Inquiries into claims and awards thereupon.

(1) The Deputy Commissioner shall- (a) fix a date for inquiring into all claims made under section 8 and may in his discretion, from time to time, adjourn the inquiry to a date to be fixed by him; (b) record in writing all statements made under section 8; (c) inquire into all claims duly preferred under section 8; and (d) make and award upon such claim, setting out therein the nature and extent of the right claimed, the person or persons making such claim, the extent, if any, to which, and the person or persons in whose favour, the right established, the extent to which it is to be restricted or prohibited and the nature and amount of the compensation, if any, awarded. (2) For the purposes of every such inquiry the Deputy Commissioner may exercise all or any of the powers of a civil court in the trial of suits under the Code of Civil Procedure (5 of 1908). (3) The Deputy Commissioner shall announce his award to such persons interested, or their representatives, as are present and shall record the acceptance of those who accept it. To such as are not present, the Deputy Commissioner shall cause immediate notice of his award to be given.