.-(1) This Act may be called the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

(2)

It extends to the whole of India:

Provided that insofar as it relates to plantations or ports, it shall not extend to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

(3)

It shall apply to-

(a) every factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port and railway company;

(b) every shop or establishment within the meaning of any law for the time being in force in relation to shops and establishments in a State, in which ten or more persons are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding twelve months;

(c) such other establishments or class of establishments, in which ten or more employees are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding twelve months, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.

(4)

It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint.

Brought into force on 16.9.1972. This Act came into force in the State of Sikkim with effect from 1.11.1995.