Punjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958

From: 1958-04-24 - To: 0000-00-00 An Act to provide for the maintenance and restoration of order in areas affected by certain calamities and for the prevention and control of and relief against such calamities Preamble.— WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the maintenance and restoration of order in areas affected by certain calamities and for the prevention and control of and relief against calamities; It is hereby enacted as follows:- 1. Short title, extent and commencement.— (1) This Act may be called the [3][Punjab] National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958. (2) It extends to the whole of [4][the Punjab], except [5][the Tribal areas]. (3) It shall come into force at once. 2. Definitions.— In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context— [6][(a) “Relief Commissioner” means the person appointed as such under section 3-A;] (b) “Government” means [7][the Provincial Government of the Punjab]; and (c) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act. [8][3. Declaration of calamity affected area.— Whenever the Province or any part thereof is affected or threatened by flood, famine, locust or any other pest, hailstorm, fire, epidemic or any other calamity which, in the opinion of Government warrants action under this Act, Government may, by notification, declare the whole or any part of the Province, as the case may be, as calamity-affected area.] [9][3-A. Appointment of Relief Commissioner.— (1) Government may, by notification, appoint a Relief Commissioner for the Province. (2) Government may confer on the Relief Commissioner for the whole or part of the Province— (i) the powers of a Magistrate of the First Class under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898; and (ii) powers under such other laws as Government may consider necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act.] 4. Prevention and relief.— (1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act and of the rules made thereunder, the Relief Commissioner shall, with respect to the calamity-affected area, take such steps as he may deem necessary in order to maintain order, prevent, check or control the calamity or reduce the extent and severity…