(1) The Government, may, by notification, appoint any officer of the Education Department, not below the rank of Chief Educational Officer, to be the competent authority for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder and different competent authorities may be appointed for different areas.
(2) The competent authority shall exercise such powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed.
Penalty
7. Every parent or guardian of a child of school age who fails to discharge his duty under section 4 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.
353 Cognizance of offences
8. No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act except on a complaint in writing made by an officer authorised by the Government in this behalf by general or special order.
Competent authority etc., to be public servants
9. The competent authority appointed under section 6 and the officer authorised under section 8 shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
Power of Government to give directions
10. The Government may, in the public interest, by order, direct the competent authority to make an enquiry or to take appropriate proceedings under this Act in any case specified in the order, and the competent authority shall report to the Government, the result of the enquiry made or the proceedings taken by him within such period as may be prescribed.
Protection of action taken in good faith
11. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Government or an officer of the Government, for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.
Power to make rules