(1) If any person, ---
(a) acts in contravention of the prohibition or restriction contained in any notification issued under section 3; or
(b) acts in contravention of the direction contained in a notice issued under sub-section (1) of section 5, or fails to render assistance, having been called upon to do so by notice issued under the said sub-section; or
(c) obstructs the entry of the Inspecting Officer under section 7 or sub-section
(2) of section 9; or
(d) obstructs the carrying out of the preventive or remedial measures under sub-section (1) of section 8 or sub-section (2) of section 9, he shall be punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to fifty rupees, and for the second or subsequent offence, with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.
(2) If a person is convicted under this section for the contravention of the prohibition or restriction contained in any notification issued under section 3, the plant or soil or manure in respect of which such contravention has been made may be forfeited to the Government of Puducherry.
Cognizance of offence
12. No magistrate shall take cognizance of an offence under this act except upon a complaint made by an Inspecting Officer.
411 Obligation of certain officers to report plant diseases, plant pests, etc
13. All village officers and such other officers as may be specified in the rules made under this Act, of the village or villages adjoining an affected area shall forthwith report the existence within the village or villages of any plant disease, plant pest, plant parasite or noxious weed of the nature specified in the notification issued under section 3 in respect of the said area, to the competent authority, which shall, after making such enquiry as it may deem fit, make a further report to the Government.
Bar of suits and other legal proceedings
14. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Government, the competent authority or any other officer of the Government of Puducherry in respect of anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this Act, or for any damage caused by any action taken in good faith in carrying out the provision of this Act.
Delegation of powers
15. The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate to any officer all or any of the powers conferred on it by this Act, except the power to make rules under section 16, and any power so delegated shall be exercised by that officer subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in the notification.
Power to make rules