Time for appeal and powers of appellate authority

(1) No appeal under any provision of this Act shall be preferred after expiry of one month from the date on which the order, decision or direction appealed against, was received by the appellant: Provided that the appellate authority may, in its discretion allow further time not exceeding one month for preferring any such appeal if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal in time. (2) On receipt of any such appeal, the appellate authority shall, after -- (a) giving the parties an opportunity of making their representations, (b) making, if necessary, such inquiry as it deems fit, and (c) considering all the circumstances of the case, make such order as it deems just and equitable. (3) The appellate authority may, pending the exercise of its power, pass such interlocutory orders as it deems fit. (4) Every appeal under this Act shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible.