Chapter VII PENALTIES, COMPENSATION AND REWARDS

16.

1. (1) The Appellate Authority may impose a penalty against a Designated Officer and the concerned sub-ordinate staff responsible for rendering of service to which the applicant is entitled, or against a Grievance Redressal Officer, for acting in a mala fide manner or for having failed to discharge his duties without any sufficient and reasonable cause, which shall not be less than one thousand rupees and may extend up to ten thousand rupees, which shall be recovered from the salary of the official against whom penalty has been imposed: Provided that the concerned officer shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him under this section.
2. (2) On imposition of the penalty under sub-section (1), the Appellate Authority, as the case may be, may, by order, direct that such portion of the penalty imposed under sub-section
3. (1) shall be awarded to the appellant, as compensation, as it may deem fit: Provided that the amount of such compensation awarded shall not exceed the amount of penalty imposed under this section.
4. (3) If any public servant is found guilty under sub-section (1), the disciplinary authority shall initiate the disciplinary proceedings against such officer of the public authority, who, if proved to be guilty of a mala fide action in respect of any provision of this Act, shall be liable to such punishment as the disciplinary authority may decide.
5. (4) While passing an order or initiate the disciplinary proceedings under this section the Appellate Authority shall take into consideration whether the delay caused is unavoidable or the damage caused or suffered by the appellant is in spite of the best care taken by the public authority.

17. The Appellate Authority, wherever it deems fit, shall have the power to recommend departmental inquiry against any Designated Officer or Grievance Redressal Officer, who have repeatedly failed in due discharge of functions cast upon them under this Act.

18.

1. (1) The Appellate Authority shall formulate and implement a reward scheme with financial incentives and out-of-turn promotions for public authorities or their employees, who fulfill their duties better than the expected service level laid down in the Act.
2. (2) The financial incentives to be provided in sub-section
3. (1) shall be charged to the Consolidated Fund of the State.
4. (3) An order rewarding an officer under this section shall be attached to the Annual Confidential Report of the officer.