Chapter IV NURSES, MIDWIVES AND HEALTH VISITORS ENTITLED TO PRACTICE AND CONTROL OF LICENSING AUTHORITIES.

(1) No person other than a person registered under this Act or a person whose name is entitled in the list shall practice or hold himself out, whether directly or by implication, as practicing habitually or for personal gain as a nurse, midwife or health visitor.

(2) any person who act in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees for the first offence, to two hundred rupees for the second offence and to three hundred rupees for any subsequent offence.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 18 a person whose name has been entered in the list shall not practice as a nurse, midwife or health visitor in an area within the limits of a municipal corporation or a municipal borough unless he—

(a) has been in regular practice as a nurse, midwife or health visitor for a continuous period of five years prior to the date on which this section has come into force, or

(b) has been regular practice as a nurse, midwife or health visitor for a continuous period of two years prior to the date on which this section has come into force and produces a certificate from a hospital or nursing home approved by the Council in this behalf signed by the Matron, Medical superintendent or other responsible officer of such institution that such person has undergone such course of instruction or has received the training as a nurse, midwife or health visitor in such manner as may have been prescribed by by-laws:

(2) The State Government may, after consultation with the district panchayat direct by a notification in the Official Gazette, that the provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply on such date as may be specified therein to any other area in the district, subject to such adaptations and modifications as it may consider suitable having regard to the local conditions of the area.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules and by-laws made in this behalf, every licensing authority shall exercise general supervision and control over the nurses, midwives and health visitors practicing within the area under its jurisdiction.

(2) The licensing authority may authorize any of its officers to perform any of the duties and to exercise any of the powers conferred on it by this section and section 21.

(1) Every person registered under this Act or every person whose name has been entered in the list if he intends to continue to practice after the date on which this Part comes into force in any area or if either of such persons intends to practice in such area as nurse, midwife or health visitor, he shall give a like notice in writing to the licensing authority in the month of January every five years thereafter during the period he continues to practice within the said area.

(2) Every such notice shall contain such particulars and shall be in such form as may be determined by the Council.

(3) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which extend to twenty five rupees for the first offence to fifty rupees for the second offence and to one hundred rupees for any subsequent offence.

(4) Any person who knowingly or willfully makes or cause or procures any other person to make any false statement in any notice under this section shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which extend to one hundred rupees for the first offence, to two hundred rupees for the second offence and to three hundred rupees for any subsequent offence.