(1) The Government may, by notification, appoint any officer as competent authority for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) The competent authority shall, for the purposes of section 3, issue caste identification certificate specifying the caste name of the Scheduled Caste, in such manner, as may be prescribed.
(3) The competent authority shall, for the purposes of this Act, exercise such powers and perform such functions, as may be prescribed.
(4) The competent authority shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Central Act 45 of 1860).
Certificate of identification.
6. A person belonging to the deprived Scheduled Castes shall, for the purposes of section 3, support his candidature by a certificate of caste identification issued by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of section 5.
Protection of action taken in good faith.
7. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the competent authority, officers of the Government for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.
Power to remove difficulties.
8. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of three years from the commencement of this Act.
Power to make rules.