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The ANDHRA PRADESH STATE COUNCIL FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY ACT, 2019

Andhra Pradesh · state statute
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THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE COUNCIL 
FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY ACT, 2019.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Sections
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1.   Short title, extend and commencement.
2.   Definitions.
CHAPTER II
ANDHRA PRADESH STATE COUNCIL FOR PHYSOITHERAPY
3.  Constitution and Composition of Council.
4.  Incorporation of Council.
5. Objects of Council.
6.  President and Vice-President of Council.
7.  Mode of Election.
8.  Term of office and filling up of casual vacancies.
9.  Disqualifications.
10.  Meeting of Council.
11.  Proceedings of Meetings.
12.  Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Council.
13.   Appointment of Registrar, Deputy Registrar, officers and 
     employees of Council.
14.   Executive Committee and other Committees.
15.   Equivalence and Registration Committee.
CHAPTER III
FUNCTIONS OF COUNCIL
16.  Prior permission for establishment of new Institutions, new 
course of study, etc.,
17.   Non- recognition of qualifications in certain cases.
18.   Time for seeking permission for certain existing institution 
etc.,
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19.    Recognition of qualification granted by Universities, etc.; in 
State for physiotherapy professionals.
20.   Effect of Recognition.
21.   Power to require information as to courses of study and 
training and examinations.
22.   Inspectors.
23.   Withdrawal of recognition.
24.   Prescription of standards of education in Physiotherapy.
25.   Renewal of registration.
26.   Professional Conduct.
CHAPTER IV
FINANCE, ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND RETURN
27.   Payment t to Council.
28.   Fund of Council.
29.   Budget.
30.   Annual report.
31.   Accounts and Audit.
32.   Information to be furnished.
CHAPTER V
REGISTRATION
33.   Persons entitled to registration.
34.   Withdrawal of application.
35.   Certificate of registration.
36.   Renewal of registration.
37.   Removal of names from Register.
38.   Appeal against order of removal from Register.
39.  Rights and privileges of registered members.
CHAPTER VI
OFFENCES AND PENALTY
40.  Conferring, granting or issuing post graduate degree, 
diploma, license, etc.; by unauthorized person or institution.
41.  Penalty for falsely claiming to be registered.
42.  Misuse of title.
43. Failure to surrender certificate of registration.
44.  Cognizance of offence.
CHAPEER VII
MISCELLANEOUS
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45.   Directions by State Government.
46.   Power to supersede council.
47.   Officers to be public servants.
48.   Protection of action taken in good faith.
49.   Power to make rules.
50.   Power to make regulations.
51.   Power to remove difficulties.
SCHEDULE
(See Section 19)
(A)    Government Colleges            -NIL
(B)   Sself finance Colleges           (Table)
THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE COUNCIL 
FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY ACT, 2019.
 (ACT No.7 of 2019)
[17th  February, 2019]
AN  ACT  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  ANDHRA  
PRADESH STATE COUNCIL FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR THE PURPOSE  
OF  CO-ORDINATION  AND  DETERMINATION  OF  STANDARDS  OF  
EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF PHYSIOTHERAPY, TO REGULATE THE  
PRACTICE  OF  PHYSIOTHERAPY  AND  FOR  THE  MAINTENANCE  OF  
REGISTER  OF  PHYSIOTHERAPISTS  IN  THE  STATE  OF  ANDHRA  
PRADESH  AND  FOR  MATTERS  CONNECTED  THEREWITH  OR  
INCIDENTIAL THERETO.
  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Andhra Pradesh in the 
Seventieth Year of the Republic of India, as follows:-
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY
1.Short title, extent and commencement - (1) This Act may be called the  
Andhra Pradesh State Council for Physiotherapy Act, 2019. 
 (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh. 
      (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may,  
by notification in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette, appoint:
          Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions  
of this Act and any reference in any such provisions to the commencement  
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of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that  
provisions. 
2. Definitions - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) “Council” means the Andhra Pradesh State Council of  
Physiotherapy constituted under section 3; 
(b) “Inspector” means an Inspector appointed by the Council  
under section 22; 
(c)  ‘Institution”  means  any  institution  within  or  outside  
India which grants degrees in Physiotherapy; 
(d) “member” means a member of the Council; 
(e)  “Notification”  means  a  notification  published  in  the  
Andhra Pradesh Gazette and the word “Notified” shall be  
construed accordingly;
(f)  “Physiotherapist”  means  a  person  who  possesses  
recognized Physiotherapy qualification and whose name has  
been enrolled in the register maintained under section 33; 
(g)  “Physiotherapy”  means  a  branch  of  modern  medical  
science  which  includes  examination,  assessment,  
interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of 
treatment  and  advice  to  any  person  for  the  purpose  of  
preventing, correcting, alleviating and limiting dysfunction,  
acute and chronic bodily malfunction, including life saving  
measures  via  chest  physiotherapy  in  the  intensive  care  
units,  curing  physical  disorders  or  disability,  promoting  
physical  fitness,  facilitating  healing  and  pain  relief  and;  
treatment of physical and psychosomatic disorder through  
modulating  physiological  and  physical  response  using  
exercises, physical agents, activities and devices including  
mobilization,  manipulations,  mechanical,  electrical,  and  
thermal  agents,  including  therapeutic  ultrasound  and  
therapeutic Light Amplification by Stimulation Emission of  
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Radiation(LASER),  and  electrotherapy  including  
electrophysiology for diagnosis, treatment and prevention; 
(h)  “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this  
Act; 
(i)  “President” means the President of the Council; 
(j)  “Profession” means the profession of Physiotherapy; 
(k)  “Recognized  qualification”  means  qualification  in  
Physiotherapy  obtained  from  any  of  the  Universities  or  
Institutions mentioned in the Schedule; 
(m)  “Register”  means-the  register  of  Physiotherapists  
maintained by the Council under section 33; 
(n) “Registered practitioner” means a Physiotherapist whose  
name is entered and continues to remain on the register of  
the Council; 
(o) “Registrar” means the Registrar appointed under sub-
section (1) of section 13; 
(p)  “Regulations” means regulations made by the Council; 
(q)  “Rules” means rules made under this Act; 
(r)  “Schedule” means the Schedule appended to this Act; 
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(s)  “Vice  -President”  means  the  Vice-President  of  the  
Council. 
CHAPTER II
ANDHRA PRADESH STATE COUNCIL FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
3.  Constitution and Composition of Council – (1) The State Government  
shall, as soon as may, after the commencement of this Act, constitute a  
Council to be called the “Andhra Pradesh State Council for Physiotherapy”.  
(2) The Council shall consist of the following members, namely,-
(i) The Secretary to Government, Health, Medical and Family  
Welfare  Department  or  the  Director  of  Public  Health  &  
Family  Welfare,  as  may  be  nominated  by  the  State  
Government, ex-officio; 
(ii)  The Director, Medical Education; ex-officio; 
(iii) One member not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to  
Government,  Health  and  Family  Welfare  Department,  
dealing with the matters relating to Physiotherapy, to be  
nominated by the State Government; 
(iv) One member not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to  
Government, Finance Department, to be nominated by the  
State Government; 
(v) One member not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to  
Government, Law Department, to be nominated by the State  
Government; 
(vi) One member from the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council  
to be nominated by the State Government; 
(vii) Four members from Physiotherapists, to be elected from  
amongst the registered practitioners enrolled, in the register  
of Physiotherapists; 
(viii) Four Physiotherapists from recognized Physiotherapy  
teaching institutions, holding teaching posts, representing  
from Dr NTR University of Health Sciences., Vijayawada/  
Sri  Venkateswara  Institute  of  Medical  Sciences  (SVIMS),  
Tirupathi, to be nominated by the State Government;  
(ix)  Two  Physiotherapists,  to  be  nominated  by  the  State  
Government from the Government Institutions or Hospitals  
imparting physiotherapy education; 
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(x)  Two  Physiotherapists  to  be  nominated  by  the  State  
Government to represent such Physiotherapy. organizations  
which can represent the interests of Physiotherapy: 
       Provided that the election of the members referred to in  
clause (vii) shall be held at such place and in such manner  
as may be prescribed.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1),-
(i) in respect of the constitution of the Council for the first  
time  under  this  Act,  the  members  thereof  including  the  
President and the Vice-President as mentioned in section 6  
shall be nominated by the State Government from amongst  
persons qualified to be elected or nominated as members;  
and 
(ii) the members so nominated shall hold office  for such  
period not exceeding three years.
4. Incorporation of Council -  The Council shall be a body corporate by the  
name  of the   “Andhra  Pradesh State  Council  for  Physiotherapy”  having 
perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and  
dispose of property, both movable and immovable and shall by the said  
name sue and be sued; 
5. Objects of Council -The objects of the Council shall be as follows,-
(i)  to  coordinate  and  determine  the  standards  of  
Physiotherapy education at all levels; 
(ii)  to  regulate  the  practice  of  the  profession  by  persons 
possessing recognized Physiotherapy qualification; 
(iii) to maintain the register of Physiotherapists for the State  
of Andhra Pradesh; 
(iv)  to  advise  the  Government  in  matters  relating  to  the  
requirement of manpower in the field of Physiotherapy.
