(1) In every plantation there shall be provided and maintained so as to be readily available such medical facilities for the workers ¹[and their families] as may be prescribed by the State Government.
     (2) If in any plantation medical facilities are not provided and maintained as required by sub-section (1) the ²[State Government upon a request by the chief inspector] may cause to be provided and maintained therein such medical facilities, and recover the cost thereof from the defaulting employer.
     (3) For the purposes of such recovery the chief inspector may certify the costs to be recovered to the collector, who may recover the amount as an arrear of land-revenue.
                                                    STATE AMENDMENT
    Kerala
    Amendment of section 10.--In section 10 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (Central Act 69 of 1951), after sub-section (1), the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely:--
    “Explanation.--For the purpose of this section, “family”, when used in relation to a worker, means--
        (i) his or her spouse;
        (ii) mentally retarded children, minor legitimate or adopted son, unmarried legitimate or adopted daughter of the worker dependent upon him or her, and includes the parents of the worker dependent upon him or her.”.
    [Vide Kerala Act 1 of 1999, s. 2.]