The Indian Red Cross Society Act, 1920
# THE INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY ACT, 1920

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# ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

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SECTIONS

1. Short title.
2. Constitution of Indian Red Cross Society.
3. Appointment of Managing Body.
4. Incorporation.
4A. President of the Society.
4B. Composition of Managing Body.
4C. Secretary General and Treasurer of the Society.
4D. Powers and functions of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
4E. Powers of the President to supersede the Managing Body.
5. Power to make rules.
6. Dissolution and transfer of property of Joint War Committee.
7. Purposes to which funds of Society may be applied.
8. Constitution of Branch Committees.
9. Affiliation of other Societies.
10. Decision of Managing Body as to purposes final.
11. Receipt and use of gifts.
12. Powers of Branch Committees.
13. Transfer of property to Pakistan.

THE FIRST SCHEDULE.

THE SECOND SCHEDULE.

THE THIRD SCHEDULE.

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# THE INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY ACT, 1920[1]

 ACT No. 15 OF 19201

 An Act to constitute an Indian Red Cross Society.



[20th March, 1920.]


# WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the future administration of the various monies           

and gifts received from the public for the purpose of medical and other aid to the sick and wounded, and
other purposes of a like nature during the late war, and more especially for the administration of the
monies and property held by a Committee known as the Joint War Committee, Indian Branch, of the
Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England and the British Red Cross Society;

# AND WHEREAS it is expedient to constitute an Indian Red Cross Society with a view to the

continuation in peace time, on a wider basis and with a wider purpose, of the work carried on by the said
Committee during the war, and to provide for the affiliation therewith of other societies and bodies having
similar objects;

It is hereby enacted as follows:—

**1. Short title.—(1) This Act may be called the Indian Red Cross Society Act, 1920.**

2*              *             *              *               *

**2. Constitution of Indian Red Cross Society.—There shall be constitued by this Act a**

Society to be known as the Indian Red Cross Society (hereinafter called the Society). The first
members of the Society shall be nominated by persons who immediately before the
commencement of this Act were members of the Joint War Committee, Indian Branch, of the
Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England and the British Red Cross Society (hereinafter called
the Committee) at a meeting to be summoned and held for that purpose in accordance with
the usual practice of the Committee within three months from the commencement of this Act. The
number of members to be so nominated shall not be less than twenty-five or more than fifty.

**3. Appointment of Managing Body.—The Committee shall also at the same meeting**

appoint from among the members nominated under section 2 of the Managing Body of the
Society (hereinafter called the Managing Body), the members of which shall hold office as
such until a new Managing Body is appointed as hereinafter provided. The number of members
of the Managing Body shall not be less than ten or more than thirty.

**4. Incorporation.—The first members of the Society and all persons who may hereafter**

become members thereof so long as they continue so to be, are hereby constituted a body
corporate under the name of the Indian Red Cross Society, and the said body shall have
perpetual succession and a common seal with power to hold and acquire property, moveable
and immoveable, and shall sue and be sued by the said name.

**3[4A. President of the Society.—The President of India shall be the President of the Society**

(hereinafter referred to as the President).

1. The Act has been extended with modifications to Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 28-1-1963)

The Act has been extended in its application to the whole of the Union of the Union territory of Lakshadweep (w.e.f. 1-101967) _vide Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and the Schedule and to the Union territory of Pondicherry by Act 26 of 1968, s. 3 and_
Schedule.

2. Sub-section (2) omitted by Act 22 of 1956, s. 2.
3. Ins. by Act 14 of 1992, s. 2 (w.e.f. 23-1-1992).

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**4B. Composition of Managing Body.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3, the**

Managing Body shall consist of the following members, namely:—

(a) a Chairman to be nominated by the President for such term as he may deem fit;

(b) six members to be nominated by the President for such term as he may deem fit;

(c) twelve members to be elected by the State Branch Committees for a term of two years in

accordance with the rules made by the Managing Body under section 5:

Provided that not more than one member shall be elected by any State Branch Committee:

Provided further that no member, elected under this section shall hold office continuously for more

than two terms.

