Section 13 of The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992
- (1)Subject to the other provisions contained in this Act, any qualification included in the Schedule shall be sufficient qualification for enrolment on the Register.
- (2)No person, other than the rehabilitation professional who possesses a recognised rehabilitation qualification and is enrolled on the Register,--
- (a)shall hold office as rehabilitation professional or any such office (by whatever designation called) in Government or in any institution maintained by a local or other authority;
- (b)shall practice as rehabilitation professional anywhere in India;
- (c)shall be entitled to sign or authenticate any certificate required by any law to be signed or authenticated by a rehabilitation professional;
- (d)shall be entitled to give any evidence in any court as an expert under section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872) on any matter relating to the handicapped: Provided that if a person possesses the recognised rehabilitation professional qualifications on the date of commencement of this Act, he shall be deemed to be an enrolled rehabilitation professional for a period of six months from such commencement, and if he has made an application for enrolment on the Register within said period of six months, till such application is disposed of. 1[(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), any person being a doctor or a paramedic in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedics, ear, nose or throat (ENT), ophthalmology or psychiatry, employed or working in any hospital or establishment owned or controlled by the Central Government or a State Government or any other body funded by the Central or a State Government and notified by the Central Government, may discharge the functions referred to in clauses (a) to (d) of that sub-section.]
- (3)Any person who acts in contravention of any provision of sub-section (2) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Summary
- Having a qualification listed in the Schedule is enough to get enrolled on the Register.
- Only registered professionals can work in government rehabilitation jobs, practice in India, sign official certificates, or testify in court as experts on handicapped matters.
- People who already had the right qualifications when the law started were given a six month grace period to register.
- Doctors and specific paramedics working in government funded hospitals are allowed to do these jobs without being registered under this specific law.
- Breaking these rules is a crime punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to one thousand rupees, or both.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can I practice as a rehabilitation professional if my qualification is not in the Schedule?
No, you must have a recognized qualification and be enrolled on the Register to practice anywhere in India.
2. What happens if I work without being registered?
You could face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to one thousand rupees, or both.
3. Are there any exceptions for medical doctors?
Yes, doctors and certain paramedics in fields like orthopaedics, psychiatry, or ENT who work in government or government funded hospitals can perform these duties.
4. Under what law can a registered professional give expert evidence in court?
They can give expert evidence under section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 13 of The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, what is the maximum financial penalty for a person who practices as a rehabilitation professional without being enrolled on the Register?
Q2.Under Section 13 of The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, which of the following professionals is exempt from the registration requirement while working in a hospital owned by the Central Government?
Q3.Under Section 13 of The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, how long is the grace period granted to a person who already possessed a recognized qualification on the date the Act commenced?
Q4.Under Section 13 of The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, an enrolled professional is entitled to give evidence in court as an expert under which specific legal provision?