(I) The Chief Inspector or any Inspector may make such examination and inquiries as hev thinks fit in order to ascertain whether the provisions of this Ordihance or of any rules and orders made thereunder are being complied['"with.
(2) The Chief Inspector or any Inspector may, with such assistahfo if any, as he thinks fit, enter, inspect and examine at any time by day or night any coal,mine in respect of which assistance is being, or has been, given under this OrdinanceT I5.""t5Wtei ttr-asceitain the amount of sand or other materials used in stowing in the rnine"*or*"t<y ensure that stowing or any other operation towards which assistance may be granted under this Ordinance, has been, or is being, done effectively:
Provided that the power conferred by this sub-section shall not be exercised in such a manner as unreasonably to impede or obstruct the working of the mine.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 19 of the Indian Mines Act, 1923 (IV of 1923), the Chief Inspector or any inspector may, by order in writing addressed to the owner, agent or manager of a coal mine, require him to take such protective measures, including stowing, in the mine as the Chief Inspector or the Inspector may think necessary, if in the opinion of the Chief Inspector or Inspector—
(a) the extraction or reduction of pillars in any part of the mine is likely to cause the crushing of pillars or the premature collapse of any part of the workings or otherwise endanger human life or the mine, or
(b) adequate provision against the outbreak of fire or flooding has not been made by providing for the sealing off and isolation of any pact of the mine or for restricting the area that might be affected by fire.or flooding, as the case may be.
(4) The powers conferred on the Inspector under sub-sections
(1), (2) and (3) may also be exercised by such officers of the Board suitably qualified in this behalf as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.