The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1948
# THE COAL MINES PROVIDENT FUND AND                           
 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ACT, 1948

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# ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

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SECTIONS.

1. Short title and extent.

2. Interpretation.

3. Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme.

3A. Constitution of Board of Trustees.

3B. Board of Trustee to be a body corporate.

3C. Appointment of officers.

3D. Transfer of accounts.

3E. Coal Mines Pension Scheme.

3F. Special grant by Central Government.

3G. Coal Mines Deposit-linked Insurance Scheme.

4. Fund to be recognised under Act 43 of 1961.
5. Coal Mines Bonus Schemes.
6. Retrospective operation of a scheme.
7. Modification of a scheme.

7A. Schemes to be laid before Parliament.

7B. Determination of moneys due from employers.

8. Protection against attachment.

9. Penalty.

10. Inspectors.

10A. Mode of recovery of money due from an employer.

10B. Determination of employer in certain cases.

10C. Delegation of powers.

10D. Payment of contribution by employers and recovery thereof from members.

10E. Recovery of monies by employers and contractors.

10F. Power to recover damages.

11. Priority of payment of contributions and bonus over other debts.

11A. Protection for acts done in good faith.

11B. Power to remove difficulties.

11C. Power to exempt.

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SECTIONS.

11D. Act to have effect notwithstanding anything contained in Act 31 of 1956.

12. Repeal of Ordinance 7 of 1948.

THE FIRST SCHEDULE—MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES POROVIDENT
FUND SCHEME.

THE SECOND SCHEDULE—MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES FAMILY
PENSION SCHEME.

THE THIRD SCHEDULE—MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES
DEPOSIT-LINKED INSURANCE SCHEME.

THE FOURTH SCHEDULE—MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES
BONUS SCHEME.

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# THE COAL MINES PROVIDENT FUND AND                           
 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ACT, 1948

 ACT NO. 46 OF 1948

[3rd September, 1948.]

# An Act to make provisions for the framing of a Provident Fund Scheme [1][, a [2][Pension Scheme]]

3[, a Deposit linked Insurance Scheme] and a Bonus Scheme for persons employed in Coal
# Mines.

4*                  *                *                   *                     *

It is hereby enacted as follows:—

**1. Short title and extent.—** [5][(1) This Act may be called the Coal Mines Provident Fund and

Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1948].

6[(2) It extends to the whole of India 7* * *.

**2. Interpretation.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—**

(a) “bonus” means any sum of money payable to an [8][employee] under the Coal Mines Bonus

Scheme framed under this Act;

9[(aa) “coal” includes lignite;]

10[(b) “coal mine” means any excavation where any operation for the purpose of searching for or

obtaining coal has been or is being carried on, and includes—

(i) all borings and bore holes;

(ii) all shafts, in or adjacent to and belonging to a coal mine, whether in the course of being

sunk or not;

(iii) all levels and inclined planes in the course of being driven;

(iv) any open cast working or quarry, that is to say, an excavation where any operation for the

purpose of searching for or obtaining coal has been or is being carried on, not being a shaft or an
excavation which extends below superjacent ground;

(v) all conveyors or aerial rope-ways provided for the bringing into or removal from a coal

mine of coal or other articles or for the removal of refuse therefrom;

(vi) all adits, levels, planes, machinery, works, railways, tramways and sidings, in or adjacent

to and belonging to a coal mine;

(vii) all workshops situated within the precincts of a coal mine and under the same

management and used for purposes connected with that coal mine or a number of coal mines
under the same management;

(viii) any office of a coal mine;

(ix) all power stations for supplying electricity for the purpose of working the coal mine or a

number of coal mines under the same management;

1. Subs. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 2, for “Family Pension Scheme” (w.e.f. 31-3-1998).
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 1971, s. 2.
3. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
4. Omitted by Act 16 of 1971, s. 3.
5. Subs. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 3, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
6. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for sub-section (2).
7. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-9-1971).
8. Subs. by Act 80 of 1950, s. 3, for “employee in a coal mine”.
9. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).

10. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).

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(x) any premises for the time being used for depositing refuse from a coal mine, or in which

any operation in connection with such refuse is being carried on, being premises exclusively
occupied by the employer of the coal mine;

(xi) all hospitals and canteens maintained for the benefit of the employees of a coal mine or a

number of coal mines under the same management;

(xii) any coke oven or plant;

(xiii) any premises in or adjacent to and belonging to a coal mine, on which any plant or other

machinery connected with a coal mine is situated or on which any process ancillary to the work
of a coal mine is being carried on;]


(c) “contribution” means the contribution payable in respect of a member under the Coal Mines

Provident Fund Scheme framed under this Act of [1][or the contribution payable in respect of an
employee to whom the Insurance Scheme applies];

2[(d) “employee” means any person who is employed for wages in any kind of work, manual or

otherwise, in or in connection with a coal mine, and who gets his wages directly or indirectly from the
employer, and includes—

(1) any person employed by or through a contractor in or in connection with a coal mine, and

(2) for the purposes of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme, also

(i) any other person who is employed as a sanitary worker, mali, teacher or domestic

servant in or in connection with a coal mine and who receives wages directly from the
employer, and

(ii) any apprentice or trainee who receives stipend or other remuneration from the

employer.]

