No pilgrim shall be received on board any pilgrim ship at any port or place in India unless he--
         (a) is in possession of a return ticket, or
         (b) has deposited with the officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government such sum for the purpose of defraying the cost of a return ticket as that Government may specify by notification in the Official Gazette:
     Provided that the authorised officer may exempt any pilgrim from all or any of the aforesaid requirements, if he is satisfied that it is inexpedient, in the special circumstances of the case, to enforce them.