Source: https://www.global-regulation.com/law/pakistan/2948106/cantonments-%2528house-accommodation%2529-act%252c-1923.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 16:31:40+00:00

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An Act further to amend and to consolidate the law relating to the provision of house­ accommodation for military officers in cantonments.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.­(1) This Act may be called the Cantonments (House Accommodation) Act, 1923.
Provided that any notification made under section 3 of the 3Cantonments (House­ Accommodation) Act, 1902 (II of 1902), which is in force at the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to be a notification made under section 3 of this Act.
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1922, Pt. V, p. 233 ; and for Report of Joint Committee, see Gazette of India, 1923, Pt. V, p. 5. This Act has been extended to­ (i) the Leased Areas of Baluchistan, see the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G.G.O. 3 of 1950) ; and applied in the Federated Areas of Baluchistan, see Gazette of India, 1937, Pt. I, p. 1499; (ii) the Baluchistan States Unions, see the Baluchistan Sates Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 4 of 1953), as amended by the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) (Second Amdt.) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 19 of 1953) ; and (iii) the Khairpur State, see G.G.O. 5 of 1953, as amended by G.G.O. 24 of 1953. The Act has been and shall be deemed to has been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by the Gwadur (Application of Central Laws) Ordinance, 1960 (37 of 1960), s. 2. 2 The original sub­section (2), as amended by A.O., 1937, A.O., 1949 and the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, 1951 (26 of 1951) s. 8, has been subs. by the Central Laws (Statue Reform) Ordinance, 1960, (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). 3 Rep. by s. 39 and Sch. of this Act. 4 Subs. by A.O., 1949, for “India”.
1 Subs. by F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2 and Table for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A.O., 1937, for “G.G. in C.”. 2 Subs. ibid., for “Gazette of India”. 3 This clause, originally lettered (bb) was ins. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 2. It was re­lettered (b), and the original cl. (b) was omitted, by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 2. 4 Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, 1951 (26 of 1951), s. 4 and Sch. III, for “India”. 5 Subs by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A.O., 1937, for “G.G. in C.”. 6 Subs. ibid., for “Gazette of India”. 7 Subs by the Cantonment (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”. 8 Ins. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 2. 9 Subs. by A.O., 1949, for “India”. 10 Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch., for “His Majesty’s military or air­force” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 11 Subs. by Act 10 of 1925, s. 2, for “a Cantonment Magistrate”.
(iii) all rooms, out­houses and other appurtenant buildings are properly colour­washed or white­washed.
(2) If any question arises whether any land or building is appurtenant to a house, it shall be decided by the 1[Officer Commanding the station] whose decision thereon shall, subject to revision by the 2[Collector], be final.
3. Cantonments or parts of cantonments in which Act to be operative.­(1) The 3[Federal Government], 4* * * may, by notification in the 5[official Gazette], declare this Act to be operative in any cantonment or part of a cantonment 6* * *, 7* * *.
(2) Before issuing a notification under sub­section (1) in respect of any cantonment or part of a cantonment, the 3[Federal Government] shall cause local inquiry to be made with a view to determining whether it is expedient to issue such notification, and what portion (if any) of the area proposed to be included therein should be excluded therefrom.
1 Subs. by the Cantonment (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925),s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”. 2 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 2, for “District Magistrate”. 3 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A.O., 1937, for “L.G.”. 4 The words “with the previous sanction of the G.G. in C.” omitted, ibid. 5 Subs. ibid., for “local official Gazette.”. 6 The words “situate in the Province” omitted, ibid. 7 The words “other than a Cantonment situate within the limits of a Presidency­town” omitted by A.O., 1949. 8Subs. by A.O., 1937, for the original section 4. 9 Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 for “Crown” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 10 For definition, see the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897), s. 3 (14a).
