7. Penalty.- (l)(a) Where the Appellate Authority is of the opinion that the Designated Public Servant has failed to provide service without sufficient and reasonable cause, then he/she may impose a lump sum penalty at the rate specified from time to time as prescribed in the rules framed under this Act from time to time. (b) Where the Appellate Authority is of the opinion that the Designated Public Servant has caused delay in providing the service, then he/she may impose a penalty at the rate specified from time to time and as prescribed in the rules framed under this Act from time to time for such delay on the Designated Public Servant: Provided that the Designated Public Servant shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him/her. (2) Where the Reviewing Authority is of the opinion that the Appellate Authority has failed to decide the appeal within the stipulated time limit without any sufficient and reasonable cause, then he/she may impose a penalty on Appellate Authority at the rate specified from time to time and as prescribed in the rules framed under this Act: Provided that the Appellate Authority shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard before any penalty is imposed on him/her. (3) The penalty as imposed under the above provisions of the Act shall be charged from the Designated Public Servant, Appellate Authority and concerned Subordinate staff as the case may be, and in the proportion to be decided by the Appellate or Reviewing Authority, as the case may be, and as prescribed in the Rules framed under this Act from time to time. (4) The penalty so imposed will be in addition to that prescribed in any other Act, rules, regulations and notifications already existing.
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