412

THE GENERAL CLAUSES ACT, 1897

CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title
2. [Repealed]
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
3. Definitions
4. Application of foregoing definitions to previous
enactments
4A. Application of certain definitions to all Bangladesh
laws
GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
5. Coming into operation of enactments.
5A. [Omitted]
6. Effect of repeal
6A. Repeal of Act making textual amendment in Act or
Regulation
7. Revival of repealed enactments
8. Construction of references to repealed enactments
9. Commencement and termination of time
10. Computation of time
11. Measurement of distances
12. Duty to be taken pro rata in enactments
13. Gender and number
13A. [Omitted]

.
General Clauses Act, 1897 413

POWERS AND FUNCTIONARIES

SECTIONS

14. Powers conferred to be exercisable from time to time

15. Power to appoint to include power to appoint ex-officio
16. Power to appoint to include power to suspend or
dismiss
17. Substitution of functionaries
18. Successors
19. Official chiefs and subordinates
PROVISION AS TO ORDERS, RULES, ETC., MADE
UNDER ENACTMENTS
20. Construction of orders, etc., issued under enactments
21. Power to make to include power to add to, amend, vary
or rescind, orders, rules or bye-laws
22. Making of rules or bye-laws and issuing of orders
between passing and commencement of enactment
23. Provisions applicable to making of rules or bye-laws
after previous publication
24. Continuation of orders, etc., issued under enactments
repealed and re-enacted
MISCELLANEOUS
25. Recovery of fines
26. Provision as to offences punishable under two or more
enactments
27. Meaning of service by post
28. Citation of enactments
29. Saving for previous enactments, rules and bye-laws
30. Application of Act to Ordinances
30A. [Repealed]
31. Application of Act to Orders made by the President

.
THE SCHEDULE  [Repealed]
 414

THE GENERAL CLAUSES ACT, 1897

ACT NO. X OF 1897

[11th March, 1897]

An Act to consolidate and extend the General Clauses

Acts, 1868 and 1887.
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and extend the
General Clauses Acts, 1868 and 1887;

It is hereby enacted as follows:

PRELIMINARY
Short title 1. This Act may be called the General Clauses Act, 1897.

2. [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1903

(Act No. I of 1903), section 4 and Schedule III.]
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Definitions 3. In this Act, and in all 1[other Acts of Parliament] and
Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless
there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,
"Abet" (1) "abet", with its grammatical variations and cognate
expressions, shall have the same meaning as in the 2[***]
Penal Code:
3
"Act of [(1a) "Act of Parliament" shall mean an Act passed by
Parliament" Parliament and shall include any Act passed or made by
any legislature or any person having authority to legislate
under any Constitutional instrument and in force in
.
Bangladesh or any portion thereof:]

1
The words "other Acts of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Acts"
by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order
No. 147 of 1972).
2
The word "Pakistan" was omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
Clause (1a) was substituted, for clause (1a) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 415

(2) "act", used with reference to an offence or a civil "Act"

wrong, shall include a series of acts, and words
which refer to acts done extend also to illegal
omissions:
1
[(2a) "Advocate" means a person enrolled as such under "Advocate"
the Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council
Order, 1972 (P. O. No. 46 of 1972):]
(3) "affidavit" shall include affirmation and declaration "Affidavit"
in the case of persons by law allowed to affirm or
declare instead of swearing:
2
[(3a) "Appellate Division" means- "Appellate
Division"
(a) as respects the period before the 16th day of
December, 1972, the Appellate Division of
the High Court of Bangladesh; and
(b) as respects any period thereafter the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh
constituted under the Constitution:]
3
[* * *]
4
[* * *]
5
[(8aa) "Bangladesh Law" shall mean any Act, Ordinance, "Bangladesh
Regulation, rule, Order or bye-law in force in Law"
Bangladesh:]
6
[* * *]
(9) "Chapter" shall mean a Chapter of the Act or "Chapter"
Regulation in which the word occurs:

1
Clause (2a) was inserted, by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clause (3a) was substituted, for clause (3a) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
Clauses (3b), (3c), (3d), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) were omitted by Article 4 of the
General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
Clause (8a) was repealed by section 3 and Schedule II of the Federal Laws (Revision
and Declaration) Act, 1951 (Act No. XXVI of 1951).
5
Clause (8aa) was substituted, for Clause (8aa) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
6
Clauses (8ab) and (8ac) were omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
 416 General Clauses Act, 1897

1
"Chief Revenue [(9a) "Chief Revenue Authority" shall mean the National
Authority" Board of Revenue constituted under the National
Board of Revenue Order, 1972 (P. O. No. 76 of 1972:]
2
"Chittagong [(9aa) "Chittagong Metropolitan Area" means the Chittagong
Metropolitan Metropolitan Area as defined in the Chittagong
Area" Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1978 (Ord. XLVIII of
1978):]

"Collector" (10) "Collector" shall mean the chief officer in charge of

the revenue administration of a District and shall
include a Deputy Commissioner, of such District:
3
[* * *]