6. President and Vice-president of Council - (1) There shall be a President 
of the Council who shall be enrolled on the Register and shall be elected by  
the members of the Council from amongst themselves. He shall, subject to  
the provisions of this Act; hold office for a term of five years from the date he  
enters upon his office.
(2) There shall be a Vice-President of the Council who shall  
be enrolled on the Register and shall be elected by the members of the  
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Council-from amongst themselves. He shall, subject to the provisions of this  
Act, hold office for a term of five years from the date he enters upon his  
office.
(3) The President or the Vice-President shall, subject to the other  
provisions of this Act, be eligible for re-election.
7. Mode of Election -  Elections under this Chapter shall be conducted in  
the  prescribed  manner  and  where  any  dispute  arises  relating  to  such  
election, it shall be referred to the State Government whose decision shall be  
final.
8. Term of office and filling up of casual vacancies -  (1) Subject to the  
provisions of this section, an elected or nominated member shall hold office  
for a term of five years from the date of his election or nomination, as the  
case may be: 
Provided that the member nominated under section 3 shall hold office  
during the pleasure of the State Government.
(2) An elected or nominated member may, at any time, resign his  
membership by writing under his hand addressed to the President and the  
seat of such member shall, from the date on which such resignation is  
accepted by the President become vacant.
(3) An  elected  or  nominated  member  shall  be  deemed  to  have  
vacated his seat,-
(i) if he is absent without the permission of the Council from  
its  three  consecutive  ordinary  meetings  and  his  seat  is  
declared vacant by the Council; or 
(ii) in the case of a member whose name is required to be  
included in the  Register of Physiotherapists,  his name is  
removed from such Register; or 
(iii)  if he ceases to be a member of the Council; or 
(iv)  if  he  becomes  subject  to  any  of  the  disqualifications 
mentioned in section 9.
 (4) Any vacancy occurring in the office of any member, on account  
of any reason whatsoever, shall be filled by fresh election or nomination, as  
the case may be, and the person so elected or nominated shall hold office,  
subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) for the remaining term for which  
the member was elected or nominated, as the case may be.
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(5) If a vacancy occurs in the office of the President or the Vice-  
President, whether by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, it shall  
be filled by fresh election by and from amongst the members of the Council.
(6) A member of the Council shall be eligible for re-election or re-
nomination,  but,  no  member  shall  be  eligible  for  re-election  or  re-  
nomination, if, he has been a member continuously for a period of ten years.
(7) Where the said term of five years is about to expire in respect of  
any member, a successor may be elected or nominated at any time within  
three months before the said term expires but he shall not assume office  
until the said term has expired. 
9. Disqualifications - No person shall be a member of the Council, if,-
(i) he is, or becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared  
by a competent court; or 
(ii) he is or has been, convicted of any offence involving moral  
turpitude, which, in the opinion of the Government renders  
him unfit to be a member of the Council; 
(iii)  he  is  or  at  any  time  has  been  adjudicated  as  un  
discharged insolvent: or 
(iv) his name has been removed from the Register and has not 
been re-entered therein.
10. Meeting of Council - (1) The Council shall meet at least once in a year  
at such time and place as may be appointed by the Council:
Provided that the first meeting of the Council shall be held at such  
time and place as may be appointed by the President.
(2) One-third members of the total members of the Council shall form  
a quorum. When there is no quorum at a meeting, the presiding authority  
shall, after waiting for not less than thirty minutes for such quorum, adjourn  
the meeting for such hour or some future day as it may notify on the notice  
board at the office of the Council, and the business which would have been  
brought before the original meeting had there been a quorum thereat,  shall  
be  brought before the adjourned meeting and may be disposed of at such  
meeting or any subsequent adjournment thereof, whether there be a quorum  
or not. 
(3) At least fifteen clear days notice, in writing, along with agenda  
proposed to be considered at a meeting of the Council shall be given to the  
members for holding an ordinary meeting. The notice of meeting shall be  
served through registered post with acknowledgement due. 
         (4 ) The agenda of the meeting shall be settled by the Secretary in  
consultation with the President. 
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(5) An extra-ordinary meeting of the Council shall be convened if a  
requisition in writing by not less than one-fifth of the total members of the  
Council is made to the Secretary: 
Provided  that  at  least  seven  clear  days  notice  shall  be  given  for  
convening such meeting. 
Explanation:- The expression “clear days” in this section does not include  
the day of the issue and the day of the receipt of the notice.
11. Proceedings of Meeting -   (1) The proceedings of every meeting of the  
Council shall be treated as confidential and no person shall, without the  
previous resolution of the Council, disclose any portion thereof:
Provided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit any  
person from disclosing or publishing the text of any resolution adopted by  
the Council, unless the Council directs such resolution also to be treated as  
confidential.
