The Andhra Pradesh Chit Funds Act, 1971

Short title, extent and commencement: -

1. (1) This Act may be called the Andhra Pradesh Chit Funds Act, 1971.
2. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
3. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different areas and for different provisions of this Act.

Definitions :- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires :-

1. (1) ''approved bank" means a bank approved by the Government;
2. (2) "chit" means a transaction, whether called chit fund, chitty or by any other name, by which its foreman enters into an agreement with a number of subscribers that every one of them shall subscribe a certain sum of money or a certain quantity of grain or other commodity, by installments for a definite period and that each subscriber in his turn, as determined by lot or by auction or by tender or in such other manner as may be provided for in the agreement, shall be entitled to a prize amount, whether payable in cash, kind or any other article of value. Explanation :- A transaction is not a chit within the meaning of this clause, if in such transaction, -
   • (a) some alone, not all, of the subscribers get the prize amount without any liability to pay further subscription ; or
   • (b) all the subscribers get the prizes by turns with a liability to pay future subscriptions if the prize winner is not entitled to get the prize amount.
3. (3) "chit agreement" means a document containing the articles of agreement between the foreman and the subscribers relating to the chit and filed under Section 6;
4. (4) "chit amount" means the sum total of the subscription payable by all the subscribers for any installment of a chit without any deduction for discount or otherwise;
5. (5) "defaulting subscriber" means a subscriber who have defaulted in the payment of subscriptions due according to the terms of the chit agreement;
6. (6) "discount" means the sum of money or the quantity of grain or other commodity, which a prized subscriber has under the terms of the chit agreement to forego and which is set apart under the said agreement to meet the expenses of running the chit or for distribution among the subscribers or both;
7. (7) "dividend" means the share of a subscriber in the discount avail able under the chit agreement for rateable distribution among the subscribers at each installment of the chit;
8. (8) "drawing" means ascertaining of the person or persons entitled to the prize amount at any installment of a chit;
9. (9) "firm" means a firm registered under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932;
10. (10) "foreman" means the person who under the chit agreement is responsible for the conduct of the chit and includes any other person discharging the functions of the foreman under Section 30; Provided that no firm shall be a foreman unless such firm is registered under the Indian Partnership Act; 1932;
11. (11) "Government" means the State Government;
12. (12) "non-prized subscriber" does not include a defaulting subscriber;
13. (13) "notification" means a notification published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette ;
14. (14) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
15. (15) "prize amount" means the difference between chit amount and the discount, and, in the case of a fraction of a ticket means the difference between the chit amount and the discount proportionate to the fraction of the ticket; and when the prize amount is payable otherwise than in cash the value of the prize amount shall be the value at the time it becomes payable ;
16. (16) "prized subscriber" means a subscriber who has either received or entitled to the prized amount;
17. (17) "Registrar" means a Registrar appointed under sub-section ( I ) of Section 51 ;
18. (18) "subscriber" includes a person who holds a traction of a ticket and also a transferee of a ticket or a fraction thereof by assignment in writing or by operation of law.
19. (19) "ticket" means the share of a subscriber in a chit and the expression "fraction of ticket" shall be construed accordingly.

Registration of bye-laws :-

1. (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, no person shall start or conduct any chit unless he has registered with the Registrar the proposed bye laws of the chit.
2. (2) For the purpose of registration, there shall be filed with the Registrar the bye laws of the chit in duplicate signed by the foreman and attested by at least two witnesses.
3. (3) The Registrar, on being satisfied that the bye laws are not contrary to this Act or to the rules made thereunder, shall issue to the foreman a certificate of registration and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence that bye laws of the chit therein mentioned are duly registered.
4. (4) The Registrar shall retain one copy of the bye laws of the chit and return the duplicate of the bye laws to the foreman, with an endorsement that the bye laws have been registered.

Prohibition of invitation for subscription to chit of which bye laws have not been registered :- No person shall issue or publish any notice, circular, prospectus or other document containing the terms and conditions of any chit or inviting the public to subscribe for tickets in any chit unless such notice, circular, prospectus or other document relates to a chit the bye laws of which have been registered.

Form of chit agreement :- Every chit agreement shall be in duplicate and shall be signed by the subscribers or by persons authorised in that behalf in writing by the subscribers and the foreman and attested by at least two witnesses and it shall contain the following particulars, namely :

1. (1) the full name and the permanent residential address of every sub- scriber ;
2. (2) the ticket held by each subscriber ;
3. (3) the number of installment and the amount payable in respect of each ticket for each installment;
4. (4) the dates of commencement and termination of the chit; Provided that no chit shall, except with the permission of the Govern- ment, extend in duration for a period of more than five years;
5. (5) the mode of ascertaining the prized subscriber;
6. (6) the amount of discount which the prized subscriber at any installment has to forego;
7. (7) the mode and proportion in which the discount is distributable by way of dividend, foreman's commission or remuneration and other expenses, if any ;
8. (8) the date, time and place at which the chit is to be drawn;
9. (9) if under the chit agreement the foreman is entitled to the chit amount, the installment at which the foreman is to get the chit amount;
10. (10) the approved bank in which chit moneys shall be deposited by the foreman under the provisions of this Act;
11. (11) the manner in which a chit shall be continued, where a foreman who is an individual dies or becomes of unsound mind or is otherwise inca- pacitated; and
12. (12) any other particular which may be prescribed.

