Section 31. Notice to licensing authority before commencement of practice.

(1) Every person registered under this Act or every person whose name has been entered in the List, if he intends to continue to practise after the date on which this Chapter comes into force in any area or if either of such persons intends to practise in such area as a nurse, he shall give notice in writing to the licensing authority, and shall give a like notice to the said authority in the month of January every five years thereafter during the period he continues to practise within the said area. (2) Every such notice shall contain such particulars and shall be in such form as may be determined by the Council. (3) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) or (2), shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to 1 [one thousand rupees] for the first offence, to 2[three thousand rupees] for the second offence and to 3[five thousand rupees] for any subsequent offence. (4) Any person who knowingly or wilfully makes or causes or procures any other person to make any false statement in any notice under this section shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to 4[one thousand rupees] for the first offence, to 5[two thousand rupees] for the second offence and to 6[five thousand rupees[ for any subsequent offence.