Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956
Bare Act
Chapter I
Section
Short title and
Chapter I: Preliminary
1. Short title and
commencement.-
1.
This
Act may be called the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956.
2.
It
shall come into force on such date {1st July, 1956 vide Notification
No.S.R.O.1456, dated 26-6-1956, Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II,
sec.3, p.1531.} as the Central Government may, by notifications in the Official
Gazette, appoint.
Section 2
Definitions.
In this Act, unless
the context otherwise requires,—
1.
"appointed
day" means the date on which the Corporation is established under section
3;
2.
"composite
insurer" means an insurer carrying on in addition to controlled business
any other kind of insurance business;
3.
"controlled
business" means—
i.
in
the case of any insurer specified in sub-clause (a)
ii.
or
sub-clause (b) of clause (9) of section 2 of the Insurance Act and carrying on
life insurance business—
a. all his business, if
he carries on no other class of insurance business;
b. all the business
appertaining to his life insurance business, if he carries on any other class
of insurance business also;
c. all his business if
his certificate of registration under the Insurance Act in respect of general
insurance business stands wholly cancelled for a period of more than six months
on the 19th day of January, 1956;
i.
ii.
in
the case of any other insurer specified in clause (9) of section 2 of the
Insurance Act and carrying on life insurance business—
a. all his business in
India, if he carries on no other class of insurance business in India;
b. all the business
appertaining to his life insurance business in India, if he carries on any
other class of insurance business also in India;.
c. all his business in
India if he certificate of registration under the Insurance Act in respect of
general insurance business in India stands wholly cancelled for a period of
more than six months on the 19th day of January, 1956.
Explanation.— An insurer is said
to carry on no class of insurance business other than life insurance business,
if in addition to life insurance business, he carries on only capital
redemption business or annuity certain business or both; and the expression
"business appertaining to his life insurance business" in sub-clause
(i) and (ii) shall be construed accordingly;
i.
ii.
iii.
in
the case of a provident society, as defined in section 65 of the Insurance Act,
all its business;
iv.
in
the case of the Central Government or a State Government, all life insurance
business carried on by it, subject to the exceptions specified in section 44;
1.
2.
3.
4.
"Corporation"
means the Life Insurance Corporation of India established under section 3;
5.
"Insurance
Act" means the Insurance Act, 1938 (4 of 1938);
6.
"insurer"
means an insurer as defined in the Insurance Act who carries on life insurance
business in India and includes the Government and a provident society as
defined in section 65 of the Insurance Act;
7.
"member"
means a member of the Corporation;
8.
"prescribed"
means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
9.
"Tribunal"
means a Tribunal constituted under section 17 and having jurisdiction in
respect of any matter under the rules made under this Act;
10.
all
other words and expressions used herein but not defined and defined in the
Insurance Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that
Act.
Chapter II
Establishment of Life Insurance Corporation of India
Section
Establishment and
Chapter II:
Establishment of Life Insurance Corporation of India
3. Establishment and
incorporation of Life Insurance Corporation of India.-
1.
With
effect from such date {1st September, 1956, vide Notification No.S.R.O.1937,
dated 30-8-1956, Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Pt. II, Sec.3, p.1799.} as
the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint,
there shall be established a Corporation called the Life Insurance Corporation
of India.
2.
The
Corporation shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common
seal with power subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and
dispose of property, and may by its name sue and be sued.
Section 4
Constitution of
the Corporation.-
1.
The
Corporation shall consist of such number of persons not exceeding fifteen as
the Central Government may think fit to appoint thereto and one of them shall
be appointed by the Central Government to be the Chairman thereof.
2.
Before
appointing a person to be a member, the Central Government shall satisfy itself
that that person will have no such financial or other interest as is likely to
affect prejudicially the exercise or performance by him of his functions as a
member, and the Central Government shall also satisfy itself from time to time
with respect to every member that he has no such interest; and any person who
is, or whom the Central Government proposes to appoint and who has consented to
be, a member shall, whenever required by the Central Government so to do,
furnish to it such information as the Central Government considers necessary
for the performance of its duties under this sub-section.
3.
A
member who is in any way directly or indirectly interested in a contract made
or proposed to be made by the Corporation shall as soon as possible after the
relevant circumstances have come to his knowledge, disclose the nature of his
interest to the Corporation and the member shall not take part in any
deliberation or discussion of the Corporation with respect to that contact.
Section 5
Capital of the
Corporation.-
1.
The
original capital of the Corporation shall be five crores of rupees provided by
the Central Government after due appropriation made by Parliament by law for
the purpose, and the terms and conditions relating to the provision of such
capital shall be such as may be determined by the Central Government.
2.
The
Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Corporation, reduce the
capital of the Corporation to such extent and in such manner as the Central
Government may determine.
Chapter III
Functions of the Corporation
Section
Functions of the
Chapter III:
Functions of the Corporation
6. Functions of the
Corporation.-
1.