Filing of chit agreement Filing of chit agreement:-

1. (1) Every chit agreement with its duplicate shall be filed with the Registrar.
2. (2) The Registrar shall retain the chit agreement and return the duplicate chit agreement to the foreman with an endorsement that the chit agreement is filed.

Commencement of chit business :-

1. (1) No person shall commence any auction or drawing of any chit unless he has obtained a certificate of com- mencement from the Registrar.
2. (2) The Registrar shall, on being satisfied that the bye-laws of the chit have been registered and the chit agreement has been filed and security re- quired under Section 12 has been furnished by the foreman, grant a certificate of commencement.

Copies of bye-laws and chit agreement to be given to subscribers :-

1. (1) The foreman shall, as soon as may be after he has obtained the certificate of commencement referred to in Section 7, but not later than the date of the first drawing of the chit, furnish to every subscriber a copy of the bye-laws of the chit, and of the chit agreement certified by him to be a true copy.
2. (2) The foreman shall, within the fifteenth day of the month succeeding the month in which the first installment of the chit is drawn, file with the Registrar a certificate to the effect ; that he has complied with the provisions of sub- section (1).

Alteration etc., of chit agreement: -

1. (1) The chit agreement shall not be altered, added to or cancelled except with the consent in writing of the foreman and all the subscribers to the chit.
2. (2) Every such alteration, addition, or cancellation, shall be intimated to the Registrar who shall record it in the copy of the chit agreement retained with him.

Minutes of proceedings :- Minutes of the proceedings of every drawing

shall be prepared and entered in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall

be signed by the foreman and all the subscribers present. It shall also be signed by the prized subscriber or his authorised agent.

1. (2) Such minutes shall state clearly,
   • (i) the date and hour when the proceedings began and ended and the place where, the drawing was held; ( i i ) the number of the particular installment of the chit of which proceedings are recorded ;
   • (iii) the names of the subscribers present :
   • (iv) the person or persons who become entitled to the prize amount in the particular installment ;
   • (v) the amount of discount ;

( v i ) full particulars regarding the disposal of the prize amount

in respect of the preceding installment and disposal of unpaid prize amount, if any, in respect of any previous installment ; and

1. (vii) any other particular which may be prescribed.

Copy of minutes to be filed with the Registrar: - Every foreman shall, within the fifteenth day of the month succeeding the month in which one or more installments of the same chit or one or more installments of any other chit are drawn, file with Registrar a copy of the minutes, referred to in Section10 in respect of the drawing at all such installments and certified by the foreman to be a true copy.

Security to be given by the foreman :-

1. (1) For the proper conduct of the chit, every foreman shall, before applying for the certificate of com- mencement under Section 7,
   • (a) execute an indenture of mortgage and trust in favour of the Registrar as trustee charging by way of security property sufficient to the satisfaction of the Registrar for the realisation of the chit amount; or (b)
     • (i) deposit in any approved bank an amount not less than half of the chit amount ; or
     • (ii) invest in Government securities of the face value or market value, whichever is less, of not less than half the chit amount, and transfer the amount so deposited or the Government securities in favour of the Registrar to be held in by him trust as security ; Provided that, where movable property is charged by way of security, only such kind of movable property as may be prescribed shall be so charged and such movable property shall be deposited in such manner and with such person or officer as may be prescribed.
2. (2) Where a foreman conducts more than one chit, he shall furnish se- curity in accordance with the provision of sub-section
3. (1) in respect of each such chit.
4. (3) Subject to the provisions of Section 530 of the Companies At, 1956 the security given by the foreman under sub-section
5. (1) shall not be liable to be attached in execution of a decree or otherwise -
   • (i) until the chit is terminated and the claims of all the subscribers are fully satisfied ;
   • (ii) until all dues payable by the foreman under this Act to the Registrar or any other officer have been paid;
   • (iii) Where owing to the default of the prized subscriber the prize amount due remains unpaid even after the termination of a chit, until the fore- man deposits the prize amount in an approved bank mentioned in the chit agreement and intimates in writing the fact of such deposit to the prized subscriber.
6. (4) The Registrar shall, after the termination of a chit and after satisfying himself that the requirements under clauses
   • (i) to
   • (iii) of sub-section
7. (3) have been complied with release the property charged by way of security ororder the release of the cash security or the Government securities referred to in sub-section
8. (1) in such manner as may be prescribed.
9. (5) The Registrar may, on the application of any foreman, instead of releasing the security under sub-section (4), accept the same as security in respect of any other chit or chits conducted by the same foreman. If the value or amount of the security so accepted is less than the value or amount specified in sub-section (1), the Registrar shall require the foreman to furnish additional security to make up the deficiency. If the value or amount of such security is in excess of the value or amount required, the Registrar shall release such excess.
10. (6) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law, the security furnished under this section shall not be alienated in any manner by the foreman during the currency of the chit and any such alienation by way of transfer, charge, mortgage, or other encumbrance shall be null and void.

