The Merged States (Laws) Act, 1949

Short title and commencement.-(1) This Act may be called the Merged States

1. (Laws) Act, 1949.

1. (2) It shall come into force on the 1 st day of January, 1950.

Definitions.-In this Act,--

1. (a) the expression "absorbing Province" and "merged State" have the same meanings as in the State's Merger (Governors' Provinces) Order, 1949, as amended by the State's Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949; and
2. (b) the expression "new Provinces" means the Chief Commissioner's Provinces constituted by the State's Merger (Chief Commissioner's Provinces) Order, 1949, as amended by the State's Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949.

Extension of laws.-(1) The Acts, Ordinances and Regulations specified in the Schedule are hereby extended to, and shall be in force in, all the new Provinces.

1. (2) So much of any of the Acts, Ordinances and Regulations specified in the Schedule as extends to any absorbing Province and relates to matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature has power to make laws for a Governor's Province is hereby extended to, and shall be in force in, all the Merged States whicli are now adillinistered as part of that Province.
2. (3) If any of the said Acts, Ordinances and Regulations as in force in any absorbing Provjnce iinrnediately before the commencement of this Act is subject to any amendments, made by the Legislature of that Province, that Act, Ordinance or Regulation shall be deemed to be extended to, and to be in force in, all the merged States which are now administered as part of that Province, subject to so much of the said amendments as relate to matters with respect to which the Dominion

Interpretation of laws as extended Interpretation of laws as extended.-In any Act, Ordinance or Regulation specified in the Schedule, notwithstanding anything contained in the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897),--

1. (a) any reference, by whatever fonn of words. to the acceding States shall be construed as not including a reference to any of the merged States or to any of the States (other than the United State of Saurashtra) mentioned in the State's Merger (Chief Commissioners' Provinces) Order, 1949, as amended by the State's Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949;
2. (b) any reference, by whatever form of words, to Indian British subjects shall be deemed to include a reference to persons who, immediately before the 1" day of August, 1949, were subjects of any of the merged States or of any of the State (other than the United State of Saurashtra) mentioned in the State's Merger (Chief Colnmissionsrs' Provinces) Order, 1949, as amended by the State's Merger (United Provinces) Order, 1949;
3. (c) any reference, by whatever fonn of words, to the Provinces generally or to the Chief Con~missioners' Provinces generally shall be construed as including a reference to the new Provinces; and
4. (d) any reference, by whatever forn~ of words, to an absorbing Province shall be construed as including a reference to the merged States which are now ad~nin~istered as part of that

Repeal of corresponding laws Repeal of corresponding laws.-If immediately before the commencement of this Act there is in force in any of the new Provinces or merged States an Act, Ordinance, Regulation or other law corresponding to an Act, Ordinance or Regulation specified in the Schedule, whether such Act, Ordinance or Regulation is in force by virtue of an Order under the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947 (47 of 1947), or by virtue of any other Legislative power, such corresponding law shall upon the commencement of this Act,--

1. (a) in a new Province, stand repealed, and
2. (b) in a merged State, stand repealed to the extent to which the law relates to matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature has power to make laws for a Governor's Province.

Savings.-(1) The repeal by section 5 of this Act of any corresponding law in force in the new Provinces or merged States immediately before the commencement of this Act shall not affect-

1. (a) the previous operation of any such law, or
2. (b) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any such law, or
3. (c) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment, 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 had not been passed.

1. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), anything done or any action taken, including any appointment or delegation made, notification, order, instruction or direction issued, rule, regulation, form, bye law or scheme framed, certificate, patent, permit or license granted or registration effected, under such corresponding law shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provision of the Act, Ordinance or Regulation as now extended to, and in force in, the new Province or merged State and shall continue in force accordingly unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under the said Act, Ordinance or Regulation.

Powers of Courts and other authorities for purposes of facilitating application of laws.-For the purpose of facilitating the application in any of the new Provinces or merged States of any Act, Ordinance or Regulation specified in the Schedule, any Court or other authority may construe any such Act, Ordinance or Regulation with such alterations, not affecting the substance, as may be necessary or proper to adapt it to the matter before the Court or other authority.