3[(e) “employer”, when used in relation to a coal mine, means any person who is the immediate

proprietor or lessee or occupier of the coal mine or of any part thereof and in the case of a coal mine
the business whereof is being carried on by a liquidator or receiver, such liquidator or receiver and in
the case of a coal mine owned by a company the business whereof is being carried on by a managing
agent, such managing agent; but does not include a person who merely receives a royalty, rent or fine
from the coal mine, or is merely the proprietor of the coal mine, subject to any lease, grant or licence
for the working thereof, or is merely the owner of the soil and not interested in the coal of the coal
mine; but any contractor for the working of a coal mine or any part thereof shall be subject to this Act
in like manner as if he were an employer, but not so as to exempt the employer from any liability;]

4*                  *                   *                 *                *

(f) “Fund” means the provident fund established under the Coal Mines Provident Fund

Scheme; [5]* * *

1[(fa) “Insurance Fund” means the Deposit-linked Insurance Fund established under subsection

(2) of section 3G;

(fb) “Insurance Scheme” means the Coal Mines Deposit-linked Insurance Scheme framed under

sub-section (1) of section G;]

[6] [ [7] [(fc)] [“managing agent” has the meaning assigned to it in the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956); and;]

1. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
2. Subs. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 2, for clause (d) (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for clause (e) (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. Omitted by Act 23 of 1996, s. 3 (w.e.f. 31-3-1998).
5. The word “and” omitted by Act 45 of 1965, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
6. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
7. Clause (ff) re-lettered as clause (fc) thereof by Act 99 of 1976, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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(g) “member” means a member of the Fund.

1[(h) “Pension Fund” means the Pension Fund established under sub-section (2) of section 3E;

(i) “Pension Scheme” means the Coal Mines Pension Scheme framed under sub-section (1) of

section 3E;

(j) “superannuation‟, „in relation to an employee who is a member of the Pension Scheme, means

the attainment, by the said employee, of such age as is fixed in the contract or conditions of service as
the age on the attainment of which such employee shall vacate the employment.]

**3. Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the**

Official Gazette, frame a scheme to be called the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme a for the
establishment of a provident fund for [2][employees] and specify the coal mines to which the said scheme
shall apply.

3[(1A) The Fund shall vest in, and be administered by, the Board constituted under section 3A.]

(2) Any scheme framed under the provisions of sub-section (1) may provide for all or any of the

matters specified in the First Schedule.

4[3A. Constitution of Board of Trustees.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, constitute, with effect from such date as may be specified therein, a Board of Trustees
for the territories to which this Act extends (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the Board) consisting of
the following persons, namely:—

(a) a Chairman appointed by the Central Government;

(b) the Coal Mines Provident Fund Commissioner, ex Officio;

(c) three persons appointed by the Central Government;

(d) not more than six persons representing Governments of such States as the Central

Government may specify in this behalf, from time to time, appointed by the Central Government;

(e) six persons representing employers, appointed by the Central Government after consultation

with such organisations of employers as may be recognised by the Central Government in this behalf,
and of whom at least one shall be a person who is not a member of any such organisation;

(f) six persons representing employees, appointed by the Central Government after consultation

with such organisations of employees as may be recognised by the Central Government in this behalf
and of whom at least one shall be an employee himself and at least one shall be a person who is not a
member of any such organisation.

(2) The terms and conditions subject to which a member of the Board may be appointed and the time,

place and procedure of the meetings of the Board shall be such as may be provided for in the Coal Mines
Provident Fund Scheme.

(3) The Board shall [5][, subject to the provisions of section 3E [6][and section 3G],] administer the Fund

Fund vested in it in such manner as may be specified in the Scheme aforesaid.

(4) The Board shall perform such other functions as it may be required to perform by or under any

provisions of [7][the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme [8][, the Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme and
the Insurance Scheme]].

1. Ins. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 3 (w.e.f. 31-3-1998).
2. Subs. by Act 80 of 1950, s. 4, for “employees in coal mines”.
3. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
5. Ins. by Act 16 of 1971, s. 6 (w.e.f. 13-2-1971).
6. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
7. Subs. by Act 16 of 1971, s. 6, for “the scheme aforesaid” (w.e.f. 13-2-1971).
8. subs. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 5, for “and the Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme” (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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**3B. Board of Trustee to be a body corporate.—The board of Trustees constituted under section 3 A**

shall be a body corporate under the name specified in the notification constituting it, having perpetual
succession and a common seal and shall by the said name sue and be sued.

**3C. Appointment of officers.—(1) The Central Government shall appoint a Coal Mines Provident**

Fund Commissioner, who shall be the chief executive officer of the Board and shall be subject to the
general control and superintendence of the Board.