Rights of the foreman :-

1. (1) The foreman shall be entitled -
   • (a) in the absence of any provision in the chit agreement to the contrary, to obtain, the chit amount at the instalment specified in the chit agreement;
   • (b) to such commission or remuneration not exceeding five per centum of the chit amount as may be fixed in the chit agreement ;
   • (c) to receive and realize all subscriptions from the subscribers and to distribute the prize amounts to the prized subscribers and the dividend among the subscribers;
   • (d) to demand sufficient security from any prized subscriber for the due payment of future subscriptions ; Explanation :- A security is said to be sufficient for the purpose of the clause, if its value exceeds by one - third, or if it consists of buildings, the value exceeds by one half, the amount due from the prized subscriber ;
   • (e) to substitute subscribers in the place of defaulting subscribers ; and
   • (f) to do all other acts that may be necessary for the due and proper conduct of the chit.
2. (2) In case of any dispute in regard to the value of the property offered as security under clause
   • (d) of sub-section
3. (1) the mater shall be referred to the

Duties of the foreman Duties of the foreman :- {1) The foreman shall, on the prized sub- scriber furnishing sufficient security for the due payment of future subscrip- tions be bound to pay him the prize amount ;

Provided that the prized subscriber shall be entitled to demand immediate payment of the prize amount after deducting all future subscriptions without any security whatsoever and in such case the foreman shall, before the date of the next succeeding installment, deposit in an approved bank mentioned in the chit agreement; the amount of future subscriptions deducted as aforesaid and he shall not withdraw the amount so deposited except for payment of future sub- scriptions.

1. (2) If owing to the default of the prized subscriber the prize amount due in respect of any drawing remains unpaid before the date of the next succeed ing drawing the foreman shall deposit the same forthwith in an approved bank mentioned in the chit agreement and intimate in writing the fact of such de posit to the prized subscriber.
2. (3) Every payment of the prize amount, the deposit of the amount of the future subscriptions under sub-section
3. (1) and the deposit of the prize amount under sub-section
4. (2) shall be intimated to the subscribers at the next succeeding drawing and particulars of such payment or deposit entered in the minutes of the proceedings of that drawing.
5. (4) The foreman shall not appropriate for himself any amount in excess of what he is entitled to under clause
   • (b) of section 13 ; Provided that where the foreman is himself a prized subscriber, he shall be entitled to appropriate for himself the prize amount;

Registers and books of account Registers and books of account :- The foreman shall keep such registers and books of account, and in such form, as may be prescribed.

Balance sheet :-

1. (1) Every foreman shall prepare and file with the Registrar in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed a balance sheet relating to the period of account audited either by qualified auditors under the Companies Act, 1956, or by a chit auditor appointed under sub- section
2. (2) of section 51.
3. (2) The balance sheet referred to in sub-section
4. (1) shall,
   • (a) contain a summary of the assets and liabilities of the chit, and
   • (b) give such particulars as will disclose the nature of the assets and liabilities and how the value of the assets has been arrived at.

Liability of the foreman to the subscribers :-

1. (1) Every foreman shall be liable to account to the subscribers for the amounts due to them.
2. (2) Where there are more than one foreman, each one of them jointly and severally or if the foreman is a firm, each one of the partners thereof jointly and severally and if the foreman is body corporate, the body corporate as such shall be liable to the subscribers in respect of the obligation arising out of the chit.

Withdrawal of a foreman :- No foreman or where there are more than one person as foreman in a chit none of them, shall withdraw from the chit until termination of the chit unless such withdrawal is assented to by all the non-prized subscribers and unpaid prized subscribers and a copy of such assent has been filed as required by Section 32. Such withdrawal shall not, however, affect the security given under Section 12.

Non -prized subscriber to pay subscription and get receipt: - Every non-prized subscriber shall pay his subscription at the time and place mentioned in the chit agreement and shall on such payment be entitled to get a receipt from the foreman.

Removal of defaulting subscribers :- A non-prized subscriber who defaults in paying his subscription in accordance with the terms of the chit agreement shall be liable to have his name removed from the list of subscribers. Every such removal shall, with the date thereof, be entered in the relevant book maintained by the foreman. A written notice of such removal shall be given by the foreman to the defaulting subscriber within fourteen days of such removal.

1. (2) A true copy of the entry referred to in sub-section
2. (1) shall be filed by the foreman with the Registrar within fourteen days from the date of such removal.
3. (3) Any defaulting subscriber aggrieved by the removal of his name from the l ist of subscribers may within seven days of the communication to him of the notice of removal, appeal to the Registrar.
4. (4) The Registrar may, after giving the parties an opportunity of making a representation pass such order on the appeal as he thinks fit and the decision of the Registrar shall be final.

