Adjudication

Adjudication.-(1) The Government may, by notification, authorise an officer of the Fisheries Department not below the rank of Deputy Director, having jurisdiction over that district, as Adjudicating Officer for exercising the powers and performing the functions given under this Act.

1. (2) The Adjudicating Officer shall, on receipt of a report from the Inspecting officer under sub-section
2. (5) of section 25, hold an enquiry into the matters mentioned in the report if necessary in the manner as may be prescribed, after giving all the parties concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
3. (3) On an action taken under sub-section (2), if the adjudicating officer is satisfied that a person has contravened the provisions of sections 13 or 18 or the fish handled was stale or contain germs or added chemical or toxic substance or of substandard quality, that person shall be subjected to fine and action under section 29 of this Act.