Section Text
1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any person who, without the consent of the Central Government, communicates to any other person not being an authorised person, or obtains or attempts to obtain, any document, drawing, photograph, plan, model or other information whatsoever which to his knowledge describes, represents or illustrates-
(i) an existing or proposed plant used or proposed to be used for the purpose of producing or using atomic energy, or (ii) the purpose or method of operation of any such existing or pro- posed plant, or (iii) any process operated or proposed to be operated in any such existing or proposed plant, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act:
Provided that it shall not be such an offence to communicate informa- tion with respect to any plant of a type in use for purposes other than the production or use of atomic energy, unless the information discloses that plant of that type is used or proposed to be used for the production or use of atomic energy or research into any matters connected therewith.
Explanation.-la this sub-section "authorised person" means in rela- tion to information on any subject to which this sub-section applies, a person to whom, by virtue of a general authority granted by the Centia Government information on that subject may be communicated.
(2) The Central Government may, by order, grant exemption from this section in such classes of cases and to such extent and subject to such conditions, as may be specified in the order.
(3) Where any information has been made available to the general public otherwise than in contravention of this section, any subsequent communication of that information shall not constitute an offence under this Act.