Substitution of subscribers :-

1. (1) The foreman may substitute in the list of subscribers any person in the place of a defaulting subscriber whose name has been removed from such list under sub-section
2. (1) of Section 20: Provided that no such substitution shall be made until the expiry of the period allowed for appeal under sub-section
3. (3) of Section 20, or where any such appeal has been preferred until the same has been disposed of.
4. (2) Every substitution referred to in sub-section
5. (1) shall, with the date thereof, be entered in the relevant book maintained by the foreman. A true copy of every such entry shall be filed by the foreman with the Registrar within fourteen da>s from the date of substitution.
6. (3) All arrears ol subscriptions realised from the substituted subscribers, less any amount advanced by the foreman, shall before the date of the next succeeding instalment, be deposited by the foreman in an approved bank mentioned in the chit agreement. The foreman shall not withdraw the amount so deposited except for payment to the defaulting subscriber.

Amount due to defaulting subscriber how dealt with Amount due to defaulting subscriber how dealt with :- When ;i subscriber draws the prize amount the defaulting subscriber shall be entitled to recover from the foreman his contribution subject to such deduction as may be provided for in the chit agreement. The foreman shall on demand made by the defaulting subscriber and on his executing an acknowledgment duly signed be bound to pay to the defaulting subscriber the amouni due to him before the dale of the next succeeding instalment. If the defaulting subscriber fails to furnish the acknowledgment as aforesaid, the foreman shall, before the date of the next succeeding instalment deposit in ;jn approved bank the amount due to the defaulting subscriber. The amount so deposited shall not be withdrawn by the foreman for any purpose other than for payment to the defaulting subscriber.

Prized subscriber to give security :- Before receiving the prize amount without deducting all future subscriptions, every prized subscriber shall furnish and the foreman shall take sufficient security for the due payment of future subscriptions and if the foreman is the prized subscriber, he shall give security for the due payment of future subscriptions to the satisfaction of the

Prized subscriber to pay the subscription regularly Prized subscriber to pay the subscription regularly : Every prized subscriber shall pay his subscriptions regularly at the time and place and on the date mentioned in the chit agreement and on his failure to do so he shall be liable to make a consolidated payment of all the future subscriptions at once.

Foreman to demand future subscriptions by written note : (1) The foreman shall not be entitled to claim consolidated payment of all the future subscriptions from a defaulting prized subscriber unless he shall have demanded the same in writing.

1. (2) If in a suit by a foreman for consolidated payment of future subscriptions from a defaulting prized subscriber, the defendant pays into Court on or before the date to which the suit is posted for hearing the arrears of subscriptions till that date together with interest thereon at the rate provided for in the chit agreement or at twelve per cent per annum simple interest whichever is lower, and the costs of the suit for payment to the plaintiff, then, notwithstanding any contract to the contrary, the Court shall pass a decree directing that the defendant shall deposit in Court for payment to the plaintiff, the future subscriptions on or before the dates on which they fall due and that, in default of payment by the defendant of any future subscription on or before the due date, the plaintiff shall be at liberty to realize in execution all the future subscriptions and interest thereon less the amount, if any, already deposited by the defendant ; Provided that if any such suit is upon a promissory note, no decree shall be passed under this sub-section unless such promissory note expressly states that the amount due under the promissory note is towards payment of subscriptions to the chit.
2. (3) Any person who holds an interest in the properly furnished as security or any part thereof shall be entitled to make payment under sub-section (2).
3. (4) All consolidated payments of future subscriptions realized by a foreman shall be deposited by him in an approved bank before the date of the next succeeding installment. The amount so deposited may be withdrawn only for payment of future subscriptions. When any property is acquired in lieu of the consolidated payment it shall remain as security for the due payment of future subscriptions.

Restrictions on transfer of rights of foreman : -

1. (1) No transfer of the rights of a foreman to receive subscriptions from prized subscribers shall be made without the previous sanction in writing of the Registrar.
2. (2) Any such transfer of the rights of a foreman to receive subscriptions from a prized subscriber shall, orr application by the subscriber and if it is likely to affect prejudicially the interest of any non-prized subscriber or unpaid prized subscriber, be set aside by such officer as may be empowered by the Government in this behalf.
3. (3) When under sub-section (2), a transfer is disputed by a subscriber, the burden of proving that the foreman was in insolvent circumstances at the time of the transfer and that the transfer is not likely to affect prejudicially the interests of any such subscriber is upon the transferee.

Transfer of non-prized subscriber's rights to be in writing: - Every transfer by a non-prized subscriber of his rights in the chit shall be in writing duly attested by at least two witnesses and shall be filed with the foreman.

Recognition of transfer by the foreman :- Every transfer under Section 27 shall be recognized by the foreman unless the transferee is not sol- vent or the transfer was effected with a view to defeat the provisions of any law.