"Commencement" (12) "commencement", used with reference to an Act or

Regulation, shall mean the day on which the Act or
Regulation comes into force:

"Commissioner" (13) "Commissioner" shall mean the chief officer in charge

of the revenue-administration of a division and shall
include an Additional Commissioner of such division:
4
"Constitution" [(13a) "Constitution" means the Constitution of the People's
Republic of Bangladesh:]

"Consular (14) "Consular officer" shall include consul-general,

Officer" consul, vice-consul, consular agent, pro-consul and
any person for the time being authorized to perform
the duties of consul-general, consul, vice-consul or
consular agent:

1
Clause (9a) was substituted, for clause (9a) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clause (9aa) was inserted by Schedule III of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police
Ordinance, 1978 (Ordinance No. XLVIII of 1978).
3
Clause (11) was omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
Clause (13a) was substituted, for clause (13a) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 417

1
[(14a) "Dhaka Metropolitan Area" means the Dacca "Dhaka
Metropolitan Area as defined in the Dacca Metropolitan
Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976 (Ord. III of Area"
1976):]

(15) "District Judge" shall mean the Judge of a principal "District

Civil Court of original jurisdiction, but shall not Judge"
include 2[the High Court Division] in the exercise of
its ordinary or extraordinary original civil jurisdiction:

(16) "document" shall include any matter written, "Document"

expressed or described upon any substance by means
of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of
those means which is intended to be used, or which
may be used, for the purpose of recording that matter:
3
[* * *]

(17) "enactment" shall include a Regulation (as hereinafter "Enactment"

defined) 4[* * *] and shall also include any provision
contained in any Act or in any such Regulation as
aforesaid:

(18) "father", in the case of any one whose personal law "Father"
permits adoption, shall include an adoptive father:
5
[(19) "financial year" shall mean the year commencing "Financial
on the first day of July and ending on the 30th day of year"
June:]

1
Clause (14a) was inserted by Schedule of the Dacca Metropolitan Police
(Amendment) Ordinance, 1976 (Ordinance No. LXIX of 1976).
2
The words "the High Court Division" were substituted, for the words "a High Court"
by Article 4(l) of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order
No. 147 of 1972).
3
Clauses (16a), (16b) and (16c) were omitted by Article 4(m) of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
The words "and any Regulation of the Bengal, or Bombay Code" were omitted by
Article 4(n) of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
5
Clause (19) was substituted, for clause (19), by Article 4(o) of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
 418 General Clauses Act, 1897

"Good faith" (20) a thing shall be deemed to be done in "good faith"

where it is in fact done honestly, whether it is done
negligently or no:
"Government" 1
[(21) "Government" or "the Government" shall mean
(a) in relation to anything done before the 26th day
of March 1971, any Government which
functioned within the territories now comprised
in Bangladesh; and
(b) in relation to anything done or to be done after
the 25th day of March, 1971, the Government of
the People's Republic of Bangladesh:]
"Government 2
[(21a) "Government contracts" and equivalent expressions
contracts"
shall include contracts made in the exercise of the
executive authority of the People's Republic of
Bangladesh:
"Government
(21b) "Government debts" and equivalent expressions shall
debts"
include debts due to the Government of the People's
Republic of Bangladesh and any debt due to any
Government that functioned within the territories now
comprised in Bangladesh:
"Government
(21c) "Government Grants" shall include a grant (including a
Grants"
transfer of land or of any interest therein or a payment
of any money) made by or on behalf of the Government
of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and before the
26th day of March, 1971, by or on behalf of any
Government that functioned within the territories now
comprised in Bangladesh:
"Government
(21d) "Government liabilities" and equivalent expressions
liabilities"
shall include the liabilities of the Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh and only such
liabilities incurred by any other Government that at any
time functioned in the territories now comprised in
Bangladesh, as have been expressly accepted by the
People's Republic of Bangladesh:

1
Clause (21) was substituted, for clause (21) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clauses (21a), (21b), (21c), (21d), (21e) and (22) were substituted, for clauses (21a),
(21b), (21c), (21d), (21e) and (22) by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 419

(21e) "Government Property" and equivalent expressions "Government

shall include any property vested in, or otherwise Property"
held for the purposes of the Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh and property
which, before the 26th day of March, 1971, vested in
any Government that functioned within the
territories now comprised in Bangladesh:
(22) "Government securities" shall mean securities of the "Government
Government of the People's Republic of securities"
Bangladesh:]
(23) [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1919
(Act No. XVIII of 1919), section 3 and Schedule II.]
1
[(24) "High Court" shall, as respect any period before the "High Court"
16th day of December, 1972, mean the High Court
of Bangladesh and as respect any period before the
26th day of March, 1971, the High Court that
functioned within the territories now comprised in
Bangladesh:]
2
[(24a) "High Court Division" shall mean the High Court "High Court
Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh Division"
constituted under the Constitution:]
(25) "immoveable property" shall include land, benefits "immoveable
to arise out of land, and things attached to the earth, property"
or permanently fastened to anything attached to the
earth:
(26) "imprisonment" shall mean imprisonment of either "Imprisonment"
description as defined in the 3[* * *] Penal Code:
4
[(26a) "Khulna Metropolitan Area" means the Khulna "Khulna
Metropolitan Area as defined in the Khulna Metropolitan
Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985 (Act No. LII of Area"
1985):]