(2) The Central Government may also appoint as many other officers, whose minimum monthly

salary in the scale of pay (if any) applicable to them is not less than four hundred rupees, as it may
consider necessary to assist the Coal Mines Provident Fund Commissioner in the discharge of his duties.

(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), the Board may appoint such other officers

and employees as it may consider necessary for the efficient administration of the Coal Mines Provident
Fund Scheme, [1][, the Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme and the Insurance Scheme].

(4) The method of recruitment, salary and allowance, discipline and other conditions of service of the

Coal Mines Provident Fund Commissioner shall be such as may be specified by the Central Government
and such salary and allowances shall be paid out of the Fund.

(5) The method of recruitment, salary and allowances, discipline and other conditions of service of

other officers and employees of the Board shall be such as may be specified by the Board with the
approval of the Central Government.

**3D. Transfer of accounts.—(1) Where any employee who is a subscriber to any provident fund of**

the coal mine in which he is employed becomes a member of the fund in accordance with the provisions
of any Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme, the accumulations in the provident fund of the coal mine
standing to the credit of the employees shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any
law for the time being in force or in any deed or other instrument establishing the provident fund but
subject to the provisions, if any, contained in the Scheme, be transferred, by such person and within such
time as may be provided in the Scheme, to the Fund and shall be credited to the account of the employee
in the Fund.

(2) Where a member of the Fund leaves his employment in a coal mine and obtains re-employment in

any other establishment (not being a coal mine to which the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme applies)
and becomes a subscriber to any provident fund of that establishment, the amount of accumulations to the
credit of such employee in the Fund shall be transferred, within such time as may be specified by the
Central Government in this behalf, to the credit of his account in the provident fund of the establishment
in which he is re-employed, if the employee so desires and the rules in relation to that provident fund
permit such transfer.

(3) Where any employee who is a subscriber to any provident fund of an establishment (not being a

coal mine to which the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme applies) leaves his employment in that
establishment and obtains re-employment in a coal-mine and becomes a member of the Fund, the amount
of accumulations to the credit 100 of such employee in the provident fund of the establishment left by him
shall, if the employee so desires and the rules in relation to such provident fund so permit, be transferred
to the credit of his account in the Fund.]

2[3E. Coal Mines Pension Scheme.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, frame a scheme to be called the Coal Mines Pension Scheme for the purpose of
providing for—

(a) superannuation pension, retiring pension or permanent total disablement pension to the

persons employed in any coal mine or class of coal mines to which this Act applies; and

(b) widow or widower pension, children pension or orphan pension and life assurance benefits,

payable to the beneficiaries of such employees.

1. Subs. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 6, for “and the Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme” (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
2. Subs. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 5, for section 3E (w.e.f. 31-3-1998).

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(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3, there shall be established, as soon as may be

after framing of the Pension Scheme, a Pension Fund into which there shall be paid, from time to time, in
respect of every employee who is a member of the Pension Scheme,—

(a) such sums, not exceeding one-fourth, of the amount payable to the Fund under sub-section (1)

of section 10D as the employer‟s contribution as well as the employee‟s contribution, as may be
specified in the Pension Scheme;

(b) such sums as the Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by

law in this behalf, specify;

(c) the net assets of the [Pension Fund] as existed immediately before the establishment of the

Pension Fund; and

(d) any other contribution which may be made to the Pension Fund with the previous approval of

the Central Government.

(3) On the establishment of the Pension Fund, the Pension Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the

ceased scheme) shall cease to operate and all assets of the ceased scheme shall vest in, and shall stand
transferred to, and all liabilities under the ceased scheme shall be enforceable against, the Pension Fund
and the beneficiaries under the ceased scheme shall be entitled to draw the benefits, not less than the
benefits, they were entitled to under the ceased scheme, from the Pension Fund.

(4) The Pension Fund shall vest in and be administered by the Board in such manner as may be

specified in the Pension Scheme.

(5) A Scheme framed under the provision of sub-section (1) may provide for all or any of the matters

specified in the Second Schedule.]

**3F. Special grant by Central Government.—The Central Government shall, after due appropriation**

made by Parliament by law in this behalf, pay such further sums as may be determined by it into the
Family Pension Fund to meet all the expenses in connection with the administration of the Coal Mines
Family Pension Scheme other than the expenses towards the cost of any benefits provided by or under the
said Scheme.]

1 [3G. Coal Mines Deposit-linked Insurance Scheme.—(1) The Central Government may, by

notification in the Official Gazette, frame a scheme to be called the Coal Mines Deposit-linked Insurance
Scheme for the purpose of providing life insurance benefits to such employees as are covered by the Coal
Mines Provident Fund Scheme.

