The Press and Registration of Books and Newspapers (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1973

1. Short title, extent and commenrement,-(1) This Act may be called the Press and Registra.tion of Books and Newspapers (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1973. (2) It shall extend to the whole of Himachal Pradesh. (3) It shall come into force at once.

2. Amendment of section 4.-After sub-section (2) of section 4 of the Press and Registration of Books and Newspapers Act, 1867 (25 of 1867) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), the following sub-section shall be added, namely :- "(3) As often as a press for the printing of books and papers having ceased to function is restarted, a new declaration shall be necessary. (4) For the purposes of this Act a printing press shall be deemed to have ceased to function if no books or papers are printed therein for a period of six consecutive months." The Press and Registration of Books (Punjab Amendment) Act, 1942 (14 of 1942) and the Press and Registration of Books (Punjab Amendment) Act, 1957 (15 of 1957) as in force in the areas added to Himachal Pradesh under section 5 of the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966 (31 of 1966) are hereby repealed: Provided that anything done or any action taken in exercise of the powers conferred by or under tile provisions of the Acts so repealed shall be the extent of its being consistent with the provisions of this Act be deemed to have bezn done or taken in exercise of the powers conferred by or under this Act, as if this Act was in force on the day on which such thing was done or action taken.

3. Insertion of new section 4-A.-After section 4 of the principal Act, the following new section shall be added, namely:- "4-A. Where any declaration is made and subscribed under section 4 in respect of a printing press, the de~laration shall not, save in the case of printing press kept by the same person, be so accepted unless the Magistrate is satisfied from an enquiry made in this behalf from the State Government or otherwise that the press proposed to be started does not bear a title which is the same as, or similar to, that of any other press in existence in the State of Himachal Pradesh."