Opportunity before imposing penalty

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, for imposing penalty under section 17, an officer equivalent to the rank of the Coir Project Officer in the Industries/Coir Department may be designated by the Government, by notification in the Gazette, who shall before taking steps to impose penalty, give an opportunity to the person concerned, to comply with the aforesaid relevant provisions by written direction laying down a time period not exceeding ninety days for such compliance and if the person complies with the direction within the said period, then, no such proceedings shall be initiated against him.