1
Clause (24) was substituted, for clause (24) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clause (24a) was inserted by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
The word "Pakistan" was omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
Clause (26a) was inserted by Schedule II of the Khulna Metropolitan Police
Ordinance, 1985 (Ordinance No. LII of 1985).
 420 General Clauses Act, 1897

1
[* * *]
2
"Local [(28) "Local authority" shall mean and include a Paura
authority" Shava, Zilla Board, Union Panchayet, Board of
Trustees of a port or other authority legally entitled to,
or entrusted by the Government with, the control or
management of a municipal or local fund, or any
corporation or other body or authority constituted or
established by the Government under any law:]
"Magistrate" (31) "Magistrate" shall include every person exercising all
or any of the powers of a Magistrate under the Code of
Criminal Procedure for the time being in force:
"Master" (32) "master", used with reference to a ship, shall mean any
(of a ship) person (except a pilot or harbour-master) having for the
time being control or charge of the ship:
3
"Metropolitan [(32a) "Metropolitan Area" means the Chittagong
Area" Metropolitan Area or the 4[Dhaka Metropolitan Area or
the Khulna Metropolitan Area], 5[or ivRkvnx gnvbMix cywjk
AvBb, 1992 (1992 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi cÖ_g Zdwm‡j ewY©Z
GjvKv], 6[or wm‡jU gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi
23bs AvBb) Gi cÖ_g Zdwm‡j ewY©Z GjvKv] 7[or ewikvj gnvbMix
cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 24bs AvBb) Gi cÖ_g Zdwm‡j
ewY©Z GjvKv]:]
"Month" (33) "month" shall mean a month reckoned according to the
British calendar:
"Moveable (34) "moveable property" shall mean property of every
property" description, except immoveable property:
8
[* * *]

1
Clauses (27), (27b) and (27c) was omitted by Article 4(u) of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clause (28) was substituted, for clause (28) by Article 4(v) of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
Clause (32a) was inserted by Schedule III of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1978
(Ordinance No. XLVIII of 1978).
4
The words "Dhaka Metropolitan Area or the Khulna Metropolitan Area" were substituted, for the words
"Dhaka Metropolitan Area" by Schedule III of the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985 (Ordinance
No. LII of 1985).
5
ivRkvnx gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 1992 (1992 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi Zdwmj 3 e‡j the words, comma, figures and brackets
"or ivRkvnx gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 1992 (1992 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi cÖ_g Zdwm‡j ewY©Z GjvKv" mwbœ‡ewkZ|
6
wm‡jU gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi aviv 115 Gi `dv (K) e‡j the words, comma, figures and
brackets "or wm‡jU gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi cÖ_g Zdwm‡j ewY©Z GjvKv" mwbœ‡ewkZ|
7
ewikvj gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 24bs AvBb) Gi aviv 115 Gi `dv (K) e‡j the words, comma, figures
and brackets "or ewikvj gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 24bs AvBb) Gi cÖ_g Zdwm‡j ewY©Z GjvKv" mwbœ‡ewkZ|
8
Clauses (34a1) and (34a) were omitted by Article 4(w) of the General clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972
(President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 421

(36) "oath" shall include affirmation and declaration in the case of "Oath"
persons by law allowed to affirm or declare instead of swearing:
(37) "offence" shall mean any act or omission made punishable by "Offence"
any law for the time being in force:
1
[(37a) "Official Gazette" or "Gazette" shall mean the Bangladesh "Official Gazette"
Gazette:
(37b) "Parliament" shall mean the Parliament for Bangladesh, known "Parliament"
as the House of the Nation:]
(38) "Part" shall mean a Part of the Act or Regulation in which the "Part"
word occurs:
(39) "person" shall include any company or association or body of "Person"
individuals, whether incorporated or not:
2
[(39a) "Police Commissioner" means the Police Commissioner appointed "Police
appointed under the Dacca Metropolitan Police Ordinance, Commissioner"
1976 (Ord. III of 1976), or the Chittagong Metropolitan Police
Ordinance, 1978 (Ord. XLVIII of 1978), 3[or the Khulna
Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985 (LII of 1985),] and
includes an Additional Police Commissioner, a Deputy Police
Commissioner and an Assistant Police Commissioner appointed
under any of those Ordinances, 4[orivRkvnx gnvbMix cywjk AvBb,
1992 (1992 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi Aaxb wbhy³ cywjk Kwgkbvi Ges D³
AvB‡bi Aaxb wbhy³ AwZwi³ cywjk Kwgkbvi, Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi I mnKvix
cywjk Kwgkbvi Bnvi AšÍf©y³ nB‡e,] 5[or wm‡jU gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009
(2009 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi Aaxb wbhy³ cywjk Kwgkbvi Ges D³ AvB‡bi
Aaxb wbhy³ AwZwi³ cywjk Kwgkbvi, hyM¥-cywjk Kwgkbvi, Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi,
AwZwi³ Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi, wmwbqi mnKvix cywjk Kwgkbvi I mnKvix cywjk
Kwgkbvi Bnvi AšÍfz©³ Bn‡e], 6[ or ewikvj gnvbMxi cywjk AvBb, 2009
(2009 m‡bi 24bs AvBb) Gi Aaxb wbhy³ cywjk Kwgkbvi Ges D³ AvB‡bi
Aaxb wbhy³ AwZwi³ cywjk Kwgkbvi, hyM¥-cywjk Kwgkbvi, Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi,
AwZwi³ Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi, wmwbqi mnKvix cywjk Kwgkbvi I mnKvix cywjk
Kwgkbvi Bnvi AšÍfz©³ nB‡e]:]