Subject,
to the rules, if any, made by the Central Government in this behalf, it shall
be the general duty of the Corporation to carry on life insurance business,
whether in or outside India, and the Corporation shall so exercise its powers
under this Act as to secure that life insurance business is developed to the
best advantage of the community.
2.
Without
prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1) but
subject to the other provisions contained in this Act, the Corporation shall
have power—
a. to carry on capital
redemption business, annuity certain business or reinsurance business in so far
as such reinsurance business appertains to life insurance business;
b. subject to the rules,
if any, made by the Central Government in this behalf, to invest the funds of
the Corporation in such manner as the Corporation may think fit and to take all
such steps as may be necessary or expedient for the protection or realisation
of any investment; including the taking over of and administering any property
offered as security for the investment until a suitable opportunity arises for
its disposal;
c. to acquire, hold and
dispose of any property for the purpose of its business;
d. to transfer the whole
or any part of the life insurance business carried on outside India to any
other person or persons, if in the interest of the Corporation it is expedient
so to do;
e. to advance or lend
money upon the security of any movable property or otherwise;
f. to borrow or raise
any money in such manner and upon such security as the Corporation may think
fit;
g. to carry on either by
itself or through any subsidiary any other business in any case where such
other business was being carried on by a subsidiary of an insurer whose
controlled business has been transferred to an vested in the Corporation under
this Act;
h. to carry on any other
business which may seen to the Corporation to be capable of being conveniently
carried on in connection with its business and calculated directly or
indirectly to render profitable the business of the Corporation;
i. To do all such things
as may be incidental or conducive to the proper exercise of any of the powers
of the Corporation.
1.
2.
3.
In
the discharge of any of its functions the Corporation shall act so far as may
be on business principles
Chapter IV
of Existing Life Insurance Business to the Corporation
Section
Transfer of assets
Chapter IV: Transfer
of Existing Life Insurance Business to the Corporation
7. Transfer of assets
and liabilities of existing insurers carrying on controlled business.-
1.
On
the appointed day there shall be transferred to and vested in the Corporation
all the assets and liabilities appertaining to the controlled business of all
insurers.
2.
The
assets appertaining to the controlled business of an insurer shall be deemed to
include all rights and powers, and all property, whether movable or immovable,
appertaining to his controlled business, including, in particular, cash
balances, reserve funds, investments, deposits and all other interests and
rights in or arising out of such property as may be in the possession of the
insurer and all books of account or documents relating to the controlled
business of the insurer; and liabilities shall be deemed to include all debts,
liabilities and obligations of whatever kind then existing and appertaining to
the controlled business of the insurer.
Explanation.- The expression
"assets appertaining" to the controlled business of an insurer"—
a. in relation to a
composite insurer, includes that part of the paid-up capital of the insurer or
assets representing such part which has or have been allocated to the
controlled business of the insurer in accordance with the rules made in this
behalf;
b. in relation to a
Government, means the amount lying to the credit of that business on the
appointed day.
1.
2.
3.
Where
any such assets are subject to any trust referred to in sub-section (6) of
section 27 of the Insurance Act or to any other trust for the benefit of
policy-holders, the assets shall be deemed to have vested in the Corporation
free from any such trust.
Section 8
Provident, superannuation and other like funds
superannuation and other like funds.-
1.
Where
an insurer whose controlled business is to be transferred to and vested in the
Corporation under section 7, has established a provident or superannuation fund
or any other like fund for the benefit of his employees and constituted a trust
in respect thereof (hereinafter in this section referred to as an existing
trust), the moneys standing to the credit of any such fund on the appointed
day, together with any other assets belonging to such fund, shall, subject to
the provisions of sub-section (2) stand transferred to and vest in the
Corporation on the appointed day free from any such trust.
2.
Where
all the employees of any such insurer do not become employees of the
Corporation under section 11, the moneys and other assets belonging to any such
fund as it referred to in sub-section (1), shall be apportioned between the
trustees of the fund and the Corporation in the prescribed manner; and in case
of any dispute regarding such apportionment, the decision of the Central
Government thereon shall be final.
3.
The
Corporation shall, as soon as may be after the appointed day, constitute in
respect of the moneys and other assets which are transferred to and vested in
it under this section, one or more trusts having objects as similar to the
objects of the existing trusts as in the circumstances may be practicable.
4.
Where
all the moneys and other assets belonging to an existing trust are transferred
to and vested in the Corporation under this section, the trustees of such
trust, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before the
appointed day.
Section 9
General effect of
vesting of controlled business.-
1.
Unless
otherwise expressly provided by or under this Act, all contracts, agreements
and other instruments of whatever nature subsisting or having effect
immediately before the appointed day and to which an insurer whose controlled
business has been transferred to and vested in the Corporation is a party or
which are in favour of such insurer shall in so far as they relate to the
controlled business of the insurer be of as full force and affect against or in
favour of the Corporation, as the case may be, and may be enforced or acted
upon as fully and effectually as if, instead of the insurer, the Corporation
had been a party thereto or as if they had been entered into or issued in
favour of the Corporation.
