(1) The Government may issue to theAuthority such general or special directions in writing in the matters of policy involving public interest and the Authonry shall be bound to lollow and act upon such direction.
(2) ll any question arises as to whether any such direction. relates to a matter of policy involving public interest, the decision o{ the Government thereon shall be linal.
24. The Chairperson, members, officers and other employees of the Authority shall be deemed, when acting or purposing to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Acl or rules or regulations made thereunder, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 ol the lndian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
25. No Suit, Prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Government or the Authority or any off icer or other employees ol the Authority for anything done or purported to have been done in good laith in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or rules or regulations made thereunder.
26. Whoever fails to comply with any order or direclion given under this Act, within such lime as may be specified in the said order or direction or contravenes or attempts lo contravene or abets the contravention of any of the provisions of thisAct or any rules or regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with imprisonment for terms which may extend to six months orwith fine, which may extend to ten times ol the annual water charges or, with both in respect of each offence.
27. ('1 ) Where an offence under this Act has been comrnitted by a company , every person who at the time, when the off ence tJas committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be !iable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
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Provided that, nothing contained in this subsection shall render any such person liable to any punishment under this Act il he proves that the otfence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1) where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved thatthe offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officerof the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty ol that otfence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation, - For the purposes of this section,-
(a) 'tompany" means a body corporate and includes firm association of persons or body ol individuals whether incorporated or not.
(b) "directof', in relation to firm, means a partner in the lirm, and in relation to any associatlon of persons or body of individuals, means any member controlling the affairs thereof .