Chapter IV PENALTIES AND APPEAL

(1) A4y person may file a complaint in the manner as may be prescribed, before the Competent Authority in relation to non-compliance of the Act and in case of failure by the Competent Authority to redress the complaint, file an appeal to e State Commission. (2) Where aiy Competent Authority or his subordinate has without any reasonable cause, failed to comply with the provisions of this Act, within the period specified under sub-section (l and (2) of section 3, or has knowingly given incomplete, false or' misleading information, the State Commission may impose a penalty of upto Rs. 5,000, after giving such Competent Authority or his subordinate a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(1) The State Commission shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to the other provisions of this Act and of any rules thereunder, the State Commission shall have powers to regulate its own procedure including the place at which it shall hold its sittings. (2) The State Commission shall, while inquiring into any matter under this section, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely: - (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of documents or other electronic records; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; (e) reviewing its decisions; (g) dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex parte; (h) any other matter which may be prescribed.