24. Powers of Settlement Officer.-

The Settlement Officer shall have all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or for local investigation; (e) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed.