Trip to Hongkong and Macau (June 2013)

Hongkong Macau Tour : June 2013

This trip of mine in June 2013 was in quick succession to my recent visit to Gangzhou in China which I undertook in April 2013.

10^th June 2013 Monday

We 4 friends : myself, Dheeraj, Rajeev Gupta and GD Dalwani boarded Air India AI 314 flight from T3 Terminal of Indira Gandhi Int’l Airport, New Delhi to Hongkong on 10^th June 2013 Monday. The flight was scheduled for 11.15 pm in the night. We got our economy tickets upgraded from Economy class to Executive (Business) class at the airport, considering the fact that it was a night journey and seats in Executive class (which converts into bed by remote control) would have allowed us to have good sleep during journey so that we reach Hongkong refreshed. It costed us a good Rs.17,910/- per person for this conversion.  The Executive class turned out to be a good experience.

11^th June 2013 Tuesday

We reached Hongkong at 6 am local time on 11^th June 2013. After following the signages in the airport for the E2 Terminal (Ferry Terminal), we reached the Ferry Terminal/counter. But it opens up at 7.30 am. So we waited in the sitting area in the airport near Ferry counter. At 7.30 am, the Ferry counter opened. The ferry service is operated by a company called Turbojet. The passengers had already queued up. We were told by officer at Ferry counter that the 12 O’clock Ferry tickets which we had booked online do not have the facility to transfer our luggage automatically from the aeroplane to Ferry and that we will have to first do immigration clearance  and take our baggage from airline and then go to city to board the Ferry. We sensed that it was a cumbersome and time consuming procedure. So we chose second option i.e. we cancelled the Super class tickets of Ferry (purchased in advance online for HK$ 298 per person which was today quoting at HK$ 328 !) and purchased new tickets of Economy class @ HK$  246 (incl. HK$ 60 per baggage) of 10.30 am. We gave them our airline baggage tags and they issued new baggage tags of the ferry. This way we were saved from the hastle of doing immigration clearance and going out of airport to the Hongkong city and also managed to prepone our Ferry journey. We got freshened up in the toilets at the large waiting area of Ferry Terminal in the airport and ate some snacks stuffed in our handbags. Our luggage was directly transferred automatically from the airline to the Ferry. At 8.30 am, the boarding for Ferry was announced. We moved towards the boarding gates of Ferry, just like we go to boarding gate of airline. At 10.05 am, we entered the Ferry. At 10.30 am, the Ferry started. It was raining lightly. The temperature was 22⁰ C. There was typical smell of fuel/ diesel in the air, which was nauseating and sickening. I started feeling headache and feeling of vomiting. At 11.20 am, we reached Macau. We did immigration clearance and picked our luggage. Outside the Ferry Terminal building, the buses of various Hotels were waiting. The bus from Hotel Venetian Macau took us and other passengers to the hotel in 20 minutes. It was free ride for the hotel guests.

On reaching the Hotel Venetian Macau (at about 1.30 pm), we were mesmerized by its grandeur. It was a large hotel bubbling with people. We gave our luggage at concierge desk, who issued us baggage slips. The guests queued up at reception counter. We showed our hotel tickets and our passport. We were allotted Room no.11007 and 11011 at Level 11. We gave our luggage slips to reception and our luggage reached directly to our rooms. We rested in our rooms for a while and then went to Golden Peacock restaurant in the Hotel .But there was a long que there. We tried to explore other options for the food. Ultimately, we found an outlet called Indian Spice Express in Food plaza at Level 3 which had Indian vegetarian food. This food plaza and place is identical to the one which we have at Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon, India. We took our lunch there.

We had taken Cotai Discovery Package of the Hotel Venetian for two nights. In this package, the charges are a little less and some freebies / advantages are provided. These are – (i) Daily Complimentary breakfast at Café Deco; (ii) Complimentary lunch for one day at Golden Peacock restaurant; (iii) Gandola ride ticket; (iv) HK$ 100 voucher per person which can be redeemed at various outlets in the Hotel; (v) Half Day City Tour or HK$ 300 voucher per person; (vi) Free small photo 4” x 6”; (vii) free Almond cookies. You are issued a document called Venetian Passport by the hotel on your arrival. This document contains reference number and bar codes of all these freebies. You can take these document to designated counters and obtain the freebies after they scan it.

We went to the casino and played there for long hours. There were so many machines and games in the casino and it was mind boggling. I understand only one game and that is Roulette. So tried my luck at it.

In night, we again went to Indian outlet at Food plaza but it was closed at 11.30 pm. So I had to do with eating the stuff I had brought from India.

12^th June 2013 Wednesday

We woke up in the morning and went to Café Deco restaurant at Level 1 for the breakfast. It had all options : Indian, continental, Chinese etc. After the breakfast, I went to Cotai Travel Desk of the hotel to book our Half day city tour for 2 pm slot today. However, to our dismay, we were told by the travel desk that 2 pm slot is already full and that we can opt for only 9 am slot for tomorrow. (There are two slots of city tour : 9 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 6 pm). Hestatingly, we booked the 9 pm slot for next day morning, as we were to check out from hotel tomorrow and leave for Hongkong. We then enjoyed Gandola ride.

We took a round of the hotel and played in casino. At 2 pm, we took lunch at Golden Peacock restaurant in the hotel. In the evening, three of us took a taxi and went to Macau Tower. We experienced beautiful view of Macau from the observation deck of the tower. We then went to City square for a stroll in the market and then returned back to the hotel at about 8 pm. Sat in casino. Took food at 11 pm at Indian outlet in Food plaza and then went to sleep.

13^th June 2013 Thursday

We got up early in the morning. Two of us (me and Mr.Dalwani) were keen for city tour while the other two opted out. After taking breakfast at Café Deco, we two reached the travel desk where other passengers of City tour had assembled. We all then proceeded to the bus parked outside the hotel which took us for the city tour. We first went to A MA Temple. Then we were taken to Ruins of St.Paul’s. It was 11 am. We decided to break the tour and reached back the hotel at 11.45 am. We completed check out process at Hotel counter of South Suites and proceeded to West lobby for departure. There we were handed over our luggage and we boarded the hotel bus which took us to the ferry terminal. We bought the Ferry tickets to Hongkong (HK$ 148 per person), cleared the immigration and sat in the ferry.

