The controlling authority shall be appointed by the appropriate government for the proper administration of this Act. The government may appoint different controlling authority for different areas also.
The person entitled to receive the gratuity amount shall send an application in writing to the employer. The employer shall calculate the gratuity amount and provide notice in writing to the concerned employee and the controlling authority. The payment should be made within 30 days from the date payable to the employee. Failure of payment within the prescribed limit will result in payment of simple interests. However, if the delayed payment is because of the employee then the employer is not entitled to pay the simple interests.
The disputes arising between the employee and employer shall be referred to the controlling authority and proceeding for the resolution presided by the controlling authority shall be considered to be judicial proceeding. The controlling authority has the authority to enforce the presence of any person and examine his oath, production of relevant documents and issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses if required. After due inquiry and giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard, the controlling authority may determine the matters and pass appropriate orders. The aggrieved party can apply for appeals to the government.
Inspectors Appointed for the Purpose of this Act and their Powers
The government may appoint an inspector or inspectors who are deemed to be a public servant under Section 21 of Indian Penal Code for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of the provisions of this Act are being violated or not complied with and take necessary measures to ensure the fulfilment of all the provisions of this Act.
Recovery of Gratuity
If the employer delays in the payment of gratuity amount under the prescribed time limit, then the controlling authority shall issue the certificate to the collector on behalf of the aggrieved party and recover the amount including the compound interest decided by the central government and pay the same to the person. However, these provisions are under two conditions:
- The controlling authority should give the employer a reasonable opportunity to show the cause of such an Act.
- The amount of interest to be paid should not exceed the amount of gratuity under this Act.
Penalties
Violation of the provisions of the Act shall entail certain penalties. They are:
- For avoiding any payment, if someone makes a false representation or false statement shall be punishable with imprisonment for 6 months or fine up to Rs. 10,000 or both.
- Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be punishable for a minimum of 3 months which may extend upto 1 year or a fine of Rs. 10,000 which may extend upto 20,000.
- Non-payment of gratuity under the Act will lead to offence and the employer shall be punishable with imprisonment for at least 6 months and which may extend upto 2 years unless the court provides for the sufficient reason for less payment.
Application to the Controlling Authority
Where there is a dispute with regard to any matter or matters specified in clause. The employer or employee or any other person raising the dispute may make an application to the controlling authority for deciding the dispute.
Determination of matter by Controller Authority
The controlling authority shall, after due inquiry and after giving the parties to the dispute a reasonable opportunity of being heard, determine the matter or matters in dispute and if, as a result of such inquiry any amount is found to be payable to the employee, the controlling authority shall direct the employer to pay such amount or, as the case may be, such amount as reduced by the amount already deposited by the employer.
- The controlling authority shall pay the amount deposited, including the excess amount, if any, deposited by the employer, to the person entitled thereto.
- As soon as may be after a deposit is made under clause (a), the controlling authority shall pay the amount of the deposit:
(i) To the applicant where he is the employee, or
(ii) Where the applicant is not the employee, to the nominee or, as the case may be, the guardian of such nominee or heir of the employee if the controlling authority is satisfied that there is no dispute as to the right of the applicant to receive the amount of gratuity.