Overriding powers of Government to issue directions to local authorities.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, or in any licence or permit, if the Government is satisfied either on a recommendation made in this behalf by the Corporation or otherwise, that the setting up of a health undertaking (whether within a health estate or outside) is impeded by a local authority’s refusal to grant or by such authority’s insistence on conditions which the Government considers unreasonable for the grant of, any amenity, the Government may direct the local authority to grant the said amenity on such conditions as it may consider fit and thereupon the amenity shall be granted: Provided that the charge to be paid for granting or continuing such amenity to the local authority concerned is not less than the cost to the local authority or licensee concerned for providing such amenity: Provided further that, no such direction shall be issued by the Government unless the local authority shall have been given a reasonable opportunity to show cause why any such direction should not be made.