In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires.-
(a) “Election” means any election, by whatever means held under any law for the purpose of selecting members of Parliament or any Legislature, local authority or other public authority;
(b) “Public Duty” means a duty in the discharge of which the State, the public or the community at large has an interest;
Explanation,- In this clause “State” includes a Corporation established by or under a Central, Provincial or State Act, or an authority or a body owned or controlled or aided by the Government or a Government company as defined in Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);
(c) “ Public Servant “ means.-
(i) any person in the service or pay of the Government or remunerated by the Government by fees or commission for the performance of any public duty;
(ii) any person in the service or pay of a local authority ;
(iii)any person in the service or pay of a Corporation established by or under a Central , provincial or State Act, or an authority or a body owned or controlled or aided by the Government or a Government Company as defined in Section 617 of the Companies Act , 1956 (1 of 1956)
(iv) any judge, including any person empowered by Law to discharge, whether by himself or as a member of anybody of persons, any adjudicatory functions;
(v) any person authorized by a court of justice to perform any duty, in connection with the administration of justice, including a liquidator, receiver or commissioner appointed by such court.
(vi) any arbitrator or other person to whom, any cause or matter has been referred for decision or report by a court of justice or by a competent public authority.
(vii) any person who holds an office by virtue of which he is empowered to prepare , publish , maintain or revise an electoral roll or to conduct an election or part of an election;
(viii) any person who holds an office by virtue of which he is authorised or required to perform any public duty;
(ix) any person who is the president, Secretary or of other office bearer of a registered co-operative society engaged in agriculture, industry, trade or banking, receiving or having received any financial aid from the Central Government or a State Government or from any Corporation established by or under a Central, provincial or State Act, or any authority or body owned or controlled or aided by the Government or a Government Company as defined in Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);
(x) any person who is a Chairman, member or employee of any Service Commission or Board, by whatever name called, or a member of any selection committee appointed by such Commission or Board for the conduct of any examination or making any selection on behalf of such Commission or Board;
(xi) any person who is a Vice-Chancellor or member of any governing body , professor, reader, lecturer or any other teacher or employee, by whatever designation called, of any University and any person whose services have been availed of by a University or any other public authority in connection with holding or conducting examinations;
(xii) any person who is an office bearer or an employee of an educational, scientific, social , cultural or other institution, in whatever manner established, receiving or having received any financial assistance from the Central Government or any State Government or local or other public authority.
Explanation 1- persons falling under any of the above sub-clauses or public servants whether appointed by the Government or not.
Explanation 2- Wherever the words “Public Servant” occur, they shall be understood of every person who is in actual possession of the situation of a public servant, Whatever legal defect there may be in his right to hold that situation.