5. Liability of houses to appropriation. Every house situate in a cantonment or part of a cantonment in respect of which a notification under sub­section (1) of section 3 is for the time being in force shall be liable to appropriation by 1[the 2[Federal Government]] on a lease in the manner and subject to the conditions hereinafter provided.
1 Subs. by A.O., 1937,for “the Govt.”. 2 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 3 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 3, for the original section 6. 4 The words “belonging to the Government” were first subs. by A.O., 1937, and then amended by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956), to read as above.
the liability under section 5, serve a notice on the owner of any house which appears to him to be suitable for occupation by a military officer or a military mess, as the case may be, within the cantonment, or, it this Act is in force in part only of the cantonment, within that part, requiring the owner to permit the house to be inspected, measured and surveyed by such person and on such date, not being less than three clear days form the service of the notice, and at such time between sunrise and sunset, as may be specified in the notice.
(c) require the owner to execute within such time as may be specified in the notice such repairs as may, in the opinion of the 1[Officer Commanding the station], be necessary for the purpose of putting the house into a state of reasonable repair.
(2) Every notice issued under sub­section (1) shall state the amount of the annual rent proposed as reasonable for the house, calculated on the assumption that the owner will carry out the required repairs, if any. It shall also contain an estimate of the cost of such repairs.
1 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”. 2 The words “with the previous sanction of the Officer Commanding the District” omitted by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930),s. 4. 3 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “the Government”. 4 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”.
8. [Procedure to be observed before taking a house on lease.] Rep. by the Cantonments (House­ Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930 (IX of 1930), s. 5.
9. Sanction to be obtained before a house is occupied as a hospital, etc. No house in any cantonment or part of a cantonment in which this Act is operative shall, unless it was so occupied at the date of the issue of the notification declaring this Act or the 4Cantonments (House­ Accommodation) Act, 1902 (II of 1902), as the case may be, to be operative, be occupied for the purposes of a hospital, school, school hostel, bank, hotel, or shop, or by a railway administration, a company or firm engaged in trade or business or a club, without the previous sanction of the Officer Commanding the District given with the concurrence of the Commissioner or, in a Province where there are no Commissioners, of the Collector.
(d) has been appropriated by the 5[Provincial Government] with the concurrence of the Officer Commanding the District, or by the 6[Federal Government], for use as a public office or for any other purpose.
11. Time to be allowed for giving possession of house.­(1) If a house is unoccupied, a notice issued under section 7 may require the owner to give possession of the same to the 7[Officer Commanding the station] within twenty­one days from the service of the notice.
1 Proviso ins. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930). s. 4. 2 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “the Govt.”. 3 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government” 4 Rep. by s. 39 and Sch. of this Act. 5 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “L.G.”. 6 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2. and Table for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A.O., 1937, for “G.G. in C.”. 7 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”.
12. Surrender of house when to be enforced. If the owner fails to give possession of a house to the 1[Officer Commanding the station] in pursuance of a notice issued under section 7, or if the existing occupier fails to vacate a house in pursuance of such a notice, the District Magistrate, by himself or by another person generally or specially authorized by him in this behalf, shall enter on the premises and enforce the surrender of the house.
13. 2[Option in certain cases for owner on whom notice is issued under section 7 to call upon the Government to purchase.] Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration)Ordinance, 1981 (XXVII of 1981). s. 3 and Sch., II.
14. Provision where house is held on long lease by a tenant.­(1) If a house, in respect of which a notice is issued under section 7, is occupied by a tenant holding in good faith and for valuable consideration under a registered lease for any term exceeding one year, 3[the 4[Federal Government]] shall for the term of one year from the date on which the house is vacated in pursuance of the notice; or for the unexpired term or the lease, whichever is the shorter, be liable to the owner for the rent fixed by the registered lease instead of for the rent payable under this Act if the rent so fixed exceeds the rent so payable.
(2) If a house, in respect of which a notice is issued under section 7, is occupied by a tenant holding in good faith and for valuable consideration under a registered lease from year to year, 3[the 4[Federal Government]] shall be liable as aforesaid for the term of six months from the date on which the house is vacated in pursuance of the notice.