1
Clauses (37a) and (37b) were substituted, for clauses (37a) and (37b) by Article 4(x) of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clause (39a) was substituted, for clause (39a) by Schedule III of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police
Ordinance, 1978 (Ordinance No. XLVIII of 1978).
3
The words, commas, figures and brackets "or the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985 (Ordinance
No. LII of 1985)," were inserted by Schedule III of the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance (Ordinance
No. LII of 1985).
4
ivRkvnx gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 1992 (1992 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi Zdwmj 3 e‡j the words, commas, figures and
brackets "or ivRkvnx gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 1992 (1992 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi Aaxb wbhy³ cywjk Kwgkbvi Ges D³ AvB‡bi
Aaxb wbhy³ AwZwi³ cywjk Kwgkbvi, Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi I mnKvix cywjk Kwgkbvi Bnvi AšÍfy©³ nB‡e" mwbœ‡ewkZ nBqv‡Q|
5
wm‡jU gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi aviv 115 Gi `dv (L) e‡j the words, commas, figures and
brackets "or wm‡jU gnvbMix cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 23bs AvBb) Gi Aaxb wbhy³ cywjk Kwgkbvi Ges D³ AvB‡bi
Aaxb wbhy³ AwZwi³ cywjk Kwgkbvi, hyM¥-cywjk Kwgkbvi, Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi, AwZwi³ Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi, wmwbqi mnKvix cywjk
Kwgkbvi I mnKvix cywjk Kwgkbvi Bnvi AšÍfz©³ Bn‡e" mwbœ‡ewkZ nBqv‡Q|
6
ewikvj gnvbMxi cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 24bs AvBb) Gi aviv 115 Gi `dv (L) e‡j the words, commas,
figures and brackets "or ewikvj gnvbMxi cywjk AvBb, 2009 (2009 m‡bi 24bs AvBb) Gi Aaxb wbhy³ cywjk Kwgkbvi
Ges D³ AvB‡bi Aaxb wbhy³ AwZwi³ cywjk Kwgkbvi, hyM¥-cywjk Kwgkbvi, Dc-cywjk Kwgkbvi, AwZwi³ Dc-cywjk
Kwgkbvi, wmwbqi mnKvix cywjk Kwgkbvi I mnKvix cywjk Kwgkbvi Bnvi AšÍfz©³ nB‡e" mwbœ‡ewkZ nBqv‡Q|
 422 General Clauses Act, 1897

1
[* * *]
"Public
(44) "Public nuisance" shall mean a public nuisance as
nuisance"
defined in the 2[* * *] Penal Code:
3
[* * *]
"President" 4
[(44b) "the President" means the President of Bangladesh
elected under the Constitution or any person for the
time being acting in that office: ]
"Registered"
(45) "registered", used with reference to a document, shall
mean registered in 5[* * *] under the law for the time
being in force for the registration of documents:
"Regulation" 6
[(46) "Regulation" shall mean a Regulation made by any
person or authority empowered under any constitutional
instrument and in force in Bangladesh:]
"Republic" 7
[(46a) "the Republic" means the People's Republic of
Bangladesh:]
"Rule"
(47) "rule" shall mean a rule made in exercise of a power
conferred by any enactment, and shall include a
regulation made as a rule under any enactment:
"Schedule"
(48) "schedule" shall mean a schedule to the Act or
Regulation in which the word occurs:

1
Clauses (40), (42), (43) (43ai) and (43a) were omitted by Article 4 of the General
Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
The word "Pakistan" was omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
Clauses (44a1) and (44a) were omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
Clause (44b) was inserted by section 3 and 2nd Schedule of the Bangladesh Laws
(Revision and Declaration) Act, 1973 (Act No. VIII of 1973).
5
The words "a Province" were omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
6
Clause (46) was substituted, for clause (46), by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
7
Clause (46a) was inserted by section 3 and 2nd Schedule of the Bangladesh Laws
(Revision and Declaration) Act, 1973 (Act No. VIII of 1973).
General Clauses Act, 1897 423