(2) The Managing Body existing immediately before the commencement of the Indian Red

Cross Society (Amendment) Act, 1992 (14 of 1992) shall case to exist and the Chairman and
all the members of the said Body shall be deemed to have vacated their offices on such
commencement and the Managing Body shall be reconstituted within a period of six months
from such commencement in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) and until it is so
reconstituted, the President may authorise any person or body of persons to exercise and
discharge all the powers, functions and duties which may, under the provisions of this Act or
the rules made thereunder, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Managing Body.

**4C. Secretary General and Treasurer of the Society.—(1)** The Managing Body shall, with the

previous approval of the President, appoint a Secretary-General and a Treasurer of the Society.

(2) The term of office and the conditions of service of the Secretary-General and the

Treasurer shall be such as the Managing Body may determine by rules made under section 5:

Provided that a the term of office and conditions of service of the Secretary-General and

the Treasurer may be varied in like manner by the Managing Body.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any contract or agreement and notwithstanding

any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or authority or anything contained in any
other provision of this Act or the rules made thereunder, the term of office and conditions of
service of any persons appointed as the Secretary-General of the Society at any time before the
commencement of the Indian Red Cross Society (Amendment) Act, 1992 (14 of 1992) may be
varied by the Managing Body with the previous approval of the President.

**4D. Powers and functions of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.—(1) The powers and functions**

of the Chairman shall be—

(a) to preside over the meetings of the Managing Body and all other Committees set

up by the Managing Body of which he is the Chairman;

(b) to re-appropriate on the advice of the Treasurer of the Society, budgetary

allocation from the major head of account to another major head of account;

(c) to authorise, on the advice of the Treasurer of the Society, expenditure on items not

contemplated in the annual Budget of the Society, subject to the availability of funds;

(d) to institute, if necessary, disciplinary proceedings against officers of and above the rank of

Deputy Secretary of the Society:

Provided that the final decision on the basis of the disciplinary proceedings so

instituted shall be taken,—

(i) in case of the Secretary-General of the Society, with the previous approval of the President;

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(ii) in other cases, with the previous approval of the Managing Body.

(2) The powers and functions of the Vice-Chairman shall be,—

(a) to exercise the powers and perform the functions conferred on the Chairman under sub
section (1) or delegated to him under sub-section (3), in the absence of the Chairman on leave or on
tour abroad or for any other similar reasons;

(b) to act as _ex officio_ member in all the Committees or Sub-Committees appointed by the

Managing Body.

(3) The Chairman and the Vice-Chairman shall, in addition to the powers exercisable by

them under sub-sections (1) and (2), exercise such other financial and administrative powers as
may be delegated to them by the Managing Body in accordance with rules made by it under
section 5.

**4E. Powers of the President to supersede the Managing Body.—(1) If, at any time, the President is**

of opinion—

(a) that there has been gross failure in the management of the affairs of the Society by the

Managing Body; or

(b) that the Managing Body is acting in a manner which is prejudicial to carrying out the

objectives of the Society,

the President array, by order in writing, supersede the Managing Body for such period, not exceeding six
months, as may be specified in the order:

Provided that before issuing an order under this sub-section, the President shall give a reasonable

opportunity to the Managing Body to show cause why it should not be superseded and shall consider the
explanations and objections, if any, of the Managing Body.

(2) Upon the issue of an order under sub-section (1) superseding the Managing Body,—

(a) all the members of the Managing Body shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their

offices as such;

(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, under the provisions of this Act or the rules

made thereunder, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Managing Body shall, until the
Managing Body is reconstituted, be exercised and discharged by such person or body of persons as
the President may appoint in this behalf.

(3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the order issued under sub-section (1),

the President may extend the period of supersession for a further period not exceeding six months as may
be recommended by the person or body of persons appointed under clause (b) of sub-section (2):

Provided that the President may, at any time before the expiration of the period of supersession,

whether as originally specified under sub-section (1) or extended under this

sub-section, take such steps as are necessary to reconstitute the Managing Body in accordance with the
provisions of section 4B.]

