Compounding of offences - The Board or the Secretary may, compound any offence punishable under this Act before their cognizance by the Court, on payment of a sum which may not be less than the minimum of the fine stipulated for such offence but may extend to the maximum of the fine stipulated for such offence by way of composition of the offence :

The Board or the Secretary may, compound any offence punishable under this Act before their cognizance by the Court, on payment of a sum which may not be less than the minimum of the fine stipulated for such offence but may extend to the maximum of the fine stipulated for such offence by way of composition of the offence : Provided that no such compounding shall be permitted in the case of a second or subsequent offence.