(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 25, the Central Government may, in making any rule under section 10, section 11, section 12, section 13, section 14, or section 17, provide for imposition of penalty, not exceeding one crore rupees as may be prescribed, for the contravention of any rule.
(2) The Central Government may, by an order published in the Official Gazette, appoint such number of officers not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent, as it considers necessary, to be designated officers for adjudging penalty under sub-section (1), in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) The Central Government may, while appointing designated officers under sub-section (2), also specify their jurisdiction in that order.
(4) Where the designated officer is satisfied that any contravention of the provisions of the rules has been committed by any person, he may, by an order in writing, impose penalty on such person stating the nature of contravention, the provision of rules which has been contravened and the reasons for imposing such penalty:
Provided that the designated officer shall, before imposing any penalty, give an opportunity of being heard to such person:
Provided further that the designated officer shall not proceed for imposition of penalty under subsection (4), if an action under this Act other than the imposition of such penalty has been initiated for contravention of same provision on the same cause of action.