Section 38. Appointment of competent authorities.

The Government may by notification in the *[Government Gazette], appoint an officer who holds or has held office, which in its opinion is not lower in rank than that of an Assistant Commissioner or an Executive Engineer, to be the competent authority for performing the functions of the competent authority under this Act in such area or in respect of such premises or class of premises, as may be specified in the notification, and more than one officer may be appointed as competent authority in the same area in respect of different premises or classes of premises.