Section 10. Penalty.

(1)(a) If the First Appellate Authority is of the opinion that the Designated Officer has failed to provide public service without sufficient and reasonable cause, then he shall impose a penalty which shall not be less than rupees five hundred, but which may extend to rupees five thousand, or of such amount as may be revised by the State Government, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette. (b) If the Second Appellate Authority is also of the opinion that the Designated Officer has made default in providing the public service within the stipulated time limit without sufficient and reasonable cause, he may confirm or vary the penalty imposed by the First Appellate Authority, after recording reasons in writing : Provided that, the Designated Officer shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him by the First Appellate Authority or Second Appellate Authority. (2) If the Chief Commissioner or the Commissioner is of the opinion that the First Appellate Authority had repeatedly failed to decide the appeal within the specified time without any sufficient and reasonable cause, or unduly tried to protect the erring Designated Officer, then he shall impose a penalty on the First Appellate Authority which shall not be less than rupees five hundred, but which may extend to rupees five thousand, or of such amount as may be revised by the State Government, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette : Provided that, the First Appellate Authority shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him.