2.
If
on the appointed day any suit, appeal or other legal proceeding of whatever
nature is pending by or against an insurer, then, in so far as it relates to
his controlled business, it shall not abate, be discontinued or be in any way
prejudicially affected by reason of the transfer to the Corporation of the
business of the insurer or anything done under this Act, but the suit, appeal
or other proceeding may be continued prosecuted and enforced by or against the
Corporation.
Section 10
Provisions as to
composite insurers.-
1.
For
the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that in any case where an insurer
whose controlled business has been transferred to an vested in the corporation
under this Act is a composite insurer, the provisions of the preceding sections
shall only apply to the extent to which any property appertains to his
controlled business and to rights and powers acquired, and to debts,
liabilities and obligations incurred, and to contracts, agreements and other instruments
made by the insurer for the purposes of his controlled business and to legal
proceedings relating to those purposes, and the provisions of those sections
shall be construed accordingly.
2.
The
Central Government may, by rules made in this behalf provide—
a. for the determination
of the question whether any property appertains to his controlled business or
whether any rights, powers, debts, liabilities or obligations were acquired or
incurred or any contract, agreement or other instrument was made by the insurer
for the purposes of his controlled business or whether any documents relate to
those purposes;
b. doe the allocation of
the paid-up capital or assets representing such paid-up capital, as the case
may be, between the controlled business of the insurer and any other business;
c. for substituting for
any agreements entered into by any insurer partly for the purposes of his
controlled business and partly for other purposes separate agreements in the
requisite terms and for any apportionments and indemnities consequent thereon;
d. for the severance of
leases comprising property of which part only is transferred to And vested in
the Corporation by virtue of this Act and for apportionment consequent on such
severance;
e. for the apportionment
and the making of financial adjustments with respects to any debts, liabilities
of obligations incurred by any such insurer partly for the purposes of his
controlled business and partly for other purposes and for any necessary
variation of mortgages and encumbrances relating to such debts, liabilities or
obligations;
f. for the apportionment
of the moneys and other assets belonging to any provident or superannuation
fund or any other like fund to which the provisions of section 8 do not apply
between persons employed in connection with the controlled business of an
insurer and other persons;
g. for any other matters
supplementary to or consequential on the matters aforesaid for which provision
appears to be necessary or expedient.
1.
2.
3.
All
rules made under this section shall be laid for not less than thirty days
before both Houses of Parliament as soon as possible after they are made and
shall be subject to such modifications as Parliament may make during the
session in which they are so laid or the session immediately following.
4.
Where
at any time before the expiration of six months from the appointed day a
question has arisen under this section or under any rules made there under as
to whether any property is or was held or used by the insurer for the purposes
of his controlled business, the question shall be referred to the Tribunal for
decision.
Section 11
Transfer of service of existing employees of insurers to the Corporation
service of existing employees of insurers to the Corporation.-
1.
Every
whole-time employee of an insurer whose controlled business has been
transferred to and vested in the Corporation and who was employed by the
insurer wholly or mainly in connection with his controlled business immediately
before the appointed day shall, on and from the appointed day, become an
employee of the Corporation, and shall hold his office therein by the same
tenure, at the same remuneration and upon the same terms and conditions and
with the same rights and privileges as to pension and gratuity and other
matters as he would have held the same on the appointed day if this Act had not
been passed, and shall continue to do so unless and until his employment in the
Corporation is terminated or until his remuneration terms and conditions are
duly altered by the Corporation:
Provided that nothing
contained in this sub-section shall apply to any such employee who has, by
notice in writing given to the Central Government prior to the appointed day,
intimated his intention of not becoming an employee of the Corporation
1.
2.
Notwithstanding
anything contained in sub-section (1) or in any contract of service, the
Central Government may, for the purpose of relationship the pay scales of
employees of insurers whose controlled business has been transferred to and
vested in it or for the purpose of reducing the remuneration payable to
employees in cases where in the interest of the Corporation and its
policy-holders a reduction is called for, alter the terms of service of the
employees as to their remuneration in such manner as it thinks fit; and if the
alteration is not acceptable to any employee the Corporation may terminate his
employment on giving him compensation equivalent to three months ' remuneration
unless the contract of service with such employee provides for a shorter notice
of termination.
Explanation.— The compensation
payable to an employee under this sub-section shall be in addition to and shall
not affect any pension, gratuity provident fund money or any other benefit to
which the employee may be entitled under this contract of service.
1.
2.
3.
If
any question arises as to whether any person was a whole time employee of an
insurer or as to whether any employee was employed wholly or mainly in
connection with the controlled business of an insurer immediately before the
appointed day the question shall be referred to the Central Government whose
decision shall be final.
4.
Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), or in any
other law for the time being in force, the transfer of the services of any
employee of an insurer to the Corporation shall not entitle any such employee
to any compensation under that Act or other law, and to such claim shall be
entertained by any court, tribunal or other authority.
