Section 144 in The Bihar and Orissa Local Self-Government Act, 1885
144. [ Penalty on member, officer or servant being interested in contract made with a local authority. [Section 144 is in force in this form in areas in which Part IV of the B. and O. Act 3 of 1222, is not in force.]
(1)If any member of a local authority, or any officer or servant maintained by or employed under a local authority has directly or indirectly, any share or interest in any work done by order of the local authority of which he is a member, or by which he is maintained, or under which he is employed or in any contract with or under such local authority, he shall [thereupon he disqualified to continue in office and shall be liable on conviction before a Criminal Court to a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees:]Provided that the penalty herein prescribed shall not be deemed to apply by reason only of a person-(a)having a share in any joint stock company which shall contract with, or be employed by, or on behalf of, the local authority; or(b)having a share or interest in any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the local authority may be inserted; or(c)holding a debenture or being otherwise concerned in loan raised by, or on behalf of the authority.Nevertheless it shall not be lawful for a person having any share or interest, such as is described in clauses (a) and (b), to act as a member of the local authority in any matter relating to a contract or agreement between the local authority and such company or the manager or publisher of such newspaper.Nothing in this section shall apply to the payment of fees to a legal practitioner for services rendered by him in his professional capacity.]