(2) A copy of the proceedings of every meeting of the Council shall  
within fifteen days from the date of the meeting, be forwarded to the State  
Government or any other authority appointed by it on its behalf. 
12. Vacancies etc., not to invalidate proceedings of council - No act or  
proceedings of the Council shall be invalid merely by  reason if,-
(i) any vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of the  
Counci1; or 
(ii) any defect in the election or nomination of a person as a  
member of the Council; or 
(iii)  any  irregularity  in  the  procedure  of  the  Council  not 
affecting the merits of the case.
13. Appointment of Registrar, Deputy Registrar, officers and employees  
of Council -   (1) The Council shall, with the previous sanction of the State  
Government appoint the Registrar and the Deputy Registrar, who shall be  
qualified Physiotherapy graduates.
    (2) The Executive Committee may, from time to time, grant leave to  
the Registrar:
Provided that, if the period of leave does not exceed one month, the  
leave may be granted by the President.
(3) During any temporary vacancy in the office of the Registrar due  
to leave or any reason, the Deputy Registrar shall act as Registrar. In case of 
non availability of Registrar and Deputy Registrar, the Executive Committee  
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may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, appoint another  
person to act in his place and any person so appointed shall, for the period  
of such appointment, be deemed to be the Registrar for the purpose of  this  
Act:
      Provided that when the period of such vacancy does not exceed one  
month, the appointment may be made by the President, who shall forthwith  
report  such  appointment  to  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  State  
Government.
(4)   The Council shall adopt the Andhra Pradesh  Civil Services  
(Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991 mutatis mutandis,
  (5)  The  Council  may,  with  the  previous  sanction  of  the  State  
Government,  suspend,  dismiss  or  remove  any  person  appointed  as  
Registrar, or impose any other penalty upon him in the manner as may be  
prescribed.
  (6)  Save  as  otherwise  provided  by  this  Act,  the  salary  and  
allowances and other conditions of service of the Registrar shall be such as  
maybe prescribed.
    (7) The Registrar shall be the Secretary and the Executive officer of  
the  Council.  He  shall  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Council,  and  of  the  
Executive Committee, and shall keep minutes of the meetings and names of  
members present and of the proceedings of such meetings.
  (8) The accounts of the Council shall be kept by the Registrar in the  
prescribed manner.
  (9) The Registrar shall have such supervisory powers over the staff as 
may be prescribed, and may perform such other duties and discharge such  
other functions as may be specified in this Act, or as may be prescribed.
14.  Executive Committee and other Committees - (1) The Council shall  
constitute  from  among  its  members  an  Executive  Committee  and  other 
committees for such general or special purposes and for such tenure as the  
Council considers necessary for carrying out the functions under this Act.
      (2) The Executive Committee shall consist of the following, namely,-
(a) The President of the Council;
(b) the Vice-President of the Council; 
(c) Two members of the Council representing Physiotherapists,  
to be nominated by the President of the Council;
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(d) the  Director  of  Public  Health  and  Family  Welfare  of  the  
Government or his nominee;
(e) One  member  representing the  Medical  council  of  Andhra  
Pradesh
(3) The President and the Vice-President of the Council shall be the  
Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively of the Executive Committee.
(4) A member of the Executive Committee shall hold office as such  
until the expiry of his term of office as a member of the. Council but subject  
to his being a member of the Council; he shall be eligible for  renomination.
(5) A member may resign his membership of the Committee by  
writing under his hand addressed to the Chairman of the Committee and  
action shall be taken to fill that seat in the same manner in which that seat  
was filled in.
           (6) The  Executive  Committee  shall  exercise  and  discharge  such 
powers and duties as may be prescribed.
15. Equivalence and Registration Committee -  (1)  There  shall  be  an 
Equivalence and Registration Committee for the purpose of recommending  
the  recognition  of  degrees  granted  by  institutions  imparting  training  in  
Physiotherapy  and  to  consider  matters  relating  to  registration  of  
Physiotherapists. The recommendations of this committee shall be subject  
to approval by the Executive committee and the Council, unless otherwise  
provided in this Act.
   (2) The Vice-President shall be Chairman of such committee. There  
shall be five other members nominated by the President of the Council from  
amongst  the  members  of  the  Council,  representing,  educationists  and  
specialists in different branches of Physiotherapy.
