Section 9A. Adjudication of penalties.

1[9A. Adjudication of penalties.––For the purpose of adjudicating penalties under section 9, the Central Government, may appoint an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or a Secretary to the State Government as an adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry and imposing penalties in such manner as may be prescribed: Provided that the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may appoint as many adjudicating officers as may be required: Provided further that no such penalty shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.]