(b) to limit or otherwise affect any agreement between 1[the Government] and the owner.
1 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”. 2 This section was previously amended by various enactments from time to time. 3 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “the Secretary of State for India in Council”. 4 Subs.by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 5 Subs.by A.O., 1937, for “the said Secretary of State in Council”. 6 The original words “the said secretary of State in Council” were first subs. by A.O., 1937 and then amended by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 (w.e.f. 23rd March, 1956), to read as above.
(2) If the owner does not make such a 4[reference] within the said period, he shall be deemed to have accepted the rent so offered.
1 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”. 2 This section was previously amended by various enactments from time to time. 3 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “the Secretary of State for India in Council”. 4 Subs.by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 5 Subs.by A.O., 1937, for “the said Secretary of State in Council”. 6 The original words “the said secretary of State in Council” were first subs. by A.O., 1937 and then amended by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 (w.e.f. 23rd March, 1956), to read as above. 3 Proviso added by the Cantonment (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1933 (22 of 1933), s. 2. 4 Subs. by Act, 9 of 1930, s. 7 for “requisition”. 5Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act of 1925 (10 of 1925),s. 6,for “Commanding officer of the Cantonment”. 6 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 7, for “fifteen”. 7 Subs. ibid. for require that the matter be referred by the [officer commanding the station] to a committee of Arbitration”. The words in brackets had been subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding officer of the cantonments”. 8 Proviso added by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1933 (22 of 1933), s. 3. 9 Sub­section (3) added by Act 9 of 1930, s. 8. 10 Subs. ibid. s. 9., for the original section. 11 Subs. by A.O., 1937 for “the Govt.” 12 Subs. by F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”.
18. Notice to be given of devolution of interest in house in cantonment. Every person on whom devolves, by transfer, by succession or by operation of law, the interest of an owner in any house, or in any part of any house, situate in a cantonment or part of a cantonment in respect of which a notification under sub­section (1) of section 3 is for the time being in force, shall be bound to give notice of the fact to the 1[Officer Commanding the station] within one month from the date of such devolution, and, if he, without reasonable cause, fails to do so, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty rupees.
19. Jurisdiction in references. All references under this Act shall be made by application to, and tried by, the Court of the District Judge.
20. Procedure and powers of the Court. References under this Act shall be deemed to be proceedings within the meaning of section 141 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (V of 1908) and in the trial thereof the Court may exercise any of its powers under that Code.
3[29. Appeal to High Court.­(1) An appeal shall lie to the High Court against the decision of the Court of the District Judge upon a reference tried by it.
(2) No appeal under this section shall be admitted unless it is made within thirty days from the date of the decision against which it is preferred.
(3) An appeal preferred under this section shall be deemed to be an appeal from an order within the meaning of section 108 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908)].
31. Petition of appeal.­(1) Every petition of appeal under section 30 shall be in writing and accompanied by a copy of the notice appealed against.
1Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act of 1925 (10 of 1925),s. 6,for “Commanding officer of the Cantonment”. 2 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation, Amdt.) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 10, s. 10, for the original Chapter IV entitle “Committee of Arbitration” consisting of ss. 19 to 28. 3Subs. ibid., s. 11, for the original section 29. 4 Subs. ibid., s. 12 for the original section 30. 5 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment 1933 (22 of 1933), s. 4, for “twenty one.”.
(2) Any such petition may be presented to the 1[Officer Commanding the station] and that officer shall be bound to forward it to the authority empowered by section 30 to hear the appeal, and may attach thereto any report which he may desire to make in explanation of the notice appealed against.
(3) If any such petition is presented direct to the Officer Commanding the District and an immediate order on the petition is not necessary, the Officer Commanding the District may refer the petition to the 1[Officer Commanding the station] for report.