1
[* * *]
"Section"
(50) "section" shall mean a section of the Act or Regulation
in which the word occurs:
2 "Service of the
[(50a) "the service of the Republic" means any service, post
Republic"
or office whether in a civil or military capacity, in
respect of the Government of Bangladesh, and any
other service declared by law to be a service of the
Republic:]
"Ship"
(51) "ship" shall include every description of vessel used in
navigation not exclusively propelled by oars:
"Sign"
(52) "sign", with its grammatical variations and cognate
expressions, shall, with reference to a person who is
unable to write his name, include "mark", with its
grammatical variations and cognate expressions:
3
[* * *]
"Son"
(53) "son" in the case of any one whose personal law
permits adoption, shall include an adopted son:
"Sub-section"
(54) "sub-section" shall mean a sub-section of the section in
which the word occurs:
4 "Suits by or
[(54a) "suits by or against the Government" and equivalent
against
expressions shall include suits by or against Government"
Bangladesh:]
"Swear"
(55) "swear", with its grammatical variations and cognate
expressions, shall include affirming and declaring in
the case of persons by law allowed to affirm or declare
instead of swearing:

1
Clause (49) was omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
Clause (50a) was inserted by section 3 and 2nd Schedule of the Bangladesh Laws
(Revision and Declaration) Act, 1973 (Act No. VIII of 1973).
3
Clauses (52a1) and (52a) were omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
Clause (54a) was substituted, for clause (54a) by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
 424 General Clauses Act, 1897

1
[* * *]:
"Vessel" (56) "vessel" shall include any ship or boat or any other
description of vessel used in navigation:
"Will" (57) "will" shall include a codicil and every writing making a
voluntary posthumous disposition of property:
"Writing" (58) expressions referring to "writing" shall be construed as
including references to printing, lithography,
photography and other modes of representing or
reproducing words in a visible form: and
"Year" (59) "year" shall mean a year reckoned according to the
British calendar.
Application of 4. (1) The definitions in section 3 of the following words
foregoing and expressions, that is to say, "affidavit", 2[advocate], "District
definitions to
previous Judge", "father", "immoveable property", "imprisonment",
enactments "Magistrate", "month", "moveable property", "oath", "person",
"section", "son", "swear", "will" and "year" apply also, unless
there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, to all
3
[Acts of Parliament] made after the third day of January, 1868,
and to all Regulations made on or after the fourteenth day of
January, 1887.
(2) The definitions in the said section of the following
words and expressions, that is to say, "abet", "Chapter",
"commencement", "financial year", "local authority", "master",
"offence", "part", "public nuisance", "registered", "schedule",
"ship", "sign", "sub-section" and "writing" apply also, unless
there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, to all
3
[Acts of Parliament] and Regulations made on or after the
.
fourteenth day of January, 1887.

1
Clauses (55a), (56a) and (56aa) were omitted by Article 4 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
2
The word "advocate" was substituted, for the word "barrister", by Article 5 of the
General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
The words "Acts of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Acts" by
Article 5 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 425

1
[4A. (1) The definitions in section 3 of the expressions Application of
2
[* * *] 3[Act of Parliament] 2[* * *] "Chief Revenue certain
Authority", "Gazette", "Government", "Government contracts", definitions to
"Government debts", "Government grants", "Government all Bangladesh
liabilities", "Government property", "Government securities", laws
"High Court", 4[High Court Division"] 5[* * *], "official
Gazette", 6[Bangladesh laws] 5[* * *] and "suits by or against
Government" apply also, unless there is anything repugnant in
the subject or context, to all 6[Bangladesh laws].
(2) In any 7[Bangladesh law], references to the
8
[Government] in any provision conferring power to make
appointments to the civil services of, or civil posts under, the
9
[Government] include references to such person as the
10
[Government] may direct, and in any provision conferring
power to make rules prescribing the conditions of service of
persons serving the 9[Government] in a civil capacity include
references to any person authorized by the 10[Government] to
make rules for the purpose.

1
Article 4A was inserted by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order,
1937.
2
The words "British India", "Central Government", "Central Legislature" were omitted by
Article 6 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of
1972).
3
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by Article 6
of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
The words "High Court Division" were inserted by Article 6 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
5
The words "India", "Indian State", and Provincial Government" were omitted by Article
6(a) of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of
1972).
6
The words "Bangladesh Laws" were substituted, for the words "Pakistan laws" by Article
6 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
7
The words "Bangladesh Law" were substituted, for the words "Pakistan law" by Article 6
of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
8
The word "Government" was substituted, for the words "Provincial Government or the
Central Government" by Article 6 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972
(President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
9
The word "Government" was substituted, for the word "State" by Article 6 of the General
Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
10
The word "Government" was substituted, for the words and commas "Provincial
Government or the Central Government, as the case may be," by Article 6 of the General
Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
 426 General Clauses Act, 1897

(3) The references in any 1[Bangladesh law] to servants of

of or under, or to service of or under, 2[the Government], to
property of, or belonging to, or vested in, the 3[Government],
and to forfeitures to 2[the Government] shall be construed as
references respectively to persons in the service of the
4
[Government], to the service of the Government, to property
vested in the Government and to forfeitures to the Government.]
GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
Coming into 5
5. [(1) Where any Act of Parliament is not expressed to
operation of come into operation on any particular day, then it shall come
enactments
into operation,
(a) in the case of an Act of Parliament to which this Act
was applicable before the 26th day of March, 1971,
on the date on which it receives the assent; and
(b) in the case of any other Act of Parliament, the day
on which the assent is first published in the official
Gazette;]
(2) [Omitted by the Central Laws Order, 1961, Article 2
and Schedule.]
(3) Unless the contrary is expressed, 6[an Act of
Parliament] or Regulation shall be construed as coming into
operation immediately on the expiration of the day preceding its
commencement.

