31. Powers of competent authority.- The competent authority shall have all the powers of a civil court, while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (5 of 1908.) in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing& commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. | 