth, rubbish and other polluted and obnoxious matter therefrom and the supply therein of pure water and of a sufficient number of latrines and urinals for the use of persons using or frequenting the same; (4) the manner in which animals shall be admitted in slaughter houses; (5) the manner in which animals may be slaughtered; (6) the provision of passage of sufficient width between the stalls in market buildings and market places for the convenient use of the public and the prevention of encroachment of such passage; (7) the setting apart of separate areas for different classes of articles in market building and market places; 204 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (8) the disposal or destruction of animals offered for slaughter which are, from disease or any other cause, unfit for human consumption; (9) the destruction of carcasses which from any disease or any other cause are found after slaughter to be unfit for human consumption; (10) the regulation of the entry of animal into slaughter house and bringing out of the carcasses of such animals safer slaughter and the fee to be paid for use of slaughter houses; (11) the proper custody and care of animals for the keeping of which licences are granted under section 324; (12) the regulation of the import of animals and flesh within the municipal area; (13) the rendering necessity of licences for the use of premises within the municipal area as stables or cow houses or as an accommodation for sheep, goat or buffalo and the fees payable for such licences and the conditions subject to which such licences may be granted, refused, suspended or revoked; (14) the regulation of sarais, hotels, dak bungalows, lodging houses, boarding houses, buildings, let-in- tenements, residential clubs, restaurants, eating houses, cafes, refreshment rooms and places of public; (15) recreation, entertainment or resorts; (16) the control and supervision of places where dangerous offensive trades are carried on so as to secure cleanliness therein or to minimise injurious, offensive or dangerous effects arising or likely to arise therefrom; (17) the regulation of the posting of bills and advertisements and of the position, size, shade or style of the name boards, signing boards and signposts; (18) the fixation of a method for the sale of articles whether by measure, weight, piece or any other method; (19) the procedure regarding grant of permit to establish a factory, workshop or trade premises; THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 205 (20) the regulation of smoke in factories, workshop and trade premises; (21) the regulation of sanitary conditions in factories, workshops and trade premises; (22) the regulation of the use in any factories, workshops or trade premises of, whistle, trumper, siren or horn worked by steam, compressed air, electricity or other mechanical means; (23) the prevention of nuisance in any market, building, market place, slaughter house or any factory, workshop or trade premises; H. Bye-laws relating to improvement.- (1) the form and contents of an improvement scheme or a rehousing scheme; (2) the procedure to be followed in connection with the framing, submission, approval and sanction of such scheme; (3) the local inquiries and other hearings that may be held before a scheme is framed, approved or sanctioned; (4) the alteration of an improvement scheme or a rehousing scheme after approval and sanction. I. Bye-laws relating to miscellaneous matters.- (1) the prevention and extinction of fire; (2) the circumstances and the manner in which owners of land or building in the municipal area temporarily absent therefrom or not resident therein may be required to appoint as their agents for all or any of the purposes of this Act or of any bye-laws made thereunder, persons residing within or near the municipal area; (3) the regulation and control of Corporation hospitals and dispensaries; (4) the rendering of necessary licences- (a) for the proprietors or drivers of hackney- carriages, cycles rickshaws, thetas, the rehries kept or plying for hire or used for hawking articles; (b) for persons working as job porters for the conveyance of goods; 206 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (5) the classification of cinema theatres for the purposes of levying theatre-tax; (6) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed by bye-laws made under this Act or in respect of which this Act makes no provision or makes insufficient provision and provision is, in the opinion of the Corporation, necessary for the efficient municipal government of the municipal area. 396. Penalty for breaches of bye-laws.- 1[(1)] Any bye-laws made under this Act may provide that a contravention thereof shall be punishable,- (a) with fine which may extend to 2[fifty thousand rupees]; or (b) with fine which may extend to 3[fifty thousand rupees] and in the case of continuing contravention, with an additional fine which may extend to 4[five thousand rupees]for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first contravention; or (c) with fine which may extend to 5[five thousand rupees] for every day during which the contravention continues, after the receipt of a notice from the Commissioner or any Corporation Officer duly authorised in that behalf by the person contravening the bye-law requiring such person to discontinue such contravention. (2) Any such bye-law may also provide that a person contravening the same shall be required to remedy, so far as lies in his power, the mischief, if any, caused by such contravention. 6[397. Supplemental provisions respecting bye-laws.- Any power to make bye-laws conferred by this Act is conferred subject to the condition that bye- laws being made after previous publication by the Corporation, after having been published in Official Gazette for inviting public objections: Provided that State Government may cancel any such bye-law if found to be contrary to the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder and thereupon the bye-law shall cease to have effect.] 1. Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. Substituted for the words “five hundred rupees” vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 3. Substituted for the words “five hundred rupees” vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 4. Substituted for the words “fifty rupees” vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 5. Substituted for the words “fifty rupees” vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 6. Section 397 substituted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 207 398. Bye-laws to be available for inspection and purchase.- (1) A copy of all bye-laws made under this Act shall be kept at the Corporation office and shall, during office hours, be open free of charge to inspection by any person of the municipal area. (2) Copies of all such bye-laws shall be kept at the Corporation office and shall be sold to the public at cost price either singly or in collections at the option of the purchaser. CHAPTER-XXIII CONTROL 399. Power of Government to require production of documents.- The Government or the Director may at any time require the Commissioner - (a) to produce any record, correspondence, plan or other document in his possession or under his control; and (b) to furnish any return, plan, estimate, statement, account or statistics relating to the proceedings, duties or works of the Corporation or any of the Corporation authorities. 400. Inspections.- The Government or the Director may depute any officer to inspect or examine any municipal department or office or any service or work undertaken by the Corporation or any of the municipal authorities or any property belonging to the Corporation and to report thereon and the Corporation and every Corporation authority and all Corporation officers and other Corporation employees shall be bound to afford the officer so deputed access at all reasonable times to the premises and properties of the Corporation and to all records, accounts and other documents the inspection of which he may consider necessary to enable him to discharge his duties. 401. Power to give directions.- (1) If whether on receipt of any information or report obtained under section 399 or section 400 or otherwise, the Government or the Director is of the opinion - (a) that any duty imposed on the Corporation or any of its authority by or under this Act, has not been performed or has been performed in an imperfect, insufficient or unsuitable manner; or (b) that adequate financial provision has not been made for the performance of any such duty;the Government or the Director, as the case may be, may direct the Corporation or the Commissioner, within such period as it thinks fit, to make arrangements to its satisfaction for the proper performance of duty, or, as the case may be, to make financial provisions to its satisfaction for the performance of the duty and the Corporation or the Commissioner concerned shall comply with such direction: Provided that unless in the opinion of the Government or the Director the immediate execution of such order is necessary, it shall, before making 208 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 any direction under this section, give the Corporation or the Commissioner an opportunity of showing cause why such direction should not be made. (2) Where any direction is given by the Director under sub-section (1) he shall intimate the Government of such direction and the said direction shall remain in force unless it is modified or rescinded by the Government. 402. Power to provide for enforcement of direction under section 401.- If, within the period fixed by a direction made under sub-section (1) of section 401, any action the taking of which has been directed under that sub- section, has not been duly taken, the Government or the Director as the case may be, make arrangements for the taking of such action and may direct that all expenses connected therewith shall be defrayed out of the Corporation Fund. 1[402-A. Power to review.- The Commissioner may, on his own or on the application made by any of the party to the proceedings, review the order passed by him under this Act, in accordance with the provisions of order XLVII of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and may modify or reverse the same accordingly.] 403. Power of revision.- The Government may at any time, for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the correctness, legality, propriety or regularity of any proceeding or order passed by any officer of the Government or the Commissioner or any officer subordinate to him, call for and examine the record and may pass such order with reference thereto as it may think fit. 404. Dissolution of Corporation.- (1) If, in the opinion of the Government, the Corporation is not competent to perform, or persistently makes default in the performance of the duties imposed on it by or under this Act or any other law or exceeds or abuses its powers the Government may by an order published, together with a statement of the reasons therefor, in the Official Gazette, declare the Corporation to be incompetent or in default or to have exceeded or abused its powers, as the case may be and dissolve the Corporation: Provided that before making an order of dissolution as aforesaid, reasonable opportunity shall be given to the Corporation to be heard and to show cause why such order of dissolution should not be made. (2) When the Corporation is dissolved by an order under sub-section (1),- (a) all 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] shall on such date as may be specified in the order vacate their offices without prejudice to their eligibility for election under clause (d); 1. Section 402-A inserted vide H.P. Act No. 32 of 2011, effective from 20th February, 2012. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 209 (b) on the dissolution of the Corporation, all powers and duties conferred and imposed upon the Corporation by or under this Act or any other law shall be exercised and performed by such officer or authority as the Government may appoint in that behalf; (c) all property vested in the Corporation shall until is reconstituted, vest in the Government; and (d) election shall be held for the purpose of reconstituting the Corporation within a period of six months. CHAPTER-XXIV MISCELLANEOUS 405. Delegation.- (1) The Government may, by notification, delegate all or any of its powers under this Act , except the power to make rules, to any officer subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in the notification. (2) Wherever it is expedient to do so in the public interest and for the efficient performance of the functions entrusted to the Corporation may, with the prior approval of the State Government entrust any of its civic services and amenities (including collection of taxes and revenues) in relation to any matter to which the power of the Corporation extends, to any person or agency subject to such conditions and restrictions as it may consider necessary to impose. 406. Validity of notices and other documents.- No notice, order, requisition, licence, permission in writing or any other document issued under this Act, shall be invalid merely by reason of defect of form. 407. Admissibility of document or entry as evidence.- A copy of any receipt, application, plan, notice, order or other document or of any entry in a register in the possession of any Corporation authority shall, if duly certified by the legal keeper thereof or other person authorised by the Commissioner in this behalf, be admissible in evidence of the existence of the document or entry and shall be admitted as evidence of the matters and transaction therein recorded in every case there, and to same extent to which the original document or entry would if produced, have been admissible to prove such matters and transactions. 408. Evidence of Corporation Officer or employee.- No Corporation officer or other Corporation employee shall, in any legal proceeding to which the Corporation is not a party, be required to produce any register or document, the contents of which can be proved under section 403 by a certified copy, or to appear as a witness to prove any matter or transaction recorded therein save by order of the court made for special cause. 409. Prohibition against obstruction of Mayor or any Corporation authority etc.- No person shall obstruct the Corporation or the Commissioner, the Mayor or any of the Deputy Mayor, any Councillor or any 210 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 person employed in the Corporation or any person with whom the Commissioner has entered in to a contract on behalf of the Corporation, in the performance of his duty or of anything which he is empowered or required to do by virtue or in consequence of any provision of this Act or of any rule, regulation or bye-law made thereunder. 410. Prohibition against removal of mark.- No person shall remove any mark set up for the purpose of indicating any level or direction incidental to the execution of any work authorised by this Act or of any rule or bye-law made thereunder. 411. Prohibition against removal or obliteration of notice.- No person shall, without authority in that behalf remove, destroy, deface or otherwise obliterate any notice exhibited by or under orders of the Corporation or any other Corporation authority or any Corporation Officer or other Corporation employee specified by the Commissioner in this behalf. 412. Prohibition against unauthorised removal of deposit etc.- No person shall, without authority in that behalf, remove earth, sand or other material or deposit any matter or make any encroachment in or on any land vested in the Corporation or in any way obstruct the same. 413. 1[Liability of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors].- (1) 2[Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor]shall be liable for the loss, waste or misapplication of any money or other property belonging to the Corporation, if such loss, waste or misapplication is reported either by the Audit Agency or otherwise comes to the notice of the Corporation to be a direct consequence of his neglect or misconduct in the performance of his duties as a 3[Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor]; and he may after being given an opportunity, by notice served in the manner provided for the service of summons in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), to show cause by written or oral representation why he should not be required to make good the loss, or be surcharged with the value of such property or the amount of such money by the Director, and if the amount is not paid within fourteen days from the expiry of the period of appeal prescribed by sub-section (2), the Collector at the request of the Director shall proceed forthwith to recover the amount as if it were an arrear of land revenue, and have it credited to the Corporation Fund. (2) The person against whom an order under sub-section (1) is made by the Director may within thirty days of the date of communication of the order make an appeal to the Government: Provided that no person shall under this section be called upon to show cause after the expiry of a period of five years from the occurrence of 1. In the heading of section 413 substituted for the words “Liability of Councillors” vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 2. Substituted for the word “Councillor” vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 3. Substituted for the word “Councillor” vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 211 such loss, waste or misapplication or after the expiry of two years from the time of his ceasing to be a Councillor. 414. Councillor and Corporation Officers and employees to be public servants.- 1[Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor], the Commissioner and every Corporation Officer and other Corporation employee, shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (39 of 1860). 415. Annual Administration report.- As soon as may be after 1st day of April, in every year and not later than such date as may be fixed by the Government in this behalf, the Corporation through the Director shall submit to the Government a detailed report of its activities during the preceding year in such form as the Government may direct. (2) The Commissioner shall prepare such report and the Corporation shall consider it and forward the same to the Government with its resolution thereon, if any. (3) Copies of the report shall be kept for sale at the Corporation office. 416. Construction of reference.- Save as expressly provided in this Act and unless the context otherwise requires, after the establishment of the Corporation, any reference in any enactment, rule, bye-law, order, scheme, notification or other instrument having the force of law, to any local authority having jurisdiction in the municipal area or any part thereof shall, unless the context or subject otherwise require, be construed as reference to the Corporation. 417. Special provisions as to rural areas.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions in this Act - (a) the Corporation, with previous approval of the Government, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that any portion of the rural area shall cease to be included therein and upon the issue of such notification that portion shall be included in and form part of the urban areas; (b) the Corporation, with previous approval of the Government, may, by notification in the Official Gazette,- (i) exempt the rural areas or any portion thereof from such of the provisions of this Act as it deems fit; and (ii) levy taxes, rates, fees and other charges in the rural areas or any portion thereof at rates lower than those at which such taxes, fees and other charges are levied in the urban areas or exempt such areas or portion from any such tax, rate, fee or other charge. 1. Substituted for the word “Every Councillor” vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010. 212 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 418. Power to suspend any resolution or order of Corporation.- If the Government or the Director is of the opinion that the execution of any resolution or order of the Corporation or of any other Corporation authority or employee subordinate thereto or the doing of any act which is about to be done or is being done by or on behalf of the Corporation is in contravention of or in excess of powers conferred by this Act or of any other law for the time being in force or is likely to lead to breach of the peace or cause injury and/or annoyance to the public or any class or body of persons, the Government or the Director under intimation to the Government, may, by order in writing, suspend the execution of such resolution or order, or prohibit the doing of any such act. 419. Power of Government to modify proceedings.- The Government may, by written order modify, annul or omit from the records any proceedings of the Corporation which it considers not to be in conformity with this Act, or any rules or bye-laws made thereunder and may do all things necessary to secure such conformity: Provided that unless in the opinion of the Government the immediate making of such order is necessary it shall before making an order under this section, give the Corporation an opportunity of showing cause why such an order should not be made. 420. Power of Government to withdraw any area of Municipal area, from operation of Act.