(1) No individual return, and no part of any such return, and no information obtained for the purposes of this Act, shall, w-ithout the previous consent in writing of the owner or trader concerned, or his authorised agent, be published insuch rnaner as would enable any particulars to be indentifie.i as referring to a particular cotton ginning or pressing factory or the business of a particular trader.
(2) Except for the purposes of a prosecution under this Act or under the Indian Penal Code (XLV of 1860), no person not connected with the checking of returns or the collection of information under this Act shall be permitted to see any individual return or information referred to in sub-section (I).
7. If any person-
(a) wilfully refuses or without lawful excuse neglects tu submit a return under section 3, or
(0) wilfully submits or causes to be submitted return which he knows to be false) or refuses to answer or wilfully gives a false answer to any question or enquiry necessary for obtaining any information for the purposes of this Act, or any such
(c) - (d) impedes the right of access to a relevant document, book of account or other record, or the right of entry conferred by section 4, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine which may extend to two hundred rupees for each day after the first during which the offence continues; and in respect of a false return or answer, the offence shall be deemed to continue until a true return or answer has been submitted.
8. Any person connected with the checking of returns collection of information under this Act, who, otherwise than i.n the execution of his duties under this Act or for the purpose of the prosecution of an offence under this Act or under the.
Indian Penal Code (XL V of 1860), wilfully discloses any information given, or the contents of any return submitted under this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
9 .. No prosecution for an offence under see ion 7 shall be instituted exce t with the previous sanction in writing of the Director, anc no prosecution for an offence under section 8 shall be instituted except with the previous sanction in writing of the State Government.
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10. No suit Or other legal proceeding shall be instituted against any person in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.
THE MADHYA PRADESH COTTON (STATISTICS) A.CT. 1947
11. If the person contravening any of the provisions of Offences by ~corporation, this Act is a company or other body corporate, the secretary, manar-er or other principal officer managing the affairs of such ~..(Jmpauy or body, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be .;\.:.l~~yof such contravention.
12. The State Government may by general or special order Exemptions.
exempt at any trader or class of traders from the operation of this Act.