Power to compound offences

(1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, empower any officer of the Fisheries Department not below the rank of Assistant Director of Fisheries,— (a) to accept the payment of an amount for compounding an offence from any person who is suspected to have committed an offence under this Act; and (b) to release any property which has been seized and liable to be forfeited, on payment of the cost thereof. (2) The officer compounding an offence may, if he thinks fit, order the cancellation of any licence or permit granted under this Act to the accused after giving him an opportunity of being heard. (3) The amount accepted or agreed to accept for compounding shall not on any ground exceed ten thousand rupees.