The Jammu and Kashmir Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act 1961

1. (1) This Act may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act 1961.
2. (2) It extend to the whole of 1[the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir].

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,––

1. (a) ‘book’ includes every volume, part or division of a volume and pamphlet in any language, and every sheet of music, map, chart or plan separately printed or lithographed, but does not include a newspaper published in conformity with the provisions of 2[the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (25 of 1867)] ;
2. (b) ‘newspaper’ means any printed periodical work containing public news published in conformity with the provisions of 2[the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (25 of 1867)] ;
3. (c) ‘public libraries’ means the National Liberary at Calcutta and any other five libraries, which may be specified by the Government by a notification in the *[ Government Gazette].

1. (1) Subject to any rules that may be under this Act, but without prejudice to the provisions contained in 3[the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (25 of 1867)], the publisher of every book published in the State after the commencement of this Act, shall, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, deliver at his own expense a copy of the book to each of the public libraries within thirty days from the date of its publication.
2. (2) The copy so delivered to each of the public libraries shall be a copy of the whole book with all the maps and illustrations belonging thereto, finished and coloured in the same manner as the best copies of the same and shall be bound, sewed or stitched together and on the best paper on which any of the book is printed.
3. (3) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall apply to any second or subsequent edition of a book in which edition no additions or alterations either in the letter press or in the maps, book prints or other engravings belonging to the book have been made, and a copy of the first on some proceedings edition of which book has been delivered under this Act.

Subject to any rules that may be made under this Act, but without prejudice to the provisions contained in 1[the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (25 of 1867)], the publisher of every newspaper published in the *State shall deliver at his own expense one copy of each issue of such newspaper as soon as it is published to each such public library as may be notified in this behalf by the Government in the **[Government Gazette].

The person in charge of a public library (whether called a librarian or by other name) or any other person authorised by him in this behalf to whom a copy of a book delivered under section 3 shall give to the publisher a receipt in writing therefor.

Any publisher who contravenes any provisions of this Act or of any rule made thereunder shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty rupees and, if the contravention is in respect of a book, shall also be punishable with fine which shall be equivalent to six times the value of the book, and the Court trying the offence may direct that the whole or any part of the fine realised from him shall be paid by way of compensation, to the Public Library, to which the book or newspaper, as the case may be, ought to have been delivered.

1. (1) No court shall, take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act save on a complaint made by an officer empowered in this behalf by the Government, by a general or special order.
2. (2) No court inferior to that of a 1[Judicial Magistrate] of the First Class shall try offence punishable under this Act.

This Act shall also apply to books and newspapers published by or under the authority of the Government but shall not apply to books meant for official use only.

The Government may, by notification in the *Government Gazette], make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.