- (1) The Government may, by notification, withdraw from the operation of this Act, any area of any municipal area of the Corporation: Provided that no such notification shall be issued unless the same has been published for inviting objections and suggestions, if any, which have been duly considered to. (2) When a notification is issued under this section in relation to any municipal area, this Act, all notifications, rules, regulations, bye-laws, orders, directions and powers issued, made or conferred under this Act shall cease to apply to the said area. 421. District Planning Committees.- (1) The Corporation shall prepare every year a development plan for its area and submit it to the District Planning Committee. (2) The District Planning Committee, constituted by the State Government under section 185 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (4 of 1994) shall consolidate the development plans prepared and submitted to it by the municipalities in the District, under sub-section (1) and prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole. (3) The persons to represent the municipalities in the District Planning Committee, under clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 185 of the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, shall be chosen by the elected members of the municipalities in the District in the prescribed manner from amongst themselves. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 213 (4) Every District Planning Committee shall in preparing the draft development plan - (a) have regard to - (i) matters of common interest between the municipalities and panchayats including spatial planning, sharing of water and other physical and natural resources, the integrated development of infrastructure and environmental conservation; (ii) the extent and type of available resources whether financial or otherwise; (b) consult such institutions and organisations as the State Government may specify. (5) The Chairperson of every District Planning Committee shall forward the development plan, as recommended by such Committee, to the State Government. 422.

Transitional provisions.- In any enactment other than the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 (13 of 1994), in force on the date immediately preceding the appointed day on which notification is published under sub-section (2) of section 3 of this Act issued or in any rule, order or notification made or issued thereunder and in force on such date, unless a different-intention appears - (a) reference to Municipalities, Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayats constituted under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 (13 of 1994), shall be construed as reference to the Corporation and such enactment, rule, order or notification shall apply to the Corporation; (b) reference to the President or the Vice-President of a municipality constituted under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 (13 of 1994) shall be construed in respect of the municipal area as reference to the Commissioner appointed under this Act; (c) reference to the members of a municipality constituted under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 (13 of 1994), shall in respect of the Corporation shall be construed as reference to the a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] of the Corporation constituted under this Act; (d) references to any Chapter or section of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 (13 of 1994), shall as far as possible be 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013. 214 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 construed in respect of the municipal area as reference to this Act or its corresponding Chapter or section. 423. Provisions regarding officers and employees.- (1) When any municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, is declared and constituted a Corporation under sections 3 and 4 of this Act, the entire officers and employees serving in a municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, on a post in relation to which the Corporation is constituted, shall, on the declaration and constitution of a Corporation, be deemed to be transferred to the Corporation on the existing terms of service and integrated into the corresponding municipal service. (2) The Corporation may recruit additional staff where necessary subject to the conditions as may be laid down by the Government. (3) In making appointment to any post referred to in this section, the appointing authority shall follow the instructions issued by the Government from time to time in relation to reservation of appointment or post for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and other category of persons. 424. Assets, liabilities, debts obligations, contracts and pending proceedings.- (1) All assets and properties vesting in, all debts, liabilities and obligations incurred by, and all contracts made by or on behalf of the municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, declared and constituted to be a Corporation under sections 3 and 4 of this Act, be deemed to have been vested in, to have been incurred and made by the Corporation and shall continue in operation accordingly. (2) All proceedings pending before any authority of the said municipality including area comprising rural or a part thereof, if any, on the day the Corporation was constituted which under the provisions of this Act, are required to be instituted before or undertaken by the Commissioner, shall be transferred to and continued by him and all other such proceedings shall, so far as may be transferred to and continued by such authority before or by whom they have to be instituted or undertaken under the provisions of this Act. (3) All appeals pending before any authority of the said municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, on the day the Corporation was constituted, shall, in so far as may be practicable, be disposed of as if the same were pending before the said authority after the declaration and constitution of the Corporation. (4) All prosecutions instituted by or on behalf of the said municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, and all suits and legal proceedings instituted by or against the said municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, or any officer of the said municipality including area comprising rural area or a part thereof, if any, pending on the day the Corporation was constituted, shall be deemed to have been instituted by or against the Commissioner. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 215 425. Provision for municipality or local authority which is superseded or dissolved.