Giving opportunity before imposing penalty

Giving opportunity before imposing penalty.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, for imposing penalty under section 16, the Government may, by notification in the Gazette, designate an officer equivalent to the rank of the Joint Director in the Industries/Coir Department, who shall before taking steps to impose penalty, give an opportunity to the dealer to comply with the provisions of the said section by written direction laying down a time period not exceeding ninety days for such compliance and if the dealer complies with the above direction within the said period, then, no such proceedings shall be initiated against the dealer.