Section 12
Transfer of services of existing employees of chief agents of insurers to the Corporation in certain cases
services of existing employees of chief agents of insurers to the Corporation
in certain cases.-
Subject to such rules
as the Central Government may make in this behalf, every whole-time salaried
employee of a chief agent of an insurer whose controlled business has been
transferred to and vested in the Corporation and,—
a.
who
was employed by the chief agent wholly or mainly in connection with the
controlled business of the insurer;
b.
whose
salary on the appointed day did not exceed five hundred rupees per mensem; and
c.
who
was in the employment of the chief agent for a continuous period of not less
than one year immediately before the appointed day; shall, on and from the
appointed day, become, an employee of the Corporation and the provisions of
section 11 shall, so far as may be apply in relation to such employee as they
apply in relation to such employee as they apply in relation to a whole-time
employee of the insurer;
Provided
that
this section shall not apply except in cases where the chief agent of the
insurer was required under the terms of his contract with the insurer to render
the prescribed services to policy holders of the insurer.
Explanation.— In the case of a
whole-time salaried employee of a chief agent who has been retrenched by the
chief agent on or after the 19th day of January, 1956 the provisions of this
section shall apply as if for the words "the appointed day" the words
and figures 'the 19th day of January, 1956' had been substituted.
Section 13
Duty to deliver
possession of property and documents relating thereto.-
1.
Where
any property appertaining to the controlled business of an insurer has been
transferred to and vested in the Corporation under this Act, them,—
a. every person, in
whose possession, custody or control any such property may be, shall deliver
the property to the corporation forthwith;
b. any person who, on
the appointed day, has in his possession, custody or control any books,
documents or other papers relating to such controlled business shall be liable
to account for the said books, documents, and papers to the Corporation, and
shall deliver them to the Corporation or to such person as the Corporation may
direct.
1.
2.
In
particular, all the assets of an insurer appertaining to life insurance
business held in deposit by the Reserve Bank of India under the Insurance Act
or by trustees in trust shall be delivered to the Corporation.
3.
Without
prejudice to the other provisions contained in this section, it shall be lawful
for the Corporation to take all necessary steps for securing possession of all
properties which have been transferred to and vested in it under this Act.
Section 14
Power of Corporation to modify contracts of life insurance in certain cases
Corporation to modify contracts of life insurance in certain cases.-
The corporation may,
having regard to the financial condition on the appointed day of any insurer
whose controlled business has been transferred to an vested in the Corporation,
reduce the amounts of insurance under contracts of life insurance entered into
by such insurer before the 19th day of January 1956, in such manner and subject
to such conditions as it thinks fit:
Provided
that
no such reduction shall be made except in accordance with a scheme prepared by
the Corporation in this behalf and approved by the Central Government.
Section 15
Right of Corporation to seek relief in respect of certain transactions of the insurer
Corporation to seek relief in respect of certain transactions of the insurer.-
1.
Where
an insurer whose controlled business has been transferred to and vested in the
Corporation under this Act has, at any time within five years before the 19th
day of January, 1956.—
a. made any payment to
any person without consideration;
b. sold or disposed of
any property of the insurer without consideration or for an inadequate
consideration;
c. acquired any property
or rights for an excessive consideration:
d. entered into or
varied any agreement so as to require an excessive consideration to be paid or
given by the insurer;
e. entered into any
other transaction of such an onerous nature as to cause a loss to, or impose a
liability on, the insurer exceeding any benefit accruing to the insurer;
f. if a composite
insurer, transferred any property from his life department to his general
department without consideration or for an inadequate consideration; and the
payment, sale, disposal, acquisition, agreement or variation thereof or other
transaction or transfer was not reasonably necessary for the purpose of the
controlled business of the insurer or was made with an unreasonable lack of
prudence on the part of the insurer, regard being had in either case to the
circumstances at the time, the Corporation may apply for relief to the Tribunal
in respect of such transaction, and all parties to the transaction shall,
unless the Tribunal otherwise directs, be made parties to the application.
1.
2.
The
Tribunal may make such order against any of the parties to the application as
it thinks just having regard to the extent to which those parties were
respectively responsible for the transaction or benefited from it and all the
circumstances of the case.
3.
Where
an application is made to the Tribunal under this section is respect of any
transaction and the application is determined in favour of the Corporation, the
Tribunal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any claims outstanding
in respect of the transaction.
Section 16
Compensation for
acquisition of controlled business.-
1.
Where
the controlled business of an insurer has been transferred to and vested in the
Corporation under this Act, compensation shall be given by the Corporation to
that insurer in accordance with the principles contained in the First Schedule.
2.
The
amount of the compensation to be given in accordance with the aforesaid
principles shall be determined by the Corporation in the first instance, and if
the amount so determined is approved by the Central Government it shall be
offered to the insurer in full satisfaction of the compensation payable to him
under this Act, and if, on the other hand, the amount so offered is not
acceptable to the insurer he may within such time as may be prescribed for the
purpose have the matter referred to the Tribunal for decision.
Section 17
Constitution of
Tribunals.-
1.
