(1) For the purpose of imposing penalty under section 17 of this Act, an officer as designated by the Government under section 17 A of this Act, shall impose the same as provided under this Act, after holding an enquiry in the manner as may be prescribed.
(2) While holding enquiry under sub-section (1), the officer shall have the power to summon and enforce attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to give evidence or to produce any document, which in the opinion of the officer, may be useful or relevant to the subject matter of the enquiry and if on such enquiry he is satisfied that the person has committed the offence, he shall impose such penalty as provided under this Act.
(3) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the officer under sub-section (2) may prefer an appeal in such form and in such manner with such fee, as may be prescribed, before the Appellate Authority within thirty days from the date on which such order is communicated to him:
Provided that the Appellate Authority may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if such authority is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.
(4) The Appellate Authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as he thinks fit, confirming, modifying or setting aside the order appealed against within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of the appeal.
(5) The amount of penalty received shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of the State.