CHAPTER III
FUNCTIONS OF COUNCIL
16. Prior permission for establishment of new Institutions, new course  
of study, etc. – (1) Not withstanding anything contained in this Act or any  
other law for the time being in force, with effect from the date as may be  
notified by the Government,-
(a) no person shall establish an institution; or
(b) no institution except with the previous permission of the  
State  Government  obtained  in  accordance  with  the  
provisions of this Section shall,- 
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(i)  open  a  new  or  higher  course  of  study  or  training  
including a postgraduate study or training which would  
enable a  student of such course or training to qualify  
himself  for  the  award  of  any recognized  Physiotherapy  
qualification; or 
(ii) increase its admission capacity in any course of study  
or training including a postgraduate studies;
Explanation - I:   For the purpose of this section “person” includes any  
University or a Trust or a Society or an Institution or a Company but does  
not include the Central Government or the State Government, 
Explanation - II:  For the purpose of this section “admission capacity” in  
relation to course of study or training (including post graduate course of  
study or training) in an institution means the maximum number of students  
that may be fixed by the Council from time to time for being admitted to  
such course or training. 
(2) (a) Every person or institution shall, for the purpose of obtaining  
permission under sub-section (1), submit to the Government a scheme in  
accordance with the provisions of clause (b) and the Government shall refer  
the scheme to the Council for its recommendations,
     (b)  The Scheme referred to in clause (a) shall be in such form and  
contain  such  particulars  and  be  preferred  in  such  manner  and  be  
accompanied with such fees as may be prescribed.
(3) On receipt of the scheme under sub-section (2), the Council may  
obtain such other particulars as may be considered necessary by it from the  
person or the institution concerned and thereafter it may,-
(a)  if  the  scheme  is  defective  and  does  not  contain  any  
necessary particulars, give a reasonable opportunity to the  
person  or  institution  concerned  for  making  a  written  
representation  and  it  shall  be  open  to  such  person  or  
institution  to  rectify  the  defects,  if  any,  specified  by  the 
Council; 
(b) Consider the scheme having regard to the factors referred 
to in sub-section (7) and submit the scheme together with  
its recommendations thereon to the State Government.
(4)  The  Government  may  after  considering  the  scheme  and  the  
recommendations of the Council under sub-section (3) and after obtaining  
where necessary such other particulars as may be considered necessary by  
it from the person or institution concerned, and having regard to the factors  
referred to in sub-section (7), either approve (with such conditions, if any, as  
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it may consider necessary), the scheme in which case such approval shall be  
deemed  to  a  permission  under  sub section  (1)  and  thereon  the  State  
Government may, by notification in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette, amend the  
Schedule so as to include the name of such person or institution, or reject  
the scheme:
Provided that no scheme shall be rejected by the Government except  
after giving the Person or Institution or Company concerned a reasonable  
opportunity of being heard:
Provided  further  that  nothing  in  this  sub-section  shall  prevent  any 
Person or Institution whose scheme has been rejected by the Government to  
submit a fresh scheme and the provisions of this Section shall apply to such  
scheme, as if such scheme has been submitted for the first time under sub-
section (2).  
(5)   Where within a period of one year from the date of submission of  
the scheme to the Government under sub-section (2), no order has been  
communicated to the person or institution submitting the scheme, it  shall be 
deemed to have been approved by the Government in the form in which it  
had  been  submitted  and  accordingly,  the  permission  of  the  Government  
required under sub-section (2) shall also be deemed to have been granted. 
(6)  In computing the time limit specified in sub-section (5), the time  
taken by the person or institution concerned for submitting the scheme, in  
furnishing any particulars called for by the Council, or by the Government,  
shall be excluded.
(7)  The Council, while making its recommendations under clause (b) of  
sub-section  (3)  and  the  Government  while  passing  an  order,  either  
approving  or  rejecting  the  scheme  under  sub-section  (4)  shall  give  due 
regard to the following factors, namely :-
(a)whether  the  proposed  institution  or  the  existing  
institution seeking to open, a new or higher course of study  
or training, would be in a position to offer the minimum  
standards of education as prescribed by the Council under  
section 24;
(b) whether  the  person  seeking  to  establish  an  
institution or the existing institution seeking to open a new  
or  higher  course  of  study  or  training  or  to  increase  its  
admission capacity has adequate financial resources;
(c) whether  necessary  facilities  in  respect  of  staff,  
equipments, accommodation, training and other facilities to  
ensure proper functioning of the institution or conducting  
the new courses of study or training or accommodating the  
increased admission capacity have been provided or would  
be provided within the time limit specified in the scheme;
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(d) whether any arrangement has been made or programme  
drawn to impart training to students likely to attend such  
institution or course of study or training by person having  
the recognized Physiotherapy qualifications;
(e) whether any arrangement has been made or programme  
drawn to meet the requirement of manpower in the field of  
practice of Physiotherapy; and
(f) such other factors as may be prescribed.
