Penalty for obstructions, etc.

(1) Whoever obstructs any Inspector or Conciliation Officer in the discharge of his duties under this Act or refuses or wilfully neglects to afford any Inspector reasonable facilities for making an inspection, examination or inquiry authorised by or under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000, or with both. (2) Whoever wilfully refuses to produce on the demand of an Inspector any register or other document kept in pursuance of this Act or prevents or attempts to prevent or does anything which he has reason to believe is likely to prevent any person from appearing before, or being examined by, an Inspector acting in pursuance of his duties under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000, or with both. Whoever for the purpose of avoiding any payment to be made by him under this Act or under the Scheme or for entitling any other person to avoid such payment, knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement or false representation, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. If any question arises whether an agricultural worker is entitlted to become or continue as a member of the Fund or as regard* the date from which he is so entitled the question shall be referred to the Chief Executive or an officer authorised by the Board in this behalf whose decision threon shall be final: Provided that no such decision shall be taken unless all the concerned parties to the dispute have been given an opportunity'of being heard.