(See section 3) LAWS EXTENDED TO THE NEW PROVINCES AND MERGED STATES Year Number Short title 1839 XXXII . . The Interest Act, 1839, (a) 1841 X . . The Indian Registration of Ships Act, 1841. (a) 1850 XI . . The Indian Registration of Ships Act (1841) ' Amendment Act, 1850. fn) 1850 XVIII . . The Judicial Officers' Protection Act, 1850. 1850 XIX . . The Apprentices Act, 1850. (cr) 1850 XXI . . The Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850. 1850 XXXIV . . The State Prisoners Act, 1850. 1850 XXXVII . . The Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850. 1855 XI1 . . The Legal Representatives Suits Act, 1855. 1855 XI11 . . The Indian Fatal Accidents Act, 1 855. 1856 IX . . The Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856. 1856 XV . . The Hindu Widows' Re-marriage Act, 1856. 1857 XI11 . . Theopium Act, 1857. 1858 111 . . The State Prisoners Act, 1858. 1860 XXI . . The Societies Registration Act, 1860. 1860 XLV . . The Indian Penal Code. 1860 1861 v . . The Police Act, 1861. 1862 I11 . . The Government Seal Act, 1862. 1863 XXIII . . The Waste-lands (Claims) Act, 1863. 1865 I11 . . The Carriers Act, 1865. 1866 XXI . . The Native Converts' Marriage Dissolution Act,, 1866. (a) 1867 XVI . . The Acting Judges Act, I 867. 1867 XXV . . The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. 1869 IV . . The Indian Divorce Act, 1869. 1870 VII . . The Court-fees Act, 1870. 1871 I . . The Cattle-trespass Act, 1871. 1871 XXIII . . The Pensions Act, 187 1. 1871 XXXI . . The Indian Weights and Measures of Capacity Act, 1871. 1872 I . . The lndian Evidence Act, 1872. 1872 I11 . . The Special Marriage Act, 1872. (a) 1872 IX . . The Indian Contract Act, 1872. 1872 XV . . The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872. 1873 v . . The Government Saving Banks Act, 1873. 1873 X . . The Indian Oaths Act, 1873. (a) 1874 111 . . The Married Women's Property Act, 1874. 1874 IV . . The Foreign Recruiting Act, 1874. 1875 IX . . The Indian Majority Act, 1875. 1875 XVIII . . The Indian Law Reports Act, 1875. 1877 I . . The Specific Relief Act, 1877. (a) 1878 I . . The Opium Act, 1878 (a) 1878 VI . . The Indian Treasure-trove Act, 1878. 1878 VIII . . The Sea Customs Act, 1878. (a) 1878 XI . . The Indian Anns Act, 1878. (a) 1879 XVIII . . The Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 1880 I . . The Religious Societies Act, 1880. 1880 XI11 . . The Vaccination Act, 1880. 1881 XI . . The Municipal Taxation Act, 188 1. 1881 XXVI . . The Negotiable Instruments Act,"188 1. 1882 I1 . . The Indian Trusts Act, 1882. 1882 IV . . The Transfer of Property Act, 1882. 1882 VII . . The Powers of Attorney Act, 1882. 1884 IV . . The Indian Explosives Act, 1884. 1885 XVIII . . The Land Acquisition (Mines) Act, 1885. 1886 VT . . The Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Act, 1886. 1886 XI . . The Indian Tramways Act, 1886. 1887 VII . . The Suits Valuation Act, 1887. 1887 IX . . The Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887. 1888 I11 . . The Police Act, 1888. 1889 IV . . The Indian Merchandise Marks Act, 1889. (a) 1890 I . . The Revenue Recovery Act, 1890. 1890 VI . . The Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. 1890 VIII . . The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. 1890 XI . . The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890. (a) 1891 XVIII . . The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891. 1893 IV . . The Partition Act, 1 893. 1894 I . . The Land Acquisition Act, 1894. 1894 IX . . The Prisons Act, 1894. 1897 I11 . . The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. 1897 IV . . The Indian Fisheries Act, 1897. 1897 X . . The General Clauses Act, 1897. 