(8)   Where the State Government passes an order either approving or  
rejecting  the  scheme  under  this  Section,  a  copy  of  the  order  shall  be  
communicated to the Person or Institution, concerned.
17. Non-recognition of qualifications in certain cases -  (1) Where any  
institution is established except with the  previous permission of the State  
Government  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Section  16,  no  
Physiotherapy qualification granted to any student of such institution shall  
be considered as the recognized qualification for the purposes of this Act. 
 (2) Where any Institution opens a new or higher course of study or  
training (including a post-graduate course of study or training) except with  
the previous permission of the State Government in accordance with the  
provisions of Section 16, no qualification granted to any student of such  
Institution on the basis of such study or training shall be considered as the  
recognized qualification for the purposes of this Act.
 (3)  Where  any  Institution  increases its  admission  capacity in any  
course of study or training except with the previous permission of the State  
Government  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section  16,  no  
Physiotherapy qualification granted to any student of such institution on  
the basis of the increase in its admission capacity shall be recognized  
Physiotherapy qualification for the purpose of this Act.
Explanation:- For the purposes of this Section, the criteria for identifying a  
student who has been granted Physiotherapy qualification on the basis of  
such increase in the admission capacity shall be such as may be prescribed.
18. Time for seeking permission for certain existing institutions, etc, -  
(1)  If  before  the  commencement  of  this  Act,  any  person  has  
established an institution or any institution has opened a new or higher  
course of study or training or increased its admission capacity, such Person  
or Institution, as the case may be, shall seek within a period of one year from  
the commencement of this Act, the permission of the State Government in  
accordance with the provisions of Section 16.
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(2) If any Person or Institution, as the case may be, fails to seek the  
permission under sub-section (1), the provision of section 17 shall apply so  
far as may be as if the permission of the State Government under section 16  
has been refused.
19.  Recognition  of  qualification  granted by Universities,  etc; in the  
State for physiotherapy professionals -  (1) The qualifications granted by  
any University or other institutions in the State of Andhra Pradesh  which  
are  included  in  the  Schedule  shall  be  recognized  qualifications  for  
Physiotherapists.
(2) Any University or other Institution which grants qualification for  
the Physiotherapy professionals is not included in the Schedule may apply to  
the State Government to have such qualification recognized and the State  
Government may after consulting the Council, by notification in the Andhra  
Pradesh Gazette, amend the Schedule so as to include the name of such  
University or Institution.
20. Effect of Recognition -  (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any  
Physiotherapy   qualification  included  in  the  Schedule  shall  be  sufficient  
qualification  for enrollment in the Register of Physiotherapists.
(2) No person shall after the date of the commencement of this Act, be  
entitled to be enrolled in the Register of Physiotherapists, unless he holds a  
recognized qualification: 
Provided  that  any  person  who  has  immediately  before  the  
commencement  of  this  Act  become  entitled  to  be  enrolled  shall  on  an  
application made in this behalf before the expiry of one year from the said  
date be entitled to be enrolled:
Provided  further  that  where  there  is any dispute  as to whether  a  
person is so entitled to be enrolled, the matter shall be referred to the  
Equivalence and Registration Committee which shall consider the reference  
and make recommendation to the Executive Committee whose decision shall  
be final.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2),-
(a) a citizen of India holding a qualification which entitles him to  
be registered   with any Council of Physiotherapy in any  
foreign country, may with the   approval of the Council, be  
enrolled  as  a  Physiotherapist  subject  to  passing    the  
screening examination conducted by the Council from time  
to time.
(b) a person not being a citizen of India who is employed as a  
Physiotherapist   teacher in any hospital or institution in  
any State or Union Territory for the   purpose of teaching,  
17
research or charitable work, may with the approval of the  
President, be enrolled temporarily in the Register for such  
period as may    be specified in this behalf in the order  
issued by the President, subject to   passing the screening  
examination conducted by the Council from time to  time :
Provided  that the practice by such person  shall be  limited to the  
hospital or institution to which he is attached:
Provided further that no such enrollment under clause (a) or clause (b) 
shall be permitted unless the Council satisfies itself that person possesses  
the requisite knowledge and skill to practice Physiotherapy by   conducting a 
screening test or such other test or examination as may be prescribed.
21. Power to require information as to courses of study and training  
and examinations  -  Every University or Institution in Andhra Pradesh  
which  grants  any  recognized  qualification  or  a  recognized  higher  
qualification shall furnish such information as the Council may, from time  
to time require , as to the course of the study and training and examination  
to be undergone in order to obtain such qualification and generally as to  
requisites for obtaining such qualification.
