20. To what societies Act applies.—The following societies may be registered under this Act:— Charitable societies, the military orphan funds or societies established at the several presidencies of India, societies established for the promotion of science, literature, or the fine arts for instruction, the diffusion of useful knowledge, 1[the diffusion of political education], the foundation or maintenance of libraries or reading-rooms for general use among the members or open to the public, or public museums and galleries of paintings and other works of art, collections of natural history, mechanical and philosophical inventions, instruments, or designs. State Amendments
(Bihar) —In section 20, after the words “science, literature”, insert the words “industry, agriculture”. [Vide Bihar Act 2 of 1960, sec. 6 (w.e.f. 8-2-1960).]
(Delhi) —In section 20, for the words “promotion of science, literature, or the fine arts”, substitute the words “promotion of social welfare, activities conducive to the promotion and improvement of the natural environment (including forests, rivers and wild life), compassion for living creatures, literature, science, sports, games or the fine arts”. [Vide Act 26 of 1983, sec. 2(c) (w.r.e.f. 22-6-1983).]
(Haryana) —In section 20, for the words “instruments, or designs”, substitute the words “instruments or designs, promotion of the interest or welfare of the public and any other object as may be notified by the Government as beneficial to the public”. [Vide Haryana Act 23 of 1974, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 5-8-1974).] Himachal Pradesh.—In section 20, after the words “established for the promotion of” and before the word “science” the words “Khadi and Village Industry, Rural Development”, be inserted. [Vide H.P. Act 7 of 1992, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 10-4-1992).]
(Maharashtra) —In its application to the whole of the State of Bombay, section 29 shall be renumbered as sub-section (1) of that section and after sub-section (1) so renumbered, the following sub-section shall be added, namely:— “(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), any society registered under the Public Societies Registration Act for any public or religious purpose and operating in the Hyderabad area of the State of Bombay at the commencement of the Societies Registration (Bombay Extension and Amendment) Act, 1958 shall be deemed to be and continue to be registered under this Act”. [Vide Bombay Act 76 of 1958, sec. 7 (w.e.f. 7-10-1958).]
(Pondicherry) —In section 20, after the words “instruments or designs” the words “the dissemination of social economic education, promotion of the interest or welfare of the public or a section of the public or of non-trading associations with objects confined to the Union territory and any other objects as may be notified by the Government as being beneficial to the public or to a section or the public”, shall be inserted. [Vide Pondicherry Act 9 of 1969, sec. 9 (w.e.f. 1-1-1970).] Uttar Pradesh.—In section 20, after the words “established for the promotion of” and before the word “science”, insert the words “Khadi and Village Industry, Panchayat Industry, Rural Development”. [Vide U.P. Act 11 of 1984, sec. 7 (w.e.f. 30-4-1984).] Andhra Pradesh.— Sections 21 to 24
(1) After section 20, insert the following, namely:— “Chapter II Special provisions in respect of Societies financed wholly or substantially from the funds of the Government.
Complete: The Societies Registration Act, 1860