We reached Hongkong Ferry terminal at about 2 pm. Cleared the immigration. Then took a taxi and reached Hotel Harbour Grand Kowloon, . It was a beautiful 5-star hotel by the side of the sea and provided breathtaking view of the skyline of Hongkong just like NewYork. It was sheer coincidence that we were allotted Room no.1107 and 1113 on 11^th floor.

After resting for a while, we walked to Pizza Hut nearby and took veg pizza and cold coffee. Walked back to the hotel after purchasing some groceries from popular stores here called Seven Eleven. We took a taxi and went to Wan chai. Walked there and saw Hongkong night life. We took food at Ebeneezer’s Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui at 1.30 am in the night and then returned to hotel. In the night, enjoyed the environment and Hongkong skyline by walking near the hotel in drizzling rain.

14^th June 2013 Friday

We took breakfast in the Promenade at Level 1 of the hotel. We had gone to restaurant at 9.50 am and it close at 10 am, so we could not eat much. We had paid extra HK$ 416 per person for total two days for the breakfast (i.e. about Rs.1600/- per breakfast per person).  We then went to top floor of the hotel which has a swimming pool and Gym. Dheeraj did swimming there. It was a beautiful view of Hong kong from the top floor.

At 10 am, I took taxi from the hotel and reached Two Exchange Square (near Hongkong MTR station). This building houses the office of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) at 38^th floor. I am an arbitrator on the panel of HKIAC. I was greeted by Mr. Aditya Kurian there who is on officer there and is looking after HKIAC’s operations pertaining to India and South East Asia. The HKIAC Secy General  Ms. Chiann Bao was not in the office and I thus missed the opportunity to meet her.

At 12.30 pm, I started from HKIAC. I walked to the nearby Hongkong MTR station. I boarded the yellow colored Tung Chung line, got down at Sunny Bay station and then boarded another train to reach Disneyland Resort. I reached there at about 1.30 pm. It was raining. My other 3 friends had already reached there. I walked in the rain towards the ticket counter of Disneyland and got wet in the process. After purchasing ticket, I entered Disneyland, purchased an umbrella and walked to different rides and attractions. I got completely drenched. Took train ride which gives you complete round of the Disneyland. At one place, We four met. I took Grizzly Gulch ride (Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine cars) , it was scary. On return, we took Tung chung line and got down at Lai King station. From there, we took red colored Tsuen Wan line and got down at Mong Kok. Walked in the market. Took pizza at Pizza Hut there. Then returned back to hotel in taxi. We took matthi, tea and biscuits in the hotel room. Then in night, I enjoyed walk around the hotel overlooking harbor, sea and Hongkong skyline.

15^th June 2013 Saturday

In the morning at 8 am, I went to the Gym on the top floor of the hotel and did treadmill.  I wanted to do swimming on top floor but it was raining. We took breakfast in the Promenade in the hotel at 9.15 am without taking bath. Thereafter, took bath. Myself and Mr.Dalwani decided to visit Peak tower. So, we took a taxi and got down at East Tsim Sha Tsui station of MTR. Walked inside the station through subway to Tsim Sha Tsui station. Boarded the train and got down at ‘Central’ station and exited from ‘J’ exit. Walked 10 minutes to reach the Peak Tram stop, after following the signages.  Boarded the Tram and reached Peak Tower. It was a unique experience to ride on tram on steep incline. At Peak tower, headed straight to Madame Tussaud’s museum. Clicked photographs with the wax mannequins of celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama, George Bush, Hitler, Queen Elizabeth, Lady Dianna, Marlyn Moonroe, etc. We were in hurry as we had to return to check out from hotel and catch flight to Delhi.  So, we hurried up. As it was raining, it was not a good idea to see city from the top of the tower, so we dropped the plan. 

We hurriedly boarded the tram. Got down at Peak Tram stop to the Central station of MTR. Boarded MTR and got down at Tsim Sha Tsui station. From there, we took a taxi and reached hotel at 2.10 pm. The other two friends were waiting after completing formalities of check out. 

We immediately took a taxi and reached Hongkong airport at about 3 pm. Got issued boarding pass and cleared immigration. Mr. Dalwani again managed to get his seat upgraded to Executive class.

Our flight was AI 315 Air India at 5.05 pm. We waited at Gate no.33 for boarding our flight. Flight ultimately took off on time.

At 9 pm Indian time, we reached Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi Terminal T3. After clearing immigration, we purchased toffees etc at Duty Free shop. I took taxi and reached home at 10.30 pm.

Another overseas trip came to an end successfully.

Important Tips for travelling Hongkong and Macau tour :

1. At most of the public places in Hongkong, there are reduced charges for tickets for senior citizens (above 65 years of age). For example, in Disneyland Hongkong, while ticket for an adult costs HK$450, it costs only HK$100 for a senior citizen. In Madam Tausaud’s Hongkong, while the ticket for an adult costs HK$190, it costs only HK$120 for a senior citizen. So, do check in advance before purchasing any ticket in Hongkong.

2. The Wifi is available for free throughout the Hongkong airport. In Hotels, the wifi is generally not free and they usually charge about HK$ 150 per 24 hours for the wifi facility. Comparatively, in Macau, Wifi is generally available for free at some public places like Macau Tower. In Hotel Venetian Macau, the charges for wifi are HK$160 for 24 hours. However, there is an Indian restaurant called Golden Peacock at Level 1 of the Hotel where the Wifi is free (the wifi can be accessed even while standing or standing outside the restaurant).

3. In Hongkong, the places are well connected with the Metro train (called MTR, in Hongkong). Check the MTR system map in advance if you are planning to visit Hongkong. This can save you amply money which you would otherwise spend in travelling through Taxi. See the MTR map.   

