Section 30Adjudicating officer for imposition of penalty, appeal and procedure therefor

The principal officer shall be the adjudicating officer for the purposes of imposing penalty under [sections 16, 18 and] sections 21 to 25.

Any person aggrieved by the order of the principal officer imposing the penalty under sub-section (1) may, within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of such order, prefer an appeal before the Director-General in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

The Director-General shall dispose of an appeal referred to in sub-section (2) within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of such appeal.

No order shall be passed under this section unless the parties have been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Any penalty imposed under sections 21 to 25 may be compounded for the first contravention by an officer designated by the Central Government by notification in this behalf.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if a penalty imposed by the principal officer or the Director-General under this Chapter is not deposited, the amount shall be recovered as an arrear of land revenue.