Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914

6[(1)] This Act may be called the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914. 7[(2) It extends to the whole of India 8***.] 6. Section 1 re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by s. 3 and the Schedule, ibid. 7. Ins. by s. 3 and the Schedule, ibid. 8. The words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f 1-11-1956).

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,- (a) "crops" includes all agricultural or horticultural crops 9[and all trees, bushes or plants]; (b) "import" means the bringing or taking by sea, 10[land or air] 11[across any customs frontier as defined by the Central Government]; 12*** (c) "infection" means infection by any insect, fungus or other pest injurious to a crop; 13*** * * * * 9. Subs. by Act 6 of 1938, s. 3, for "and trees or bushes". 10. Subs. by Act 20 of 1930, s. 2, for "or land". 11. Ins. by the A.O. 1937. For definition of customs frontier, see section 3A of the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (8 of 1878) and Gazette of India, Pt. II, Sec. 3, dated 6th August, 1955, p. 1521. 12. The word "and" omitted by Act 3 of 1939, s. 2. 13. The word "and" omitted by the A.O. 1948, which was earlier added by Act 3 of 1939, s. 2. 14. Clause (d) omitted by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). Earlier it was subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and the Schedule.

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, prohibit or regulate, subject to such restrictions and conditions as it may impose, the import into 15[India], or any part thereof, or any specified place therein, of any article or class of articles likely to cause infection to any crop 16[or of insects generally or any class of insects]. (2) A notification under this section may specify any article or class of articles 16[or any insect or class of insects], either generally or in any particular manner, whether with reference to the country of origin or the route by which imported or otherwise. 1[(3) The Central Government may, by notification under this section, also levy and collect such fees at such rates and in such manner as may be specified therein for making an application for a permit to import, or for making inspection, fumigation, disinfection, disinfestation or supervision of, any article or class of articles of any insect or class of insects under this section]. 15. Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and the Schedule for "the said territories". 16. Ins. by Act 6 of 1938, s. 4. 1. Ins. by Act 12 of 1992, s. 2 (w.e.f. 27-10-1989).

A notification under section 3 shall operate as if it had been issued under section 19 of the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (8 of 1878), and the officers of Customs at every port shall have the same powers in respect of any article with regard to the importation of which such a notification has been issued as they have for the time being in respect of any article the importation of which is regulated, restricted or prohibited by the law relating to Sea Customs, and the law for the time being in force relating to Sea Customs or any such article shall apply accordingly.

(1) The State Government may 1[, by notification in the Official Gazette,] 2*** make rules for the detention, inspection, disinfection or destruction 3[of any insect or class of insects or] of any article or class of articles in respect of which a notification has been issued under section 3 3[or under section 4A] or of any article which may have been in contact or proximity thereto, and for regulating the powers and duties of the officers whom it may appoint in this behalf. (2) In making any rule under this section the State Government may direct that a breach thereof shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees. 1[(3) Every rule made by the State Government under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the State Legislature.] 1. Ins. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 15-5-1986). 2. The words "subject to the control of the G.G. in C." were omitted by the A.O. 1937. 3. Ins. by Act 6 of 1938, s. 6.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.