(1) For an area within the jurisdiction of a local authority whose duty it is to enforce the provisions of this Act the local authority and for other areas the State Government shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), appoint as many Inspectors as the local authority or the State Government, as the case may be, may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) in the areas within the jurisdiction of a local authority, the State Government may appoint Inspectors for such supervision as the State Government may prescribe.
(3) A person possessing the prescribed qualifications shall be qualified, for being appointed as an Inspector.
(4) A local authority, or, as the case may be, the State Government may direct that the powers conferred on it by this section shall in such circum- stances, and subject to such conditions (if any), as may be specified in the direction, be exercised-
(a) in the case of a local authority, by its standing committee or by any committee appointed by it in this behalf or, if such local authority is a municipal corporation, by its Municipal Commissioner or Deputy Municipal Commissioner, and
(b) in the case of the State Government, by any officer subordinate to it.
14. Subject to any rules, made by the State Government, in this behalf, an Inspector may, within the local limits for which he is appointed-
(a) enter at all reasonable times, accompanied with such persons in the service of the Government or of any local authority as he thinks fit, any place which he has reason to believe is an establishment;
(b) make such examination of any prescribed registers, records and notices, and take on the spot or otherwise evidence of any person as he may deem necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act; and
(c) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed, for carrying out the purposes of this Act :
Power of State Government to provide for performance of duties on default by local authority.
Expenses of local authority to be paid out of its fund.
Appointment of Inspectors.
Powers and duties of Inspectors.
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Provided that no one shall be required under this section to answer any question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself.
15. Every Inspector appointed, under section 13 shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
16. Every employer and in his absence the manager shall on demand produce for inspection by an Inspector all registers, records and notices required to be kept under and for the purposes of this Act.
17. If any person,
(a) fails to pay any contribution which he is liable to pay under section 6; or
(b) deducts or attempts to deduct from the wages of an employee the whole or any part of the employer's contribution; or
(c) fails or refuses to submit any return or to maintain any register .• or records required under section 7; or
(d) makes a false return; or
(e) obstructs any Inspector or any other officer of the State Government or the insurer in the discharge of his duties; or
(f) is guilty of contravention of or non-compliance with any of the requirements of this Act or the rules made thereunder in respect of which no penalty is provided, he shall be punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.