(1) No employee's contribution shall be payable by or on behalf of an employee whose average daily wages 5-~[during a wage period are below 54[such wages as may be prescribed by the Central Government].

Explanation.-The average daily wages of an employee shall be calculated (in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government].
(2) Contribution (both the employer's contribution and the employee's contribution) shall be payable by the principal employer for each [wage period] [in respect of the whole or part of which wages are payable to the employee and not otherwise.]