(2) There shall be established, as soon as may be after the framing of the Insurance Scheme, a

Deposit-linked Insurance Fund into which shall be paid by the employer from time to time in respect of
every such employee in relation to whom he is the employer such amount, not being more than one per
cent. of the aggregate of the basic wages, dearness allowance and retaining allowance (if any) for the time
being payable in relation to such employee, as the Central Government may, be notification in the Official
Gazette, specify.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section,—_

(a) the expression “basic wages” has the meaning assigned to it in the Employees‟ Provident

Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (19 of 1952);

(b) “dearness allowance” means all cash payments, by whatever name called, paid to an employee

on account of a rise in the cost of living and shall be deemed to include also the cash value of any
food concession allowed to the employee;

(c) “retaining allowance” means an allowance payable for the time being to an employee of any

coal mine during any period in which the coal mine is not working, for retaining his services.

(3) The Central Government shall after due appropriation made by Parliament by law, contribute to

the Insurance Fund in relation to each employee covered by the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme, an

1. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 7 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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amount representing one half of the contribution which an employer is required, by sub-section (2), to
make.

(4) (a) The employer shall pay into the Insurance Fund such further sums of money, not exceeding

one-fourth of the contribution which he is required to make under sub-section (2), as the Central
Government, may from time to time, determine, to meet all the expenses in connection with the
administration of the Insurance Scheme other than the expenses towards the cost of any benefits provided
by or under that scheme.

(b) The Central Government shall, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law, pay into the

Insurance Fund such further sums of money representing one-half of the sums payable by the employer
under clause (a), to meet all the expenses in connection with the administration of the Insurance Scheme
other than the expenses towards the cost of any benefits provided by or under that scheme.

(5) The Insurance Fund shall vest in the Board and shall be administered by the Board in such manner

as may be specified in the Insurance Scheme.

(6) Any scheme framed under the provisions of sub-section (1) may provide for all or any of the

matters specified in the Third Schedule.]

1[4. Fund to be recognised under Act 43 of 1961.—For the purposes of the Income-tax Act, 1961,

the Fund shall be deemed to be a recognised Provident Fund within the meaning of Part A of the Fourth
Schedule to that Act.]

**5. Coal Mines Bonus Schemes.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official**

Gazette, frame a scheme to be called the Coal Mines Bonus Scheme for the payment of bonus to
2[employees] and specify the coal mines to which the said scheme shall apply.

(2) A scheme framed under the provisions of sub-section (1) may provide for all or any of the matters

specified in the [3][Fourth Schedule.]

4[(3) The employer shall pay the bonus in accordance with the Scheme as aforesaid.]

**6. Retrospective operation of a scheme.—A scheme framed under this Act may provide that any of**

its provisions shall come into force either prospectively or retrospectively with effect from such date as
may be specified in this behalf in the scheme.

**7. Modification of a scheme.—The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,**

add to, amend or vary, [5][either prospectively or retrospectively] a scheme framed under this Act.

6[7A. Schemes to be laid before Parliament.—Every scheme made under this Act shall be laid as

soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of
thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in [7][two or more successive sessions, and if, before
the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid], both
Houses agree in making any modification in the scheme or both Houses agree that the scheme should not
be made, the scheme shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case
may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that scheme.

**7B. Determination of moneys due from employers.—(1) The Coal Mines Provident Fund**

Commissioner or any other officer duly authorised in this behalf by the Central Government may, by
order, determine the amount due from any employer under any provision of this Act or of any scheme
framed thereunder and for this purpose may conduct such enquiry as he may deem necessary.

1. Subs. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 6, for section 4 (w.e.f. 31-3-1996).
2. Subs. by Act 80 of 1950, s. 4, for “employees in coal mines”.
3. Subs. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 8, for “Third Schedule” (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
4. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
5. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 9 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
6. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
7. Subs. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 10, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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(2) The officer conducting the enquiry under sub-section (1) shall, for the purpose of such enquiry,

have the same powers as are vested in a Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) for
trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:—

(a) enforcing the attendance of any person or examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(c) receiving evidence on affidavit;

(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses;

and any such enquiry shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and
228, and for the purpose of section 196, of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

(3) No order determining the amount due from any employer shall be made under sub-section (1)

unless the employer is given a reasonable opportunity of representing his case.

(4) An order made under this section shall be final and shall not be questioned in any Court of law.]

**8. Protection against attachment.—(1) The amount of provident fund standing to the credit of any**

member in the Fund shall not in any way be capable of being assigned or charged and shall not be liable
to attachment under any decree or order of any Court in respect of any debt or liability incurred by the
member and neither the Official Assignee nor any Receiver appointed under the Provincial Insolvency
Act, 1920 (5 of 1920), shall be entitled to, or have any claim on, any such amount.

(2) Any amount standing to the credit of any member in the Fund at the time of his death and payable

to his nominee under the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme shall, subject to any deduction authorized
by the said scheme, vest in the nominee and shall be free from any debt or other liability incurred by the
deceased or incurred by the nominee before the death of the member.

1[(3) The provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to

the family pension or any other amount payable under the Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme [2][and also
in relation to any amount payable under the Insurance Scheme] as they apply in relation to any amount
payable out of the Fund.]