4. Always find out the nearest MTR station near to your place of stay and then board the MTR and change the MTR lines accordingly to reach your destination.

5. The MTR tickets can be bought from the staff at the counter and can also be purchased from ticket dispensing machines by inserting HK$ notes or coins in the machine. On the machine, on the map, tap/press at the MTR station name where you want to go. The machine will then display the price which you have to pay. Suppose it is HK$ 9. Insert HK$ 10 note in the machine. The machine will dispense one ticket of your chosen destination and balance HK$1 will also be dispensed, which you can collect.

6. The Hongkong airport is connected by MTR through a blue colored line called Airport Express line. Several MTR lines touch each other at various places where you can interchange from one line to another.

7. In Hongkong, the main places visited by tourists are following and these can be reached by MTR in following manner :

Places to see in Hongkong :

Disneyland Resort : It is at the extreme end and is close to the Hongkong airport. To reach there, one has to take yellow colored Tung Chung line. Get down at Sunny Bay station. From there, take pink colored Disneyland Resort line. There is no station between Sunny Bay and Disneyland. This Train from Sunny Bay to Disneyland is having entirely different interior and décor and is having sofa seats. The Disneyland MTR station is right at the entrance of Disneyland resort. In the late evening, there is Fireworks show at Disneyland, if weather is clear.

Big Buddha and 360 degree Cable car : This is very close to Disneyland, by MTR.  On the Tung chung line, instead of getting down at Sunny Bay station, get down at Tung Chung station, which is the next station after Sunny Bay and the last station on Tung Chung line. From Tung Chung station, 10 minute walk takes you to 360 ⁰ cable car. It is tallest sitting Buddha in Asia. It is 34 meter high. It took 12 years to complete. It was erected in 1993. You have to climb 268 steps for a closer look at this remarkable statue. Its actual name is Tian Tan Buddha Statue and informal name is Big Buddha. Opposite the statue is Po Lin Monastery. Take yellow colored Tung Chung line. Get down at the last station, that is, Tung Chung. Exit from Exit ‘B’. Take Ngong Ping Cable car, which takes around 25 minutes. Then walk for about 10 minutes to reach the Monastry and Buddha statue. Source  

Peak Tower : Madame Tussaud’s is on level 4 of the Peak Tower. Level 3 has ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’ auditorium. Level 5 has open-air viewing terrace with coin operated binoculars. The place where Peak Tower is situated is called Victoria Peak (552 meter) which is the highest point in Hongkong. You can have a panoramic view of Hongkong city from here, if the weather is clear. Reach ‘Central’ Station of MTR, by taking red colored Tsuen Wan line. Exit from “J” exit. Walk about 10 minutes (the walk is little inclined up), by following road signages, to reach Peak Tram stop (from where the Tram starts). Board the Tram, which takes you to Peak Tower in about 12 minutes. This Tram journey is thrilling. It is all very steep incline upto Peak Tower while sitting in Tram and at some places, the Tram is almost at an incline of more than 60 degree angle. The Tram drops you right inside Peak Tower. After getting down, you suddenly find yourself at the entrance of Madame Tussaud’s after just 1 minute walk. Just purchase the ticket and keep on following the signages. The wax mannequins of celebrities are scattered on 3 levels. More can be seen here. 
   

Ocean Park : It has several water rides. (I avoided it, as I am not very keen for such rides). Get down at Admiralty MTR station on red colored Tsuen Wan line or blue colored Island line. From here, take 629 route number city bus. The bus comes every 10 minutes. The bus will take you to Ocean Park. You can see more details here. 

8. There are two tunnels in Hongkong while travelling by road. Travelling on taxi though new tunnel is costly by about HK$ 50.

9. In Hongkong and Macau, the visa is available for free on arrival.

10. If you are travelling by air to Hongkong airport and then straight to Macau by Ferry, you need not even come out of the Hongkong airport to board the ferry and do not need to do immigration clearence. The Ferry Terminal can be reached directly from inside the airport. Just follow the signages after getting down the aeroplane in Hongkong airport, to reach the Ferry Terminal (E-2 Terminal). In the process to reach Ferry terminal, you will be going down and up by escalators and by High speed underground train. The Ferry is operated by a company called Turbojet.  At the Ferry terminal, purchase the Ferry ticket. Give your airline baggage tags at Ferry counter (it is like an airline counter in an airport which issues boarding pass). They will issue you their own baggage tags against it and the boarding ticket of Ferry. Your luggage will reach directly to the Ferry from the aeroplane. The Ferry company charge a sum of HK$ 60 per baggage for providing this service. So, try to keep the number of checked in baggages to the minimum.

11. While boarding Ferry, those who are prone to sea sickness are advised to take some medicine beforehand to avoid headache, restlessness, nausea. The Ferry moves at a very high speed and at rough seas, there is turbulence which may cause nausea. The Ferry is totally air-conditioned and there are numerous seats in it generally arranged in 3 rows (just like an aeroplane), with overhead lockers. There are two class in Ferry : Economy and Super class. The Super Class is on the Upper deck of the Ferry and it has better seats and more leg space. The journey from Hongkong to Macau by Ferry is about 50 minutes.

12. For Indians who want vegetarian food in Hongkong and Macau, there are several options :

        Hongkong :

       -Veg Pizza at Pizza Hut restaurants which are in every locality.

       -Ebeneezer’s Restaurant (at 8 places in Hongkong) whioch opens till 4 am late

         in the night.

       -Tandoori Nights restaurant, at Ksim Sha Tsui.

       -Branto Restaurant

       -Gaylord Restaurant

       -New Sangeet restaurant

       -Mask of Si Chuen ?

