(1)

There shall be for each area to be specified by the State Government in this behalf a special police officer appointed by or on behalf of that Government for dealing with offences under this Act in that area.

(2)

The special police officer shall not be below the rank of-

(a) an Assistant Commissioner of Police in the presidency towns of Madras and Calcutta;

(b) a Superintendent of Police in the presidency town of Bombay; and

(c) a Deputy Superintendent of Police elsewhere.

(3)

For the efficient discharge of his functions in relation to offences under this Act-

(a) the special police officer of an area shall be assisted by such number of subordinate police officers (including women police officers wherever practicable) as the State Government may think fit; and

(b) the State Government may associate with the special police officer a non-official advisory body consisting of not more than five leading social welfare workers of that area (including women social welfare workers wherever practicable) to advise him on questions of general importance regarding the working of this Act.