1
The words "Bangladesh Law" were substituted, for the words "Pakistan Law" by
Article 6 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The words "the Government" were substituted, for the words "a Government or a
Province" by Article 6 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's
Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
The word "Government" was substituted, for the words "Secretary of State in
Council or a Government or a Province" by Article 6 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
4
The word "Government" was substituted, for the word "State" by article 6 of the
General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
5
Sub-section (1) was substituted, for sub-section (1) by Article 7 of the General
Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
6
The words "an Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "a Central Act" by
Article 7 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 427

5A. [Omitted by the Pakistan (Adaptation of Existing

Pakistan Laws) Order, 1947 (Governor General's Order 20
of 1947), Schedule.]
6. Where this Act, or any 1[Act of Parliament] or Effect of Repeal
Regulation made after the commencement of this Act, repeals
any enactment hitherto made or hereafter to be made, then,
unless a different intention appears, the repeal shall not
(a) revive anything not in force or existing at the time at
which the repeal takes effect; or
(b) affect the previous operation of any enactment so
repealed or anything duly done or suffered
thereunder; or
(c) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability
acquired, accrued or incurred under any enactment so
repealed; or
(d) after any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in
respect of any offence committed against any
enactment so repealed; or
(e) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy
in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation,
liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment as
aforesaid;
and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may
be instituted, continued or enforced, and any such penalty,
forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if the repealing
Act or Regulation had not been passed.
6A. Where any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation Repeal of Act
made after the commencement of this Act repeals any making textual
amendment in Act
enactment by which the text of any 1[Act of Parliament] or or Regulation
Regulation was amended by the express omission, insertion
or substitution of any matter, then, unless a different intention
appears, the repeal shall not affect the continuance of any
such amendment made by the enactment so repealed and
inoperation at the time of such repeal.

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
 428 General Clauses Act, 1897

Revival of 7. (1) In any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made

repealed
enactments
after the commencement of this Act, it shall be necessary, for
the purpose of reviving, either wholly or partially, any
enactment wholly or partially repealed, expressly to state that
purpose.
(2) This section applies also to all 2[Acts of Parliament]
made after the third day of January, 1868, and to all
Regulations made on or after the fourteenth day of January,
1887.

Construction of 8. (1) Where this Act, or any 1[Act of Parliament] or

references to
repealed
Regulation made after the commencement of this Act, repeals
enactments and re-enacts, with or without modification, any provision of a
former enactment, then references in any other enactment or in
any instrument to the provision so repealed shall, unless a
different intention appears, be construed as references to the
provision so re-enacted.

(2) [Omitted by the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,

1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972), Article 9.]

Commencement 9. (1) In any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made

and termination
of time
after the commencement of this Act, it shall be sufficient, for
the purpose of excluding the first in a series of days or any
other period of time, to use the word "from", and, for the
purpose of including the last in a series of days or any other
period of time, to use the word "to".

(2) This section applies also to all 2[Acts of Parliament]

made after the third day of January, 1868, and to all
Regulations made on or after the fourteenth day of January,
1887.

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The words "Acts of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Acts" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 429

10. (1) Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation Computation of

made after the commencement of this Act, any act or proceeding time
is directed or allowed to be done or taken in any Court or office
on a certain day or within a prescribed period, then, if the Court
or office is closed on that day or the last day of the prescribed
period, the act or proceeding shall be considered as done or
taken in due time if it is done or taken on the next day
afterwards on which the Court or office is open:
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any act
or proceeding to which the 2[* * *] Limitation Act, 1877,
applies.
(2) This section applies also to all 3[Acts of Parliament]
and Regulations made on or after the fourteenth day of January,
1887.
11. In the measurement of any distance, for the purposes Measurement
of any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made after the of distances
commencement of this Act, that distance shall, unless a different
intention appears, be measured in a straight line on a horizontal
plane.
12. Where, by any enactment now in force or hereafter to Duty to be
be in force, any duty of customs or excise, or in the nature taken pro rata
in enactments
thereof, is leviable on any given quantity, by weight, measure or
value of any goods or merchandize, then a like duty is leviable
according to the same rate on any greater or less quantity.
13. In all 3[Acts of Parliament] and Regulations, unless Gender and
number
there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,
(1) words importing the masculine gender shall be taken
to include females; and

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The word "Indian" was omitted by Article 10 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
3
The words "Acts of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Acts" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
 430 General Clauses Act, 1897

(2) words in the singular shall include the plural, and vice
versa.

13A. [Omitted by the Central Laws Order, 1961, Article 2

and Schedule.]

