12. Directions to be issued to local authorities who fail to maintain drains, canals &c. which they are required to maintain

Where any drain, canal, water course or swamp found within the administrative limits of a local authority which such authority is required to maintain in proper condition, is found to have become conducive to the breeding of mosquitoes due to the failure or negligence on the part of such local authority to maintain the same in such proper condition, the Competent Authority shall have the power to issue such directions as he may consider necessary or appropriate, to rectify such situation and prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

A local authority which fails to comply with any directions issued under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence under this Act, and any prosecution for such an offence instituted by the Competent Authority, shall be filed against the Chairman of such local authority or any other