Entry of transferee's name in the books :- Every transfer made under Section 26 or Section 27 shall be entered by the foreman in the books of the chit forthwith and true copy of such entry shall be filed by the foreman with the Registrar within fourteen days from the date of such entry.

Provisions for continuation of chits in certain cases: - Where the foreman, who is an individual, dies or becomes of unsound mind or is other wise incapacitated, the chit may be continued in accordance with the provi- sions of the chit agreement.

Termination of chit:- A chit shall be deemed lo have terminated

1. (a) when the period fixed in the chit agreement has expired provided payment of dues to all the subscribers has been completed ; or
2. (b) when all the non-prized and unpaid prized subscribers consent in writing to the termination of the chit and a copy of such consent is filed as required by Section 32 ; or
3. (c) when a foreman, who is an individual, dies or becomes of un- sound mind or is otherwise incapacitated and the chit is not continued in accor- dance with the provision of the chit agreement : Provided that in the case of a foreman which is a firm, if a partner dies or becomes of unsound mind or is otherwise incapacitated the chit shall not be

deemed to have terminated and surviving partner or partners shall conduct the

chit in the absence of any provision to the contrary in the chit agreement.

Copy of assent or consent to be filed with the Registrar : A true copy of every assent mentioned in Section 18 and of every consent mentioned in Section 31, with the date of such assent or consent shall be filed by the foreman or by the surviving partner, as the case may be, with the Registrar within fourteen days from the date of such assent or consent.

Refund of non-prized subscribers' contribution: - Except in the cases referred to in clauses

1. (a) and
2. (b) of Section 31
3. (a) every non-prized subscriber shall, unless otherwise provided for in the chit agreement, be entitled to get back his contribution at the termination of the chit without deduction for dividend, if any, received by him. Provided that any person to whom the rights of a non-prized sub- scriber are transferred under Section 27,28 and 29 shall, in addition to his own contributions, be entitled to get back the contributions made by such non-prized subscriber, subject to the conditions specified in this clause;
4. (b) if the chit terminates on a date earlier than the date originally fixed in the chit agreement, the non-prized subscriber's claim shall be deemed to have arisen on the date on which he has notice thereof.

Subscriber's dues to be first charge on chit assets :- Where there are debts due from the foreman of a chit in relation thereto and also other debts due from such foreman, the chit debts due to the subscribers shall be a first charge on the chit assets.

Foreman to allow subscriber to examine chit records :- Every foreman shall, on payment of such fee not exceeding five rupees as may be specified in the chit agreement allow non-prized and unpaid prized subscribers all reasonable facilities on all days of drawing of chit or on such days and within such hours as may be provided for in the chit agreement for the inspection of security bonds and documents, receipts and other records taken from the prized subscribers or furnished by the foreman himself in his capacity as a subscriber and all chit records including books of accounts and pass books, the balance sheets and profit and loss accounts and such other records as may show the actual financial position of the chit schemes.

Preservation of chit records by foreman: - All the records pertaining to a chit shall be preserved in tact by the foreman and kept for a period of six years from the date of the termination of the chit.

Inspection of chit books and records :-

1. (1) The Registrar, or any officer authorised by the Director of Chits in this behalf may inspect the chit books and ail records after giving ordinarily seven days notice in writing to the foreman. Every foreman, shall be bound to produce the chit books and records before t h e Registrar or the officer authorised under sub-section
2. (1) at the

time and place mentioned in the notice and shall furnish such information to him as

he may require; Provided that such inspection may be made at the premises of the foreman if he pays in advance such fees as may be prescribed for the inspection: Provided further that if the foreman is a banking company as defined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, such inspection be made only at the pre- mises of the company and only on a working day and the foreman shall pay such fees as may be prescribed for the inspection.

When chit may be wound up :- The City Civil Court in respect of a chit registered in the area comprised within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad and the District Court having jurisdiction in respect of a chit registered elsewhere may wind up a chit for all or any of the following reasons, namely .-

1. (a) if the chit has terminated under clause
2. (c) of Section 31 ;
3. (b) if the foreman fails to give the security specified in Section 12 or

if he commits any such act in respect thereto as is calculated to impair

materially the nature of the security or the value thereof, or

1. (c) if he fails to deposit the chit moneys in accordance with the provisions of this Act, or
2. (d) if it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the foreman is unable to pay the amounts due to the subscriber, or
3. (e) if execution or other process issued on a decree or order of any court in favour of any subscriber in respect of amounts due to him from the chit is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part, or
4. (f) if it is proved that there has been fraud or collusion on the part of the foreman in the matter of taking securities from prized subscriber, or
5. (g) if the foreman has appropriated the prize amount in his capacity as a subscriber without furnishing sufficient security for future subscriptions, or
6. (h) if it is just and equitable that the chit should be wound up. Explanation:- For the purposes of clause (d), in determining whether the foreman is unable to pay the amounts due to the subscriber, the Court shall take into account his contingent and prospective liabilities in respect of the chit; Provided that a chit conducted by a company within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1956 shall be wound up only by the Court having jurisdiction under that Act.