POWERS AND FUNCTIONARIES

Powers 14. (1) Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation

conferred to be
exercisable made after the commencement of this Act, any power is
from time to conferred then, unless a different intention appears, that power
time
may be exercised from time to time as occasion requires.

(2) This section applies also to all 2[Acts of Parliament]

and Regulations made on or after the fourteenth day of January,
1887.

Power to 15. Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation, a

appoint to
include power power to appoint any person to fill any office or execute any
to appoint ex- function is conferred, then, unless it is otherwise expressly
officio
provided, any such appointment, if it is made after the
commencement of this Act, may be made either by name or by
virtue of office.

Power to 16. Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation, a

appoint to
include power power to make any appointment is conferred, then, unless a
to suspend or different intention appears, the authority having for the time
dismiss
being power to make the appointment shall also have power to
suspend or dismiss any person appointed whether by itself of
any other authority in exercise of that power.

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The words "Acts of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Acts" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 431

17. (1) In any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made Substitution of

Functionaries
after the commencement of this Act, it shall be sufficient, for the
purpose of indicating the application of a law to every person or
number of persons for the time being executing the functions of
an office, to mention the official title of the officer at present
executing the functions, or that of the officer by whom the
functions are commonly executed.

(2) This section applies also to all 2[Acts of Parliament]

made after the third day of January, 1868, and to all Regulations
made on or after the fourteenth day of January, 1887.

18. (1) In any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made Successors

after the commencement of this Act, it shall be sufficient, for the
purpose of indicating the relation of a law to the successors of
any functionaries or of corporations having perpetual
succession, to express its relation to the functionaries or
corporations.

(2) This section applies also to all 2[Acts of Parliament]

made after the third day of January, 1868, and to all Regulations
made on or after the fourteenth day of January, 1887.

19. (1) In any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made Official chiefs

and
after the commencement of this Act, it shall be sufficient, for the subordinates
purpose of expressing that a law relative to the chief or superior
of an office shall apply to the deputies or subordinates lawfully
performing the duties of that office in the place of their superior,
to prescribe the duty of the superior.

(2) This section applies also to all 2[Acts of Parliament]

made after the third day of January, 1868, and to all Regulations
made on or after the fourteenth day of January, 1887.

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The words "Acts of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Acts" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
 432 General Clauses Act, 1897

PROVISIONS AS TO ORDERS, RULES, ETC., MADE UNDER

ENACTMENTS

Construction of 20. Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation, a

orders etc.,
issued under power to issue any notification, order, scheme, rule, form or
enactments bye-law is conferred, then expressions used in the notification,
order, scheme, rule, form or bye-law, if it is made after the
commencement of this Act, shall, unless there is anything
repugnant in the subject or context, have the same respective
meanings as in the Act or Regulation conferring the power.

Power to make, 21. Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation, a

to include
power to add to, power to issue notifications, orders, rules, or bye-laws is
amend, vary or conferred, then that power includes a power, exercisable in the
rescind, orders, like manner and subject to the like sanction and conditions (if
rules or bye-
laws any), to add to, amend, vary or rescind any notifications, orders,
rules or bye-laws so issued.

Making of rules 22. Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation

or bye-laws and
issuing of which is not to come into force immediately on the passing
orders between thereof, a power is conferred to make rules or bye-laws, or to
passing and issue orders with respect to the application of the Act or
commencement
of enactment Regulation, or with respect to the establishment of any Court or
office or the appointment of any Judge or officer thereunder, or
with respect to the person by whom, or the time when, or the
place where, or the manner in which, or the fees for which,
anything is to be done under the Act or Regulation, then that
power may be exercised at any time after the passing of the Act
or Regulation; but rules, bye-laws or orders so made or issued
shall not take effect till the commencement of the Act or
Regulation.

Provisions 23. Where, by any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation,

applicable to
a power to make rules or bye-laws is expressed to be given

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972)
Article 8.
General Clauses Act, 1897 433

subject to the condition of the rules or bye-laws being made making of rules
or bye-laws
after previous publication, then the following provisions shall after previous
apply, namely: publication

(1) the authority having power to make the rules or bye-laws

shall, before making them, publish a draft of the proposed
rules or bye-laws for the information of persons likely to be
affected thereby;

(2) the publication shall be made in such manner as that

authority deems to be sufficient, or, if the condition with
respect to previous publication so requires, in such manner
as the 1[Government] prescribes;

(3) there shall be published with the draft a notice specifying a

date on or after which the draft will be taken into
consideration;.

(4) the authority having power to make the rules or bye-laws,

and, where the rules or bye-laws are to be made with the
sanction, approval or concurrence of another authority, that
authority also, shall consider any objection or suggestion
which may be received by the authority having power to
make the rules or bye-laws from any person with respect to
the draft before the date so specified;

(5) the publication in the official Gazette of a rule or bye-law

purporting to have been made in exercise of a power to
make rules or bye-laws after previous publication shall be
conclusive proof that the rule or bye-law has been duly
made.