The
Central Government may for the purposes of this Act constitute one or more
Tribunals and each of the Tribunals shall consist of three members appointed by
the Central Government one of whom shall be a person who is, or has been, a
Judge of a High Court or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, and he shall be
the Chairman thereof.
2.
A
Tribunal may choose one or more persons possessing special knowledge of any
matter relating to any case under inquiry to assist the Tribunal in determining
any question which has to be decided by it under this Act.
3.
Every
Tribunal shall have the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following
matters:-
a. summoning and enforcing
the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
b. requiring the
discovery and production of documents;
c. receiving evidence on
affidavits;
d. issuing commissions
for the examination of witnesses or documents.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Every
Tribunal shall have power to regulate its own procedure and decide all matters
within its competence, and may review any of its decisions in the event of
there being a mistake on the face of the record or correct any arithmetic or
clerical error therein.
Chapter V
Section
Offices, branches
Chapter V: Management
18. Offices, branches
and agencies.-
1.
The
central office of the Corporation shall be at such place as the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
2.
The
Corporation shall establish a zonal office at each of the following places,
namely, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Kanpur and Madras, and, subject to the
previous approval of the Central Government, may establish such other zonal
offices as it thinks fit.
3.
The
territorial limits of each zone shall be such as may be specified by the
Corporation.
4.
There
may be established as many divisional offices and branches in each zone as the
Zonal Manager thinks fit.
Section 19
Committees of the
Corporation.-
1.
The
Corporation may entrust the general superintendence and direction of its
affairs and business to an Executive Committee consisting of not more than five
of its members and the Executive Committee may exercise all powers and do all
such acts and things as may be delegated to it by the Corporation.
2.
The
Corporation may also constitute an investment Committed for the purpose of
advising it in matters relating to the investment of its funds, and the
Investment Committee shall consist of not more than seven members of whom not
less than three shall be members of the Corporation and the remaining members
shall be persons (whether members of the Corporation or not) who have special
knowledge and experience in financial matters, particularly, matters relating
to investment of funds.
3.
The
Corporation may constitute such other Committees as it may think fir for the
purpose of discharging such of its functions as may be delegated to them.
Section 20
Managing Directors
Directors.-
The Corporation may
appoint one or more persons to be the Managing Director or Directors of the
Corporation, and every Managing Director shall be a whole-time officer of the
Corporation and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be
entrusted or delegated to him by the Executive Committee or the Corporation.
Section 21
Corporation to be
guided by the directions of Central Government.-
In the discharge of
its functions under this Act, the Corporation shall be guided by such
directions in matters of policy involving public interest as the Central
Government may give to it in writing; and if any question arises whether a
direction relates to a matter of policy involving public interest the decision
of the Central Government thereon shall be final.
Section 22
Zonal Managers.
1.
The
Corporation may entrust the superintendence and direction of the affairs and
business of a zonal office to a person whether a member or not, who shall be
known as the Zonal Manager and the Zonal Manager shall perform all such functions
of the Corporation as may be delegated to him with respect to the area within
the jurisdiction of the Zonal office.
2.
The
Corporation may constitute for each zone a Board consisting of such number of
persons as it thinks fit to appoint thereto for the purpose of advising the
Zonal Manager in respect of such matters as are referred to it under the
regulations made by the Corporation.
3.
The
Corporation shall constitute in the prescribed manner for each zonal office an
Employees and Agents Relations Committee consisting of such number of persons
as it thinks fir and every such Committee shall consist of representatives of
the Corporation and of its employees and agents, so however, that the number of
representatives of the employees of the employees and agents on the Committee
shall not be less than the number of representatives of the Corporation and
shall be duty of the Committee to advise the Zonal Manager on matters which
relate to the welfare of the employees and agents of the Corporation or which are
likely to promote and secure amity and good relations between them and the
Corporation.
Section 23
Staff of the
Corporation.-
1.
For
the purpose of enabling it to discharge its functions under this Act, the
Corporation may employ such number of persons as it thinks fit.
2.
Every
person employed by the Corporation or whose services have been transferred to
the Corporation under this Act, shall be liable to serve anywhere in India.
Chapter VI
Accounts and Audit
Section
Funds of the
Chapter VI: Finance,
Accounts and Audit
24. Funds of the
Corporation.-
The Corporation shall
have its own fund and all receipts of the Corporation shall be credited thereto
and all payments of the Corporation shall be made there from.
Section 25
Audit
1.
The
accounts of the Corporation shall be audited by auditors duly qualified to act
as auditors of companies under the law for the time being in force relating to
companies, and the auditors shall be appointed by the Corporation with the previous
approval of the Central Government and shall receive such remuneration from the
Corporation as the Central Government may fix.
2.
Every
auditor in the performance of his duties shall have at all reasonable times
access to the books, accounts and other documents of the Corporation.
3.
The
auditors shall submit their report to the Corporation and shall also forward a
copy of their report to the Central Government.
