1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the 4*** Lighthouse
Act, 1927.
(2)It extends to the whole of India 5***.
(3) It shall come into force on such date6
as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or
context,—
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* * * * *
(b) “district” means an area defined as a district for the purposes of this Act under
section 3;
(c) “general lighthouse” means any lighthouse which the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a general lighthouse for the purposes of
this Act;
(d) “lighthouse” includes any light-vessel, fog-signal, buoy, beacon, or any mark, sign or
apparatus exhibited or used for the guidance of ships;
(e) “local lighthouse” means any lighthouse which is not a general lighthouse;
(f) “local lighthouse authority” means a State Government, local authority or other
person having the superintendence and management of a local lighthouse;
(g) “owner” includes any part-owner, charterer, or mortgagee in possession and any agent to
whom a ship is consigned;
(h) “port” means any port, as defined in the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (15 of 1908), to which that
Act extends; 8***
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[(hh)“proper officer”, in relation to any functions to be performed under this Act,
means the officer of Customs who is assigned those functions by the Central Board of
1. This Act has been extended to Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 15-2-1965)
This Act has been extended to Lakshadweep by Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and Sch. This Act comes into force in Pondicherry on
1.10.1963 vide Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and Sch. I.
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1948, for “British India”.
3. The words “the provinces of” omitted by the A.O. 1950.
4. The word “Indian” omitted by Act 37 of 1976, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-4-1976).
5. The words “except Part B States” omitted by Act 18 of 1953, s. 2.
6.1st. April, 1929, see Gazette of India, 1929, Pt. I, p. 96.
7. Clause (a)omitted by Act 37 of 1976, s. 4 (w.e.f. 15-4-1976).
8. The word “and” omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-4-1976).
9. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-4-1976).
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Excise and Customs constituted under the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963 (54 of
1963), and includes any person appointed by the Central Government to discharge the
functions of a proper officer under this Act;]
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[(hha)“Ship” includes a sailing vessel;]
(i) words and expressions used in this Act and not otherwise defined have the
same meanings respectively as in the 2
[Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958)].
3. Appointment of officers.—The Central Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette,—
(a)define areas to be districts for the purposes of this Act;
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[(b) appoint a person to be the Director of Lighthouses and Lightships in each
district;
(c) appoint persons to be Deputy Directors-General of Lighthouses and
Lightships; and
(d)appoint a person to be the Director-General of Lighthouses and Lightships.]
4. Advisory Committees.—(1) The Central Government shall appoint a Central
Advisory Committee and shall consult it in regard to—
(a) the erection or position of lighthouses or of any works appertaining thereto;
(b) additions to, or the alteration or removal of, lighthouses;
(c) the variation of the character of any lighthouse or of the mode of use
thereof;
(d) the cost of any proposals relating to lighthouses; or
(e) the making or alteration of any rules or rates of dues under this Act.
(2) The Central Government may, if it thinks fit, appoint an Advisory Committee for any
district for the purpose of advising in regard to any of the matters specified in sub -section
(1) in so far as the interests of the district are affected thereby.
(3) Advisory Committees shall consist of persons representing interests affected by
this Act or having special knowledge of the subject-matter thereof.
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[(4) No act or proceeding of the Advisory Committee shall be invalidated merely by
reason of—
(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in constitution of, the Advisory Committee;
(b) any defect in appointment of a person acting as a member of the Advisory
Committee; or
(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Advisory Committee not affecting the
merits of the case.]