Company : Sol Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Website : www.courtkutchehry.com CONTRACT LABOUR (REGULATION and ABOLITION) CENTRAL RULES, 1971 CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 :- 1 1. Short title and commencement 2. Definitions CHAPTER 2 :- 2 3. Central Board 4. Terms of Office 5. Resignation 6. Cessation of membership 7. Disqualification for membership 8. Removal from membership 9. Vacancy 10. Staff 11. Allowances of members 12. Disposal of business 13. Meetings 14. Notice of meetings and list of business 15. Quorum 16. Committees of the Board CHAPTER 3 :- REGISTRATION AND LICENSING 17. Manner of making application for registration of establishments 18. Grant of certificate of registration 1 9 . Circumstances in which application for registration may be rejected 20. Amendment of certificate of registration 21. Application for a licence 22. Matters to be taken Into account in granting or refusing a licence 23. Refusal to grant licence 24. Security 25. Forms and terms and conditions of licence 26. Fees 27. Validity of the licence 28. Amendment of the licence 29. Renewal of licence 30. Issue of duplicate certificate of registration or licence 31. Refund of security 32. Grant of temporary certificate of registration and licence CHAPTER 4 :- APPEALS AND PROCEDURE 33. From of appeal 34. Memorandum of appeal 35. Hearing of appeal 36. Dismissal of appeal 37. Judgement of Officer 38. [Payment of fees 39. Copies CHAPTER 5 :- WELFARE AND HEALTH OF CONTRACT LABOUR 40. Drinking water 41. Rest rooms 42. Canteens 43. Facilities in Canteen 44. Dining hall 45. Utensils and Crockery 46. Foodstuff 47. Charges for foodstuffs 48. Prices of foodstuffs 49. Books of account 50. Audit of accounts 51. Latrines and urinals 52. Covering of latrine 53. Latrine for woman/man 54. Number of latriens 55. Situation of latriens 56. Water in latrines 57. Washing facilities 58. First-aid facilities 59. First Aid Box 60. Contents of First Aid Box 61. Charge of First Aid Box 62. Person in charge of First Aid Box CHAPTER 6 :- WAGES 63. Fixing of wages 64. Wage period 65. Payment of wages 66. Termination of emplyment 67. Final Payment 68. To whom wages be paid 69. From of payment of wages 70. Deductions 71. Wage period 72. Present of authorised representative 73. Recording of signatures CHAPTER 7 :- REGISTERS AND RECORDS AND COLLECTION OF TATISTICS 74. Register of contractors 75. Register of persons employed 76. Employment Card 77. Service Certificate 78. Muster Roll Wages Registers, Deduction Register and Overtime Register 79. Abstract of Act 80. Registers and recorders 81. Notices showing rates of wages 82. Returns 83. Power of Board CONTRACT LABOUR (REGULATION and ABOLITION) CENTRAL RULES, 1971 In exercise of the powers conferred by S.35 of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition)Act, 1970, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, the same having been previously published as required by the said section, namely :- CHAPTER 1 1 1. Short title and commencement :- (1) These rules may be called the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition)Central Rules, 1971. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions :- In these rules, unless the subject or context otherwise requires- (a) "Act" means the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970; (b) "Appellate Officer" means the Appellate Officer appointed by the Central Govern-ment under sub-section (1) of section 15 ; (c) "Board" means the Central Advisory Contract Labour Board constituted under section 3 ; (d) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board; (e) "Committee" means a Committee constituted under sub-section (1) of section 5 ; (f) "Form" means a form appended to these rules; (g) "Section" means a section of the Act. CHAPTER 2 2 3. Central Board :- The Board shall consist of the following members :- (a) Chairman to be appointed by the Central Government; (b) the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)-ex-officio; (c) 1[three persons] representing the Central Government, to be appointed by that Government from amongst its officials; (d) 1a[two persons] representing the Railways, to be appointed by Central Government after consultation with the Railway Board; (e) 2[five persons], one representing the employers in coal mines, 3{ t w o representing the employers in other mines] and two representing contractors to whom the Act applies, to be appointed by the Central Government after consultation with such organisations, if any, of the employers and the contractors as may be recognised by the Central Government; (f ) 4[5][seven persons], two] representing the employees in the Railways, one represent- ing the employees' in coal mines, |3 [two representing the employees in other mines],and two representing t h e employees of contractors to whom the Aci. applies, to be appointed by the Central Government after consultation with such organisations,if any, of employees representing the respective interest as may be recognised by the Central Government. 1. Substituted for "one person" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1991. 1a. Substituted for "one person" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1971. 2. Substituted for "four persons" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1973, w.e.f. 2-6-1973. 3. Substituted for "one representing the employers in other mines', the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1973. 4. Substituted for "five persons, one" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Arndt.) Rules, 1971. 5. Substituted for "six persons", the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1971. 3. Substituted for "one representing the employers in other mines', the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1973. 4. Terms of Office :- (1) The Chairman of the Board shall hold office as such for a period of three years from the date on which is appointment is first notified in the Official Gazette. (2) Each of the members of the Board, referred to in clauses (c) and (d) of rule 3, shall hold office as such during the pleasure of the President. (3) Each of the members referred to in clauses (e) and (f) of rule 3 shall hold office as such for a period of three years commencing from the date on which his appointment is first notified in the Official Gazette : Provided that where the successor of any such member has not been notified in the Official Gazette on or before the expiry of the said period of three years, such member shall, notwithstanding the expiry of the period of his office, continue to hold such office until the appointment of his successor has been notified in the Official Gazette. (4) If a member is unable to attend a meeting of the Board, the Central Government or the body which appointed or nominated him may, by notice in writing signed on its behalf and by such member and addressed to the Chairman of the said Board, nominate a substitute in his place to attend the meeting and such a substitute member shall have all the rights of a member in respect of that meeting and any decision taken at the meeting shall be binding on the said body. 5. Resignation :- (1)A member of the Board, not being an ex officio member, may resign his office by a letter in writing addressed to the Central Government. (2) The office of such a member shall fall vacant from the date on which his resignation is accepted by the Central Government, or on the expiry of thirty days from the date of receipt of the letter of resignation by that Government whichever is earlier.] 