(1)

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 110, for the purpose of imposing penalty under sub-section (3) of section 12 or sections 94, 96, 97, 99, 106 and sub-section (3) of section 114, the appropriate Government may appoint any officer not below the rank of Under Secretary to the Government of India or an officer of equivalent rank in the State Government, as the case may be, for holding enquiry in such manner, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(2)

While holding the enquiry, the officer referred to in sub-section (1) 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 such officer, may be useful for or relevant to the subject-matter of the enquiry and if, on such enquiry, he is satisfied that the person has committed any offence under the provisions referred to in sub-section (1), he may impose such penalty as he thinks fit in accordance with the provisions of that sub-section.

(3)

Any person aggrieved by an order made by the officer under sub-section (2) may prefer an appeal, in such form and manner and accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed, to the appellate authority to be appointed by the appropriate Government from amongst officers not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India or an officer of equivalent rank in the State Government, as the case may be, within sixty days from the date on which the copy of the order made by the officer referred in sub-section (1) is received by the aggrieved person.

(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 appeal.

(5)

Where a person fails to pay the penalty so imposed within a period of ninety days from the date of receipt of the copy of the order, he shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees but which may extend up to two lakh rupees.

(6)

The amount of penalty imposed and received under this section shall be credited to the fund established under sub-section (1) of section 115.