Authorised officer empowered to obtain information from persons

(1) For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act, any officer, not below the rank of a Tahsildar, authorised by the Government in this behalf (hereinafter in this section referred to as the authorised officer) may, by notice, require any person to furnish any information relating to the extent of land held by such person, the number of members of the family, if any, of such person, and such other particulars as may be prescribed. The person aforesaid shall furnish the information to such officer within such time as may be specified in the notice or within such further time not exceeding thirty days as the authorised officer may, in his discretion, allow. (2) (a) Where any person on whom notice under sub-section (1) has been served fails to furnish the information within the time specified in that notice or within the further time allowed by the authorised officer under sub-section (1), the authorised officer may obtain, in such manner as may be prescribed, the necessary information either by himself or through such agency as he thinks fit. (b) The authorised officer shall, as soon as may be after obtaining the information under clause (a), give to the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of making his representation and of adducing evidence, if any, in respect of such information and consider any such representation and evidence and pass such orders as he deems fit.