- Any reference in the foregoing sections to municipalities or a local authority shall, in case such municipality or a local authority has been superseded or placed under the charge of an administrator under any enactment made for that purpose be deemed to be a reference to the person or persons appointed to exercise the powers or to perform the functions of such municipality or local authority under any law relating to such municipality or the Municipal Corporation or local authority. 426. Power to enquire and make report about misconduct of certain officer or officials.- (1) On a complaint being made to the Corporation by any a 1[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] that an officer or official of the corporation or any other class of Government officer or official discharging any duties in relation to the functions of the Corporation, to which the Government may, by notification, extend the provisions of this section, has mis-conducted himself in his official capacity, the Corporation may enquire into the matter and submit a report alongwith the prima facie evidence to the superior officer whom it may concern, or to the Director and the said officer shall, after such further enquiry as may be required, take suitable action under intimation to the Corporation and the Government. (2) On the report being made by any a 2[XXXXXXXXXXX Councillor] that an officer or official of the municipality or any other class of Government officers or officials discharging any duties in relation to the functions of the Corporation, to which the Government may, by notification extend the provisions of this section, has failed to perform any duty imposed, upon him by any law or rules, the Corporation may, by notice fixing a reasonable period, require him to perform the duty and, on his failure to do so, shall report the matter to the superior officer whom it may concern, or to the Director and the said officer shall, after such enquiry as may be required, take suitable action under intimation to the Corporation and the Government. 427. Power to remove difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act or by reason of anything contained in this Act to any other enactment for the time being in force, the Government may , as occasion requires, by order direct that this Act shall during such period as may, be specified in the order but not extending beyond the expiry of two years from the commencement orders have effect subject to such adaptations whether by way of modification, addition or omissions as it may deem to be necessary and expedient. 428. Repeal of Act No. 9 of 1980.- (1) On and from the date of commencement of this Act, the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 2. For the word “Councilor” the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor” substituted vide H.P. Act No. 11 of 2010 and the words “Mayor, Deputy Mayor and” omitted vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from. 27th July, 2013. 216 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 1979 (9 of 1980), shall stand repealed (hereinafter referred to as the repealed Act: Provided that the repeal shall not effect,- (a) the previous operation of the repealed Act, or anything duly done or suffered thereunder, or (b) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against the repealed Act, or (c) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid 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 has not been enforced: Provided further that subject to the preceding proviso anything done or any action taken (Including any appointment, or delegation made, notification, notice, order, instruction or direction issued, rule, regulation, bye- laws, form, or scheme framed, certificate obtained, permit or licence granted, registration affected, tax imposed or fee or rate levied), under the repealed Act shall, in so far as it is in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act and shall continue to be in force accordingly, unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under this Act. (2) The existing Municipal Corporation, Shimla and its Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors, holding office immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall continue till the expiration of its duration, unless sooner dissolved under the provisions of this Act or by a resolution passed to that effect by the Legislative Assembly, or the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or a Councillor, as the case may be, ceases to be so by reasons of death, resignation or removal. 429. Repeal of Ordinance No. 3 of 1994.- (1) The Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 1994 (3 of 1994) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Ordinance, 1994, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act. __________ THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 217 FIRST SCHEDULE (See section 324) PART- I Purposes to which premises may not be used without a licence: 1. Banking. 2. Cinematograph films, shooting of. 3. Cinematograph film by any process whatsoever, Treating of. 4. Chillies or masala or corn or seeds, Grinding of by mechanical means. 5. Cloth, Yarn or leather in indigo or in other colours, Dyeing or printing of. 6. Cloth, or yarn bleaching. 7. Keeping of an eating house or a catering establishment. 8. Grain, Parching. 9. Ground nut seeds, tamarind seeds or any other seeds, Parching. 10. Keeping of hair dressing saloon or a barber's shop. 11. Hides or skins, whether raw or dried Tanning, pressing or packing. 12. Keeping a laundry shop. 13. Leather goods, manufacturing or by mechanical means. 14. Keeping of a Litho Press. 15. Keeping of a lodging house. 16. Metal Casting. 17. Precious metals, Refining of or recovering of them from embroideries. 18. Keeping of a Printing Press. 19. Keeping a sweetmeats shop except in premises already licensed as an eating house. 20. Keeping a tailoring shop. 21. Carrying on the trade or business of or any operation connected with the trade of - (i) Autocar or autocycle servicing or repairing. (ii) Blacksmithy. (iii) Coppersmithy. (iv) Electroplating. 218 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (v) Glass bevelling. (vi) Glass cutting. (vii) Glass polishing. (viii) Goldsmithy. (ix) Marble cutting, grinding, dressing or polishing (x) Metal (ferrous or non-ferrous or antimony but excluding precious metal ) cutting or treating metal by harmoring drilling, pressing, filling, polishing, heating or by any other process whatever or assembling parts of metal. (xi) Photography-Studio. (xii) Radio (wireless receiving set) selling, repairing, servicing or manufacturing. (xiii) Silversmithy. (xiv) Spinning or weaving cotton silk, art silk, or jute or wool with the aid of power. (xv) Stone grinding, cutting, dressing or polishing. (xvi) Timber or wood sawing or cutting, by mechanical or electric power. (xvii) Tinsmithy. (xviii) Washerman's trade. (xix) Welding of metal by electric, gas or any process whatsoever. 22. Manufacturing, parching, packing, pressing, cleaning, cleansing, boiling, moulting, grinding or preparing by any process whatever any of the following articles - (i) Aerated waters. (ii) Bakelite goods. (iii) Bidis (indigenous cigarettes) snuff, cigars or cigarettes. (iv) Bitumen. (v) Blasting powder. (vi) Bones. (vii) Bricks or tiles by hand power. (viii) Bricks or tiles by mechanical power. (ix) Brushes. (x) Candles. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 219 (xi) Catgut. (xii) Celluloid or celluloid goods. (xiii) Cement concrete designs or models. (xiv) Charcoal. (xv) Chemicals. (xvi) Cinematograph films stripping in connection with any trade. (xvii) Cosmetics or toilet goods. (xviii) Cotton, cotton refuse, cotton waste, cotton yarn, silk, silk yarn, silk inclusive of waste yarn, art silk, art silk waste, art silk yarn, wool or woollen refuse or waste. (xix) Cotton seeds. (xx) Dammar. (xxi) Dynamite. (xxii) Fat. (xxiii) Fireworks. (xxiv) Flax. (xxv) Ink for printing, writing, stamping etc. (xxvi) Gas. (xxvii) Ghee. (xxviii) Glass or glass articles. (xxix) Gunpowder. (xxx) Hemp. (xxxi) Ice (including dry Ice) . (xxxii) Insecticide or disinfectants. (xxxiii) Leather, cloth or rexin cloth or water proof cloth. (xxxiv) Lime. (xxxv) Lineseed oil. (xxxv) Matches for lighting (including Bengal matches). (xxxvii) Mattresses and pillows. (xxxviii) Offal. (xxxix) Oil-cloth. 220 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 (xl) Oil other than petroleum (either by mechanical power or by hand power or ghani driven by bullock or any other animal) (xli) Pharmaceutical or medical products. (xlii) Rubber or rubber goods. (xliii) Paints. (xliv) Paper or cardboard. (xlv) Pickers from hides. (xlvi) Pitch. (xlvii) Plastic goods. (xlviii) Pottery by hand power. (xlix) Pottery by mechanical or any power other than hand power. (l) Sanitary-ware or china-ware. (li) Soap. (lii) Sugar. (liii) Sweetmeat and confectionery goods. (liv) Tallow. (lv) Tar. (lvi) Varnishes. (lvii) Wooden furniture, boxes, barrels, khokas or other articles of wood or of plywood or of sandal wood. ---------------- PART-II ARTICLE WHICH MAY NOT BE STORED IN ANY PREMISES WITHOUT A LICENCE 1. Asafootida. 2. Ashes. 3. Bamboos. 4. Bidi or Bidi leaves 5. Blasting powder. 6. Blood. 7. Bones, bone meal or bone powder. 8. Camphor. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 221 9. Carbide of calcium. 10. Cardboard. 11. Celluloid or celluloid goods 12. Cement. 13. Charcoal. 14. Chemical liquid. 15. Chemicals, non-liquid. 16. Chillies. 17. Chlorate mixture. 18. Cinematograph films-non-inflammable or acetate or safety base. 19. Cloth in pressed bales or boras. 20. Cloth or clothes of cotton, wool, silk, art silk etc. 21. Coal. 22. Coconut fibre. 23. Coke. 24. Compound gas, such as oxygen gas, hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas, carbondioxide gas, sulpher dioxide gas, chlorine gas, acetyalom gas etc. 25. Copra. 26. Cosmetics and toilet needs. 27. Cotton including kahok, surgical cotton and silky cotton. 28. Cotton refuse or waste or cotton yarn refuse or waste. 29. Cotton seed. 30. Detonaters. 31. Dry leaves. 32. Dynamite. 33. Explosive paint such as nitrocellulose paint, lacquer paint, enamel paint etc. 34. Fat. 35. Felt. 36. Fins. 37. Fire wood. 38. Fire-works. 222 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 39. Fish (dried). 40. Flax. 41. Fulminate. 42. Fulminate of mercury. 43. Fulminate of silver. 44. Golatino. 45. Golignite 46. Grass. 47. Gun-cotton. 48. Gun-powder. 49. Gunny Bags. 50. Hair. 51. Hay or fodder. 52. Hemp. 53. Hessian cloth (gunny bag cloth) . 54. Hides (dried) . 55. Hides (raw) . 56. Hoofs. 57. Horns. 58. Incense or esas. 59. Jute. 60. Khokas, boxes, barrels, furniture or any other article of wood. 61. Lacquer. 62. Leather, leather cloth, raxine cloth and water proof cloth. 63. Matches for lighting (including Bengal matches) . 64. Mathylated spirit, denatured spirit or french polish. 65. Nitro-cellulose. 66. Nitro-compound. 67. Nitro-glycerine. 68. Nitro-mixture. 69. Offal. 70. Oil, other than petroleum. 71. Oilseeds including almonds, but excluding cotton-seeds. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 223 72. Old paper or waste paper including old newspapers, periodicals magazines, etc. 73. Packing stuff (paper cutting) . 74. Paints. 75. Paper other than old paper in pressed bales or loose or in reams. 76. Petroleum, other than dangerous petroleum, as defined in the Petroleum Act, 1934. 77. Phosphorous. 78. Pharmaceutical or medical goods. 79. Photostat, cyclostyling, typing and printing machines. 80. Plastic or Plastic goods. 81. Plywood. 82. Rags, including small pieces or cutting of cloth, hessian cloth, gunny bag cloth, silk, art silk or woollen cloth. 83. Resin or dammer Battar otherwise known as Ral. 84. Rubber and rubber goods. 85. Safety fuses, feg signals, cartridges etc. 86. Saltpetre. 87. Sandal wood. 88. Sanitary-ware, hardware and other articles made of iron, iron- sheets, pipes, iron angles and G.I. Pipes. 89. Shoes including leather, PVC Canvas rubber and plastic shoes. 90. Silk waste or silk yarn waste, art silk waste or art silk yarn waste 91. Sisal fibre. 92. Skins (raw or dried). 93. Straw. 94. Sulphur. 95. Tallow. 96. Tar, ditch, dammor or bitumen. 97. Tarphlin. 98. Thinner. 99. Timber. 100. Turpentine, Utensils, crockery, China and earthen-ware, aluminium ware, stainless steel and iron goods. 224 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 101. Varnish. 102. Wool (raw) . 103. Yarn other than waste yarn. ----------------- SECOND SCHEDULE (See section 383) PENALTIES Explanation.- The entries in the second column of the following table headed ‘Subject’ are not intended as definition of the offences prescribed in the provision mentioned in the first column or even, as abstracts of the provision but are inserted merely as reference to the subject thereof. ________ 1[TABLE Section, sub- Subject Fine or Daily section, imprison- fine clause or ment which proviso which may be may be imposed imposed 1 2 3 4 Rs. Rs. Section 98, Failure to give notice of transfer or 8000 500 sub-section (1) devolution of land or building. and (2) Section 98, Failure to produce instrument of 7000 500 sub-section (3) transfer Section 99 Failure to give notice of erection of 8000 500 new building. Section 100 Failure to give notice of demolition 8000 500 or removal of building. Section 101 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 500 to furnish information etc. Section 105 Willful delay or obstruction of 10000 500 Sub-section valuers 1. SECOND SCHEDULE amended vide H.P. Act No. 48 of 2013, effective from 27th July, 2013 and again Table substituted vide H.P. Act No. 13 of 2016. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 225 (2) Section 116 Prohibition of advertisement 10000 500 without permission Section 131 Failure to give notice of re- 6000 500 occupation of vacant land or building Section 136, Non- compliance with the 10000 1000 sub-section (2) requisition of attendance before the Commission Section 139 Failure of disclose liability 10000 1000 Section 173 Failure to give notice 5000 500 Section 175 Prohibition to occupy new premises 6000 500 without arrangement for water supply. Section 180 Refusal of admittance, etc. 10000 500 Section 183, Laying of water pipes, etc. in a 5000 500 sub-section (1) position where the same may be injured or water therein polluted. Section 183, Construction of latrines, etc., in a 5000 500 subsection (2) position where pipes may be injured or water therein polluted. Section 187 Injury to, or interference with free 7000 500 flow of contents of municipal drain or drains communicating with municipal drain. Section 188, Private drain not to be connected 5000 500 subsection (2) with municipal drain without notice. Section 189 Non-compliance with requisition 7000 500 for drainage of un-drained premises. Section 190 Erection of new premises without 10000 500 drains Section 191 Non- compliance with requisition 10000 1000 of maintenance of drainage works for any group or block of premises. Section192 Non- compliance with direction to 5000 500 close or limit the use of private drains in certain cases. Section 193 Non-compliance with 10000 1000 226 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Commissioners order regarding the use of a drain by a person other than the owner thereof. Section 194 Non- compliance with requisition 10000 1000 for keeping sewage and rain water drains distinct. Section 195 Non- compliance with requisition 5000 500 for the payment of court- yard etc. Section 197 Connection with municipal water 10000 1000 works of drains without written permission. Section 200, Non- compliance with requisition 10000 1000 sub-section (4) to close, remove or divert a pipe or drain. Section 206, Execution of work by a person 2000 - sub-section (1) other than a licensed plumber Section 206, Failure to furnish when required, 2500 - subsection (2) name of licensed plumber employed. Section 206, Licensed plumbers not to demand 2000 - subsection (6) more than the charge prescribed. Section 206, Licensed plumbers not to 5000 - sub-section(8) contravene byelaws or execute work carelessly or negligently, etc. Section 207 Prohibition of willful or neglectful 10000 1000 acts relating to water or sewage works. Section 215, Construction of building within the 10000 1000 sub-section (3) regular line of street without permission. Section 217 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to set back building to regular line of street. Section 220 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to set forward buildings to regular line of street. Section 223, Utilizing, settling or otherwise 10000 1000 subsection (5) dealing with any land or laying out a private street otherwise than in conformity with orders of the Corporation. Section 224, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 227 sub-section (1) to show cause for alteration of street clauses (a) and or appearance before the (b) Commissioner. Section 225, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 subsection (1) on owner of private street or owner of adjoining land or building to level, etc. such street. Section 227, Prohibition of projection upon Imprison- 1000 sub-section (1) street, etc. ment for one month and Rs. 10,000 or both. Section 227, Failure to comply with requisition Imprison- 1000 sub-section (2) to remove projections from street. ment for one month and Rs. 10000 or both. Section 228, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 subsection (3) to remove a verandah, balcony, etc., put up in accordance with section 235 (1) . Section 229 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to have ground floor doors, etc., so altered as not to open outwards. Section 230, Erection, etc. of structures of 10000 1000 sub-section (1) fixtures which cause obstruction in streets. Section 230, Deposit, etc. of things in streets. 10000 1000 sub-section (2) Section 233, Tethering of animals and milking of 10000 1000 sub-section (1) cattle in Public Streets. and (2) Section 234, Unlawful removal of bar or shorting 10000 1000 sub-section (4) timber etc., or removal or extinction of light. Section 235, Streets not to be opened or broken 10000 1000 sub-section (1) up and building material not to be deposited thereon without permission. Section 237, Name of street and number of house 5000 500 sub-section (2) not to be destroyed or defaced etc. Section 238, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 sub-section (1) to repair, project or enclose a 228 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 dangerous place. Section 240, Removal or damage of lamps. 5000 500 sub-section (1) Section 240, Willfully and negligently 5000 500 sub-section (2) extinguishing light in public streets etc. Section 242 Erection of a building without the 10,000 or 1000 sanction of the Commissioner. imprison- ment upto three months or both. Section 243, Failure to give notice of intention to 10000 1000 sub-section (1) erect a building. Section 244 Failure to give notice of intention to 10000 1000 make additions etc., to building. Section 247, Commencement of work without 10000 1000 sub-section (4) notice etc. Section 249 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to round of building at corners of streets. Section 250, Erection of building on new streets 10000 1000 sub-section without leveling. (1) Section 250, Erection of building on execution of 10000 1000 subsection (2) work within regular line of street or in contravention of scheme or plan. Section 252 Use of inflammable material 10000 1000 without permission. Section 253 Failure to demolish building erected 10,000 or 1000 without sanction or erection of imprison- buildings in contravention of order. ment upto three months or both. Section 254 Erection of buildings in 10000 1000 contravention of conditions of sanction etc. Section 256 Failure to carry out alterations. 10000 1000 Section 257, Non- compliance with revision as to 10000 1000 subsection (1) completion certificates, occupation & (2) or use etc. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 229 Section 258, Non- compliance with restrictions 10000 1000 sub-section (1) on user of buildings. Section 258, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 subsection (2) and to remove structures which are & (3) in ruins or likely to fall. Section Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 258,sub- to vacate buildings in dangerous section (4) conditions etc. Section 264 Failure to provide for collection, 5000 500 removal and deposit of refuse and provision of receptacles. Section 265 Failure to comply with requisition 5000 500 for removal of rubbish etc., from premises used as market etc. Section 266, Keeping rubbish and filth for more 5000 500 sub-section (1) than twenty four hours etc. Section 266, Allowing filth to flow in streets 5000 500 sub-section(2) Section 266, Depositing rubbish or filth etc. in 5000 500 sub-section (3) street etc. Section 269, Non- Conversion of service latrines 5000 500 sub-section (1) into water flush latrines/water seal latrines and urinals not to be constructed without permission or in contravention of terms prescribed. Section 270, Failure to provide buildings newly 5000 500 sub-section (1) erected or re- erected with latrine, and (2) urinal and other accommodation. Section 270, Failure to provide residential 5000 500 sub-section (3) buildings composed of separate tenements with latrine, bathing or washing place for servants on the ground floor. Section 271 People and to keep them clean and 5000 500 in proper condition Section 272 Failure to comply with requisition 5000 500 to provide latrines for market cattle shed, cart stand, etc. and to keep them clean and in proper order. 230 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Section 273, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 clause (a), (b), to enforce provision of latrine or (c) and (d) . urinal accommodation etc. Section Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 274,sub- for removal of congested buildings. section (2) Section 275 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to improve buildings unfit for human habitation. Section 277, Failure to comply with order of 10000 1000 sub-section demolition of buildings unfit for (1), (2), (3) human habitation. and (4) Section 278 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 of the Commissioner to remove insanitary huts and sheds etc. Section 279, Prohibition against washing by 5000 500 sub-section(1) washerman Section 280 Failure to give information of 10000 1000 dangerous diseases. Section 282 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to cleanse and disinfect buildings or articles. Section 283 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to destroy infectious huts or sheds, Section 284 Washing of clothing, bedding, etc. 5000 500 at any place not notified by the Commissioner. Section 286, Sending effected clothes to 5000 500 sub-section(1) washerman or Laundry Section 286, Failure to furnish address of 5000 500 sub-section(2) washerman or laundry to which clothes have been sent. Section 287, Use of public conveyances by 5000 500 sub-section persons suffering from a dangerous (1), (2) and (3) disease etc. Section 289 Failure to disinfect buildings before 10000 1000 letting the same. Section 290 Disposal of infected articles without 5000 500 disinfection. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 231 Section 291 Making or selling of food, etc. or 10000 1000 washing of clothes by infected persons. Section 292 Sale of food or drink in 10000 1000 contravention of restriction or prohibition of the Commissioner. Section 293 Removal or use of water from wells 10000 1000 and tanks in contravention of prohibition of Commissioner. Section 294 Exposure of persons to risk of 10000 1000 infection by the presence or conduct of a person suffering from a dangerous disease, etc Section 295 Removal of infectious corpses in 10000 1000 contravention of the provision of the section. Section 296, Absence of sweepers, etc., from Imprisonmen - sub-section(1) duty without notice. t which may extend to one month of Rs. 10000 or both. Section 297 Failure to supply information by 5000 500 persons in- charge of burning or burial grounds. Section 298 Use of new burning or burial 5000 500 ground without permission. Section 299, Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 sub-section (1) to close burning or burial grounds. Section 299, Burning or burial of corpses in 10000 1000 sub-section (2) burial grounds after it has been closed. Section 300 Removal of corpses by other than 10000 1000 prescribed routes. Section 301, Failure to give notice for removal of 10000 1000 sub-section (1) corpses of dead animals clause (b) . Section 302, Commission of nuisances 5000 100 sub-section (1), (2), (3) and (6) 232 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 Section 303 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 for removal or abatement of nuisance. Section 304, Dogs not to be at large in a street 5000 500 sub-section (4) without being secured by a chain lead. Section 304, Ferocious dogs at large without 5000 500 sub-section (5) being muzzled, etc. Section 305 Stacking inflammable material in 10000 1000 contravention of prohibition. Section 306 Setting a naked light. 5000 500 Section 307 Discharging fire- works, fire arms, 5000 500 etc., likely to cause danger. Section 308 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to render buildings, wells etc. safe. Section 309 Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 to enclose land used for improper purposes. Section 314, Sale in municipal markets without 10000 1000 sub-section (1) permission. Section 315, Use of places as private market 10000 1000 subsection (1) without a licence and use of places other than a municipal slaughter house as slaughter house. Section 315, Non- compliance, with condition, 10000 1000 subsection (2) imposed by Commissioner. Proviso (a) Section 317 Keeping market open without 10000 1000 licence etc. Section 318 Sale in unlicensed market. 10000 1000 Section 319 Carrying on business or trades near 10000 1000 a market. Section 322 Carrying on butcher’s, fish- 5000 500 monger’s or poulter’s trade without licence, etc. Section 323 Establishment of factory etc., 10000 1000 without permission. Section 324 Certain things not to be kept and 10000 1000 certain trades and operations not to be carried on without a licence. THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 233 Section 325, Keeping, abandonment or tethering 5000 500 sub-section (3) of animals, etc. Section 326, Use of premises in contravention of 10000 1000 sub-section (5) declaration. Section 327 Hawking articles for sale without a 5000 500 licence etc. Section 328 Keeping a lodging house, eating 10000 1000 house, tea shop, etc., without licence or contrary to licence. Section 329 Keeping open theatre, circus or 10000 1000 other place of public amusement without licence or contrary to terms of licence. Section 356, Failure to produce licence or 10000 or 1000 sub-section (5) written permission. Imprisonmen t upto three months or both. Section 357 Preventing the Commissioner or 10000 or 1000 any person authorised in this behalf Imprisonmen from exercising his powers of entry t upto three etc. months or both. Section 358 Preventing the Commissioner or 10000 or 1000 any person authorised in this behalf imprisonment from exercising his powers of entry upto three upon any adjoining land months or both. Section 363 Obstruction or molestation in 10000 or 1000 execution of work. imprisonment upto three months or both. Section Failure to comply with requisition 10000 1000 370,sub- to state the name and address of section(4) owners of premises Section 371, Failure of occupier of land or 5000 500 sub-section(3) building to afford owner facilities for complying with provisions of the Bill etc. After eight days from issue of order by District Judge. Section 409 Observation of Mayor or any 10000 or 1000 Corporation authority etc. imprisonment 234 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT, 1994 upto three months or both. Section 410 Removal of any mark, set up for 5000 500 indicating level etc. Section 411 Removal etc, of notice exhibited by 5000 500 ; or under order of the Corporation Commissioner, etc. Section 412 Unlawful removal of earth, sand or 10000 1000 other material or deposit of any matter or making of any encroachment from any land vested in the Corporation. ______________