Where any money is due to an employee by way of bonus from his employer under a settlement or an award or agreement, the employee himself or any other person authorised by him in writing in this behalf, or in the case of the death of the employee, his assignee or heirs may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery, make an application to the appropriate Government or such authority as the appropriate Government may specify in this behalf is satisfied that any money is so due, it shall issue a certificate for that amount to the Collector who shall proceed to recover the same in the same manner as an arrears of land revenue.
Provided that every such application shall be made within one year from the date on which the money became due to the employee from the employer.
Provided further that any such application may be entertained after the expiry of the said period of one year, if the appropriate Government is satisfied that the applicant had sufficient cause for not making the application within the said period.
Explanation- In this section and in 5 [sections 22,23, 24 and 25], “employee” includes a person who is entitled to the payment of bonus under this Act but who is no longer in employment.
1 Sub-sections (2) to (7) ins. by Act 68 of 1972, sec. 4 (w.r.e.f. 1.9.1972) and omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 13 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 2 Sub-section (8) ins. by Act 39 of 1973, sec. 4(w.r.e.f. 1.9.1973) and omitted by Act 55 of 1973, sec. 2 (w.r.e.f 1.9.1973) 3 The brackets and figure (1) omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 14 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) and again section 20 re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 11 (w.r.e.f. 27.12.1980) 4 sub-section (2) omitted by Act of 1976, sec, 14(w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) and ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec.
11 (w.r.e.f. 27.12.1980) 5 Subs. By Act 66 of 1980, sec. 12, for “sections 22,23 and 25” (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 15