Jurisdiction to hear petitions

The Government may, by notification empower a Collector, a Chairman of the Debt Conciliation Board, appointed under the Jammu and Kashmir Debtors Relief Act, 1976 or a Judicial officer not below the rank of Subordinate Judge to act as the Tribunal under this Act and to hear and dispose of all petitions under this Act and may likewise determine the pecuniary and territorial jurisdiction of the officers so empowered. The Tribunal shall, while exercising powers under this Act, be deemed to be a Court.