3. Central Authority for Mental Health Services.—(1) The Central Government shall establish an
Authority for mental health with such designation as it may deem fit.
(2) The Authority established under sub-section (1) shall be subject to the superintendence, direction
and control of the Central Government.
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(3) The Authority established under sub-section (1) shall—
(a) be in charge of regulation, development, direction and coordination with respect to Mental
Health Services under the Central Government and all other matters which, under this Act, are the
concern of the Central Government or any officer or authority subordinate to the Central
Government;
(b) supervise the psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric nursing homes and other Mental Health
Service Agencies (including places in which mentally ill persons may be kept or detained) under the
control of the Central Government;
(c) advise the Central Government on all matters relating to mental health; and
(d) discharge such other functions with respect to matters relating to mental health as the Central
Government may require.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section and section 4, “Mental Health Services” include, in
addition to psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric nursing homes, observation wards, day-care centers,
inpatient treatment in general hospitals, ambulatory treatment facilities and other facilities, convalescent
homes and half-way-homes for mentally ill persons.
4. State Authority for Mental Health Services.—(1) The State Government shall establish an
Authority for mental health with such designation as it may deem fit.
(2) The Authority established under sub-section (1) shall be subject to the superintendence, direction
and control of the State Government.
(3) The Authority established under sub-section (1) shall—
(a) be in charge of regulation, development and co-ordination with respect to Mental Health
Services under the State Government and all other matters which, under this Act, are the concern of
the State Government or any officer or authority subordinate to the State Government;
(b) supervise the psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric nursing homes and other Mental Health
Service Agencies (including places in which mentally ill persons may be kept or detained) under the
control of the State Government;
(c) advise the State Government on all matters relating to mental health; and
(d) discharge such other functions with respect to matters relating to mental health as the State
Government may require.