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**5. Power to make rules.—[1][(1)] The Managing Body [2][may, [3][with the previous approval of the**

President], make rules[4] for the management, functions, control] and procedure of the Society. The rules
may provide among other matters for the following, namely:—

(a) the conditions of membership of the Society;

(b) the appointment and term of office of members of the Managing Body;

(c) the choice of representatives on international and other Committees;

5[(d) the procedure of election of members by State Branch Committees;]

_(e)_ the constitution of Finance, Medical and other Committees and the delegation of powers to

them; [6]***

7[(f) the powers exercisable by the Managing Body in supervising the activities of State Branch

Committees;

_(g)_ delegation of financial and administrative powers to the Chairman and the

Vice-Chairman;

_(h) disqualifications for membership of the Managing Body;_

(i) the term of office and conditions of service of the Secretary-General and the Treasurer and

other officers of the Society;

(j) the Tegulation of the procedure generally of the Society and Managing Body.]

8[(2) The Central Government shall cause every rule made under this section to be laid as soon as

may be after the rule 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 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 rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be
made, that rule 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 rule.]

**6. Dissolution and transfer of property of Joint War Committee.—Upon the nomination of the**

first members of the Society and the appointment of the Managing Body—

(a) the Committee shall be dissolved;

(b) all property, moveable or immoveable, of or belonging to the Committee shall vest in the

Society and shall be applied by the Managing Body to the objects and purposes hereinafter set out;
and

(c) all the debts and liabilities of the Committee shall be transferred to the Society, and

shall thereafter be discharged and satisfied by it out of the aforesaid property, and each and
every member of the Committee shall be wholly discharged therefrom.

1. Section 5 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 14 of 1992, s. 3 (w.e.f. 23-1-1992).
2. Subs. by Act 22 of 1956, s. 3, for “shall, within six months from the commencement of this Act and subject to the condition of

previous publication, make rules for the management, control”.

3. Subs. by Act 14 of 1992, s. 3, for certain words (w.e.f.23-1-1992).
4. For such rules, see Gazette of India, 1920, pt. I, p. 2055.
5. Subs. by Act 14 of 1992, s. 3, for clause (d) (w.e.f.23-1-1992).
6. The word “and” omitted by Act 22 of 1956, s. 3.
7. Subs. by Act 14 of 1992, s. 3, for clauses (ee) and (f) (w.e.f. 23-1-1992).
8. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 23-1-1992).

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**7. Purposes to which funds of Society may be applied.—Notwithstanding anything contained in**

any appeal for subscriptions or gifts to or for the purposes of the Committee, the Managing Body may in
its discretion apply—

(a) either the corpus of the income or any part of such corpus or income of any property

vested in it under clause (b) of section 6 for the relief of sickness, suffering or distress caused
by tile operation of war in India or in any other country in which Expeditionary Forces from
India- may, from time to time, be employed and for purposes cognate to that object and in
maintaining Red Cross Depots for military purposes;

(b) in accordance with the provisions of section 8 the income only of any such property

but not the corpus or any part thereof for the relief of sickness or suffering in India, whether
due to the operation of war or not, or in pursuance of any of the objects set forth in the First
Schedule.

**8. Constitution of Branch Committees.—[1][(1)] If Branch Committees consisting of members of**

the Society arc constituted in [2][any of the States in India [3]***] specified in the Second Schedule, then,
subject to the requirements of the Managing Body for the purposes of clause (a) of section 7 [4][and
section 13] and any provision for expenses of management, the income of the property which has been
vested in the Society under clause (b) the section 6 shall be distributed annually among such Branch
Committees in the proportion shown in the said Schedule, to be expended by them and at their discretion
upon all or any of the objects referred to in clause (b) of section 7.

5[(2) The 6[Central Government] may, by notification in the Gazette of India, direct that 7[any part

of India] [8]***specified in the first column of the Second Schedule shall be excluded therefrom or that
7[any part of India] 8*** not specified therein shall be included

therein and that the percentages specified in the [9][second column] of the said Schedule shall be varied as
required by any such exclusion or inclusion.

(3) On the issue of a notification under sub-section (2) the Second Schedule shall be deemed to be

amended in accordance with such notification.