       Macau :

      -Golden Peacock restaurant at Level 1 of Hotel Venetian Macau

      -Indian Spice Express outlet in Food plaza at Level 3 of Hotel Venetian Macau

      -Café Deco restaurant at Level 1 of Hotel Venetian Macau (Breakfast)

13.  If you do not want to be saddled with huge bills by your mobile operator, turn off the ‘Mobile data’ and turn on the ‘WI-FI’ option in your mobile, before landing in any foreign country. By doing so, you will not get any email, messages etc. on your Sim connection and thus can avoid paying huge charges. You can access the same through wifi. To keep in touch with your loved ones back home, you can use mobile applications like viber, hangsout, skype, Gtalk, whatsapp etc. through wifi. Hangsout and Skype have video calling facility. In case of Apple device to Apple device, you can use Facetime app of Apple for video calling through wifi. By turning off the ‘Mobile data’ in your mobile, you will keep receiving the mobile calls. It will be your discretion whether to pick up the phone. If you pick up, then you would be billed international roaming charges. The best thing to do is to purchase a local mobile sim card and get it topped up/charged with the value which your fairly expect to spend on your mobile calls while in that country. In case you really want to call any of the number from whom you are getting call, you can use the local mobile connection to call back to your country. For calling to India from local mobile connection, prefix 00191 before the Indian number. This way, the call charges are substantially reduced. The local sim has other advantage also. Your companions on the tour can also purchase local sim card and then you all can communicate with each other in such foreign country at almost no cost.

14. In the casinos (in Hotel Venetian Macau and other hotels), small water bottles are placed everywhere near every casino table. You can freely pick the bottles from here. In the room, only 2 bottles per room are provided complimentary and rest are on charge basis. While playing in casino at any table, you can also ask the casino staff/waiters (mainly girls) to give you tea, coffee, soft drink, hard drink, beer etc., its complimentary. On the roulette, the minimum bet is generally HK$ 50 but at times, you will also find some roulette tables playing at minimum bet of HK$ 25.

15. There are not many places to see in Macao other than Macau Tower. The casinos are the major attraction in Macau. There are over 800 casinos in Macau, the major being Venetian, City of Dreams, Grand Lisboa, Galaxy etc. These, in themselves, are placed to see and visit. Still, for those who want to travel around, they can take half day city tour of Macau. You can see the following places :

Places to see in Macau :

       Macau Tower  : It has observation deck at 59^th Floor, from where you can           

       have panoramic view of entire Macau. At the 61^st Floor, those with high levels

       of adrenaline and a penchant for thrill and adventure, can take the Sky Walk

       (walking on edge of tower on open platform, tied with ropes) and Bungee 

       jumping which is provided for a hefty charge by a company called Heckett.   

       Free wifi facility is available here.

       Ruins of St. Paul’s : It is a UNESCO listed monument.

       A MA Temple

       Senado Square

       St. Dominic’s Church

       Taipa Houses Museum

16. In Hongkong, Macau and rest of China, language is a major problem. The locals generally do not understand English. At times, it becomes very difficult to explain the taximan the place where you want to go. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to get to your own hotel. So always keep ‘visiting card’ of your hotel in your pocket and the map which you can show to the taximan. You can also download ‘Translate’ App in your mobile or Ipad. In this, you can type a sentence in English and this App will convert the sentence in Chinese or any desired language which you can then show to the local person. He can similarly type in his language which is then converted into English by this App. If the internet is working, then this App allows even voice communication.

17. Ticket prices :

Ferry of Turbojet

(HK to Macau)   :               HK$ 298 (Super class)

                                           HK$ 246 (Economy class)

                                           These prices include charges for facility of direct luggage transfer from

       aeroplane to Ferry. These prices are less if you purchase several days in

       advance.

Macau to HK      :               HK$ 148

                                           You carry your luggage directly, in and out of Ferry.

Disneyland          :                HK$450 (for adults)

       HK$100 (for senior citizens)

           Madam Tausaud’s :              HK$190 (for adults)

       HK$120 (for senior citizens)

Tram to Peak Tower :         HK$40 (for adults)

(and return)                         HK$18 (for senior citizens)

            Macau Tower       :              HK$ 130 (for observation Deck at 59^th Floor)

                                                       Higher charge for Sky Ride and Bungee jumping from 61^st Floor

1 HK$ = INR 7.50

1 US$ = HK$ 7.58 = INR 57 (approx. figures)

18. If it is 8 am in India, it will be 10.30 am in Hongkong and Macau.

19. The currency of Macau is Pataca. However, Macau currency is not in much use. Strangely, even the establishments in Macau sometimes refuse to take Macau currency. The Hongkong dollar is accepted everywhere in Macau and Hongkong.  

20. The Gangzhou in China is very close to Hongkong and is just about 1 hour away by Ferry. But you need visa to enter Gangzhou. So if you have visa for China, then another way to reach Hongkong or Macau is to first go to Gangzhou (air tickets for Gangzhou are comparatively cheaper) and from there take a ferry directly to Hongkong or Macau.

Sunil Goel advocate B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm

CAG report on irregularities in Indira Gandhi Intl Airport New Delhi project on PPP basis

Hi friends.

Here is the link to the official report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on irregularities in Indira Gandhi Intl Airport New Delhi project on PPP basis published recently :

Sunil Goel advocate 

B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm

CAG report on irregularities in coal block allocation

Hi friends.

Here is the link to the official report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on coal block allocation which made headlines and ruckus in Parliament in India recently :

Sunil Goel advocate 

B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm

Supreme Court of India answers presidential reference on 2G and disposal of natural resources by auction

Hi friends.

Those of you who are keenly following 2G spectrum scam must be aware that the President of India had recently sent a Reference under Article 143 of Constitution of India to the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India for giving opinion on various queries. The main question involved was whether the auction is the only option available to the Govt for disposing natural resources as was seemingly held by 2 Judge bench of Supreme court in its earlier judgment dated 2.2.2012.

The 5 Judge Bench has answered the Reference vide Judgement dated 27th September 2012. The text of this latest judgment is given hereunder for benefit of all my readers. Read the full judgment. 