1898 I11 . . The Lepers Act, 1 898. (a) 1898 v . . The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (a) 1898 VI . . The Indian Post Office Act, 1598. 1898 IX . . The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898. 1899 I1 . . The Indian Stamp Act, 1899. 1899 IV . . The Government Buildings Act, 1899. 1900 111 . . The Prisoners Act, 1900. 1901 I1 . . The Indian Tolls (Army and Air Force ) Act, 1901. 1903 VII . . The Indian Works of Defence Act, 1903. 1903 XN . . The Indian Foreign Marriage Act, 1903, (a) 1903 xv . . The Indian Extradition Act, 1903, (a) 1904 VII . . The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act,1904. (a) 1905 IV . . The Indian Railway Board Act, 1905. 1906 111 . . The Indian Coinage Act, 1906. 1908 v . . The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 1908 VI . . The Explosive Substances Act, 1908. 1908 IX . . The Indian Limitation Act, 1908. (a) 1908 XIV . . The Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. 1908 xv . . The Indian Ports Act, 1908. 1908 XVI . . The Indian Registration Act, 1908. 1909 IV . . The Whipping Act, 1909. (a) 1909 VII . . The Anand Marriage Act, 1909. 1910 IX . . The Indian Electricity Act, 1 9 10. 1911 11 . . The Indian Patents and Designs Act, 191 1. (a) 1911 VIII . . The Indian Army Act, 19 11. (a) 1911 X . . The Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act, 19 11. 1912 IV . . The Indian Lunacy Act, 19 12. (a) 1913 11 . . The Official Trustees Act, 1913. 1913 I1 I . . The Administrator General's Act, 19 13. (a) 1913 VI . . The Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 19 13. 1913 VII . . The Indian Companies Act, 19 13. (a) 1914 I1 . . The Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914. 1914 111 . . The Indian Copyright Act, 1914. (a) 1914 I . . The Local Authorities Loans Act, 19 14. 1916 IX . . The Indian Medical Degrees Act, 19 16. 1916 VII . . The Hindu Disposition of Property Act, 1916. 1917 xv . . The Destruction of Records Act, 19 17. 1917 v . . The Post Office Cash Certificates Act, 1917. 1918 XVIII . . The Cinematograph Act: 19 18. 1918 I1 . . The Bronze Coin (Legal Tender) Act, 1 9 1 8. 1919 XXII . . The Local Authorities Pensions and Gratuities Act, 1919. 1919 I . . The Poisons Act, 1919. 1920 XI1 . . The Provincial Insolvenc)~ Act, 1920. 1920 v . . The Indian Securities Act, 1920. 1920 X . . The Charitable and Religious Trusts Act, 1920. 1920 XIV . . The Indian Rifles Act, 1920. 1920 XXIII . . The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920. 1920 XXXIII . . The Indian Eiections Offences and Inquiries Act, 1920. (a) 1920 XXXIX . . The Imperial Bank of India Act, 1920. (a) 1921 XLVII . . The Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act, 1921. (a) 1922 XVIII . . The Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act, 1922. 1923 XXII . . The Indian Mines Act, 1923. (a) 1923 IV . . The Indian Boilers Act, 1923. 1923 v . . The Cantonments (House Accommodation) Act, 1923. 1923 VI . . The Workmen's Compensation Act. 1923. 1923 VIII . . The Indian Cotton Cess Act, 1923. 1923 XIV . . The Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923. 1923 XIX . . The Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1923. (a) 1923 XXI . . The Legal Practitioners (Women) Act, 1923. 1923 XXIII . . The Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. 1924 XLII . . The Cantonments Act, 1924. 1924 I1 . . The Central Board of R.evenue Act, 1924. 1924 IV . . The Land Customs Act, 1924, (a) 1925 XIX . . The Indian Soldiers (Litigation) Act, 1925. 1925 IV . . 1925 1925 XI1 . . The Cotton Ginning and Pressing Factories Act, 1925. 1925 XIX . . The Provident Fund Act, 1925 1925 VII . . The Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. 1925 XI1 . . The Indian Succession Act, 1925. 1926 XVI . . The Government Trading Taxation Act, 1926. 