Contribution by parents.

(1) The competent authority which makes an order for sending a neglected child or a delinquent child to a children's home or special school or placing the child under the care of a fit person may make an order requiring the parent or other person liable to maintain the child to contribute to his maintenance, if able to do so, in the prescribed manner. (2) The competent authority before making any order under sub-section (1) shall inquire into the circumstances of the parent or other person liable to maintain the child and shall record evidence, if any, in the presence of the parent or such other person, as the case may be. (3) The person liable to maintain a child shall, for the purpose of sub-section (1), include, in the case of illegitimacy, his putative father: