Appointment of competent officer

(1) The Government and in the case of a local body, the local body concerned, shall appoint, by notification, an officer not below the rank of Deputy Secretary or its equivalent rank in the case of local body, to act as competent officer empowered to impose cost against the government servant defaulting or delaying the delivery of services in accordance with this Act. (2) The Government or the local body concerned, as the case may be, shall for the purpose of payment of cost, confer upon the competent officer the powers of drawing and disbursement officer in accordance with the law, procedure and rules as applicable.