Punjab Act 3 of 1925
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Received the assent of the Governor of the Punjab on the 19th March, 1925 and of the Governor General on the 21st April, 1925 and was first published in the Punjab Gazette dated the 8th May, 1925.
An Act to amend the Opium Act, 1878, in its application to Punjab.
Preamble. - Whereas it is expedient to amend the Opium Act, 1878, in its application to the Punjab in the manner hereinafter appearing, and whereas the previous sanction of the Governor General under sub-section (3) of section 80A of the Government of India Act has been received, it is hereby enacted as follows :-
- Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Opium (Punjab Amendment) Act, 1925.
(2) It extends to the Punjab.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Local Government may, by notification, appoint in this behalf.
| Object & Reasons6 |
| Statement of objects and reasons. - The Bill provides for enhancing the punishment inflicted under section 9 for offences connected with the smuggling and manufacture of opium. It is proposed to enhance the punishments which can be inflicted under the Excise Act to a similar extent. The reason for requiring a more severe sentence is that, owing to the present high retail prices of opium, the smuggling of this drug is becoming increasingly common, and it is found that the sentences inflicted under the Act are not sufficient to deter persons from committing offences under the Act. The proposal to enhance the penalties will also conform with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the League of Nations." (Punjab Government Gazette, 1924, Part V. p. 81). |
- Amendment of section 9 of the Opium Act, 1878.- In section 9 of the Opium Act, 1878, for the words "one year" the words "two years" and for the words "one thousand" the words "two thousands" shall be deemed to be substituted and the words after the word "both" shall be deemed to be omitted.