Provided that no appeal shall be decided until the appellant has been heard or has had a reasonable opportunity of being heard in person or through a legal practitioner, 4[and in giving a decision the Officer Commanding the District shall record briefly the grounds therefore].
33. Suspension of action pending appeal. Where an appeal has been presented under section 30 within the period prescribed 6[therein], all action on the notice shall, on the application of the appellant, be held in abeyance pending the decision of the appeal.
1 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 6, for “Commanding Officer of the cantonment”. 2 The original s. 32 was re­numbered as sub­section (1) of that section by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1933, (22 of 1933), s . 5. 3 The words “or of the General Officer Commanding in Chief the Commandas the case may be” omitted by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amendment) Act, 1930, (9 of 1930), s. 13 4 Added ibid. 5 Sub­section (2) added by Act, 22 of 1933, s. 5. 6 Subs. by Act 9 of 1930, s. 14, for “by sub­section (2) of that section”.
appointed 1[in accordance with a bye­law made under clause (29) of section 282 of the Cantonment Act, 1924 (II of 1924)].
2[34A. Computation of periods of limitation. The period for making any reference or preferring any appeal under this Act shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908)].
35. Power for Federal Government to make rules.­(1) The 3[Federal Government] make rules to carry out the purposes and objects of this Act.
(b) define the powers of entry, inspection, measurement or survey which may be exercised in carrying out the purposes and objects of this Act or of any rule made hereunder.
36. Further provisions respecting rules.­(1) The power to make rules under section 35 shall be subject to the condition of the rules being made after previous publication and of their not taking effect until they have been published in the 5[official Gazette] and in such other manner (if any) as the 3[Federal Government] may direct.
(2) Any rule under section 35 may be general for all cantonments or parts of cantonments in 6[Pakistan] in which this Act is for the time being operative, or may be special for any of such cantonments or parts as the 3[Federal Government] may direct.
(3) A copy of the rules under section 35 for the time being in force in a cantonment shall be kept open to inspection free of charge at all reasonable times in the office of the Cantonment 7[Board].
1 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 4, for “under the Cantonments Act, 1910, or any rule made thereunder”. 2 S. 34A ins. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1930 (9 of 1930), s. 15. 3 Subs. by F.A.O, 1975, Act 2 and Table, for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A.O., 1937, for “G.G. in C.” 4 Cl. (a) omitted by Act 9 of 1930, s. 16. 5 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “Gazette of India”. 6 Subs. by the Central Laws (Statue Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955), for “the Provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which had been subs. by A.O., 1949, for “British India”. 7 Subs. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1940 (32 of 1940), s. 3 and Sch. II, for “Authority”.
(4) In making any rule under clause (b) of sub­section (2) of section 35, the 1[Federal Government] may direct that whoever obstructs any person, not being a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, (XLV of 1860) in making any entry, inspection, measurement or survey, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty rupees, and, in the case of a continuing offence, with fine which, in addition to such fine as aforesaid, may extend to five rupees for every day after the first during which such offence continues.
37. Inapplicability of section 556 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, to trials of offences. No Judge or Magistrate shall be deemed, within the meaning of section 556 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, (V of 1898) to be a party to, or personally interested in, any prosecution for an offence constituted by or under this Act merely because he is a member of the Cantonment 2[Board] or has ordered or approved the prosecution.
38. Protection to persons acting under Act. No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything in good faith done, or intended to be done, under this Act or in pursuance of any lawful notice or order issued under this Act.
39. [Repeals.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1927 (XII of 1927), s. 2 and Schedule.
THE SCHEDULE.­[ENACTMENTS REPEALED.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1927 (XII of 1927), s. 2 and Schedule.
1 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A.O., 1937, for “G.G. in C.”. 2 Subs. by the Cantonments (House­Accommodation Amdt.) Act, 1925 (10 of 1925), s. 5, for “Committee”.

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