22. Inspectors - (1) The Executive Committee may, subject to regulations, if  
any, appoint such number of Inspectors as it deems necessary to inspect  
any institution where education or training in Physiotherapy is given, or to  
attend any examination held for the purpose of granting any recognized  
qualification or recognized higher qualification.
(2) The Inspectors appointed under this Section shall not interfere  
with the course of any examination but they shall report to the Executive  
Committee; on the sufficiency of the standard of the examinations and the  
courses of study and training at every institution which they inspect and on  
any  other  matters  with  regard  to  which  the  Executive  Committee  may  
require them to report. 
(3) The Executive Committee, after consulting the Equivalence and  
Registration Committee, shall forward a copy of such report to the person or  
institution concerned and shall also forward such a copy with remarks, if  
any, to the State Government.
23. Withdrawal of recognition-  (1) When upon report by the Executive  
Committee, it appears to the Council that, -
(a) The courses of study and examination to be undergone to  
obtain  a  recognized  qualification  from  any  University  or  
Institution in the State or the conditions for admission to  
such courses or the standards of proficiency required from  
candidates at such examinations;
18
(b) The staff, equipment, accommodation and training provided  
in such University or Institution, are not in conformity with  
the  regulations  made  under  the  Act  or  fall  short  of  the  
standard prescribed by the Council, the Council shall make  
recommendation to that effect to the State Government.
(2) The State Government shall after considering such recommendation  
shall forward it, along with such remarks as it deems necessary, to the  
University or Institution with an intimation of the period within which the  
university or Institution may submit its explanation to the State Government
 
(3)  On  the  receipt  of  the  explanation  or  where  no  explanation  is  
submitted within the period fixed, then on the expiry of that period, the State  
Government may, after making such inquiry, if any, as it may think fit, by  
notification in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette, direct that an entry shall be  
made in the. Schedule against the names of the said University or Institution  
and  the  qualification  conferred  by  them  declaring  that  the  qualification  
conferred  by  the  said  University  or  Institution  shall  be  a  recognized  
qualification only when granted before a specified date.
24. Prescription of standards of education in Physiotherapy -  (1) The  
Council may prescribe by regulations the minimum Prescription of standards  
of education in Physiotherapy required for granting recognized qualification  
in  Andhra Pradesh.
(2) The  draft  regulations  and  all  subsequent  draft  amendments  
thereof  shall  be  sent  by  the  Council  to  the  State  Government  for  prior  
approval,
(3) In  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  
foregoing power, the regulations may provide for, -
(a) the nature, period of study and of practical training to be  
Undertaken before admission to an examination;  
(b) the equipments and facilities to be provided for students  
undergoing approved course of study; 
(c)  the  subjects  of  examinations  and  standards  to  be  
attained; 
(d) any other conditions of admissions to examinations.
(4) The  regulations  shall  be  published  in  the  Andhra  Pradesh  
Gazette and in such manner as the Council may direct. 
(5) The Executive Committee shall from time to time report to the  
Council on the efficacy of these regulations and may recommend to the  
Council for such amendments thereof as it may think fit
19
25. Renewal of registration -  Every  enrolment  of  a  person  as  a  
Physiotherapist made in the register shall remain in force for a period of five  
years and may be renewed from time to time for a period of five years on an  
application being made by him in such form and in such manner, within  
such period and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
26.  Professional  Conduct  -  (1)  The  Council  may  make  regulations  
prescribing the standards of professional conduct and etiquette and a code  
of ethics for conduct Physiotherapists.
(2)  The  regulations  made  under  sub-section (1)  may  specify  which  
violations  thereof  shall  constitute  professional  misconduct  and  such  
provisions shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any law  
for the time being in force.
(3) Whenever  the  Executive  Committee  after  such  enquiry  as  it  
thinks fit, recommends that the name of any person enrolled in the Register  
of Physiotherapists be removed there from, it shall report to the Council and  
the Council shall after such enquiry as it may deem fit, by order, direct the  
removal  of  the  name  of  such  person  from  the  said  Register  either  
permanently or for such period as may be specified in the order,
(4) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Council may prefer an  
appeal to the State Government in such form and manner, within such time  
and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
(4) On receipt of such appeal, the State Government may, after giving  
the person concerned an opportunity of being heard may pass such  
order as it deems fit which shall be final and binding.
 CHAPTER IV
FINANCE, ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND RETURN
27.  Payment  to  Council  -  The  State  Government  may,  after  due  
appropriation made by the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council by  
law in this behalf, pay to the Council in each financial year such sums as it  
may consider necessary for the performance of functions of the Council  
under this Act.
28.  Fund of council – (1) The Council shall have its own fund and all sums 
which may from time to time be paid to it by the State Government and all  
the  receipts  of  the  Council  (including  registration  fees  for  inspection  of 
institutions, and any sums received from any authority or person) shall be  
20
credited to the fund and all payments by the Council shall be made there  
from.