Section 26
Actuarial valuations
valuations.-
The Corporation
shall, once at least in every two; years cause an investigation to be made by
actuaries into the financial conditions of the business of the Corporation,
including a valuation of the liabilities of the corporation, and submit the
report of the actuaries to the Central Government.
Section 27
Annual report of
activities of Corporation.-
The Corporation
shall, as soon as may, be after the end of each financial year, prepare and
submit to the Central Government in such form as may be prescribed a report
giving an account of its activities during the previous financial year, and the
report shall also give an account of the activities if any, which are likely to
be undertaken by the Corporation in the next financial year.
Section 28
Surplus how to be
utilised.-
If as a result of any
investigation undertaken by the Corporation under section 26 any surplus
emerges, not less than 95 per cent of such surplus shall be allocated to or
reserved for the policy holders of the Corporation and the remainder may be
utilised for such purposes and in such manner as the Central Government may
determine.
Section 29
Reports to be
laid before Parliament.-
The Central
Government shall cause the report of the auditors under section 25, the report
of the actuaries under section 26 and the report giving an account of the
activities of the Corporation under section 27 to be laid before both Houses of
Parliament as soon as may be after each such report is received by the Central
Government.
Chapter VII
Miscellaneous
Section
Corporation to
Chapter VII:
Miscellaneous
30. Corporation to
have exclusive privilege of carrying on life insurance business.-
Except to the extent
otherwise expressly provided in this Act, on and from the appointed day the
Corporation shall have the exclusive privilege of carrying on life insurance
business in India; and on and from the said day any certificate to registration
under the Insurance Act held by any insurer immediately before the said day
shall cease to have effect in so far as it authorises him to carry on life
insurance business in India.
Section 31
Exception in the
case of insurance business in respect of persons residing outside India.-
1.
Notwithstanding
anything contained in section 30 or in the Insurance Act, the Central
Government may, by order, permit person who has made an application in that
behalf, to carry on life insurance business in India, in respect of the lives
of persons ordinarily resident outside India, subject to such restrictions and
conditions as may be specified in the order and any such order shall be deemed
to have effect as if it were a certificate of registrations issued by the
Controller to such person under section 3 of the Insurance Act in respect of
that class of business.
2.
Nothing
in sub-section (1) shall authorise any person permitted to carry on life
insurance business of the nature referred to in that sub-section, to insure the
life of any person ordinarily resident outside India, during any period of his
temporary residence in India.
Section 32
Power of Corporation to have official seal in certain cases
Corporation to have official seal in certain cases.-
The Corporation may
have for use in any zonal office divisional office or in any office outside
India an official seal which shall be a facsimile of the common seal of the
Corporation, with the addition on its fact of the name of the zonal office,
divisional officer or other office where it is to be used, and any such
official seal may be affixed to any deed or document to which the Corporation
is a party.
Section 33
Requirement of
foreign laws to be complied with in certain cases.-
Where any property or
rights appertaining to the controlled business of an insurer are transferred to
and vested in the Corporation under this Act or would be so transferred and vested
but for the fact that such transfer and vesting are governed otherwise than by
the law of India, the insurer shall comply with such directions as may be given
to him by the Corporation for the purpose of securing that the ownership of the
property or, as the case may be, that the right is effectively transferred to
the Corporation.
Section 34
Revesting of
certain shares vested in the Administrator General.-
Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Insurance Act, all shares which have vested in the
Administrator General of any State under Sub-section (8) of the section 6A of
that Act and which have not been disposed of in accordance with the provisions
of that sub-section before the appointed day, shall, in payment of the amount
of expenditure, if any, incurred by the Administrator General in relation to
such shares by the persons who would have been entitled to those shares if the
said sub-section had not been enacted, revest in such persons.
Section 35
Repatriation of
assets and liabilities in the case of foreign insurers in certain cases.-
1.
Any
insurer incorporated outside India may, before the appointed day, make an
application to the Central Government stating that among the assets
appertaining to the controlled business of the insurer of building up his life
insurance business in India, which, notwithstanding anything contained in
section 7, should not be transferred to and vested in the Corporation.
2.
On
receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Central Government shall
determine the value of the assets of the insurer appertaining to his controlled
as at that date in accordance with the provisions contained in paragraph 3 of
Part B of the First Schedule, and deduct there from the total amount of the
liabilities of the insurer appertaining to his controlled business in existence
on the 31st day of December 1955, computed as at that date in accordance with
the provisions contained in the Second Schedule; and if there is any excess,
the Central Government may, by order, direct that such assets equivalent in
value to the excess as may be specified in the order shall not be transferred
to or vested in the Corporation, or where the order is made after the appointed
day, that the Corporation shall be divested of the said assets.
3.
In
the case of any insurer incorporated outside India, the Central Government may
also, by order, direct that any such liabilities in respect of life insurance
policies expressed in any foreign currency issued on the lives of persons who
are not citizens of India as are specified in the order together with any such
assets necessary to meet the liabilities, as may be so specified, shall not be
transferred to or vested in the Corporation or, if the order is made after the
appointed day, that the Corporation shall be divested of such liabilities and
assets as aforesaid.
