.-(1) Whoever, for the purpose of avoiding any payment to be made by himself under this Act or of enabling any other person to avoid such payment, knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement or false representation, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to [ten thousand rupees] [ Substituted by Act 22 of 1987, Section 9, for " one thousand rupees " (w.e.f. 1.10.1987).] or with both.

(2)

An employer who contravenes, or makes default in complying with, any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term [which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to one year, or with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both] [ Substituted by Act 22 of 1987, Section 9, for " which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both " (w.e.f. 1.10.1987).]:

Provided that where the offence relates to non-payment of any gratuity payable under this Act, the employer shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than [six months but which may extend to two years] [ Substituted by Act 22 of 1987, Section 9, for " three months " (w.e.f. 1.10.1987).] unless the Court trying the offence, for reasons to be recorded by it in writing, is of opinion that a lesser term of imprisonment or the imposition of a fine would meet the ends of justice.