Default or delay on the part of the Designated Officer or his subordinate officer/Officials

(1) If the Appellate Authority is of the opinion that the Designated Officer and/or any other Official involved in the process of providing such service has/have failed to provide the public service without sufficient and reasonable cause, it shall impose a penalty on the said officer or Official, which shall not be less than Rs. 500, but which may extend upto Rs. 5,000, or of such amount, as may be revised by the Government, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette. (2) If the Appellate Authority is of the opinion that the Designated Officer and/or any other Official involved in the process of providing public service has/have caused undue delay in providing the service, it may impose a penalty on the said officer or official at the rate as may be notified by the Government from time to time: Provided that the Designated Officer and/or any other Official involved in the process of providing public service shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him/them by the Appellate Authority. (3) The Appellate Authority may, if it is satisfied that the Designated Officer and/or any other Official involved in the process of providing public service has/have repeatedly failed to discharge the duties assigned under this Act without sufficient and reasonable cause, recommend disciplinary action against the defaulters under the service rules applicable to them in addition to the penalty imposed under the preceding sub-sections.