6. Cessation of membership :- If any member of the Board, not being an ex officio member, fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Board, without obtaining the leave of the Chairman for such absence, he shall cease to be a member of the Board : Provided that the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that such member was prevented by sufficient cause from attending three consecutive meetings of the Board, direct that such cessation shall not take place and on such direction being made, such member shall continue to be a member of the Board. 7. Disqualification for membership :- ( 1 ) A person shall be disqualified for being appointed and for being a member of the Board,- (i) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (iii) if he has been or is convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude. (2) If a question arises as to whether a disqualification has been incurred under sub-r ule (1), the Central Government shall decide the same. 8. Removal from membership :- The Central Government may remove from office any member of the Board, if in its opinion such a member has ceased to represent the interest which he purports to represent on the Board : Provided that no such member shall be removed unless a reasonable opportunity is given to him of making any representation against the proposed action. 9. Vacancy :- When a vacancy occurs or is likely to occur in the membership of the Board the Chairman shall submit a report to the Central Government and on receipt of such report the Central Government shall take steps to fill the vacancy by making an appointment from amongst the category of persons to which the person vacating membership belonged and the person so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member in whose place he is appointed. 10. Staff :- (l) (i) The Central Government may appoint one of its officials as Secretary to the Board and appoint such other staff as it may think necessary to enable the Board to carry out its functions. (ii) The salaries and allowances payable to the staff and the other conditions of service of such staff shall be such as may be decided by the Central Government, (2) The Secretary- (i) shall assist the Chairman in convening meetings of the Board; (ii) may attend the meetings but shall not be entitled to vote at such meetings; (iii) shall keep a record of the minutes of such meetings; and (iv) shall take necessary measures to carry out the decisions taken at the meetings of the Board. 11. Allowances of members :- (1) The travelling allowance of an official member shall be governed by the rules applicable to him for journey performed by him on official duties and shall be paid by the authority paying his salary. (2) The non-official members of the Board shall be paid travelling allowance for attending the meeting of the Board at such rates as are admissible to Grade I officers of the Central Government and daily allowances shall be calculated at the maximum rate admissible to Grate I officers of the Central Government in their respective places. 12. Disposal of business :- E v e ry question which the Board is required to take into consideration shall be considered at a meeting, or, if the Chairman so directs, by sending the necessary papers to every member for opinion, and the question shall be disposed of in accordance with the decision of the majority : Provided that in the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or a casting vote. 13. Meetings :- (1) The Board shall meet at such places and times as may be specified by the Chairman. (2) The Chairman shall preside over every meeting of the Board at which he is present and in his absence nominate a member of the Board to preside over such meeting. 14. Notice of meetings and list of business :- (1) Ordinarily seven days' notice shall be given to the members of a proposed meeting. (2) No business which is not on the list of business for a meeting shall be considered at that meeting without the permission of the Chairman. 15. Quorum :- No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless at least five members are present: Provided that if at any meeting less than five members are present, the chairman mayadjourn the meeting to another date informing members present and giving notice tothe other members that he proposes to dispose of the business at the adjourned meetingwhether there is prescribed quorum or not, and it shall thereupon be lawful for him to dispose of the business at the adjourned meeting irrespective of the number of members attending. 16. Committees of the Board :- (l) (i) The Board may constitute such committees and for such purpose or purposes as it may think fit. (ii) While constituting the Committee the Board may nominate one of its members to be the Chairman of the Committee. 1 [(2) (i) The Committee shall meet at such times and places as the chairman of the said Committee may decide. (ii) The provisions of rule 12, Section 13(2), Section 14 and Section 15 shall apply to the Committee for transaction of business at its meetings as they apply to the Board, subject to the modification that the quorum specified in rule 15 shall be "one-third" of the members instead of "five members".] (3) The provisions of rule 11 shall apply to the members of the Committee for attending the meetings of the Committee as they apply to the members of the Board. 1. Substituted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1974, w.e.f. 25-5-1974. CHAPTER 3 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING 17. Manner of making application for registration of establishments :- (1) The application referred to in sub-section (1) of section 7 shall be made in triplicate in Form I to the registering officer of the area in which the establishment sought to be registered is located. (2) The application referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be accompanied by a 1 [demand draft] showing payment of fees for the registration of the establishment. (3) Every application referred to in sub-rule ( 1 ) shall be either personally delivered to the registering officer or sent to him by registered post. (4) On receipt of the application referred to in sub-rule (1), the registering officer shall, after noting thereon the date of receipt by him of the application, grant an acknowledgement to the applicant. 1. Substituted for the word "treasury receipt" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 18. Grant of certificate of registration :- (1) The certificate of registration granted under sub-section (2) of section 7 shall be in Form II, (2) Every certificate of registration granted under sub-section (2) of section 7 shall contain the following particulars, namely :- (a) the name and address of the establishment; (b) the maximum number of workmen to be employed as contract labour in the establishment; (c) the type of business, trade, industry, manufacture or occupation which is carried on in the establishment; (d) such other particulars as may be relevant to the employment of contract labour in the establishment. (3) The registering officer shall maintain a register in Form III showing the particulars of establishments in relation to which certificates of registration have been issued by him. (4) If, in relation to an establishment, there is any change, in the particulars specified in the certificate of registration, the principal employer of the establishment shall intimate to the registering officer, within thirty days from the date when such change takes place, the particulars of, and the reasons for, such change. 