(1) The memorandum of appeal shall be presented by the appellant or his authorized agent to the State Commission in person or sent by registered post addressed to the State Commission.
(2) Each memorandum of appeal shall be accompanied by the certified copy of the order of the District Grievance Redressal Officer appealed against and such of the documents as may be required to support grounds of objection mentioned in the memorandum.
(3) When the appeal is presented after expiry of the period of limitation as specified in the Act, the memorandum shall be accompanied by an application supported by an affidavit setting forth the fact on which the appellant relies to satisfy the State Commission that he has sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of limitation.
(4) On the date of hearing or any other day to which hearing may be adjourned, it shall be obligatory for the parties or their authorized agents to appear before the State Commission.
If appellant or his authorized agent fails to appear on such date, the State Commission may, in its discretion, either dismiss the appeal or decide it on the merit of the case. If respondent or his authorized agents fails to appear on such date, the State Commission shall proceed ex-parte and shall decide the appeal ex-parte on the merits of the case.
(5) The appellant shall not, except by leave of the State Commission urge or be heard in support of any ground of objection not set forth in the memorandum but the State Commission, in deciding the appeal, shall not confine to the grounds of objection set forth in the memorandum or taken by the leave of the State Commission under this rule:
Provided that the commission shall not rest its decision on any other ground unless the party who may be affected thereby, has been given, at least one opportunity of being heard by the State Commission.