1926 XXI . . The Indian Naturalization Act, 1926. (a) 1926 XXXVIII . . The Contempt of Courts Act, 1926. (a) 1926 XVI . . The Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926. 1926 XVII . . The Legal practitioners (Fees) Act, 1926. (a) 1926 XI1 . . The Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926. (a) 1927 XIX . . The Indian Forest Act, 1927. 1927 I1 . . The Indian Lighthouse Act, 1927. 1928 I11 . . The Hindu Inheritance (Removai of Disabilities) Act, 1928. 1929 XXIV . . The Hindu Law of Inheritance (Amendment) Act, 1929. (a) 1929 m . . The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. 1930 m11 . . The Dangerous Dmgs Act, 1930. 1930 XVI . . The Indian Sale of Goods Act, 1930. 1930 XXJII . . The Indian Lac Cess Act, 1930. 1930 IX . . The Hindu Gains of Learning Act, 1930. 1930 XI1 . . The Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1930. 1931 XIV . . The Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 193 1. 1931 XX . . The Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 193 1. (a) 1932 XXII . . The Indian Partnership Act, 1932. 1932 XXlII . . The Foreign Relations Act, 1932. (4 1932 I1 . . The Indian Air Force Act, 1932. (a) 1932 XXVII . . The Port ~a~ Co~nrnittees Act, 1932. (a) 1932 11 . . The Tea Districts Emigrant Labour Act, 1932. 1932 VIII . . The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932. 1933 XIX . . The Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933. 1933 XX . . The Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. (a) 1934 XXII . . The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. 1934 xxx . . The Khaddar (Name Protection) Act, 1934. 1934 =TI . . The Indian Dock Labourers Act, 1934. (a) 1934 XXXIV . . The Indian Carriage by Air Act, 1934: 1934 I11 . . The Indian Aircraft Act, 1934. 1934 IV . . The Petroleum Act, 1934. 1934 I . . TheIndianTariffAct, 1934. 1934 XVIII . . The Indian Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934. (a) 1936 XIX . . The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936. 1936 XXV . . The Payment of Wages Act, 1936. 1937 XXVI . . The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937. 1937 IV . . The Hindu Women's Rights to Property Act, 1937. (a) 1937 v . . The Arya Marriage Validatiori Act, 1937. 1937 VIII . . The Federal Court Act, 1937. 1937 XX . . The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. 1938 mv . . The Insurance Act, 1938. 1938 XXVI . . The Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practice Act, 1938. 1938 IV . . The Indian Tea Control Act, 1938. (a) 1938 VIII . . The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1938. 1938 IX . . The Employers' Liability Act, 1938. 1938 XIX . . The Employment of Children Act, 1938. 1939 v . . The Motor Vehicles Act, 1939. (a) 1939 X . . The Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939. 1939 XXIII . . The Standards of Weight Act, 1939. (a) 1939 XXVII . . The Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Act, 1939. (a) 1939 XIX . . The Indian Naval Reserve Forces (Discipline) Act, 1939. (a) 1940 XX . . The Trade Marks Act, 1940. (a) 1940 XXI . . The Arbitration Act, 1940. 1940 XXV . . The Drugs Act, 1940. 1940 VII . . The Agricultural Produce Cess Act, 1940. 1941 XVIII . . The Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 194 1. (a) 1941 XIX . . The Professions Tax Limitation Act, 1941. (a) 1941 XXVI . . The Federal Court Act, 194 1. 1941 IX . . The Railway (Local Authorities' Taxation) Act, 1941. 1942 I . . The Coffee Market Expansion Act, 1942 1942 X . . The Weekly Holidays Act, 1942. 1942 XIII . . The Industrial Statistics Act, 1942. (a) 1942 XXI . . Federal Court (Supplemental Powers) Act, 1942. (a) 1943 XXIII . . The Reciprocity Act, 1943. 