(1) The Board may appoint such persons as it thinks fit to be Inspectors possessing the prescribed qualifications for the purposes of this Act or of any scheme and may define the limits of their jurisdiction.
(2) Subject to any rules made by the Government in this behalf, an Inspector may–
(a) enter and search at all reasonable hours, with such assistance as he thinks fit, any premises or place, where unprotected workers are employed, or work is given out to unprotected workers in any scheduled employment, for the purpose of examining any register, record of wages or notices required to be kept or exhibited under any scheme, and require the production thereof, for inspection;
(b) examine any person whom he finds in any such premises or place and who, he has reason to believe, is an unprotected worker employed therein or an unprotected worker to whom work is given out therein;
(c) require any person giving any work to an unprotected worker or to a group of unprotected workers to give any information, which is in his power to give, in respect of the names and addresses of the persons to whom the work is given, and in respect of payments made or to be made, for the said work;
(d) seize or take copies of such registers, records of wage or-notices or portions thereof, as he may consider Inspectors and their powers.
[Act No.61 of 1976] 13 relevant, in respect of an offence under this Act or scheme, which he has reason to believe, has been committed by an employer; and
(e) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed:
Provided that no person shall be required under the provisions of this section to answer any question or make any statement tending to incriminate himself.
(3) Every Inspector appointed under this section shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
16. No child shall be required or allowed to work in any scheduled employment.
Explanation.-“Child” means a person who has not completed fourteen years of age.