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The Payment of Gratuity Act 1972 is a social security enactment. It is derived from the word gratuitous, which means gift or present. However, having being enacted as a social security form, it ceases to retain the concept of a gift but it has to be seen as a social obligation by an employer towards his employee.

Section 1: Application and commencement.

The Payment of Gratuity Act 1972 applies to the whole of India and so far as it relates to ports and plantations it does not apply to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It applies to: (a) every factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port and railway company. (b) Every shop or establishment

Section 2: Definitions

(a)"appropriate Government" (b) "completed year of service (c)"employee" (d)"employer" (e)"family" (f)"retirement" (g)"wages" (h)Superannuation

Section: 2AContinuous service.

Uninterrupted service Where an employee employed in a seasonal establishment

Section 3- Controlling Authority

The appropriate Government may, by notification, appoint any officer to be a controlling authority, who shall be responsible for the administration of this Act and different controlling authorities may be appointed for different areas.

Section 4: Payment of gratuity

Gratuity shall be payable to an employee on the termination of his employment after he has rendered continuous service for not less than five years, (a) on his superannuation, or (b) on his retirement or resignation, or (c) on his death or disablement due to accident or disease

Section 4 A: Compulsory Insurance

Insured by LIC Exemption Registration Compulsory payment of premium Punishment

Section 5: Power to exempt

The appropriate Government i.e. State Government or Central Government may (as the case may be) exempt any establishment, factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port, railway company or shop from the application of this Act by notification.

Section 6: Nomination
Each employee, who has completed one year of service, shall make nomination for to receive the amount of gratuity.
In his nomination, an employee may, distribute the amount of gratuity payable to him amongst more than one nominee. If at the time of making nomination he has already family, he can not make nomination in favour of a person who is not a member of his family. If he does so it shall be void. Fresh nomination in favour of one or more members of his family is required where he has not family at the time of making nomination. If a nominee predeceases the employee, the interest of the nominee shall revert to the employee who can make a fresh nomination. Every nomination, fresh nomination or alteration of nomination, as the case may be, shall be sent by the employee to his employer, who shall keep the same in his safe custody.

Section 7: Determination of the amount of gratuity.

A person who is eligible for payment of gratuity shall send a written application to the employer. The employer shall determine the amount of gratuity and give notice in writing to the person to whom the gratuity is payable and also to the controlling authority specifying the amount gratuity so determined as soon as gratuity becomes payable and whether or not an application has been made by the concerned employee. The employer shall arrange to pay the amount of gratuity within 30 days from the date it becomes payable. How to calculate the Amount of Gratuity

Section 7A and 7B
Section 7A: Inspectors

Section 7B: Powers of Inspectors

Section 8:Recovery of gratuity

From the collector, after giving opportunity to the employer showing cause Interest amount should not exceed the amount of gratuity

Section 9: Penalty
Knowingly making false statement/ false representation to avoid to make payment imprisonment up to 06 months, or with fine which may extend to Rs.10,000/- or with both. Breach, or makes default in complying with any of the provisions of this Act imprisonment for 03 months to 01 year, or with fine which shall not be less than Rs.10,000/- but which may extend to Rs.20,000/- or with both. Non-payment of any gratuity imprisonment 6 months to 02 years + a fine.

Section 10: Exemption of employer from liability in certain cases.

If Employer proves: (a) that he has used due diligence to enforce the execution of this Act, and (b) that the said other person committed the offence in question without his knowledge, consent or connivance

Section 11:Cognizance of offences

(1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act , Provided that where the amount of gratuity has not been paid, or recovered, within six months from the expiry of the prescribed time, whereupon the controlling authority shall, within fifteen days from the date of such authorization, make such complaint to a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence.



Section 12: Protection of action taken in good faith. No suitor other legal proceeding shall lie against the controlling authority or any other person in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule or order made there under.

Section 13:Protection of gratuity

No gratuity payable under this Act and no gratuity payable to an employee employed in any establishment, factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port, railway company or shop exempted under section shall be liable to attachment in execution of any decree or order of any civil, revenue or criminal court.

Section 14: Act to override other enactments

The provisions of this Act or any rule made there under shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment other than this Act or in any instrument or contract having effect by virtue of any enactment other than this Act.

Section 15: Power to make rules

Central Government along with the house of parliament has the right to make the rules.

Government proposal to raise income tax exemption limit for gratuity funds from Rs 3.5 Lakh to Rs 10 Lakh. Trade unions , Ficci and Industry support List of amending Acts:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 1984 (25 of 1984). The Payment of Gratuity (Second Amendment) Act, 1984 (26 of 1984). The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 1987 (22 of 1987). The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 1994 (34 of 1994). The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 1998 (11 of 1998)

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