.- [(1) For every mine wherein 500 or more persons are ] [Substituted by G.S.R. 607, dated 16.5.1959. ][ordinarily employed] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 1886, dated 14.12.1965.][, the owner, agent or manager shall appoint a suitably qualified person as Welfare Officer; and where the number of persons so employed in a mine exceeds 2,500, such Welfare Officer shall be assisted by one suitably qualified additional Welfare Officer for every additional 2,000 persons or part thereof employed. ] [Substituted by G.S.R. 607, dated 16.5.1959. ](2)No person shall act as a Welfare Officer of a mine unless he possesses-(a)a University degree;(b)a degree or diploma in social science, [or social work] [ Inserted by G.S.R. 1886, dated 14.12.1965.] or labour welfare [recognised by the Government for the purpose of this rule] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 1886, dated 14.12.1965.] and preferably practical experience of handling labour problems in any industrial undertaking for at least three years; and(c)a knowledge of the language of the district in which the mine is situated or the language understood by the majority of persons employed in the mine:Provided that in case of a person already in service as a Welfare Officer in a mine the above qualifications may, with the approval of the Chief Inspector, be relaxed.[(2-A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), the Labour Officer included in the Central Pool under the provisions of the Labour Officers (Central Pool) Recruitment and Conditions of Service Rules, 1951, shall be eligible for appointment as a Welfare Officer in a mine.] [ Inserted by G.S.R. 966, dated 17.5.1968.](3)Where by reason of temporary absence, illness or any other similar cause, the Welfare Officer is unable to perform his duties, the owner, agent or manager shall authorise in writing a person whom he considers competent to act in his place:Provided that no such authority shall have effect for a period in excess of 30 days except with the previous consent of the Chief Inspector or Inspector.(4)[ A written notice of every appointment, authorisation, discharge, dismissal, resignation or termination of service of every Welfare Officer and of the date thereof shall be sent by the owner, agent or manager, to the Chief Inspector within seven days from the date of such appointment, authorisation, discharge, dismissal, resignation or termination of service.] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 1886, dated 14.12.1965.](5)[ The post of Welfare Officer shall be advertised in a newspaper having a wide circulation in the State.] [ Inserted by G.S.R. 607, dated 16.5.1969.]