**9. Penalty.—[3][(1) If any person—**

(a) contravenes any provisions of this Act or of any scheme framed thereunder, he shall be

punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may
extend to one thousand rupees or with both;

(b) who has been convicted of any offence punishable is aforesaid, is again guilty of any such

offence within a period of two years from the date of the previous conviction, he shall be punishable
on conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may
extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.]

(2) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under [4][sub-section (1)] except on a

report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made by an Inspector with the previous sanction of
such authority as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government.

5[(3) No Court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class shall try any

offence punishable under sub-section (1)].

**10. Inspectors.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint**

such persons as it thinks fit to be Inspectors for the purposes of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme
6[or the Insurance Scheme] or the Coal Mines Bonus Scheme and may define their jurisdiction.

1. Ins. by Act 16 of 1971, s. 10 (w.e.f. 13-2-1971).
2. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
3. Subs. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 7, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for “any such scheme” (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
5. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
6. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 12 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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(2) An Inspector may, in respect of any coal mine within his jurisdiction,—

1 [(a) require an employer or any contractor from whom any amount is recoverable under

section 10E—

(i) to furnish such information, or

(ii) to produce in the office of the Inspector or such other place as may be nearer to the

employer or, as the case may be, the contractor, such accounts, books, registers and other
documents,

relating to the employment of persons in a coal mine as the Inspector may consider necessary for the
purposes of any scheme framed under this Act;]

(b) at any reasonable time [2][and with such assistance, if any, as he may think fit, enter and search

any coal mine] and require any one found in charge thereof to produce before him such accounts,
books, registers and other documents relating to the employment of persons in the coal mine as he
may consider necessary;

(c) examine, with respect to any matter relevant to any of the purposes aforesaid, the employer

3[or any contractor from whom any amount is recoverable under section 10E], his agent or servant or
any other person found in charge of the coal mine [4]* * * or whom the Inspector has reasonable cause
to believe to be or to have been an employee in the coal mine.

3(d) make copies of, or take extracts from, any accounts, books, registers or other documents

maintained in relation to a coal mine and where he has reason to believe that any offence under this
Act has been committed by an employer or contractor, seize with such assistance as he may think fit,
such accounts, books, registers or other documents or portions thereof as he may consider relevant in
respect of that offence;

(e) exercise such other powers as any such Scheme may provide.]

3(2A) Every person required to furnish any information or produce any document under clause (a) or

clause (b) of sub-section (2) shall be deemed to be legally bound to do so within the meaning of section
175 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

(2B) The provisions of the [5][Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, (2 of 1974)] shall, so far as may be,

apply to any search or seizure under sub-section (2) as they apply to any search or seizure made under the
authority of a warrant issued under [5][section 94 of the said Code.]

(3) Every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the

Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860).

6[10A, Mode of recovery of money due from an employer.—Any amount due from an employer in

in respect of any contribution or bonus under any scheme framed under this Act [7][or any accumulations
required to be transferred under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) of section 3D or any damages
recoverable under section 10F or any charges payable by the employer under this Act in respect of the
administration of any such scheme] may be recovered by the Central Government in the same manner as
an arrear of land revenue.]

8[10B. Determination of employer in certain cases.—(1) Where the employer is a firm or other

association of individuals, all, or any of the partners or members thereof, or where the employer is a
company, all or any of the directors thereof, may be prosecuted and punished under this Act for any
offence for which the employer is punishable:

1. Subs. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 8, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
2. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for “enter any coal mine or its office” (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
3. Ins. by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. The words “or its office” omitted by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1996).
5. Subs. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 7, for certain words (w.e.f. 31-3-1996).
6. Ins. by Act 21 of 1951, s. 2.
7. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
8. Ins. by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).

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Provided that where a firm, association or company has given notice in writing to the Coal Mines

Provident Fund Commissioner or any officer specified by the Central Government in this behalf that it
has nominated,—

(a) in the case of a firm, any of its partners,

(b) in the case of an association, any of its members,

(c) in the case of a company, any of its directors,

who is resident in each case in any place to which this Act extends and who is in each case either in fact
in charge of the management of, or holds the largest number of shares in, such firm, association or
company, to assume the responsibility of the employer for the purposes of this Act or of any scheme
framed thereunder, such partner, member or director, as the case may be, shall, so long as he continues to
so reside and be in charge or hold the largest number of shares as aforesaid, be deemed to be the employer
for the purposes of this Act or any scheme framed thereunder, unless a notice in writing cancelling his
nomination or stating that he has ceased to be a partner, member or director, as the case may be, is
received by the Coal Mines Provident Fund Commissioner or any officer specified by the Central
Government in this behalf.

(2) Where the employer is a Government or any local authority, all or any of the officers or persons

authorised by such Government or local authority, as the case may be, to manage the affairs of the coal
mine, shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law or contract for the time being
in force, be deemed to be the employers or employer in respect of the coal mine and may be prosecuted
and punished under this Act for any offence for which the employer is punishable.

