(1) Where the second appellate authority is of the opinion that the Public Grievance Redressal Officer or any other public authority or the first appellate authority has failed to give an opportunity of hearing and redressal within the stipulated time limit without any sufficient and reasonable cause, it may impose on him a penalty which shall not be less than five hundred rupees but not more than five thousand rupees:
Provided that before imposing any penalty under this sub section, the person on whom penalty is proposed to be imposed shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(2) The penalty imposed by the second appellate authority under sub-section (1) shall be recoverable from the salary of the Public Grievance Redressal Officer or any other public authority or the first appellate authority.
(3) The second appellate authority, if it is satisfied that the Public Grievance Redressal Officer or any other public authority or the first appellate authority has failed to discharge the duties assigned to him under this Act, without assigning sufficient and reasonable cause, may recommend action against him under the service rules applicable to him.