Section 23. Adjudication, Compounding, and Appeal

1[(1) Any contravention of this Act or rules or orders made thereunder shall be subject to a penalty imposed by the Cane Commissioner appointed under Section 9 or an officer designated under Section 10, based on an inquiry conducted by an Inspector under Section 22A. (2) The Cane Commissioner or an officer designated under Section 10 may, on application by the person liable for a penalty, compound the contravention by levying a composition fee not exceeding fifty percent of the penalty imposed under Section 22, subject to procedures prescribed by the State Government. (3) Any person aggrieved by the imposition of a penalty or compounding decision may appeal to the Sugar Commissioner appointed under Section 9 or an appellate authority designated by the State Government within thirty days, in such form and manner as may be prescribed.]