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GANGASAGAR MELA ACT, 1976
GANGASAGAR MELA ACT, 1976
4 of 1976
26th March, 1976
An Act to provide for the taking of measures with a view to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the pilgrims attending the Gangasagar Mela. WHEREAS it is expedient in the public interest to provide for the taking of measures with a view to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the pilgrims attending the Gangasagar Mela and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows:
Section 1 Short title
This Act may be called the Gangasagar Mela Act, 1976.
Section 2 Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
(a) "Gangasagar Mela" means the fair held at Sagar Islands in the district of 24-Parganas on the occasion of the Pous Sankranti every year;
(b) "notified area" means the area declared as such by notification under sub-section (1) of section 3.
Section 3 Power of the State Government on the occasion of the Gangasagar Mela
(1) If the State Government is satisfied that as a result of the influx of too many pilgrims at a time at the Sagar Islands on the occasion of the Gangasagar Mela the health, safety and welfare of these pilgrims are likely to be endangered the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the whole or any portion of the area within the Sagar Islands shall be a notified area.
(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) it shall be competent for the State Government to take such measures for safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the pilgrims as the State Government thinks necessary.
(3) The details of the measures to be taken under sub-section (2) and the manner in which they shall be executed shall be laid down by the State Government by rules made in this behalf.
(4) An order made under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for such period as may be specified in the notification.
Section 4 Imposition of fee
(1) The State Government may impose such fee not exceeding 11.Words subs. for the words "rupees two" by W.B. Act 1 of 1984. [rupees ten] per head per year, as may be determined by the State Government by notification, upon every pilgrim visiting the Gangasagar Mela:
Provided that no such fee shall be imposed upon Government servants on duty, children under the age of twelve years, sadhus, sannyasis, beggars and such other persons including members of organisations as may be specified by the State Government by notification issued in this behalf.
(2) The fee imposed under sub-section (1) shall be realised in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made by the State Government.
Section 5 Repeal of West Ben. Act 4 of 1953
The Gangasagar Mela Act, 1953, is hereby repealed.
Section 6 Power to make rules
(1} The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the matters which may be or has to be prescribed by rules.
Section 7 Repeal and savings
(1) The Gangasagar Mela Ordinance, 1975, is hereby repealed.
(2) Anything done or any action taken under the Gangasagar Mela Ordinance, 1975, shall be deemed to have been validly done or taken under this Act as if this Act had commenced on the 8th day of December, 1975.
