The Gangasagar Mela Act, 1976

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GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL 

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT 

West Bengal Act IV of 1976 

THE GANGASAGAR MELA ACT, 1976. 

[Passed by the West Bengal Legislature.] 

[Assent of the Governor was first published in the Calcutta 
Gazette, Extraordinary, of the 26th March, 1976.] 

[26th March, 1976.] 

An Act to provide for the taking of measures with a view to safeguarding 
the health, safety andwelfare ofthe pilgrims attending ,he Gangasagar 
Mela. 

WHEREAS it is expedient in the public interest to provide for the taking 
of measures with a view to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of 
the pilgrims attending the Gangasagar Mela and for matters connected 
therewith or incidental therteto; 

It is hereby enacted in the Twenty-seventh Year of the Republic of 
India, by the Legislature of West Bengal, as follows:- 

1. This Act may be called the Gangasagar Mela Act, 1976. 	Short title. 

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 	Definitions. 

(a) "Gangasagar Mela" means the fair held at Sagar Islands in the 
district of 24-Parganas on the occasion of the Pous Sankranti 
every year; 

(b) "notified area" means the area declared as such by notification 
under sub-section (1) of section 3. 

3. (1) If the State Government is satisfied that as a result of the 
influx of too many pilgrims at a time at the Sagar Islands on the occasion 
of the Gangasagar Mela the health, safety and welfare of these pilgrims 
are likely to be endangered the State Government may, by notification 
in the Official Gazette, declare that the whole or any portion of the area 
within the Sagar Islands shall be a notified area. 

(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) it 
shall be competent for the State Government to take such measures for 
safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the pilgrims as the State 
Government thinks necessary. 

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Power of 
the State 
Govern-
ment on 
the occa-
sion of the 
Gangasagar 
Mela. 



The Gangasagar Mela Act, 1976. 

[West Ben. Act IV of 1976.] 

Imposition 
of fee. 

Repeal of 
West Ben. 
Act IV of 
1953. 

Power to 
make rules 

(Sections 4-7.) 

(3) The details of the measures to be taken under sub-section (2) 
and the manner in which they shall be executed shall be laid down by 
the State Government by rules made in this behalf. 

(4) An order made under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for 
such period as may be specified in the notification. 

4. (1) The State Government may impose such fee not exceeding 
rupees two per head per year, as may be determined by the State 
Government by notification, upon every pilgrim visiting the Gangasagar 

Mela: 

Provided that no such fee shall be imposed upon Government 
servants on duty, children under the age of twelve years, sadhus, sannyasis, 
beggars and such other persons including members of organisations as 
may be specified by the State Government by notification issued in this 

behalf. 

(2) The fee imposed under sub-section (1) shall be realised in such 
manner as may be prescribed by rules made by the State Government. 

5. The Gangasagar Mela Act, 1953, is hereby repealed. 

6. (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official 

Gazette, make rules for carrying 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 matters 
which may be or has to be prescribed by rules. 

Repeal and 
savings. 

Ordinance, 1975, is hereby 
Or 
West Ben. 

d. XXI of 
1975. 

7. (1) The Gangasagar Mela 

repealed. 

(2) Anything done or any action taken under the Gangasagar Mela 
Ordinance, 1975, shall be deemed to have been validly done or taken 

under this Act as if this Act had commenced on the 18th day of 

December, 1975. 

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