Power to compound offence.- The Government may, by notification, empower a

Tree Officer or Forest Officer not below the raank of Deputy Conservator of Forests-

1. (a) to compound any offence committed under this Act on payment of-
   • (i) a sum not exceeding rupees ten thousand by way of composition for the offence which such person is suspected to have committed, and
   • (ii) the value of timber and other produce, if any, from the respect of which the offence has been committed.
2. (b) to release any property seized or liable to confiscation, on payment of the value therof, as estimated by such officer and the amount determined as payable for composition of the offence, as ordered by the Tree Officer or any Forest Officer, as the case may be.

1. (2) On the payment of such sums or such value or both, as the case may be, to such