Power of Adjudicating Officer to hold inquiry

Power of Adjudicating Officer to hold inquiry.—

1. (1) The Adjudicating Officer shall, while holding an inquiry, follow such procedure as may be prescribed.
2. (2) The Adjudicating Officer shall, if he is satisfied that any owner or master of a fishing vessel has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or any order or notification issued thereunder, impose such penalty not exceeding rupees ten thousand, as he deems fit, and may also impose an additional penalty not exceeding the value of the fish taken in contravention of such provisions as may be prescribed: Provided that no order imposing a penalty under this section shall be made unless the owner or master of the fishing vessel has been given a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is proposed to impose a penalty and giving him a reasonable opportunity of making a representation in the matter.