1944 XXV . . The Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944. 1944 VII . . The Indian Coconut Committee Act, 1944. (a) 1944 XVIII . . The Public Debt Act, 1944. 1946 IX . . The Indian Oil Seeds Committee Act, 1946. (a) 1946 XVII . . The Protective Duties Act, 1946. (a) 1946 XIX . . The Hindu Married Women's Right to Separate Residence and Maintenance Act, 1946(a) 1946 XXV . . The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. 1946 XXVIII . . l%e Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1946. 1947 II . . The Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946. (a) 1947 VII . . The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. 1947 XII . . The Hindu Marriage Disabilities Removal Act, 1946. 1947 XIV . . The Prevention of Corruption Act 1947. (a) 1947 XV . . The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947. (a) 1947 XVI . . The Railways (Transport of Goods) Act, 1947. (a) 1947 XVIII . . The Industrial Disputes Act, I 947. 1947 XXIV . . The Armed Forces (Emergency Duties) Act, 1947. 1947 XXIX . . The Trading with the Enemy (Continuance of Emergency Provisions) ,4ct, 1947. 1947 XXXI . . The Imports and Expoi-ts (Control) Act, 1947. 1947 XXXII . . The Rubber (Production and Marketing) Act, 1947. 1947 XLIII . . The Capital Issues (Continuance of Control) Act, 1947. (a) 1947 XLVI . . The Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947. 1948 VIII . . The Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1947. 1948 IX . . The United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947. 1948 XI . . The United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947. 1948 XV . . The Federal Court (Enlargement of Jurisdiction) ' Act, 1948. 1948 XVI . . The Pharmacy Ace, 1948. 1948 XXII . . The Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) -Act. 1948. 1948 XXIX . . The Minimum Wages Act, 1948. 1948 XXXII . . The Rehabilitation Finance Administration Act, 1948. 1948 XXXIV . . The Industrial Finance Corporation Act, 1948. 1948 XXXVII . . The Dentists Act, 1948. 1948 XL . . The Indian Power Alcohol Act, 1948. 1948 XLVI . . The Atomic Energy Act, 1948. (a) 1948 XLVII . . The Road Transport Corporations Act, 1948. (a) 1948 LIII . . The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948. 1948 LIV . . The Census Act, 1948. 1948 LXI . . The Indian Matrimonial Causes (War Marriages) Act, 1948. 1948 LXIII . . The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Bonus Schemes Act, 1948. 1949 X . . The Displaced Persons (Institution of Suits) Act, 1948. (a) 1949 XIII . . The Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948. (a) 1949 XXI . . The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948. 1949 XXIII . . The Central Silk Board Act, 1948. 1949 XXV . . The Factories Act, 1948. 1949 XXX . . The Banking Companies Act, 1949. 1949 XXXII . . The Central Tea Board Act, 1949. (a) 1949 XXXIII . . The Hindu Marriages Validity Act, i949. (a) 1949 XXXIV . . The Influx from Pakistan (Control) Act, 1949. (a) 1949 XXXVII . . The Displaced Persons (Legal Proceedings) Act, 1949. (b) 1949 XL . . The Public Companies (Limitation of Dividends) Act, 1949. (a) 1949 XLVI . . The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. 1940 IV . . The Currency Ordinance. 1940. 1941 XI . . The Essential Services (Maintenance) Ordinance, 1942 XLI . . The Armed Force (Special Powers) Ordinance, 1942. 1944 XXXVIII . . The Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944. 1944 XLII . . The Post Office National Savings Certificate Ordinance, 1944. (a) 1945 XLVII . . The International Monetary Fund and Bank Ordinance, 1945. 1949 XI . . 'The Industrial Tribunals Payment of Bonus (National Savings Certificates) Ordinance, 1949. (b) 1818 I11 . . The Rengal State Prisoners Regulation, 1 8 18.