**10C. Delegation of powers.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official**

Gazette, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act or any scheme framed thereunder shall,
subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the notification, be exercisable also by the Coal
Mines Provident Fund Commissioner or any officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government.

(2) The Board may delegate to its Chairman or the Coal Mines Provident Fund Commissioner or any

other officer or the Board, subject to such conditions and limitations, if any, as the Board may specify,
such of the powers and functions of the Board under this act or any scheme framed thereunder, as the
Board may deem necessary for the efficient administration of any scheme framed under this Act.

**10D. Payment of contribution by employers and recovery thereof from members.—(1) The**

contribution shall be payable by the employer (hereinafter referred to as the employer‟s contribution) and
by the employee (hereinafter referred to as the employee‟s contribution) at such rate as may be specified
in the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme, and the employer shall pay the employer‟s contribution as
well as the employee‟s contribution, whether or not he has recovered from any employee the employee‟s
share of the contribution.

(2) The amount of any contribution paid by the employer on behalf of a member shall,

notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force or any
contract, be recoverable by means of deduction from the wages of the member and not otherwise.

(3) Save as otherwise provided in the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme, no deduction under

sub-section (2) shall be made from any wages other than such as are paid in respect of the period for
which the contribution is payable.

(4) Notwithstanding any contract to the contrary, the employer shall not be entitled to deduct the

employer‟s contribution or the charges referred to in section 10A from the wages of a member or
otherwise to recover such contribution or charges from such member.

**10E. Recovery of monies by employers and contractors.—(1) [1][The amount of contribution (that is**

to say the employer‟s contribution as well as the employee‟s contribution in pursuance of the Coal Mines
Provident Fund Scheme and the employer‟s contribution in pursuance of the Insurance Scheme)] and any
charges referred to in section 10A paid or payable by an employer in respect of an employee employed by
or through a contractor and any bonus paid or payable under any Coal Mines Bonus Scheme in respect of

1. Subs. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 13, for certain words and brackets (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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any such employee may be recovered by such employer from the contractor either by deduction from any
amount payable to the contractor under any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.

(2) A contractor from whom the amounts mentioned in sub-section (1) may be recovered in respect of

any employee employed by or through him may, save as otherwise provided in the Coal Mines Provident
Fund Scheme, recover from such employee the employee‟s contribution under any such Scheme by
deduction from the wages payable to the employee subject to the condition that no such deduction shall
be made from any wages other than such as are payable in respect of the period to which the employee‟s
contribution relates.

(3) Notwithstanding any contract to the contrary, no contractor shall be entitled to deduct the

employer‟s contribution or the charges or bonus referred to in sub-section (1) from the amount payable to
an employee employed by or through him or otherwise to recover such contribution or charges or bonus
from such employee.

**10F. Power to recover damages.—Where an employer makes default in the payment of any**

contribution or bonus or any charges payable by him under any scheme framed under this Act, or where
any person who is required to transfer provident fund accumulations in accordance with the provisions of
section 3D makes default in the transfer of such accumulations, the Central Government may recover
from such employer or person, as the case may be, such damages, not exceeding twenty-five per cent of
the amount of arrears, as it may think fit to impose.]

**11. Priority of payment of contributions and bonus over other debts.—The amount due in respect**

of any contribution or bonus under a scheme framed under this Act or any charges incurred in respect of
the administration of any such scheme, shall, where the liability therefore has accrued before the persons
liable has been adjudicated insolvent or, in the case of a company ordered to be wound up, before the date
of such order, be deemed to be included among the debts which, under section 49 of the
Presidency-towns Insolvency Act, 1909 (3 of 1909), or under section 61 of the Provincial Insolvency Act,
1920 (5 of 1920), or under section 230 of the [1][Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),] are to be paid in
priority to all other debts in the distribution of the property of the insolvent or the assets of a company
being wound up, as the case may be.

2[11A. Protection for acts done in good faith.—No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against

any person in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or
under any schemes framed thereunder.]

3[11B. Power to remove difficulties.—If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of

this Act or any scheme framed thereunder the Central Government may, by order published in the Official
Gazette, make such provision or give such direction not inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, as it
appears to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.]

4[11C. Power to exempt.—(1) The Central Government may, if requested so to do by the employer,

by notification in the Official Gazette, and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the
notification, exempt any coal mine from the operation of all or any of the provisions of the Insurance
Scheme, if it is satisfied that the employees of such coal mine are without making any separate
contribution or payment of premium, in enjoyment of benefits in the nature of life insurance, whether
linked to their deposits in provident fund or not, and such benefits are more favourable to such employees
than the benefits admissible under the Insurance Scheme.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Insurance Scheme may provide for the

exemption of any person or class of persons employed in any coal mine and covered by that scheme from
the operation of all any of the provisions thereof, if the benefits in the nature of life insurance admissible
to such person or class of persons are more favourable than the benefits provided under the Insurance
Scheme.