4.
The
amount of liabilities in respect of the policies referred to in an order made
under sub-section (3) shall be computed as at the 31st day of December, 1955,—
a. in any case where in
respect of the insurer concerned an order has been made under sub-section (2),
in accordance with the provisions contained in clause
b. Of the Second
schedule; and (b) in any other case, in accordance with method A specified in
the Second Schedule.
Explanation. In computing the
amount of liabilities in respect of the policies referred to in this
sub-section, allowances shall be made for receipts and payments in respect of
such policies from the 31st day of December, 1955, up to the date of the order.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Every
order made by the Central Government under this section shall be carried out by
the Corporation in such manner as the Central Government may direct.
Section 36
Contracts or
chief agents and special agents to terminate.-
Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Insurance Act or in any other law for the time being
in force every contract appertaining to controlled business subsisting
immediately before the appointed day,—
a.
between
an insurer and his chief agent or between an insurer and a special agent; or
b.
between
the chief agent of an insurer and a special agent; shall as from the appointed
day, cease to have effect and all rights accruing to the chief agent or the
special agent under any such contract shall terminate on that day:
Provided
that
in every such case compensation shall be given by the Corporation to the chief
agent or the special agent, as the case may be, in accordance with the
principles contained in the Third Schedule, and the provisions of sub-section
(2) of section 16 shall, so far as may be, apply in every such case.
Section 37
Policies to be
guaranteed by Central Government.-
The sums assured by
all policies issued by the Corporation including any bonuses declared in
respect thereof and, subject to the provisions contained in section 14 the
amounts assured by all policies issued by any insurer the liabilities under
which have vested in the Corporation under this Act, and all bonuses declared
in respect thereof, whether before or after the appointed, day shall be
guaranteed as to payment in cash by the Central Government.
Section 38
Liquidation of
Corporation.-
No provision of law
relating to the winding up of companies or corporations shall apply to the
corporation established under this Act, and the Corporation shall not be placed
in liquidation save by order of the Central Government and in such manner as
that Government may direct.
Section 39
Special provisions for winding up of certain insurers
provisions for winding up of certain insurers.-
Where any insurer
being a company (other than a composite insurer) whose controlled business has
been transferred to and vested in the Corporation under this Act has in
accordance with the provisions of this Act collected and distributed any moneys
paid to him by the Corporation by way of compensation or otherwise and has also
complied with any direction given to him by the Corporation for the purpose of
securing that the ownership of any property or any right is effectively
transferred to the Corporation, the Central Government may on application being
made to it in this behalf by such insurer grant a certificate to the insurer
that there is no reason for the continued existence of the insurer and where
such a certificate has been granted shall cause the certificate to be published
in the Official Gazette and upon the publication thereof the insurer shall be
dissolved.
Section 40
Penalty for withholding property, etc
withholding property, etc.-
If any person
wilfully withholds or fails to deliver to the Corporation as required by
section 13, any property or any books, documents or other papers which may be
in his possession or unlawfully retains possession of any property of an
insurer which has been transferred to and vested in the Corporation under this
Act or wilfully applies any such property to purpose other than those expressed
in or authorised by this Act, he shall, on the complaint of the Corporation, be
punishable with imprisonment which may extent to one year, or with fine which
may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 41
Tribunal to have
exclusive jurisdiction in certain matters.-
No civil court shall
have jurisdiction to entertain or adjudicate upon any matter which a Tribunal
is empowered to decide or determine under this Act.
Section 42
Enforcement of
decisions of Tribunals.-
Any decision of a
Tribunal may be enforced in any civil court within the local limits of whose
jurisdiction the person against whom the decision is to be enforced actually
and voluntarily resides or carries on business or personally works for gain or
owns any property, as if it were a decree passed by that court.
Section 43
Application of
the Insurance Act.-
1.
The
following section of the Insurance Act shall, so far as may be, apply to the
Corporation as they apply to any other insurer, namely:— Sections 2, 2B, 3, 18,
26, 33, 38, 39, 31, 45, 46, 47A, 50, 51, 52, 110A, 110B, 110C, 119, 121, 122
and 123.
2.
The
Central Government shall as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act,
by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that the following sections of
the Insurance Act shall apply to the Corporation subject to such conditions and
modifications as may be specified in the notification, namely:—
3.
Sections
2D, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27A, 28A, 35, 36, 37, 40, 40A, 43,
44, 102 to 106, 107 to 110, 111, 113, 114 and 116A.
4.
The
Central Government may, be notification in the Official Gazette, direct that
all or any of the Insurance Act other than those specified in sub-section (1)
or sub-section (2) shall apply to the Corporation subject to such conditions
and modifications as may be specified in the notification.
5.
Every
notification issued under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) shall be laid for
not less than thirty days before both Houses of Parliament as soon as possible
after it is issued, and shall be subject to such modifications as Parliament
may make during the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately
following.
6.
