Section 4 of The Destruction of Records Act, 1917
All rules and orders directing or authorising the destruction or other disposal of documents in the possession or custody of any public officer, heretofore made by a State Government, or with the approval of the State Government by any authority not empowered to make such rules under the Destruction of Records Act, 1879 (3 of 1879), shall be deemed to have had the force of law from the date on which they were made, and all such rules and orders now in force shall continue to have the force of law until they are superseded by rules made under this Act.
Summary
- This section validates (makes legally official) rules and orders made before this Act came into force.
- It applies to rules made by a State Government or with its approval by an authority not originally empowered under the Destruction of Records Act, 1879.
- These old rules are legally treated as if they had the force of law starting from the very day they were made.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. What older Act is mentioned in Section 4?
The Destruction of Records Act, 1879 (3 of 1879).
2. When do the validated old rules get their legal force from?
They are deemed to have had the force of law from the exact date on which they were made.
Test yourself
Q1.Which older Act is referenced in Section 4 regarding unauthorized rule-makers?
Q2.From when are the old rules deemed to have had the force of law?
Q3.How long do old rules and orders currently in force remain active under Section 4?
Q4.Who must have made or approved the old rules for them to be validated under Section 4?
Q5.Does Section 4 completely cancel all previous record-destruction rules?