19. Circumstances in which application for registration may be rejected :- (1) If any application for registration is not complete in all respects, the registering officer shall require the principal employer to amend the application so as to make it complete in all respects. (2) If the principal employer, on being required by the registering officer to amend his application for registration, omits or fails to do so, the registering officer shall reject the application for registration. 20. Amendment of certificate of registration :- (1) Where, on receipt of the intimation under sub-rule (4) of rule 18, the registering officer is satisfied that an amount higher than the amount which has been paid by the principal employer as fees for the registration of the establishment is payable, he shall require such principal employer to 1[pay] a sum which, together with the amount already paid by such principal employer, would be equal to such higher amount of fees payable for the registration of the establishment and to produce the 2 [demand draft] showing such deposit. (2) Where on receipt of the intimation referred to in sub-rule (4) of rule 18, the registering officer is satisfied that there has occurred a change in the particulars of the establish- ment, as entered in the register in Form III, he shall amend the said register and record therein the change which has occurred : Provided that no such amendment shall affect anything done or any action taken or any right, obligation or liability acquired or incurred before such amendment : Provided further that the registering officer shall not carry out any amendment in the register in Form III unless the appropriate fees have been deposited by the principal employer. 1. Substituted for "deposit" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 2. Substituted for "treasury receipt", the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1987. 21. Application for a licence :- (1) Every application by a contractor for the grant of a licence shall be made in triplicate, in Form IV, to the licensing officer of the area in which the establishment, in relation to which he is the contractor, is located. (2) Every application for the grant of a licence shall be accompanied by a certificate by the principal employer in Form V to the effect that the applicant has been employed by him as a contractor in relation to his establishment and that he undertakes to be bound by all the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder in so far as the provisions are applicable to him as principal employer in respect of the employment of contract labour by the applicant. (3) Every such application shall be either personally delivered to the licensing officer or sent to him by registered post. (4) On receipt of the application referred to in sub-rule ( 1 ), the licensing officer shall, afternoting thereon the date of receipt of the application, grant an acknowledgement to the applicant. (5) Every application referred to in sub-rule ( 1 ) shall also be accompanied by a 1 [demanddraft] showing- (i) the deposit of the security at the rates specified in rule 24, and (ii) the payment of the fees at the rates specified in rule 26. 1. Substituted for "treasury receipt" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987 w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 22. Matters to be taken Into account in granting or refusing a licence :- In granting or refusing to grant a licence, the licensing officer shall take the following matters into account, namely :- (a) whether the applicant- (i) is a minor, or (ii) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court, or iii) is an undischarged insolvent, or (iv) has been convicted (at any time during a period of five years immediately preceding the date of application) of an offence which, in the opinions of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude; (b) whether there is an order of the appropriate Government or an award or settlement for the abolition of contract labour in respect of the particular type of work in the establishment for which the applicant is a contractor; (c) whether any order has been made in respect of the applicant under sub-section ( 1 ) of section 14 , and, if so, whether a period of three years has elapsed from the date of that order; (d) whether the fees for the application have been deposited at the rates specified in rule 26; and (e) whether security has been deposited by the applicant at the rates specified in rule 24. 23. Refusal to grant licence :- 1 [(1) On receipt of the application from the contractor, and as soon as possible thereafter, the Licensing Officer shall investigate or cause investigation to be made to satisfy himself about the correctness of the facts and particulars furnished in such application and the eligibility to the applicant for a licence.] (2) (i) Where the licensing officer is of opinion that the licence should not be granted, he shall, after affording reasonable opportunity to the applicant to be heard, make an order rejecting the application. (ii) The order shall record the reasons for the refusal and shall be communicated to the applicant. 1. Substituted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1974, w.e.f. 25-5-1974. 24. Security :- (1) Before a licence is issued, an amount calculated at the rate of 1[Rs. 90] for each of the workman to be employed as contract labour, in respect of which the application for licence has been made, shall be deposited by the contractor for due performance of the conditions of the licence and compliance with the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder: 2[Provided that where the contractor is a Co-operative Society, the amount deposited as security shall be at the rate of 3[Rs. 15] for each of the workmen to be employed as a contract labour.] 4[(1A) Where the applicant for the licence was holding a licence in regard to another work and that licence had expired, the licensing officer, if he is of the view that any amount out of the security deposited in respect of that licence is to be directed to be refunded to the applicant under rule 31, may, on an application made for that purpose in Form VA by the applicant adjust the amount so to be refunded towards the security required to be deposited in respect of the application for the new licence and the pplicant need deposit, in such acase, only the balance amount, if any, after making such adjustment.] (2)5 [The amount of security, or the balance amount, required to be deposited under sub-rule (1) or, as the case may be, under sub- rule (1 A)] shall be paid in the local treasury under the head of Account "Section T-Deposits and Advances Part II Deposits not bearing interest - (c) other Deposit Accounts - Departmental and Judicial Deposits - Civil Deposits-Deposits, under Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 (Central)". 1. Substituted for "Rs. 30" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 2. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1973, w.e.f. 24-2-1973. 3. Substituted for "Rs. 5" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amend- ment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 4. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1978, w.e.f. 22-7-1978. 5. Substituted for "The amount of security deposit", the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1978. 