1
The word "Government" was substituted, for the words "Central Government or the
Provincial Government" by Article 11 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order,
1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
 434 General Clauses Act, 1897

Continuation, 24. Where any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation is, after

of orders, etc.,
issued under the commencement of this Act, repealed and re-enacted with or
enactments without modification, then, unless it is otherwise expressly
repealed and provided, any appointment, notification, order, scheme, rule,
re-enacted
form or bye-law made or issued under the repealed Act or
Regulation, shall, so far as it is not inconsistent with the
provisions re-enacted, continue in force, and be deemed to have
been made or issued under the provisions so re-enacted, unless
and until it is superseded by any appointment, notification],
order, scheme, rule, form or bye-law made or issued under the
provisions so re-enacted 2[* * *].
MISCELLANEOUS
Recovery of 25. Sections 63 to 70 of the 3[* * *] Penal Code and the
fines
provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the time being
in force in relation to the issue and the execution of warrants for
the levy of fines shall apply to all fines imposed under any Act,
Regulation, rule or bye-law unless the Act, Regulation, rule or
bye-law contains an express provision to the contrary.
Provision as to 26. Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under
offences
punishable two or more enactments, then the offender shall be liable to be
under two or prosecuted and punished under either or any of those
more enactments, but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the
enactments
same offence.

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The words, commas, letters and figures "and when any Central Act or Regulation,
which, by a notification under section 5 or 5A or the Scheduled Districts Act, 1874,
or any like law, has been extended to any local area, has, by a subsequent
notification, been withdrawn from and re-extended to such area or any part thereof,
the provisions of such Act or Regulation shall be deemed to have been repealed and
re-enacted in such area or part within the meaning of this section" were omitted by
Article 12 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972),.
3
The word "Pakistan" was omitted by Article 13 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
General Clauses Act, 1897 435

27. Where any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation made Meaning of

after the commencement of this Act authorizes or requires any service post
by
document to be served by post, whether the expression "serve" or
either of the expressions "give" or "send" or any other expression
is used, then, unless a different intention appears, the service shall
be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and
posting by registered post, a letter containing the document, and,
unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at
which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
28. (1) In any 1[Act of Parliament] or Regulation, and in Citation of
any rule, bye-law, instrument or document, made under, or with enactments
reference to, any such Act or Regulation, any enactment may be
cited by reference to the 2[short title or Bengali translation
thereof] conferred thereon or by reference to the number and year
thereof, and any provision in an enactment may be cited by
reference to the section or sub-section of the enactment in which
the provision is contained.
(2) In this Act and in any 1[Act of Parliament] or
Regulation made after the commencement of this Act, a
description or citation of a portion of another enactment shall,
unless a different intention appears, be construed as including the
word, section or other part mentioned or referred to as forming
the beginning and as forming the end of the portion comprised in
the description or citation.
29. The provisions of this Act respecting the construction Saving for
previous
of Acts, Regulations, rules or bye-laws made after the enactments,
commencement of this Act shall not affect the construction of any rules and bye-
Act, Regulation, rule or bye-law made before the commencement laws
of this Act, although the Act, Regulation, rule or bye-law is
continued or amended by an Act, Regulation, rule or bye-law
made after the commencement of this Act.

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972),.
2
The words "short title or Bengali translation thereof" were substituted, for the words
"title or short title (if any)" by Article 14 of the General Clauses (Amendment)
Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).
 436 General Clauses Act, 1897

Application of 30. In this Act the expression 1[Act of Parliament]

Act to
Ordinances wherever it occurs, except in section 5, and the word "Act" in
clauses (9), (12), (38), (48) and (50) of section 3 and in section
25 shall be deemed to include an Ordinance made and
promulgated by 2[any person having authority to legislate under
any constitutional provision or by the President of Bangladesh
under the Constitution].

30A. [Repealed by the Government of India (Adaptation

of Indian Laws) Order, 1937.]
Application of 3
[31. The provisions of this Act shall apply for the
Act to Orders
made by the interpretation of any Order made by the President or acting
President President of Bangladesh, and for the interpretation of any
Presidential Order made before the 26th day of March, 1971,
and in force in Bangladesh, as they apply for the interpretation
of an Act of Parliament, as if any such Order were an Act of
Parliament.].

THE SCHEDULE  [Repealed by the Amending Act,

1903 (Act No. I of 1903), section 4 and Schedule III.]

1
The words "Act of Parliament" were substituted, for the words "Central Act" by
Article 8 of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No.
147 of 1972).
2
The words "any person having authority to legislate under any constitutional
provision or by the President of Bangladesh under the Constitution" were substituted,
for the words, commas and figures "the Governor-General under section 23 of the
Indian Councils Act, 1861 or section 72 of the Government of India Act, 1915 or
section 42 of the Government of India Act, 1935 or an Ordinance made and
Promulgated by the President on or after the twenty-third day of March, 1956" by
Article 15(b) of the General Clauses (Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order
No. 147 of 1972).
3
Section 31 was substituted, for section 31 by Article 16 of the General Clauses
(Amendment) Order, 1972 (President's Order No. 147 of 1972).