Penalty

(1) The Adjudicating Officer shall, after the inquiry under sub-section (2) of section 30, decide whether there has been contravention of any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or any order issued thereunder or the regulations of the directory, and any person found guilty by the Adjudicating Officer,--- (a) if the value of such fish seed is Rs. 1,000 or less, shall be liable to pay a fine not exceeding Rs. 5,000; (b) if the value of such fish seed is more than Rs. 1,000, shall be liable to pay a fine not exceeding five times the value of the fish seed; (c) in the event of a second offence or if such person has been found guilty of an offence under this Act before, shall be liable to pay a fine not less than Rs. 10,000 provided that it may extend up to Rs. 2,50,000; (d) in the event of committing an offence after a second offence, if that is a breeder or fish seed farm or agency or company, the name of such breeder or fish seed farm or agency or company shall be included in the blacklist in the prescribed manner. (2) In addition to any penalty imposed under sub-section (1) for contravention of any provision of the register or directory, the Adjudicating Officer may, as the case may be, direct that such registration or directory be cancelled or suspended for such period as he deems fit.