Provided that it shall be open to the prescribed authority to direct any party to appear in person whenever the prescribed authority considers it necessary.

Powers of the prescribed authority The prescribed authority shall have the powers which are vested in a court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), when trying a suit in respect of following matters:-

1. (a) discovery and inspection;
2. (b) enforcing the attendance of witnesses;
3. (c) requiring the deposit of their expenses;
4. (d) examining witnesses on oath;
5. (e) granting adjournments;
6. (f) reception of evidence taken on affidavit;
7. (g) issuing commission for the examination of witnesses; and
8. (h) compelling the production of documents; and may summon and examine suo moto any person whose evidence appears to it to be material; and shall be deemed to be a civil court within the meaning of sections 345

1. (1) and 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). Explanation .- For the purpose of enforcing the attendance of witnesses the local limits of the jurisdiction of the prescribed authority shall be the limits of the State of Himachal Pradesh.