1. Subs. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 8, for certain words (w.e.f. 31-3-1998).
2. Ins. by Act 80 of 1950, s. 5.
3. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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(3) Where in respect of any person or class of persons employed in any coal mine, an exemption is

granted under this section from the operation of all or any of the provisions of the Insurance Scheme
(whether such exemption is granted to the coal mine wherein such person or class of persons is employed
or to the person or class of persons as such), the employer in relation to such coal mine—

(a) shall, in relation to the benefits in the nature of life insurance, to which any such person or

class of persons is entitled, or any insurance fund, maintain such accounts, submit such returns, make
such investment, provide for such facilities for inspection and pay such inspection charges, as the
Central Government may direct;

(b) shall not, at any time after the exemption without the leave of the Central Government, reduce

the total quantum of benefits in the nature of life insurance to which any such person or class of
persons was entitled immediately before the date of the exemption; and

(c) shall, where any such person leaves his employment and obtains reemployment in any other

coal mine transfer within such time as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government, the
amount of accumulations to the credit of that person in the insurance fund of the coal mine left by him
to the credit of that person‟s account in the insurance fund of the coal mine in which he is
reemployed or, as the case may be, in the Deposit-linked Insurance Fund.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section “insurance fund” means any fund established by_

an employer under any scheme for providing benefits in the nature of life insurance to employees,
whether linked to their deposits in provident fund or not, without payment by the employees of any
separate contribution or premium in that behalf.

(4) Any exemption granted under this section may be cancelled by the authority which granted it, by

order in writing, if an employer fails to comply—

(a) in the case of an exemption granted under sub-section (1) with any of the conditions imposed

under that sub-section or with any of the provisions of sub-section (3);

(b) in the case of an exemption granted under sub-section (2), with any of the provisions of

sub-section (3).

(5) Where any exemption granted under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) is cancelled, the amount of

accumulations to the credit of every employee to whom such exemption applied, in the insurance fund of
the coal mine in which he is employed shall be transferred within such time and in such manner as may be
specified in the Insurance Scheme to the credit of his account in the Insurance Fund.

**11D. Act to have effect notwithstanding anything contained in Act 31 of 1956.—The provisions**

of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Life
Insurance Corporation Act, 1956.]

**12. Repeal of Ordinance 7 of 1948.—(1) The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Bonus Schemes**

Ordinance, 1948, is hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding any such repeal, anything done or any action taken in exercise of any power

conferred by or under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken in exercise of the
powers conferred by or under this Act, as if this Act had commenced on the 23rd day of April, 1948.

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THE FIRST SCHEDULE

(See section 3)

MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES POROVIDENT FUND SCHEME

1. The employees or class of employees who shall join the Fund, the contributions payable to the

Fund and the conditions under which an employee may be exempted from joining the Fund or from
payment of contributions.

1[2. Payment of contributions to the Fund by employers and by, or on behalf of, 2[employees

(whether employed by an employer directly or by or through a contractor),] the rate, time and manner of
such payment and the manner in which such contributions may be recovered.]

3
[2A. The manner in which employees‟ contribution may be recovered by contractors from

employees employed by or through such contractors.]

3. The payment by the employer of such sums of money as may be considered necessary to meet the

cost of administering the Fund and the rate at which and the manner in which [4][the payment shall be
made.]

5[4. The constitution of any Committee for assisting the Board.]

6[5. The opening of regional and other offices.]

6. The manner in which accounts shall be kept, the investment of moneys belonging to the Fund, the

preparation of a budget, the audit of accounts and the submission of reports to the Central Government.

7. The conditions under which withdrawals from the Fund may be permitted and any deduction or

forfeiture may be made and [7][, the maximum amount of such deduction or forfeiture and the utilisation of
such deducted or forfeited amounts.]

8. The fixation of the rate of interest payable to members by the Central Government in consultation

with the Board of Trustees.

9. The form in which an employee shall furnish particulars about himself and his family when

required.

10. The nomination of a person to receive the amount standing to the credit of a member after his

“death and the cancellation or the change of such nomination.

11. The registers and records to be maintained by the employer [3][or contractor] and the returns to be

furnished by him.

12. The form or design of an identity card or a token or a disc for purposes of identifying any

employee and for the issue, custody and replacement thereof.

13. The fees to be levied for any of the purposes specified in this Schedule.

8[13A. The manner in which accumulations in any existing provident fund shall be transferred to the

Fund under section 3D, and the mode of valuation of any assets which may be transferred by the person
administering such provident fund.

14. Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme or which

may be necessary or proper for the purpose of implementing that Scheme.]

1. Subs. by Act 21 of 1951, s. 3, for para 2 (w.e.f. 28-4-1951).
2. Subs. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 12, for “employees” (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
3. Ins. by s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. Subs. by Act 21 of 1951, s. 3, for “it shall be paid”.
5. Subs. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 12, for item 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
6. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for item 5 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
7. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
8. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for item 14 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).