25. Forms and terms and conditions of licence :- (1) Every licence granted under sub-section (1) of section 12 shall be in Form VI. (2) Every licence granted under sub-rule (1) or renewed under rule 29 shall be subject to the following conditions, namely :- (i) the licence shall be non-transferable; (ii) the number of workmen employed as contract labour in the establishment shall not, on any day, exceed the maximum number specified in the licence; (iii) save as provided in these rules, the fees paid for the grant, or as the case may be, for renewal of the licence shall be non- refundable ; ( iv) the rates of wages payable to the workmen by the contractor shall not be less than the rates prescribed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 , for such employment where applicable, and where the rates have been fixed by agreement, settlement or award, not less than the rates so fixed ; (v) (a) in cases where the workmen employed by the contractor perform the same or similar kind of work as the workmen directly employed by the principal employer of the establishment, the wage rates, holidays, hours of work and other conditions of service of the workmen of the contractor shall be the same as applicable to the workmen directly employed by the principal employer of the establishment on the same or similar kind of work : Provided that in the case of any disagreement with regard to the type of work the same shall be decided by ["the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)"]1[* * *]; (b) in other cases the wage rates, holidays, hours of work and conditions of service of the workmen of the contractor shall be such as may be specified in this behalf by ["the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)"]. Explanation: While determining the wage rates, holidays, hours of work and other conditions of service under (b) above, ["the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)"]shall have due regard to the wage rates, holidays, hours of work and other conditions of service obtaining in similar employments; (vi) (a) in every establishment where twenty or more women are ordinarily em- ployed as contract labour, there shall be provided two rooms of reasonable dimensions for the use of their children under the age of six years. (b) one of such rooms shall beused as a play room for the children and the other as bed room for the children. (c) the contractor shall supply adequate number of toys and games in the play room and sufficient number of cots and beddings in the sleeping room. (d) the standard of construction and maintenance of the creches shall be such as may be specified in this behalf by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central); (vii) the licensee shall notify any change in the number of workmen or the conditions of work to the licensing officer; 2[ ( v iii) the licensees shall, within fifteen days of the commencement and completion of each contract work submit a return to the inspector, appointed under section 28 of the Act, intimating the actual date of the commencement or, as the case may be, completion of such contract work in Form Vl-A;] 3[(ix) a copy of the licence shall be displayed prominently at the premises where the contract work is being carried on;] 4[5 [(xi)] no female contract labour shall be employed by any contractor before 6.00 a.m.or after 7.00 p.m. : 1. The words "whose decision shall be final" omitted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1985, w.e.f. 26-11-1985. 2. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1976, w.e.f. 12-2-1977. 3. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.r.e.f. 22-8-1987. 4. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1978, w.e.f. 22-7-1978. 5. Existing clause ( ix) renumbered by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules 1987. 26. Fees :- 1 [(1) The fees to be paid for the grant of a certificate of registration under section 7 shall be as specified below :- If the number of workmen proposed to be employed on contract on any day- Rs. (a) is 20 60 (b) exceeds 20 but does not exceed 50 150 (c) exceeds 50 but does not exceed 100 300 (d) exceeds 100 but does not exceed 200 600 (e) exceeds 200 but does not exceed 400 1,200 (f) exceeds 400 (2) The fees to be paid for the grant of a licence under section 12 shall be as specified below: If the number of workmen employed by the contractor on any day- Rs. P. (a) is 20 15 (b) exceeds 20 but does not exceed 50 37.50 (c) exceeds 50 but does not exceed 100 75 (d) exceeds 100 but does not exceed 200 150 (e) exceeds 200 but does not exceed 400 300 (f) exceeds 400 375] 1. Substituted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules,1988. 27. Validity of the licence :- Every licence granted under rule 25 or renewed under rule 29 shall remain in force for twelve months from the date it is granted or renewed. 28. Amendment of the licence :- (1)A licence issued under rule 25 or renewed under rule 29 may, for good and sufficient reasons, be amended by the licensing officer. (2) The contractor who desires to have the licence amended shall submit to the licensing officer an application stating the nature of the amendment and reasons therefor. (3) (i) If the licensing officer allows the application he shall require the applicant to furnish 1[demand draft] for the amount, if any, by which the fees that would have been payable if the licence had been originally issued in the amended form exceeds the fees originally paid for the licence (ii) On the applicant furnishing the requisite 1 [demand draft] the licence shall be amended according to the orders of the licensing officer. (4) Where the application for amendment is refused, the licensing officer shall record the reasons for such refusal and communicate the same to the applicant. 1. Substituted for the words "treasury receipt" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 29. Renewal of licence :- (1) Every contractor shall apply to the licensing officer for renewal of the licence. (2) Every such application shall be in Form VII in triplicate and shall be made not less than thirty days before the date on which the licence expires, and if the application is so made, the licence shall be deemed to have been renewed until such date when the renewed licence is issued. (3) The fees chargeable for renewal of the licence shall be the same as for the grant thereof: Provided that if the application for renewal is not received within the time specified in sub-rule (2), a fee of 25 per cent in excess of the fee ordinarily payable for the licence shall be payable for such renewal: Provided further that in case where the licensing officer is satisfied that the delay in submission of the application is due to unavoidable circumstances beyound the control of the contractor, he may reduce or remit as he thinks fit the payment of such excess fee. 30. Issue of duplicate certificate of registration or licence :- Where a certificate of registration or a licence granted or renewed under the preceding rules has been lost, defaced or accidentally destroyed, a duplicate may be granted on payment of fees of rupees five. 31. Refund of security :- (l) (i) On expiry of the period of licence the contractor may, if he does not intend to have his licence renewed, make an application to the licensing officer for the refund of the security deposited by him under rule 24. (ii) If the licensing officer is satisfied that there is no breach of the conditions of licence or there is no order under section 14 for the forfeiture of security or any portion thereof, he shall direct the refund of the security to the applicant. (2) If there is any order directing the forfeiture of any portion of the security, the amount to be forfeited shall be deducted from the security deposit, and balance, if any, refunded to the applicant. (3) Any application for refund shall, as far as possible, be disposed of within 60 days of the receipt of the application. 32. Grant of temporary certificate of registration and licence :- (1) Where conditions arise in an establishment requiring the employment of contract labour immediately and such employment is estimated to last for not more than fifteen days, the principal employer of the establishment or the contractor, as the case may be, may apply for a temporary certificate of registration or licence to the registering officer or the licensing officer, as the case may be, having jurisdiction over the area in which the establishment is situated. (2) The application for such temporary certificate of registration or licence shall be made in triplicate in Form VIII and X respectively and shall be accompanied by a 1[demand draft drawn in favour of the Pay and Accounts Officer, office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi] showing the payment of appropriate fees and in the case of licence the appropriate amount of security also. (3) On receipt of the application, complete in all respects, and on being satisfied either on affidavit by the applicant or otherwise that the work in respect of which the application has been made would be finished in a period of fifteen days and was of a nature which could not but be carried out immediately, the registering officer or the licensing officer, as the case may be, shall forthwith grant a certificate of registration in Form IX or a licence in Form XI, as the case may be, for a period of not more than fifteen days. (4) Where a certificate of registration or licence is not granted, the reasons therefor shall be recorded by the registering officer or the licensing officer, as the case may be. (5) On the expiry of the validity of the registration certificate the establishment shall cease to employ in the establishment contract labour in respect of which the certificate was given. (6) The fees to be paid for the grant of the certificate of registration under sub-rule (3) shall be as specified below : If the number of workmen proposed to be employed on contract on any day- Rs. (a) exceeds 20 but does not exceed 50 2[30.00 (b) exceeds 50 but does not exceed 200 60.00 (c) exceeds 200 90.00] (7) The fees to be paid for the grant of a licence under sub-rule (3) shall be as specified below: If the number of workmen to be employed by the contractor on any day- Rs. (a) exceeds 20 but does not exceed 50 3 [15.00 (b) exceeds 50 but does not exceed 200 60.00 (c) exceeds 200 90.00] (8) The provision of rule 23 and rule 24 shall apply to the refusal to grant licence or to grant licence under sub-rule (4) and sub-rule (3) respectively. 1. Substituted for "treasury receipt or a crossed postal order drawn in favour of the appropriate registering or licensing officer, as the case may be" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. Earlier amendment was made by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second .Amendment) Rules, 1974, w.e.f. 10-8- 1974. 2. Substituted for "Rs. 10", "Rs. 20" and "Rs. 30", respectively, by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules 1988. 3. Substituted for "Rs. 5", "Rs. 20" and "Rs. 30", respectively, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Second Amendment) Rules, 1988. CHAPTER 4 APPEALS AND PROCEDURE 33. From of appeal :- ( 1 ) ( i) Every appeal under sub-section (1) of section 15 shall be preferred in the form of a memorandum signed by the appellant or his authorised agent and presented to the Appellate Officer in person or sent to him by registered post. (ii) The memorandum shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the order appealed from and a [demand draft] for rupees 10. (2) The memorandum shall set forth concisely and under distinct heads the grounds of appeal to the order appealed from. 34. Memorandum of appeal :- (1) Where the memorandum of appeal does not comply with the provisions of sub- rule (2) of rule 33 it may be rejected or returned to the appellant for the purpose of being amended within a time to be fixed by the Appellate Officer. (2) Where the appellate Officer rejects the memorandum under sub-rule (1) he shall record the reason for such rejection, and communicate the order to the appellant. (3) Where the memorandum of appeal is in order the Appellate Officer shall admit the appeal, endorse thereon the date of presentation and shall register the appeal in a book to be kept for the purpose called the Register of Appeals. (4) (i) When the appeal has been admitted, the Appellate Officer shall send the notice of the appeal to the registering officer or the licensing officer as the case may be from whose order the appeal has been preferred and the registering officer or the licensing officer shall send the record of the case to the Appellate Officer. (ii) On receipt of the record, the Appellate Officer shall send a notice to the appellant to appear before him at such date and time as may be specified in the notice for the hearing of the appeal. 35. Hearing of appeal :- If on the date fixed for hearing, the appellant does not appear, the Appellate Officer may dismiss the appeal for default of appearance of the appellant. 36. Dismissal of appeal :- (i) Where an appeal has been dismissed under rule 35 the appellant may apply to the Appellate Officer for the re-admission of the appeal, and where it is proved that he was prevented by any sufficient cause from appearing when the appeal was called on for hearing, the Appellate Officer shall restore the appeal on its original number. (ii) Such an application shall, unless the Appellate Officer extends the time for sufficient reason, be made within 30 days of the date of dismissal. 37. Judgement of Officer :- (1) If the appellant is present when the appeal is called on for the hearing, the Appellate Officer shall proceed to hear the appellant or his authorised agent and any other person summoned by him for this purpose, and pronounce judgment on the appeal, either confirming, reversing or varying the order appealed from. (2) The judgment of the Appellate Officer shall state the points for determination, the decisions thereon and the reasons for the decisions. (3) The order shall be communicated to the appellant and copy thereof shall be sent to the registering officer or the licensing officer from whose order the appeal has been preferred. 38. [Payment of fees :- (1) All amounts of money payable on account of security deposit registration fees, licence fee, appeal, supply of duplicate copies of registration certificates and in terms of any other provisions of the Act and Rules shall be paid through a crossed demand draft drawn in favour of the officers as shown in Annexure 'A', and made payable at branch of the Union Bank of India at the headquarters of the officers specified in column (3) of the said annexure. All such demand drafts shall be accompanied by a challan in Form No. TR-6 (in triplicate) indicating the details of payments, etc. (2) The licensing officer, the registering officer or the Appellate Authority, as the case may be, on receipt of the demand draft from the party shall arrange to deposit the amount in the appropriate account in the bank with which he, in his capacity as Regional Labour Commissioner/Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) as Drawing and disbursing Officer has an account. The Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), Delhi, shall deposit the demand draft in the Union Bank of India, Extension Centre, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, in the account of "Pay and Accounts Officer", Chief Labour Commissioner, New Delhi. (3) The payments received by the officers specified in the said annexure by way of demand drafts shall be deposited in the relevant heads of accounts as shown below :- Registration fees- "087-Labour and Employment-Fees under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, 1971, adjustable in the books of the Pay and Accounts Officer, Chief Labour Commissioner, Ministry of Labour, New Delhi". Licensing fees-"087-Labour Employment-Fees under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, 1971 adjustable in the books of the Pay and Accounts Officer (Chief Labour Commissioner), Ministry of Labour, New Delhi". Security deposits-"Deposits and Advance- Deposits not bearing interest 843- Civil Deposits under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, adjustable in the books of the Pay and Accounts Officer, Chief Labour Commission- er, Ministry of Labour, New Delhi". Duplicate copy of the registration certificates. "87 Labour and Employment Fee under the Contract Labour Appeals (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, 1971"]. 