 (2) The surplus money, if any, of the fund shall be invested in the  
manner as may be prescribed and the money required for the administration 
of the Council shall be deposited in the nationalized banks.
(3) The  Council  may  spend  such  sums  as  it  thinks  fit  for  
performing  its  functions  under  this  Act,  and  such  shall  be  treated  as  
expenditure payable under this Act.
29. Budget -  The Council shall prepare, in such form and at such time each  
year as may be prescribed, a budget in respect of the next financial year  
showing the estimated receipts and expenditure and copy thereof shall be  
forwarded to the State Government.
30.  Annual report - The Council shall prepare once in every year, in such  
form and at such time as may be prescribed an annual report giving a true  
and full account of its activities during the previous year, and copy thereof  
shall be forwarded to the State Government.
31. Accounts and Audit -(1) The Council shall cause to be maintained such 
books of accounts and other books in relation to its accounts in such form  
and in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The accounts of the Council shall be audited by the Director of  
State Audit as per  the provisions of the  Andhra Pradesh Audit Act, 1989  
(A.P.Act No.9 of 1989).
(3) The accounts of the Council as certified by the  Auditor with the  
audit report shall be forwarded annually to the State Government and State  
Government shall cause the same, to be laid before the Legislative Assembly  
and Legislative Council.
32. Information to be furnished - The Council shall furnish reports, copies 
of its minutes, abstracts of its accounts and other information to the State  
Government as may be prescribed.
CHAPTER V
REGISTRATION
33.  Persons  entitled  to  registration  –  (1)  Every  person  possessing  the  
qualification as a  Physiotherapist mentioned in the Schedule, shall subject to  
the  provisions contained in this Act and on payment of such fees as may be  
Prescribed in this behalf, be entitled to have his name entered in the Register,  
subject to such conditions as the Council may prescribe.
        (2) Every person applying for registration as Physiotherapist shall in his  
application  make  a  declaration  that  he,  is  in  full  time  practice  of  
21
Physiotherapist  and  is  not  engaged  in  any  other  trade  or  business  or  
profession. He shall further undertake that if, after registration he takes up or  
is engaged in some other profession or business, he shall forthwith inform the  
Council of  such  service  or  employment  or  engagement  and shall  cease  to  
practice  as  Physiotherapist,  and  that  his  name  shall  be  deleted  from  the  
register.
       (3)  The  application of registration shall be  accompanied by all  
documents required to be produced as given in the prescribed form.
       (4)  The application for registration shall be submitted to the Secretary,  
who shall after scrutiny, place it before the Council in the next meeting for  
its recommendation.
       (5)  The Council may require any candidate to appear personally before  
it in support of any statement made by him in his application to furnish  
such other particulars as may be required.
       (6)  The Council shall consider such objections as may be raised  
against the registration of any person as Physiotherapist, and if necessary  
may call upon any person objecting to the registration.
     (7) After consideration of the contents of the application and objections, if 
any, if the Council is of the opinion that the person applying for registration  
is fit and proper person to be registered, it shall make an order granting the  
registration.
34. Withdrawal of application -  Where  a  person  who after  submitting  
application for registration,  applies for withdrawal or his registration is  
refused,  he  shall  be  refunded  the  application  fee  after  deducting  one  
hundred rupees towards administrative expenses.
35. Certificate of registration -  When the application for registration is  
granted, a certificate of registration shall be issued in the prescribed form.
36. Renewal of registration -Any person desirous of getting his registration 
renewed shall make an application to the Council in the prescribed form  
along with the prescribed fees.
37. Removal of names from Register -  The Council may, by order, remove 
from the register the name of any practitioner who has been convicted of a  
cognizable  offence  as  defined  under  the  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure,  
1973(Central Act No.2 of 1974), or has been found  guilty of professional  
misconduct after due enquiry.
38. Appeal against order of removal from Register - (l)  Where the name  
of any person has been removed from  the Register on any ground other  
than  that  he  is  not  possessed  of  the   requisite  qualification  for  being  
required as Physiotherapist, may appeal, in the prescribed manner and on  
22
payment of such fees, as may be prescribed, to the Government whose  
decision thereon shall be final.
        (2) No appeal under sub-section (1) shall be admitted, if it is filed  
after the expiry of a period of thirty days from the date of the order under  
section 37.
39. Rights and privileges of registered members - No  person,  other  
than  the  Physiotherapist  who  possesses   recognized  Physiotherapy  
qualifications and is enrolled on the Register of the Council,-
(a) shall hold office as Physiotherapist or any such office (by  
whatever  d

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