Application for winding up :- The application to the Court for the winding up of a chit shall be by a petition presented by any non-prized sub scriber or unpaid prized subscriber or by the Registrar, signed and verified in the manner prescribed by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed ; Provided that no application for the winding up of a chit under clause

1. (d) or clause
2. (h) of Section 38 shall lie unless such petition is presented -
3. (a) by those non-prized subscribers and those unpaid prized sub- scribers whose subscriptions to the chit funds in the aggregate be at least twenty- five percent of the amount contributed by the non-prized subscribers and un- paid prized subscribers : or
4. (b) with the previous sanction of the Government. Explanation :- For the purposes of the above proviso, a subscriber of fraction of a ticket shall be deemed to be a subscriber only to the extent of such fraction.

Insolvency or liquidation a bar to winding up proceedings: - Not - withstanding anything in Sections 38 and 39, no petition for the winding up of a chit shall be entertained by a Court, if proceedings under the law relating to insolvency for the time being in force are pending against the foreman for adjudicating him an insolvent or when the foreman is a company, if proceed- ings for winding up the company are pending against such company in a court.

Commencement and effect of winding up order :- An order for the winding up of a chit shall operate in favour of all the subscribers to whom amounts are due from the chit and it shall be deemed to have commenced from the time of the presentation of the application for the winding up.

Injunction order :- The court may, upon the application of the foreman or of any subscriber to whom amounts are due in respect of the chit at any time after the presentation of the application for the winding up of a chit under this Act and before the making of an order for the appointment of an interim

Receiver or for winding-up the chit, restrain further proceedings in any suit or

proceeding instituted against the foreman for the realization of amounts due from the chit upon such terms as the Court thinks fit.

Powers of Court on hearing the application :- On hearing the application, Court may dismiss it with or without costs or adjourn the hearing conditionally or unconditionally or make an interim order or any other order that it deems fit.

Chit assets to vest in Court for distribution :- On the making of an order for the winding up of a Chit, the entire chit assets shall vest in the Court for distribution amongst the subscribers to whom amounts are due in respect of the chit and the Court shall pass such orders in the matter including the appointment of Receiver, as it deems fit.

Suits stayed on winding up orders :- When a winding up order has been made by a Court, no suit or other legal proceedings shall be continued or commenced against the foreman by a subscriber for the realization of amounts due to him is respect of the chit except with the leave of the Court and on such terms as the Court may impose.

Copy of winding up order to be filed with the Registrar :-

1. (1) On the making of a winding up order, it shall be the duly of the petitioner in the winding up proceedings and of the Receiver to file with the Registrar a copy of the order, within one month from the date of the making of the order;

Stay of winding up proceedings on insolvency of foreman and transfer of insolvency proceedings Stay of winding up proceedings on insolvency of foreman and transfer of insolvency proceedings: - When during the pendency of the proceedings for the winding up of a chit, the foreman is adjudicated an insolvent or when the foreman is a company, the company has been ordered to be wound up by the court the winding up proceedings under this Act, shall cease and the distribution of the chit assets, shall, subject to the provisions contained in Section 34 and 42 be made by the insolvency Court or the Court winding up the company, as the case may be.

Compensation for frivolous or vexatious application Compensation for frivolous or vexatious application :-

1. (1) When an application presented for winding up a chit is dismissed and the Court is satisfied that the application is frivolous or vexatious the Court may award against the applicant such amount, not exceeding five hundred rupees as it deems reasonable as compensation to the foreman for the expense or injury occasioned to him by the application and the proceedings thereon and such amount may be realized as if the award were a decree.
2. (2) The award of any amount under sub-section
3. (1) shall bar any suit for compensation.

Right of appeal:- The foreman, any subscriber, the Receiver or any other person aggrieved by a decision or order of the court in proceedings for winding up a chit may, within two months from the date of such decision or order, appeal to the High Court.

Limitation :-

1. (1) Where an order refusing to wind up a chit has been made under this Act, the chit shall be deemed to have been under suspension from the date of the presentation of the application to the date of such order in respect of non-prized subscribers, and notwithstanding anything in the chit agreement no non-prized subscriber who was not a defaulter on the date of the presentation of the application for winding up shall be deemed to be a defaulter on the date of its dismissal.
2. (2) Where an order refusing to wind up a chit has been made under this Act, in computing the period of limitation prescribed for any suit or other legal proceedings (other than a suit or an application in respect of which the leave of the Court has been obtained) which might have been brought or instituted, the period from the date of the presentation of the application to the date of the order refusing to wind up the chit shall be excluded.
3. (3) Nothing in this Act shall affect the right of the subscriber to proceed by suit or application against the foreman personally for the balance, if any, of the amount due to him after the declaration of the final dividend in proceedings for winding up the chit and in computing the period of limitation prescribed for any such suit or application, the period from the date of the presentation of the application for winding up the chit to the declaration of the final dividend shall be excluded.

