Keyword(s):
Essential Commodity, Essential Service, Protected Place, Public Servant,
Subversive Act

‘ WEST BENGAL MAINTENANCE OF
PUBLIC ORDER ACT, 1972.
Air Acr to provide for special provisiorrs lor the n~ni~trcrrarrcc oj
pttblic order 11y the prcve~iriorr of illepl acquisitiorl, possession or rise
of arms o11d rrre supprcssiori of sbverivc. c~ctiviries e~~rlung~*ritrg prrblic
~ule~ ar~d rrurzq~rilliry a~rdjorrlofters connecred there ~villt or i~lcider~tol
~l~erero.
WHEREAS it is cxpediznt to provide for special provisions for the
maintenance of public order by the prevention of il kgal acquisition,
possession or use of arms and lhc suppression of subversive acdvilies
endangering public safety and uanquilliry and Tor mauers connectcd
rhcnvich or incidenral thcreto;
It is hereby enacted in [he Twenty-third Year of he Republic or
India, by [he Legislature of Wesl Bengal, as follows:-
CHAPTER I
Preliminary.
I. (1) This Act may be called the Wcst Beogal Mi~inrcnance of
Public Order Ac[, 1972.
(2) IL extends ro Ihe whole of West Bengal.

  1. In this Act, unless [he context othenvise requires,-
    (a) “essenfal commodity” means food. waler, fuel, light or
    power and inctudes such other thing as may bc declared by
    lhe Slate Govemmen~, by nolification, 10 be essential For [he
    life of thc community:
    (b) “esscnlial service” means any service conncc~cd with-
    (i) public conservancy or smi~ation,
    (ji) hospitals or dispensaries.
    (iii) tramways or lrinsport, whether provided by the State
    or by any olhcr body, authorily or individual, or
    (iv) gas works,
    and includes such other services connected with the rnarrers with rcspecl
    to which ~hc Slale Legislature has power ro make laws and which rhe
    Srate Government. being of opinion that the mainfenancc or such service
    is necessary For the prevention of grave hardship lo Ihc communi~y, may,
    by notificnlion, dcclare to be essential service;

DISCLAIMER: This document is being furnished to you for your information by Blinkvisa. The contents of this document have been obtained from sources Blinkvisa believes to be reliable. These contents have not been independently verified, and PRS makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or correctness. In some cases the Principal Act and/or Amendment Act may not be available. Principal Acts may or may not include subsequent amendments. For authoritative text, please contact the relevant state department concerned or refer to the latest government publication or the gazette notification. Any person using this material should take their own professional and legal advice before acting on any information contained in this document. Blinkvisa or any persons connected with it do not accept any liability arising from the use of this document. Blinkvisa or any persons connected with it shall not be in any way responsible for any loss, damage, or distress to any person on account of any action taken or not taken on the basis of this document.