(1) Any person charged with an offence punishable under this Act, shall be a competent witness for the defence and may give evidence on oath in disproof of the charges made against him or any person charged together with him at the same trial:
Provided that,-
(a) he shall not be called as a witness except at his own request;
Appeal.
Matters to be taken into consideration for fixing fine.
Accused person to be a competent witness.
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(b) his failure to give evidence shall not be made the subject of any comment by the prosecution or give rise to any presumption against himself or any person charged together with him at the same trial.
13. No civil or criminal proceedings shall be taken against the social audit teams or their members for any acts done in good faith under the provisions of this Act:
Provided that any specific oomplaint on the conduct of any social audit can be verified by Government and suitable orders can be issued for redressal.
14. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other law for the time being in force, and nothing contained herein shall exempt any public servant from any proceeding which might, apart from this Act, be instituted against him.
15. The Government may, from time to time, issue such orders, instructions and directions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder to the officers for the proper administration of the provisions of this Act which shall be complied with by such officers and other persons.