(1) The Government may, by notification in the [Government Gazette], prescribe what fee shall be paid :––
(a) on any application, appeal or reference under this Act or any byelaw made thereunder to the Court of the District Judge ; and
(b) for the issue, in connection with any inquiry or proceedings before that Court under this Act or bye-laws, of any summons or other process :
Provided that the fee, if any prescribed under clause (a) shall not in cases in which the value of the claim or subject matter is capable of being estimated in money, exceed the fees liable for the time being under the provisions of the [Court Fees Act, Samvat 1977], in cases in which the amount of the claim or subject matter is of a like amount.
(2) The Government may, by like notification, determine the person by whom the fee, if any, prescribed under clause (a) of sub-section (1) shall be payable.
(3) No application, appeal or reference shall be received by the Court of the District Judge until the fee, if any, prescribed therefor under clause (a) of sub-section (1) has been paid :
Provided that the Court may in any case in which it thinks fit so to do––
(i) receive an application, appeal or reference made by or on behalf of a poor person ; and
(ii) issue process on behalf of any such person, without payment or on payment of part of the fees prescribed under this section.