(4) No notification under sub-section (2) shall be made without the consent of every Branch

Committee constituted in [10] [any State in India 11***] for the time being included in the Second
Schedule.]

**9. Affiliation of other Societies.—The Managing Body may also affiliate to the Society any**

other society or body [12][whether constituted in India or in any other country] having all or any of the
objects and purposes referred to in section 7, and may provide for the allocation and distribution of funds,
through such society or body, to or for any such objects or purposes.

1. Section 8 was renumbered as sub-section (1) of that section by Act 17 of 1937, s. 2.
2. Subs. by the A. O.1950, as amended by the Adaptation of Laws (Third Amendment) Order, 1951, for “any of the Provinces,

States and other parts of India and Pakistan”.

3. The words “or in any part of Pakistan” omitted by Act 22 of 1956, s. 4.
4. Ins. by s. 4, ibid.
5. Sub-sections (2) to (4) added by Act 17 of 1937, s. 2.
6. Subs. by the A. O. 1948, for “G. G. in C.”
7. Subs. by the A. O. 1950 as amended by the Adaptation of Laws (Third Amendment) Order, 1951, for “any Province, State or

other part of India”.

8. The words “or Pakistan” omitted by Act 22 of 1956, s. 4. Earlier inserted by the A.O. 1948,
9. Subs. by Act 22 of 1956, s. 4, for “third column”.
10. Subs. by the A. O. 1950, for “the Provinces, States and other part of India and Pakistan”.
11. The words “or any part of Pakistan” omitted by Act 22 of 1956, s. 4.
12. Ins. by s. 5, ibid.

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**10. Decision of Managing Body as to purposes final** .—The Managing Body shall have

authority to determine in all cases what matters properly fall within the scope of clause (b) of section 7,
and its decision in all such matters shall be binding on all Branch Committees and affiliated societies or
bodies.

**11. Receipt and use of gifts.—The Managing Body may also receive and hold gifts of**

whatsoever description either for the general purposes of the Society or for any particular purpose, [1]***
and on receipt of such gifts may, subject to the provisions of rules made under section 5, apply the same
to such purposes, either directly or through Branch Committees or societies or bodies affiliated under
section 9.

**12. Powers of Branch Committees.—Subject to the provisions of rules made under section**

2[and the powers of supervision exercisable by the Managing Body thereunder], each Branch Committee
shall have all power [3]*** to receive gifts and expend all monies received by it for its purposes, either
directly or through other societies or bodies.

4[13. Transfer of property to Pakistan.—(1) Notwithstanding anyting contained in this Act, the

Managing Body, may, from out of the funds specified in column 1 of the Third Schedule, transfer to the
Pakistan Red Cross Society the amounts specified in that Schedule as being the share of the Pakistan Red
Cross Society which that Society has agreed to receive for being applied to the purposes for which they
were held by the Society.

(2) Upon the transfer of such amounts to the Pakistan Red Cross Society under sub-section (1), the

Society shall be freed and discharged from all obligations imposed upon it by or under this Act as in force
before the commencement of the Indian Red Cross Society (Amendment) Act, 1956 (22 of 1956), or
under any trust or other document in respect of anything to be done in Pakistan or in any part thereof.]

1. The expression “for which the corpus or income of the property vested in it under clause (b) of section 6 may be applied under

the provisions of section 7” omitted by Act 22 of 1956, s. 6.

2. Ins. by s. 7, ibid.
3. Certain words omitted by Act 14 of 1992, s. 4 (w.e.f.23-1-1992).
4. Ins. by Act 22 of 1956, s. 8.

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1[THE FIRST SCHEDULE

_(See section 7)_

_Objects to which the funds of the Society may be applied_

(1) Aid to the sick and wounded members of the Armed Forces of the Union in accordance with the

terms and spirit of the Geneva Conventions of 12th August, 1949 and discharge of other obligations
devolving upon the Society under the Conventions as the recognised auxiliary of the Armed Forces
Medical Services.

(2) Aid to the demobilised sick anti wounded members of the Armed Forces of the Union.

(3) Maternity and Child Welfare.

(4) Junior Red Cross.

(5) Nursing and ambulance work.

(6) Provision of relief for the mitigation of suffering caused by epidemics, earthquakes, famines,

floods and other disasters, whether in India or outside.

(7) The establishment and maintenance of peace among all nations in accordance with the decisions

of the International Red Cross Organisation.

(8) Work parties to provide comforts and necessary garments, etc., for hospitals and health

institutions.

(9) The expenses of management of the Society and its branches and affiliated societies and bodies.

(10) The representation of the Society on or at International or other Committees formed for

furthering objects similar to those of the Society.

(11) The improvement of health, prevention of disease and mitigation of suffering and such other

cognate objects as may be approved by the Society from time to time.]

1. Subs. by Act 22 of 1956, s. 9, for the Schedules.

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1[THE SECOND SCHEDULE

_(See section 8)_

_Statement showing the approximate percentage of the claim of the States and Union territories to the_

_income of the property vested in the Society under clause (b) of section 6._

Approximate
Name of the States and Union territories

percentage

5.92
Andhra Pradesh

1.49
Assam

6.25
Bihar

2[Gujarat 5.63]

3[Haryana 3.20]

1.03
Kerala

10.58
Madhya Pradesh

4[Tamil Nadu] 4.52

5[Maharashtra 11.07]

6[Karnataka] 4.62

2.02
Orissa

7[4.70]

Punjab

6.11
Rajasthan

23.69
Uttar Pradesh

5.84
West Bengal

1.35
Jammu and Kashmir

8[Chandigarh 0.05]

0.68
Delhi

7[1.19]

Himachal Pradesh

0.06]
Tripura

1. Subs. by the Adaptation of Laws (No. 4) Order, 1957, for the Second Schedule (w.e.f.1-11-1956).
2. Subs. by the Bombay Reorganisation (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) No. 2 Order, 1961, for the entry relating to

Bombay (w.e.f.1-5-1960).

3. Ins. by the Punjab Reorganisation and Delhi High Court (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subiects) Order, 1968

(w.e.f.1-11-1956).

4. Subs. by the Madras State (Alteration of Name) (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1970, for “Madras”

(w.e.f.14-1-1969).

5. Ins. by the Bombay Reorganistation (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) No. 2 Order, 1961 (w.e.f.1-5-1960).
6. Subs. by the Mysore State (Alteration of Name) (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1974 (w.e.f.1-111973).
7. Subs. by the Punjab Reorganisation and Delhi High Court (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1963, for the former

entry (w.e.f.1-11-1966).

8. Ins., ibid. (w.e.f.1-11-1966).

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THE THIRD SCHEDULE

_(See section 13)_

_Statement showing the share of Pakistan Red Cross Society in the funds specified in column 1._

Amount advanced to Balance payable to Pakistan

Name of the Fund Share of Pakistan Red

Pakistan Red Cross Red Cross Society in

from which transfer Cross Society as on 30
Society up to 31-12- securities at cost and cash as

is to he made 6-48

52 agreed upon

1 2 3 4

Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P.


Indian Red Cross

Society

Indian Forces’
Medical After-Care
Fund

Lady Chelmsford
All-India Maternity
and Child Welfare
Bureau-Army Child
Welfare Fund

Victoria Memorial
Scholarships Fund


41,74208 6 3 4,04,348 13 5 37,69,859 8 10

4,81,232 14 0 1,30,000 0 0 3,51,232 14 0

91,225 0 0 8,186 13 0 83,038 3 0

1,83,669 4 0 18,395 8 0 1,65,273 12 0


Total 49,30,335 8 3 5,60,931 2 5 43,69,404 5 10


Add-Amount due
from Assam Red
Cross Branch

Deduct-Amount due
from West Punjab
Branch of the
Pakistan Red Cross

Net amount payable
to Pakistan Red
Cross
Society……….


36,351

44,05,755

5,543

44,00,212


0

5

0

5


0

10

0

10


_Add—Interest earned on the securities in the share of the Pakistan Red Cross Society from 1-7-_

48 to the date of transfer after adjusting interest on the amount due from the West Punjab Branch
of the Pakistan Red Cross Society.]

_________

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