Save
as provided in this section, nothing contained in the Insurance Act shall apply
to the Corporation.
Section 44
Act not to apply
in certain cases.-
Nothing contained in
this Act shall apply in relation to—
a.
any
insurer whose business is being voluntarily would up or is being wound up under
the orders of the Court;
b.
any
insurer to whom the Insurance Act does not apply by reason of the provisions
contained in section 2E thereof;
c.
any
composite insurer in respect of the management of whose affairs an
Administrator has been appointed under section 52A of the Insurance Act;
d.
the
scheme run by the Central Government known as the Post Office Life Insurance
Fund;
e.
any
approved superannuation fund as defined in clause (a) of section 58N of the
Indian Income-tax Act, 1922 (11 of 1922), which is in existence on the
appointed day;
f.
any
scheme in existence on the appointed day or any scheme framed after the
appointed day with the approval of the Central Government whereby, in
consideration of certain compulsory deductions made by Government from the
salaries of its employees as part of the conditions of service, the payment of
money is assured by Government on the death of the employee concerned or on the
happening of any contingency dependent on his life.
Section 45
Special provisions regarding certain composite insurer
provisions regarding certain composite insurer.-
Notwithstanding
anything contained in clause (c) of section 44, the Administrator appointed to
manage the affairs of a composite insurer under the Insurance Act shall, as
soon as may be practicable after the commencement of this Act, take steps in
the prescribed manner,—
a.
to
transfer the assets and liabilities appertaining to the controlled business of
the insurer, to the Corporation; and
b.
to
vest the management of the affairs of the insurer in respect of any kind of
business, in the person entitled thereto.
Section 46
Defects in constitution of Corporation or committees not to invalidate acts or proceedings
constitution of Corporation or committees not to invalidate acts or
proceedings.-
No act or proceeding
of the Corporation or of any Committee of the Corporation shall be called in
question on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or defect in the
constitution of the Corporation or Committee, as the case may be.
Section 47
Protection of
action taken under Act.-
No suit, prosecution
or other legal proceeding shall lie against any member or employee of the
Corporation for anything which is in good faith done for intended to be done
under this Act.
Section 48
Power to make
rules.-
1.
The
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette make rules to
carry out the purposes 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 term of office
and the conditions of service of members;
b. the manner in which
the moneys and other assets belonging to any such fund as is referred to in
section 8 shall be apportioned between the trustees of the fund and the
Corporation;
c. the services which
the chief agent should have rendered for the purpose of the proviso to section
12;
d. the jurisdiction of
the Tribunals constituted under section 17;
e. the manner in which,
and the persons to whom, any compensation under this Act may be paid;
f. the time within which
any matter which may be referred to a Tribunal for decision under this Act may
be so referred;
g. the manner in which
and the conditions subject to which investments may be made by the Corporation;
h. the manner in which
an Employees and Agents Relations Committee may be constituted for each zonal
office;
i. the form in which the
report giving an account of the activities of the Corporation shall be
prepared;
j. the conditions
subject to which the Corporation may appoint employees;
k. the fees payable
under this Act and the manner in which they are to be collected;
l. any other matter
which has to be or may be prescribed;
1.
2.
3.
All
rules made under this section shall be laid for not less than thirty days
before both Houses of Parliament as soon as possible after they are made, and
shall be subject to such modifications as Parliament may make during the
session in which they are so laid or the session immediately following.
Section 49
Power to make
regulations.-
1.
The
Corporation may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, by
notification in the Gazette of India, make regulations not inconsistent with
this Act and the rules made there under to provide for all matters for which
provision is expedient for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of
this Act.
2.
In
particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,
such regulations may provide for—
a. the powers and
functions of the Corporation which may be delegated to the Zonal Managers;
b. the method of
recruitment of employees and agents of the Corporation and the terms and
conditions of service of such employees or agents;
c. the number, term of
office and conditions of service of members of Boards constituted under section
22;
d. the territorial
limits of each zone established under this Act and the business to be
transacted in each Zone;
e. the manner in which
the Fund of the Corporation shall be maintained;
f. the maintenance of
separate funds and accounts at each of the zonal offices;
g. the jurisdiction of
each divisional office and the establishment of Councils representative of
policy-holders in each area served by a divisional office for the purpose of
advising the divisional office in respect of any matter which may be referred
to it;
h. the conduct of
business at meetings of the Corporation;
i. the formation of
Committees of the Corporation and the delegation of powers and functions of the
Corporation to such Committees, and the conduct of business at meetings of such
Committees;
j. the form and manner
in which policies may because and contracts binding on the Corporation may be
executed;
k. the classification of
policies, whether issued by the Corporation or by any insurer whose controlled
business has been transferred to and vested in the Corporation, for the
purposes of declaring differential bonuses, wherever necessary;
l. the manner in which
and the intervals within which the accounts of the various zonal offices,
divisional offices and branch offices may be inspected and their accounts
audited,
m. the conditions
subject to which any payment may be made by the Corporation