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1[THE SECOND SCHEDULE

(See section 3E(5)]

MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES FAMILY PENSION SCHEME

1. The employees or class of employees to whom the Coal Mines Pension Scheme shall apply and

the time within which option to join that scheme shall be exercised by those employees to whom the said
scheme does not apply.

2. The time within which the employees who are not members of the Family Pension Scheme under

section 3E as it stood before the commencement of the Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous
Provisions (Amendment) Act, 1996 (hereinafter, in this Schedule, referred to as the amending Act) shall
opt for the Pension Scheme.

3. The portion of employers‟ contribution and employees‟ contribution to the Fund which shall be

credited to the Pension Fund and the manner in which it is credited.

4. The Central Government contribution and other contributions to the Fund which shall be credited

to the Pension Fund and the manner in which it is credited.

5. The minimum qualifying service for being eligible for pension and the manner in which the

employees may be granted the benefits of their past service under section 3E as it stood before the
commencement of the amending Act.

6. The regulation of the period of service for which no contribution is received.

7. The manner in which employees‟ interest will be protected against default in payment of

contribution by the employer.

8. The manner in which the accounts of the Pension Fund shall be kept and investment of moneys

belonging to Pension Fund to be made subject to such pattern of investment as may be determined by the
Central Government

9. The form in which an employee shall furnish particulars about himself and the members of his

family whenever required.

10. The forms, registers and records to be maintained in respect of employees required for the

administration of the Pension Scheme.

11. The scale of pension and pensionary benefits and the conditions relating to grant of such benefits

to the employees, the amount of life assurance payable under the Pension Scheme and the manner of such
payment.

12. The mode of disbursement of pension and arrangements to be entered into with such disbursing

agencies as may be specified for the purpose.

13. The manner in which the expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Pension

Scheme may be paid by the Central Government to the Board.

14. Nomination of persons for receiving pension and assurance amounts in the case of death of an

employee.

15. Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Pension Scheme or which may be necessary or

proper for the purpose of implementation of the Pension Scheme.].

1. Subs. by Act 23 of 1996, s. 9, for the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 31-3-1998).

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1[THE THIRD SCHEDULE

(See section 3G)

MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES DEPOSIT-LINKED INSURANCE SCHEME

1. The employees or class of employees who shall be covered by the Insurance Scheme.

2. The manner in which the accounts of the Insurance Fund shall be kept and the investment of

moneys belonging to the Insurance Fund, subject to such pattern of investment as may be determined, by
order, by the Central Government.

3. The form in which an employee shall furnish particulars about himself and the members of his

family whenever required.

4. The nomination of a person to receive the insurance amount due to the employee after his death

and the cancellation or variation of such nomination.

5. The registers and records to be maintained in respect of employees; the form or design of any

identity card, token or disc for the purpose of identifying any employee or his nominee or member of his
family entitled to receive the insurance amount.

6. The scales of insurance amount which shall not be less than the average balance in the account of

the employee concerned in the Fund during a period of three years immediately preceding his death or
more than rupees ten thousand.

7. The minimum average balance to be maintained by an employee in the Fund to make him eligible

for the benefits under the scheme.

8. The manner in which the amount due to the nominee or the member of the family of the employee

under the scheme is to be paid including a provision that the amount shall not be paid otherwise than in
the form of a deposit in a savings bank account, in the name of such nominee or member of family, in any
corresponding new bank specified in the First Schedule to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and
Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 (5 of 1970).

9. Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Insurance Scheme or which may be necessary

or proper for the purpose of implementing that scheme.]

1. Ins. by Act 99 of 1976, s. 15 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).

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1[THE FOURTH SCHEDULE]

(See section 5)

MATTERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE COAL MINES BONUS SCHEME

1. The payment of bonus dependent on the attendance of an [2][employee] during any period.

2. The employees or class of employees who shall be eligible for the bonus and the conditions of

eligibility.

3. The rate at which the bonus shall be payable to an employee and the manner in which the bonus

shall be calculated.

4. The conditions under which an employee may be debarred from getting the bonus in whole or in

part.

5. The rate at which sums shall be set apart by the employer for payment of bonus and the time and

manner of such payment.

6. The registers and records to be maintained by the employer [3][or contractor] and the returns to be

furnished by him.

4
[6A. The transfer, by an employer to the Fund or any other fund specified by the Central

Government, of the amount of bonus remaining unpaid or unclaimed for a period of six months from the
end of the quarter to which the bonus relates and the extinguishment of the employer‟s liability to his
employees to the extent of the amount so transferred.

7. Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Coal Mines Bonus Scheme or which may be

necessary or proper for the purpose of implementing that Scheme.]

1. THE THIRD SCHEDULE re-numbered as THE FOUTH SCHEDULE by Act 99 of 1976, s. 15 (w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
2. Subs. by Act 80 of 1950, s. 6, for “employee in coal mine”.
3. Ins. by Act 45 of 1965, s. 13 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).
4. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for item 7 (w.e.f. 1-4-1966).

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