Insertion of new section 18A

After section 18 of the principal Act. the following new section shall be inserted, namely : - "18A.

1. (1) The Authority or any person authorised by the Authority by a general or special order in this behalf may, either before or after the institution of proceedings for any offence punishable under this Act, accept from any person charged with such offence a sum not exceeding ten thousand rupees by way of composition of the offence.
2. (2) On payment of such sum as may be determined by the Authority or, as the case may be, the person so authorised, no further proceedings shall be taken against the accused person in respect of the same offence.".