Appointment of director of chits, Inspecting officer, Registrars and chit Auditors :-

1. (1) The Government may , by notification appoint a Director of Chits and as many Inspecting Officers and Registrars as may be necessary for the purpose of discharging the duties imposed upon the Director of Chits, the Inspecting Officers and the Registrars by or under this Act.
2. (2) the Director of Chits may appoint as may Chit Auditors as may be necessary for the purpose of discharging the duties imposed upon the chit auditors by or under this Act.
3. (3) All inspecting officer , Registrars and Chit Auditors shall discharge the duties imposed upon them by or under this Act, under the general superintendence and control of Director of Chits .
4. (4) If the Registrar is of the opinion that the accounts of any chit are not properly maintained and that such account should be audited; it shall be lawful for him to have such accounts audited by a Chit Auditor. It shall be the duty of the foreman of the chit concerned to produce before the Chit Auditor , all accounts , with books and other records relating the chit, to furnish him such information as may be required and to afford him all such assistance and facilities as may be necessary or reasonable and may be required in regard to the audit of the accounts of the chit .
5. (5) The foreman shall pay to the Chit Auditors such fees as may be prescribed for the audit of the accounts of a chit under Sub-section (4).

Inspection of documents in the Registrar’s Office: - Any person may on payment of such fees as may be prescribed –

1. (i) inspect the documents kept by the Registrar; and
2. (ii) obtain in a copy or extract of any document to be certified by the Registrar .

Levy of Fees:-

1. (1) there shall be paid to the Registrar such fees as the Government may, from time to time , prescribe for --
   • (a) the registration of the bye-laws of a chit under Section 3;
   • (b) the grant of a certificate of commencement under Section 7;
   • (c) filing with the Registrar of the Chit agreement and copies of documents under Section 11, 20,21,29 and 32;
   • (d) the audit of the accounts of the foreman and the issue of an audit certificate under section 51;
   • (e) the inspection of documents under Section 52;
   • (f) the certified copy or extract of document under section 52;
   • (g) such other matters as may appear to give effect to the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) A table of fees payable under sub-section
3. (1) shall be exhibited in a

notice board at the office of the Registrar

Appeals :-

1. (1) any foreman aggrieved by the decision of the Registrar -
   • (a) refusing to issue a certificate of registration of the bye-laws of chit under section 3;
   • (b) refusing to grant a certificate of commencement under sub- section
2. (2) of Section 7;
   • (c) refusing to accept the security under clause
   • (a) of sub-section (1)

of section 12 or under Section 23 ;or

1. (d) refusing to release the property charged by way of security or to

order the release of the cash security of the Government securities

under sub-section

1. (4) or sub-section
2. (5) of Section 12; may within thirty days of the communication to him of such decision appeal to the Director of Chits.
3. (2) Any foreman or any other person aggrieved by an order of the Registrar under sub-section
4. (1) of Section 26 or by an order of an

officer empowered by the Government under sub-section

1. (2) of that Section may, within thirty days of the communication to him of such

order, appeal to the Director of Chits.

1. (3) The Director of Chits my, after giving the appellant an

opportunity of making his representation pass such order on the

appeal under subsection

1. (1) or sub-section
2. (2) as he thinks fit.

Power of Registrar to condone delay in certain cases: - The Registrar may, in his discretion and upon an application in writing by any foreman made within the period of fourteen days specified in any of the provisions of sub section

1. (2) of Section 20, sub-section
2. (2) of Section 21, Section 29 and Section 32, allow to the foreman further time not exceeding fifteen days to file a copy of any document under any of the provisions referred to above.

Penalties: -

1. (I) Whoever contravenes or abets the contravention of any of the provisions of sub-section ( 1 ) of Section 3 or Section 4, sub-section ( I ) of Section 7 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.

1. (2) Any foreman-
   • (a) who does not file the chit agreement under Section 6 or a copy of any document under section 11, sub-section 2 of Section 20, sub-section
2. (2) of Section 21, Section 29 or Section 32 within the period specified for such filing or within the further time allowed under Section 55 for such filing ; or
   • (b) who contravenes any of the provisions of Section 8, sub-section (1),
3. (2) and
4. (6) of Section 12, Section 14, Section 15, Section 16, Section 18, Section 20, Section 2 1 , Section 23, sub-section
5. (4) of Section 25, Section 29, Section 35, Section 36, Section 37 and sub-section
6. (4) of Section 51 ; or
   • (c) who fails to comply with the requirements of the chit agreement regarding the date, time and place at which the chit is to be drawn ; shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.
7. (3) Whoever in any document required by, or for purposes of, any of the provisions of this Act, wilfully makes a statement false, in any material particulars knowing it to be false, 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.

Cognizance of offences: - No Court inferior to that of a salaried magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence under this Act.

Application of fines: -The Court imposing any fine under this Act, may direct that the whole or any part thereof be applied in or towards payment of the costs of the proceedings.

Power to enter and search any place and to seize documents, etc.:-

1. (1) A Magistrate of the First Class may, on receiving a report from the Registrar or the Inspecting Officer appointed under sub-section
2. (1) of Section 51, that any person conducts, or is responsible for the conduct of a chit in any place in contravention of the provisions of this Act, issue a warrant empowering the Registrar or the Inspecting Officer to enter the place with such assistance as he considers necessary and search or inspect the books, registers, accounts or documents in such place. On receiving such warrant the Registrar or the Inspecting Officer may enter the place with such assistance as he considers necessary and search or inspect the books, registers, accounts or documents in such place and may take to his office for further investigation such books, registers, accounts and documents as he considers necessary: Provided that if the Registrar or the Inspecting Officer removes from the place any books, registers, accounts or documents he shall give to the person in charge of the place, a receipt describing the book, register, account or document so removed by him. Provided further that within twenty-four hours of the removal of the books registers, accounts and documents from the place, the Registrar or the Inspecting Officer shall either return them to the person from whose custody they were removed or produce them in the Court of the Magistrate who issued the warrant ; and the Magistrate may return the books, registers, accounts and documents or any of them to the person from whose custody they were removed by the Registrar or Inspecting Officer, after taking from that person such security as the Magistrate considers necessary for the production of the books, registers, accounts and documents when required whether by the Registrar or by the Inspecting Officer or by the Court, or may pass such other orders as to their disposal as appear just and convenient to the Magistrate.
3. (2) The Registrar or the Inspecting Officer shall have authority to require any person whose testimony he may require regarding any chit agreement to attend before him or to produce or cause to be produced any document and to examine such person on oath. (3} The Registrar or the Inspecting Officer may apply for assistance to an officer in charge of police station and take police officer to accompany and assist the Registrar or the Inspecting Officer in discharging his duties under this Act.
4. (4) The provisions of Section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, shall, so far as may be, apply to a search under this Section.

Payment to be evidenced by documents :- All payments in respect of a chit whether by the foreman or by the subscriber shall be evidenced by documents in writing.

Interest at more than twelve percent not be allowed: - No court shall award interest on claim arising under this Act at more than twelve percent per annum simple interest.

Power of court to grant relief in certain cases : - Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Act shall affect the power vested in a Court for granting relief against any of the provisions contained in the chit agreement if the same be unconscionable or opposed to the provisions of any law.

Power to make rules :-

1. (1) The Government may, be notification, make rules for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act.
2. (3) In particular, and without prejudices to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for or regulate: -
   • (a) all matters expressly required or allowed by this Act to be prescribed.
   • (b) The matter in respect of which provision shall be made in the bye-laws of a chit and the procedure to be followed in making, registering, altering and abrogation;
   • (c) The particulars which every chit agreement shall contain;
   • (d) the method of valuation of grain or other commodity by the Registrar in a grain chit, for the purposes of security under section 12;
   • (e) the restrictions and conditions subject to which and the manner in which , any security given by a foreman under Section 12 may be changed or substituted;
   • (f) the procedure to be followed by the Registrar for the release of security given by the foreman under section 12;
   • (g) the maintenance of registers and books of accounts by the foreman, the safe custody of books, papers and documents in the Registrar’s office and also for the destruction of such books, papers and documents as need no longer be kept;
   • (h) the procedure to be followed for the winding up a chit under Chapter IX ; and
     • (i) the auditing of the balance sheets and profit and loss accounts and the issue of audit certificates.
3. (4) Every rules made under this Act, shall immediately after its made be laid before each House of the State Legislature if it is in session and if it is not in session, in the session immediately following, for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions and if before the expiration of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following , both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or in the annulment of the rule, the rule shall form the date on which the modification or annulment is notified have effect only is such modified form or shall stand annulled as the case may be; so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

Recovery of amounts due from a foreman: - All amounts due from a foremen to the Registrar or any other officer under this Act by way of any fee shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue .

Act not apply to certain Chits :- the provisions of this Act shall

not apply in respect of ---

1. (1) any chit started and conducted before the commencement of this Act, or
2. (2) any chit the chit amount of which or where two or more chits are started or conducted simultaneously by the same foreman, the aggregate chit amount of which does not exceed one hundred rupees.

Power to exempt: - The Government may, by notification exempt any person or class of persons to who or any chit or class of chits to which this Act applies from all or any of its provisions, subject to such conditions as they deem fit and may cancel or modify any such notification.

-1 67. Amendment of Central Act 2 of 1899:- In Schedule 1-A to the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 as amended by the Indian Stamp ( Andhra Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1922, after entry 18, the following entry shall be inserted namely:-

1. (1) (2) "18-A. Chit agreement that is to say an agreement, relating to a chit as defined in clause
2. (2) of section 2 of the Andhra Pradesh Chit Funds Act 1971 if, either such agreement is executed or the chit is conducted in the State of Andhra Pradesh. One rupee"