Sunil Goel advocate 

B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm

Domestic Violence Act : Important information

Dear friends,

You must have seen today's episode of SATYAMEV JAYATE which was focused on women suffering domestic violence. You are now aware that there is a law in India called 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005' which is to help women who undergo some sort of violence at the hands of relatives. For the benefit of readers, I am giving here the complete Text of this Act :

THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005

[Act, No. 43 of 2005]

PREAMBLE

An Act to provide for more effective protection of the rights of women guaranteed under the Constitution who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

Section 1 - Short title, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, appoint.¹

1. Enforcement date for the Act as per the notification No: S.O. 1776(E) issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development is 26.10.2006.

Section 2 - Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "aggrieved person" means any woman who is, or has been, in a domestic relationship with the respondent and who alleges to have been subjected to any act of domestic violence by the respondent;

(b) "child" means any person below the age of eighteen years and includes any adopted, step or foster child;

(c) "compensation order" means an order granted in terms of section 22;

(d) "custody order" means an order granted in terms of section 21;

(e) "domestic incident report" means a report made in the prescribed form on receipt of a complaint of domestic violence from an aggrieved person;

(f) "domestic relationship" means a relationship between two persons who live or have, at any point of time, lived together in a shared household, when they are related by consanguinity, marriage, or through a relationship in the nature of marriage, adoption or are family members living together as a joint family;

(g) "domestic violence" has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 3;

(h) "dowry" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961;

(i) "Magistrate" means the Judicial Magistrate of the first class, or as the case may be, the Metropolitan Magistrate, exercising jurisdiction under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in the area where the aggrieved person resides temporarily or otherwise or the respondent resides or the domestic violence is alleged to have taken place;

(j) "medical facility" means such facility as may be notified by the State Government to be a medical facility for the purposes of this Act;

(k) "monetary relief" means the compensation which the Magistrate may order the respondent to pay to the aggrieved person, at any stage during the hearing of an application seeking any relief under this Act, to meet the expenses incurred and the losses suffered by the aggrieved person as a result of the domestic violence;

(l) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression "notified" shall be construed accordingly;

(m) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(n) "Protection Officer" means an officer appointed by the State Government under sub-section (1) of section 8;

(o) "protection order" means an order made in terms of section 18;

(p) "residence order" means an order granted in terms of sub-section (1) of section 19;

(q) "respondent" means any adult male person who is, or has been, in a domestic relationship with the aggrieved person and against whom the aggrieved person has sought any relief under this Act:

Provided that an aggrieved wife or female living in a relationship in the nature of a marriage may also file a complaint against a relative of the husband or the male partner.

(r) "service provider" means an entity registered under sub-section (1) of section 10;

(s) "shared household" means a household where the person aggrieved lives or at any stage has lived in a domestic relationship either singly or along with the respondent and includes such a household whether owned or tenanted either jointly by the aggrieved person and the respondent, or owned or tenanted by either of them in respect of which either the aggrieved person or the respondent or both jointly or singly have any right, title, interest or equity and includes such a household which may belong to the joint family of which the respondent is a member, irrespective of whether the respondent or the aggrieved person has any right, title or interest in the shared household.

(t) "shelter home" means any shelter home as may be notified by the State Government to be a shelter home for the purposes of this Act.

Section 3 - Definition of domestic violence

For the purposes of this Act, any act, omission or commission or conduct of the respondent shall constitute domestic violence in case it -

(a) harms or injures or endangers the health, safety, life, limb or well-being, whether mental or physical, of the aggrieved person or tends to do so and includes causing physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse and economic abuse; or

(b) harasses, harms, injures or endangers the aggrieved person with a view to coerce her or any other person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any dowry or other property or valuable security; or

(c) has the effect of threatening the aggrieved person or any person related to her by any conduct mentioned in clause (a) or clause (b); or

(d) otherwise injures or causes harm, whether physical or mental, to the aggrieved person.

Explanation I.--For the purposes of this section,--

(i) "physical abuse" means any act or conduct which is of such a nature as to cause bodily pain, harm, or danger to life, limb, or health or impair the health or development of the aggrieved person and includes assault, criminal intimidation and criminal force;

(ii) "sexual abuse" includes any conduct of a sexual nature that abuses, humiliates, degrades or otherwise violates the dignity of woman;

(iii) "verbal and emotional abuse" includes-

(a) insults, ridicule, humiliation, name calling and insults or ridicule specially with regard to not having a child or a male child; and

(b) repeated threats to cause physical pain to any person in whom the aggrieved person is interested.

(iv) "economic abuse" includes-

(a) deprivation of all or any economic or financial resources to which the aggrieved person is entitled under any law or custom whether payable under an order of a court or otherwise or which the aggrieved person requires out of necessity including, but not limited to, household necessities for the aggrieved person and her children, if any, stridhan, property, jointly or separately owned by the aggrieved person, payment of rental related to the shared household and maintenance;

(b) disposal of household effects, any alienation of assets whether movable or immovable, valuables, shares, securities, bonds and the like or other property in which the aggrieved person has an interest or is entitled to use by virtue of the domestic relationship or which may be reasonably required by the aggrieved person or her children or her stridhan or any other property jointly or separately held by the aggrieved person; and

(c) prohibition or restriction to continued access to resources or facilities which the aggrieved person is entitled to use or enjoy by virtue of the domestic relationship including access to the shared household.

Explanation II.--For the purpose of determining whether any act, omission, commission or conduct of the respondent constitutes "domestic violence" under this section, the overall facts and circumstances of the case shall be taken into consideration.

Section 4 - Information to Protection Officer and exclusion of liability of Informant

(1) Any person who has reason to believe that an act of domestic violence has been, or is being, or is likely to be committed, may give information about it to the concerned Protection Officer

(2) No liability, civil or criminal, shall be incurred by any person for giving in good faith of information for the purpose of sub-section (1).

