Appointment and powers of the Appellate Authority

(1) The State Government may, by notification, appoint any officer not below the rank of Collector as the Appellate Authority to exercise the powers conferred on it and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. (2) Any person aggrieved by an order passed or direction issued by the competent authority under this Act or the rules or bye-laws, may prefer an appeal, in such form and in such manner and accompanied by such fees, as may be prescribed, before the Appellate Authority, within thirty days from the date of such order or direction, as the case may be, within such further period as may be allowed by the Appellate Authority on sufficient grounds being shown. (3) The Appellate Authority may, after giving an opportunity to be heard to the parties, pass such order, as it deems fit, either confirming, modifying or setting aside the order or direction of the competent authority and the order of the Appellate Authority shall be final. (4) The appeal under this section shall, as far as possible, be disposed of by the Appellate Authority within a period of ninety days from the date of filing and if an appeal is not disposed of within the aforesaid period, the Appellate Authority shall record reasons therefor.