39. Copies :- Copy of the order of the registering officer, licensing officer or the Appellate Officer may be obtained on payment of fees or rupees two for each order on application specifying the date and other particulars of the order, made to the officer concerned. CHAPTER 5 WELFARE AND HEALTH OF CONTRACT LABOUR 40. Drinking water :- (1) The facilities required to be provided under section 18 and Section 19 of the Act, namely, sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water, a sufficient number of (2) If any of the facility mentioned in sub-rule (1) is not provided by the contractor within the period prescribed, the same shall be provided by the principal employer within seven days of the expiry of the period laid down in the said sub-rule. 41. Rest rooms :- (1) In every place wherein contract labour in required to halt at night in connection with the working of the establishment to which the Act applies and in which employment of contract labour is likely to continue for 3 months or more the contractor shall provide and maintain rest rooms or other suitable alternative accommodation within fifteen days of the coming into force of the rules in the case of existing establishments, and within fifteen days of the commencement of the employment of contract labour in new establishments. (2) If the amenity referred to in sub-ruled) is not provided by the contractor within the period prescribed the principal employer shall provide the same within a period of fifteen days of the expiry of the period laid down in the said sub-rule. (3) Separate rooms shall be provided for women employees. (4) Effective and suitable provision shall be made in every room for securing and maintaining adequate ventilation by the circulation of fresh air and there shall also be provided and maintained sufficient and suitable natural or artificial lighting. (5) The rest-room or rooms or other suitable alternative accommodation shall be of such dimensions so as to provide at least a floor area of 1.1 sq. metre for each person making use of the rest room. (6) The rest-room or rooms or other suitable alternative accommodation shall be so constructed as to afford adequate protection against heat, wind, rain and shall have smooth, hard and impervious floor surface. (7) The rest-room or other suitable alternative accommodation shall be at a convenient distance from the establishment and shall have adequate supply of wholesome drinking water. 42. Canteens :- (1) In every establishment to which the Act applies and wherein work regarding the employment of contract labour is likely to continue for six months and wherein contract labour numbering one hundred or more are ordinarily employed, an adequate canteen shall be provided by the contractor for the use of such contract labour within sixty days of the date of coming into force of the rules in the case of the existing establishments and within 60 days of the commencement of the employment of contract labour in the case of new establishments. (2) If the contractor fails to provide the canteen within the time laid down the same shall be provided by the principal employer within sixty days of the expiry of the time allowed to the contractor. (3) The canteen shall be maintained by the contractor or principal employer, as the case may be, in an efficient manner. 43. Facilities in Canteen :- (1) The canteen shall consist of at least a dining hall, kitchen, store room, pantry and washing places separately for workers and for utensils. (2) (i) The canteen shall be sufficiently lighted at all times when any person has access to it. (ii) The floor shall be made of smooth and impervious material and inside walls shall be, lime-washed or colour-washed at least once in each year : Provided that the inside walls of the kitchen shall be lime-washed every four months. (3) (i) The precincts of the canteen shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. ( ii) Waste water shall be carried away in suitable covered drains and shall not be allowed to accumulate so as to cause a nuisance. (iii) Suitable arrangements shall be made for the collection and disposal of garbage. 44. Dining hall :- (1) The dining hall shall accommodate at a time at least 30 per cent of the contract labour working at a time. (2) The floor area or the dining hall, excluding the area occupied by the service counter and any furniture except tables and chairs shall be not less than one square metre per diner to be accommodated as prescribed in sub-rule (1). (3) (i) A portion of the dining hall and service counter shall be partitioned off and reserved for women workers, in proportion to their number. (ii) Washing places for women shall be separate and screened to secure privacy. (4) Sufficient tables, stools, chairs or benches shall be available for the number of diners to be accommodated as prescribed in sub-rule (1). 45. Utensils and Crockery :- ( l )( i)There shall be provided and maintained sufficient utensils, crockery, cutlery, furniture and any other equipment necessary for the efficient running of the canteen. (ii) The furniture, utensils and other equipment shall be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition. (2) (i) Suitable clean clothes for the employees serving in the canteen shall also be provided and maintained. (ii) A service counter, if provided, shall have top of smooth and impervious material. (iii) Suitable facilities including an adequate supply of hot water shall be provided for the cleaning of utensils and equipment. 46. Foodstuff :- The foodstuffs and other items to be served in the canteen shall be in conformity with the normal habits of the contract labour. 47. Charges for foodstuffs :- The charges for foodstuffs, beverages and any other items served in the canteen shall be based on 'no-profit, no-loss' and shall be conspicuously displayed in the canteen. 48. Prices of foodstuffs :- I n arriving at the prices of foodstuffs and other articles served in t h e canteen the following items shall not be taken into consideration as expenditure, namely :- (a) the rent for the land and building; (b) the depreciation and maintenance charges for the building and equipment provided for in the canteen; (c) the cost of purchase, repairs and replacement of equipments including furniture, crockery, cutlery and utensils; (d) the water charges and other charges incurred for lighting and ventilation; (e) the interest on the amounts spent on the provision and maintenance of furniture and equipment provided for in the canteen. 49. Books of account :- The books of accounts and registers and other documents used in connection with the running of the canteen shall be produced on demand to an Inspector. 50. Audit of accounts :- The accounts pertaining to the canteen shall be audited once every 12 months by registered accountants and auditors: Provided that the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) may approve of any other person to audit the accounts, if he is satisfied that it is not feasible to appoint a registered accountant and auditor in view of the site or the location of the canteen. 51. Latrines and urinals :- Latrines shall be provided in every establishment coming within the scope of the Act of the following scale, namely :- (a) where females are employed, there shall be at least one latrine for every 25 females; (b) where males are employed, there shall be at least one latrine for every 25 males: Provided that where the number of males or females exceeds 100, it shall be sufficient if there is one latrine for every 25 males or females, as the case may be, up to the first 100, and one for every 50 thereafter. 52. Covering of latrine :- Every latrine shall be under cover and so partitioned off as to secure privacy, and shall have a proper door and fastenings. 53. Latrine for woman/man :- (1) Where workers of both sexes are employed there shall be displayed outside each block of latrine and urinal a notice in the language understood by the majority of the workers "For Men Only" or "For Women Only", as the case may be. (2) The notice shall also bear the figure of a man or of a woman, as the case may be. 54. Number of latriens :- There shall be at least one urinal for male workers up to 50 and one for female workers up to fifty employed at a time: Provided that where the number of male or female workmen, as the case may be, exceeds 500 it shall be sufficient if there is one urinal for every 50 males or females up to the first 500 and one for every 100 or part thereof thereafter. 55. Situation of latriens :- (1) The latrines and urinals shall be conveniently situated and accessible to workers at all times at the establishment. (2) (i) The latrines and urinals shall be adequately lighted and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. (ii) Latrines and urinals other than those connected with a flush sewage system shall comply with the requirements of the public health authorities. 56. Water in latrines :- Water shall be provided by means of tap or otherwise so as to be conveniently accessible in or near the latrine and urinals. 57. Washing facilities :- (1) In every establishment coming within the scope of the Act adeqate and suitable facilities for washing shall be provided and maintained for the use of contract labour employed therein.' (2) Separate and adequate screening facilities shall be provided for the use of male and female workers. (3) Such facilities shall be conveniently accessible and shall be kept in clean and hygienic condition. 58. First-aid facilities :- In very establishment coming within the scope of the Act there shall be provided and maintained so as to be readily accessible during all working hours first-aid boxes at the rate of not less than one box for 150 contract labour or ordinarily employed. 59. First Aid Box :- (1) The first-aid box shall be distinctively marked with a red cross ground and shall contain the following equipment, namely :- A. For establishments in which the number of contract labour employed does not exceed fifty- Each first-aid box shall contain the following equipment :- (i) 6 small sterilized dressings. (ii) 3 medium size sterilized dressings. (iii) 3 large size sterilized dressings. (iv) 3 large sterilized burn dressings. (v) 1 (30 ml.) bottle containing a two per cent alcoholic solution of iodine (vi) 1(30 ml.) bottle containing salvolatile having the dose and mode of administration indicated on the label. (vii) 1 snake-bite lancet. (viii) 1 (30 grns.) bottle of potassium permanganate crystals. (ix) 1 pair scissors. (x) 1 copy of the first-aid leaflet issued by the Director General, Factory Ac and Labour Institutes, Government of India. (xi) A bottle containing 100 tablets (each of 5 grains) of aspirin. (xii) Ointment for burns. (xiii) A bottle of suitable surgical anti-septic solution. B. For establishments in which the number of contract labour exceeds fifty--- Each first-aid box shall contain the following equipment :- (i) 12 small sterilized dressings. (ii) 6 medium size-sterilized dressings. (iii) 6 large size sterilized dressings. (iv) 6 large size sterilized burn dressings. (v) 6(15 grns.) packets sterilized cotton wool. (vi) 1 (60 ml.) bottle containing a two per cent alcoholic solution of iodine. (vii) 1 (60 ml) bottle containing salvolatile having the dose and mode of administration indicated on the label. (viii) 1 roll of adhesive plaster. (ix) A snake-bite lancet. (x) 1 (30 gms.) bottle of potassium permanganate crystals. (xi) 1 pair scissors. (xii) 1 copy of the first-aid leaflet issued by the Director General, Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes, Government of India. (xiii) A bottle containing 100 tablets (each of 5 grains) of aspirin. (xiv) Ointment for burns. (xv) A bottle of a suitable surgical anti-septic solution. (2) Adequate arrangement shall be made for immediate recoupment of the equipment when necessary. 60. Contents of First Aid Box :- Nothing except the prescribed contents shall be kept in the first-aid box. 61. Charge of First Aid Box :- The first-aid box shall be kept in charge of a responsible person who shall always be readily available during the working hours of the establishment. 62. Person in charge of First Aid Box :- A person incharge of the first-aid box shall be a person trained in first-aid treatment, in establishments where the number of contract labour employed is 150 or more. CHAPTER 6 WAGES 63. Fixing of wages :- T he contractor shall fix wage periods in respect of which wages shall be payable. 64. Wage period :- No wage period shall exceed one month. 65. Payment of wages :- The wages of every person employed as contract labour in an establishment or by a contractor where less than one thousand such persons are employed shall be paid before the expiry of the seventh day and in other cases before the expiry of tenth day after the last day of the wage period in respect of which the wages are payable. 66. Termination of emplyment :- Where the employment of any worker is terminated by or on behalf of the contractor the wages earned by him shall be paid before the expiry of the second working day from the day on which his employment is terminated. 67. Final Payment :- All payments of wages shall be made on a working day at the work premises and during the working time and on a date notified in advance and in case the work is completed before the expiry of the wage period, final payment shall be made within 48 hours of the last working day. 68. To whom wages be paid :- Wages due to every worker shall be paid to him direct or to other person authorised by him in this behalf. 69. From of payment of wages :- All wages shall be paid in current coin or currency or in both. 70. Deductions :- Wages shall be paid without any deductions of any kind except those specified by the Central Government by general or special order in this behalf or permissible under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 . 71. Wage period :- A notice showing the wage period and the place and time of disbursement of wages shall be displayed at the place of work and a copy sent by the contractor to the principal employer under acknowledgement. 72. Present of authorised representative :- The principal employer shall ensure the presence of his authorised representative at the place and time of disbursement of wages by the contractor to workmen and it shall be the duty of the contractor t o ensure the disbursement of wages in the presence of such authorised representative. 73. Recording of signatures :- The authorised representative of the principal employer shall record under his signature a certificate at the end of the entries in the Register of Wages or the 1 [Register of Wages-cum-Muster Roll], as the case may be, in the following form: "Certified that the amount shown in column No ............. has been paid to the workman concerned in my presence on........... at............." 1. Substituted for "Wages-cum-Muster-Roll" by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1978, w.e.f. 22-7-1978. CHAPTER 7 REGISTERS AND RECORDS AND COLLECTION OF TATISTICS 74. Register of contractors :- E v ery principal employer shall maintain in respect of each registered establish-ment a register of contractors in Form XII. 75. Register of persons employed :- E very contractor shall maintain in respect of each registered establishment where he employs contract labour a register in Form XIII. 76. Employment Card :- (i) Every contractor shall issue an employment card in Form XIV to each worker within three days of the employment of the worker. (ii) The card shall be maintained up to date and any change in the particulars shall be entered therein. 77. Service Certificate :- O n termination of employment for any reason whatsoever the contractor shall issue to the workman whose services have been terminated a Service Certificate in Form XV. 78. Muster Roll Wages Registers, Deduction Register and Overtime Register :- [(l) (a) Every Contractor shall in respect of each work on which he engages contract labour,- (i) maintain a Muster Roll and a Register of Wages in Form XVI and Form XVII respectively: Provided that a combined Register of Wage icum-Muster Roll in Form XVIII shall be maintained by the contractor where the wage period is a fortnight or less; (ii) maintain a Register of Deductions for damage or loss, Register of Fines and Register of Advances in Form XX, Form XXI and Form XXXIII respectively; (iii) maintain a Register of Overtime in Form XXIII recording therein the number of hours of, and wages paid for, overtime work, if any. (b) Every contractor shall where the wage period is one week or more, issue wage slips in Form XIX, to the workmen at least a day prior to the disbursement of wages; (c) Every contractor shall obtain the signature or thumb impression of the worker concerned against the entries relating to him on the Register of Wages or Muster Roll- cum-Wages Register, as the case may be, and the entries shall be authenticated by the initials of the contractor or his authorised representative and shall also be duly certified by the authorised representative of the principal employer in the manner provided in rule 73; (d) In respect of establishments which are governed by the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and the rules made thereunder, or Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (11 of 1948) or the rules made thereunder, the following registers and records required to be main- tained by a contractor as employer under those Acts and the rule" made thereunder shall be deemed to be register and records to be maintained by the contractor under these rules, namely:- (a) Muster Roll; (b) Register of Wages; (c) Register of Deductions; (d) Register of Overtime; (e) Register of Fines; (f) Register of Advances; (g) Wage slip.] (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, where a combined or alternative form is sought to be used by the contractor to avoid duplication of work for compliance with the provisions of any other Act or the rules framed thereunder or any other laws or regulations or in cases where mechanised pay rolls are introduced for better administration, alternative suitable form or forms in lieu of any of the forms prescribed under these rules, may be used with the previous approval of the [Regional Labour Commissioner (Central)]. 79. Abstract of Act :- Every contractor shall display an abstract of the Act and rules in English and Hindi and in the language spoken by the majority of workers in such form as may be approved by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central). 80. Registers and recorders :- (1) All registers and other records required to be maintained under the Act and rules, shall be maintained complete and uptodate, and unless otherwise provided for, shall be kept at an office or the nearest convenient building within the precincts of the workplace or at a place within a radius of three kilometers. 1 [(2) Such registers shall be maintained legibly in English and Hindi or in the language understood by the majority of the persons employed in the establishment.] (3) All the registers and other records shall be preserved in original for a period of three calendar years from the date of last entry therein, (4) All the registers, records and notices maintained under the Act or rules shall be produced on demand before the Inspector or any other authority under the Act or any person authorised in that behalf by the Central Government . (5) Where no deduction or fine has been imposed or no overtime has been worked during any wage period, a "nil" entry shall be made across the body of the register at the end of the wage period indicating also in precise terms the wage period to which the "nil" entry relates in the respective registers maintained in Forms XX, XXI and XXIII respectively. 1. Substituted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987,w.e.f.22-8-1987. 81. Notices showing rates of wages :- (l) (i) Notices showing the rates of wages, hours of work, wage periods, dates of payment of wages, names and addresses of the Inspectors having jurisdiction, and date of payment of unpaid wages, shall be displayed in English and in Hindi and in the local language understood by the majority of the workers in conspicuous places at the establishment and the work-site by the principal employer or the contractor, as the case may be. (ii) The notices shall be correctly maintained in a clean and legible condition. (2) A copy of the notice shall be sent to the Inspector and whenever any changes occur the same shall be communicated to him forthwith. 1 [(3) Every principal employer shall, within fifteen days of the commencement, or completion of each contract work under each contractor, submit a return to the Inspector, appointed under section 28 of the Act, intimating the actual dates of the commencement or, as the case may be, completion of such contract work in Form Vl-B]. 1. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1976, w.e.f. 12-2-1977. 82. Returns :- (1) Every contractor shall send half-yearly return in Form XXIV (in duplicate) so as to reach the Licensing Officer concerned not later than 30 days from the close of the half year. Note.-Half year for the purpose of this rule means "a period of 6 months commencing from 1st January and 1st July of every year." (2) Every principal employer of a registered establishment shall send annually a return in Form XXV (in duplicate) so as to reach the Registering Officer concerned not later than the 15th February following the end of the year to which it relates. 1 [(3) The returns to be submitted under this rule by contractor/principal employer shall be correct, complete and up-to- date in all respects.] 1. Inserted by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central (Amendment) Rules, 1987, w.e.f. 22-8-1987. 83. Power of Board :- (1) The Board, Committee, Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) or the Inspector or any other authority under the Act shall have powers to call for any information or statistics in relation to contract labour from any contractor or principal employer at any time by an order in writing. (2) Any person called upon to furnish the information under sub- rule (1) shall be legally bound to do so.