Section 5 - Duties of police officers, service providers and Magistrate

A police officer, Protection Officer, service provider or Magistrate who has received a complaint of domestic violence or is otherwise present at the place of an incident of domestic violence or when the incident of domestic violence is reported to him, shall inform the aggrieved person-

(a) of her right to make an application for obtaining a relief by way of a protection order, an order for monetary relief, a custody order, a residence order, a compensation order or more than one such order under this Act;

(b) of the availability of services of service providers;

(c) of the availability of services of the Protection Officers;

(d) of her right to free legal services under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987;

(e) of her right to file a complaint under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, wherever relevant;

Provided that nothing in this Act shall be construed in any manner as to relieve a police officer from his duty to proceed in accordance with law upon receipt of information as to the commission of a cognizable offence.

Section 6 - Duties of shelter homes

If an aggrieved person or on her behalf a Protection Officer or a service provider requests the person in charge of a shelter home to provide shelter to her, such person in charge of the shelter home shall provide shelter to the aggrieved person in the shelter home.

Section 7 - Duties of medical facilities

If an aggrieved person or, on her behalf a Protection Officer or a service provider requests the person in charge of a medical facility to provide any medical aid to her, such person in charge of the medical facility shall provide medical aid to the aggrieved person in the medical facility.

Section 8 - Appointment of Protection Officers

(1) The State Government shall, by notification, appoint such number of Protection Officers in each district as it may consider necessary and shall also notify the area or areas within which a Protection Officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred on him by or under this Act.

(2) The Protection Officers shall as far as possible be women and shall possess such qualifications and experience as may be prescribed.

(3) The terms and conditions of service of the Protection Officer and the other officers subordinate to him shall be such as may be prescribed,

Section 9 - Duties and functions of Protection Officers

(1) It shall be the duty of the Protection Officer-

(a) to assist the Magistrate in the discharge of his functions under this Act;

(b) to make a domestic incident report to the Magistrate, in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed, upon receipt of a complaint of domestic violence and forward copies thereof to the police officer in charge of the police station within the local limits of whose jurisdiction domestic violence is alleged to have been committed and to the service providers in that area;

(c) to make an application in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed to the Magistrate, if the aggrieved person so desires, claiming relief for issuance of a protection order;

(d) to ensure that the aggrieved person is provided legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987(39 of 1987) and make available free of cost the prescribed form in which a complaint is to be made;

(e) to maintain a list of all service providers providing legal aid or counselling, shelter homes and medical facilities in a local area within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate;

(f) to make available a safe shelter home, if the aggrieved person so requires and forward a copy of his report of having lodged the aggrieved person in a shelter home to the police station and the Magistrate having jurisdiction in the area where the shelter home is situated;

(g) to get the aggrieved person medically examined, if she has sustained bodily injuries and forward a copy of the medical report to the police station and the Magistrate having jurisdiction in the area where the domestic violence is alleged to have been taken place;

(h) to ensure that the order for monetary relief under section 20 is complied with and executed, in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974);

(i) to perform such other duties as may be prescribed.

(2) The Protection Officer shall be under the control and supervision of the Magistrate, and shall perform the duties imposed on him by the Magistrate and the Government by, or under, this Act.

Section 10 - Service providers

(1) Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, any voluntary association registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860(21 of 1860) or a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or any other law for the time being in force with the objective of protecting the rights and interests of women by any lawful means including providing of legal aid, medical, financial or other assistance shall register itself with the State Government as a service provider for the purposes of this Act.

(2) A service provider registered under sub-section (1) shall have the power to-

(a) record the domestic incident report in the prescribed form if the aggrieved person so desires and forward a copy thereof to the Magistrate and the Protection Officer having jurisdiction in the area where the domestic violence took place;

(b) get the aggrieved person medically examined and forward a copy of the medical report to the Protection Officer and the police station within the local limits of which the domestic violence took place;

(c) ensure that the aggrieved person is provided shelter in a shelter home, if she so requires and forward a report of the lodging of the aggrieved person in the shelter home to the police station within the local limits of which the domestic violence took place.

(3) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any service provider or any member of the service provider who is, or who is deemed to be, acting or purporting to act under this Act, for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in the exercise of powers or discharge of functions under this Act towards the prevention of the commission of domestic violence.

Section 11 - Duties of Government

The Central Government and every State Government, shall take all measures to ensure that-

(a) the provisions of this Act are given wide publicity through public media including the television, radio and the print media at regular intervals;

(b) the Central Government and State Government officers including the police officers and the members of the judicial services are given periodic sensitization and awareness training on the issues addressed by this Act;

(c) effective co-ordination between the services provided by concerned Ministries and Departments dealing with law, home affairs including law and order, health and human resources to address issues of domestic violence is established and periodical review of the same is conducted;

(d) pro ols for the various Ministries concerned with the delivery of services to women under this Act including the courts are prepared and put in place.

Section 12 - Application to Magistrate

(1) An aggrieved person or a Protection Officer or any other person on behalf of the aggrieved person may present an application to the Magistrate seeking one or more reliefs under this Act:

Provided that before passing any order on such application, the Magistrate shall take into consideration any domestic incident report received by him from the Protection Officer or the service provider.

(2) The relief sought for under sub-section (1) may include a relief for issuance of an order for payment of compensation or damages without prejudice to the right of such person to institute a suit for compensation or damages for the injuries caused by the acts of domestic violence committed by the respondent:

Provided that where a decree for any amount as compensation or damages has been passed by any court in favour of the aggrieved person, the amount, if any, paid or payable in pursuance of the order made by the Magistrate under this Act shall be set off against the amount payable under such decree and the decree shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908(5 of 1908), or any other law for the time being in force, be executable for the balance amount, if any, left after such set off.

(3) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and contain such particulars as may be prescribed or as nearly as possible thereto.

(4) The Magistrate shall fix the first date of hearing, which shall not ordinarily be beyond three days from the date of receipt of the application by the court.

(5) The Magistrate shall endeavour to dispose of every application made under sub-section (1) within a period of sixty days from the date of its first hearing.

Section 13 - Service of notice

(1) A notice of the date of hearing fixed under section 12 shall be given by the Magistrate to the Protection Officer, who shall get it served by such means as may be prescribed on the respondent, and on any other person, as directed by the Magistrate within a maximum period of two days or such further reasonable time as may be allowed by the Magistrate from the date of its receipt.

(2) A declaration of service of notice made by the Protection Officer in such form as may be prescribed shall be the proof that such notice was served upon the respondent and on any other person as directed by the Magistrate unless the contrary is proved.

Section 14 - Counselling

(1) The Magistrate may, at any stage of the proceedings under this Act, direct the respondent or the aggrieved person, either singly or jointly, to undergo counselling with any member of a service provider who possess such qualifications and experience in counselling as may be prescribed.

(2) Where the Magistrate has issued any direction under sub-section (1), he shall fix the next date of hearing of the case within a period not exceeding two months.

Section 15 - Assistance of welfare expert

In any proceeding under this Act, the Magistrate may secure the services of such person, preferably a woman, whether related to the aggrieved person or not, including a person engaged in promoting family welfare as he thinks fit, for the purpose of assisting him in discharging his functions.

Section 16 - Proceedings to be held in camera

If the Magistrate considers that the circumstances of the case so warrant, and if either party to the proceedings so desires, he may conduct the proceedings under this Act in camera.

Section 17 - Right to reside in a shared household

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, every woman in a domestic relationship shall have the right to reside in the shared household, whether or not she has any right, title or beneficial interest in the same.

(2) The aggrieved person shall not be evicted or excluded from the shared household or any part of it by the respondent save in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Section 18 - Protection orders

The Magistrate may, after giving the aggrieved person and the respondent an opportunity of being heard and on being prima facie satisfied that domestic violence has taken place or is likely to take place, pass a protection order in favour of the aggrieved person and prohibit the respondent from-

(a) committing any act of domestic violence;

(b) aiding or abetting in the commission of acts of domestic violence;

(c) entering the place of employment of the aggrieved person or, if the person aggrieved is a child, its school or any other place frequented by the aggrieved person;

(d) attempting to communicate in any form, whatsoever, with the aggrieved person, including personal, oral or written or electronic or telephonic contact;

(e) alienating any assets, operating bank lockers or bank accounts used or held or enjoyed by both the parties, jointly by the aggrieved person and the respondent or singly by the respondent, including her stridhan or any other property held either jointly by the parties or separately by them without the leave of the Magistrate;

(f) causing violence to the dependants, other relatives or any person who give the aggrieved person assistance from domestic violence;

(g) committing any other act as specified in the protection order.

Section 19 - Residence orders

(1) While disposing of an application under sub-section (1) of section 12, the Magistrate may, on being satisfied that domestic violence has taken place, pass a residence order -

(a) restraining the respondent from dispossessing or in any other manner disturbing the possession of the aggrieved person from the shared household, whether or not the respondent has a legal or equitable interest in the shared household;

(b) directing the respondent to remove himself from the shared household;

(c) restraining the respondent or any of his relatives from entering any portion of the shared household in which the aggrieved person resides;

(d) restraining the respondent from alienating or disposing off the shared household or encumbering the same;

(e) restraining the respondent from renouncing his rights in the shared household except with the leave of the Magistrate; or

(f) directing the respondent to secure same level of alternate accommodation for the aggrieved person as enjoyed by her in the shared household or to pay rent for the same, if the circumstances so require:

Provided that no order under clause (b) shall be passed against any person who is a woman.

(2) The Magistrate may impose any additional conditions or pass any other direction which he may deem reasonably necessary to protect or to provide for the safety of the aggrieved person or any child of such aggrieved person.

(3) The Magistrate may require from the respondent to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for preventing the commission of domestic violence.

(4) An order under sub-section (3) shall be deemed to be an order under Chapter VIII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974) and shall be dealt with accordingly.

(5) While passing an order under sub-section (1), sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), the court may also pass an order directing the officer in charge of the nearest police station to give protection to the aggrieved person or to assist her or the person making an application on her behalf in the implementation of the order.

(6) While making an order under sub-section (1), the Magistrate may impose on the respondent obligations relating to the discharge of rent and other payments, having regard to the financial needs and resources of the parties.

(7) The Magistrate may direct the officer in-charge of the police station in whose jurisdiction the Magistrate has been approached to assist in the implementation of the protection order.

(8) The Magistrate may direct the respondent to return to the possession of the aggrieved person her stridhan or any other property or valuable security to which she is entitled to.

Section 20 - Monetary reliefs

(1) While disposing of an application under sub-section (1) of section 12, the Magistrate may direct the respondent to pay monetary relief to meet the expenses incurred and losses suffered by the aggrieved person and any child of the aggrieved person as a result of the domestic violence and such relief may include but is not limited to-

(a) the loss of earnings;

(b) the medical expenses;

(c) the loss caused due to the destruction, damage or removal of any property from the control of the aggrieved person; and

(d) the maintenance for the aggrieved person as well as her children, if any, including an order under or in addition to an order of maintenance under section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or any other law for the time being in force.

(2) The monetary relief granted under this section shall be adequate, fair and reasonable and consistent with the standard of living to which the aggrieved person is accustomed.

(3) The Magistrate shall have the power to order an appropriate lump sum payment or monthly payments of maintenance, as the nature and circumstances of the case may require.

(4) The Magistrate shall send a copy of the order for monetary relief made under sub-section (1) to the parties to the application and to the in charge of the police station within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the respondent resides.

(5) The respondent shall pay the monetary relief granted to the aggrieved person within the period specified in the order under sub-section (1).

(6) Upon the failure on the part of the respondent to make payment in terms of the order under sub-section (1), the Magistrate may direct the employer or a debtor of the respondent, to directly pay to the aggrieved person or to deposit with the court a portion of the wages or salaries or debt due to or accrued to the credit of the respondent, which amount may be adjusted towards the monetary relief payable by the respondent.

Section 21 - Custody orders

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Magistrate may, at any stage of hearing of the application for protection order or for any other relief under this Act grant temporary custody of any child or children to the aggrieved person or the person making an application on her behalf and specify, if necessary, the arrangements for visit of such child or children by the respondent:

Provided that if the Magistrate is of the opinion that any visit of the respondent may be harmful to the interests of the child or children, the Magistrate shall refuse to allow such visit.

Section 22 - Compensation orders

In addition to other reliefs as may be granted under this Act, the Magistrate may on an application being made by the aggrieved person, pass an order directing the respondent to pay compensation and damages for the injuries, including mental torture and emotional distress, caused by the acts of domestic violence committed by that respondent,

Section 23 - Power to grant interim and ex parte orders

(1) In any proceeding before him under this Act, the Magistrate may pass such interim order as he deems just and proper.

(2) If the Magistrate is satisfied that an application prima facie discloses that the respondent is committing, or has committed an act of domestic violence or that there is a likelihood that the respondent may commit an act of domestic violence, he may grant an ex parte order on the basis of the affidavit in such form, as may be prescribed, of the aggrieved person under section 18, section 19, section 20, section 21 or, as the case may be, section 22 against the respondent.

Section 24 - Court to give copies of order free of cost

The Magistrate shall, in all cases where he has passed any order under this Act, order that a copy of such order, shall be given free of cost, to the parties to the application, the police officer in-charge of the police station in the jurisdiction of which the Magistrate has been approached, and any service provider located within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the court and if any service provider has registered a domestic incident report, to that service provider.

Section 25 - Duration and alteration of orders

(1) A protection order made under section 18 shall be in force till the aggrieved person applies for discharge.

(2) If the Magistrate, on receipt of an application from the aggrieved person or the respondent, is satisfied that there is a change in the circumstances requiring alteration, modification or revocation of any order made under this Act, he may, for reasons to be recorded in writing pass such order, as he may deem appropriate.

Section 26 - Relief in other suits and legal proceedings

(1) Any relief available under sections 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 may also be sought in any legal proceeding, before a civil court, family court or a criminal court, affecting the aggrieved person and the respondent whether such proceeding was initiated before or after the commencement of this Act.

(2) Any relief referred to in sub-section (1) may be sought for in addition to and along with any other relief that the aggrieved person may seek in such suit or legal proceeding before a civil or criminal court.

(3) In case any relief has been obtained by the aggrieved person in any proceedings other than a proceeding under this Act, she shall be bound to inform the Magistrate of the grant of such relief.

Section 27 - Jurisdiction

(1) The court of Judicial Magistrate of the first class or the Metropolitan Magistrate, as the case may be, within the local limits of which-

(a) the person aggrieved permanently or temporarily resides or carries on business or is employed; or

(b) the respondent resides or carries on business or is employed; or

(c) the cause of action has arisen,

shall be the competent court to grant a protection order and other orders under this Act and to try offences under this Act.

(2) Any order made under this Act shall be enforceable throughout India.

Section 28 - Procedure 

(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, all proceedings under sections 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 and offences under section 31 shall be governed by the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974).

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall prevent the court from laying down its own procedure for disposal of an application under section 12 or under sub-section (2) of section 23.

Section 29 - Appeal

There shall lie an appeal to the Court of Session within thirty days from the date on which the order made by the Magistrate is served on the aggrieved person or the respondent, as the case may be, whichever is later.

Section 30 - Protection Officers and members of service providers to be public servants

The Protection Officers and members of service providers, while acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act or any rules or orders made thereunder shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21(45 of 1860) of the Indian Penal Code.

Section 31 - Penalty for breach of protection order by respondent

(1) A breach of protection order, or of an interim protection order, by the respondent shall be an offence under this Act and shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both.

(2) The offence under sub-section (1) shall as far as practicable be tried by the Magistrate who had passed the order, the breach of which has been alleged to have been caused by the accused.

(3) While framing charges under sub-section (1), the Magistrate may also frame charges under section 498A(45 of 1860) of the Indian Penal Code or any other provision of that Code or the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961(28 of 1961), as the case may be, if the facts disclose the commission of an offence under those provisions.

Section 32 - Cognizance and proof

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974), the offence under sub-section (1) of section 31 shall be cognizable and non-bailable.

(2) Upon the sole testimony of the aggrieved person, the court may conclude that an offence under sub-section (1) of section 31 has been committed by the accused.

Section 33 - Penalty for not discharging duty by Protection Officer

If any Protection Officer fails or refuses to discharge his duties as directed by the Magistrate in the protection order without any sufficient cause, he shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 34 - Cognizance of offence committed by Protection Officer

No prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Protection Officer unless a complaint is filed with the previous sanction of the State Government or an officer authorised by it in this behalf.

Section 35 - Protection of action taken in good faith

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall He against the Protection Officer for any damage caused or likely to be caused by anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.

Section 36 - Act not in derogation of any other law

The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law, for the time being in force.

Section 37 - Power of Central Government to make rules

(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:--

(a) the qualifications and experience which a Protection Officer shall possess under sub-section (2) of section 8;

(b) the terms and conditions of service of the Protection Officers and the other officers subordinate to him, under sub-section (3) of section 8;

(c) the form and manner in which a domestic incident report may be made under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 9;

(d) the form and the manner in which an application for protection order may be made to the Magistrate under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 9;

(e) the form in which a complaint is to be filed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 9;

(f) the other duties to be performed by the Protection Officer under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 9;

(g) the rules regulating registration of service providers under sub-section (1) of section 10;

(h) the form in which an application under sub-section (1) of section 12 seeking reliefs under this Act may be made and the particulars which such application shall contain under sub-section (3) of that section;

(i) the means of serving notices under sub-section (1) of section 13;

(j) the form of declaration of service of notice to be made by the Protection Officer under sub-section (2) of section 13;

(k) the qualifications and experience in counselling which a member of the service provider shall possess under sub-section (1) of section 14;

(l) the form in which an affidavit may be filed by the aggrieved person under sub-section (2) of section 23;

(m) any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed.

(3) Every rule 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 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, the 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.

Sunil Goel advocate B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm