a competent authority; and

an appellate authority;

for such area as may be specified in the notification.

(2)

A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a competent authority unless he is holding, or has held, a judicial office, not lower in rank than that of a subordinate Judge.

(3)

A person shall not be qualified for appointment as an appellate authority unless he is holding, or has held, a judicial office, not lower in rank than that of a district Judge.

Explanation .-For the purpose of this section,-

(a) "district Judge " includes an additional district Judge;

(b) "subordinate Judge " means subordinate Judge in the judicial service of West Bengal, and includes any judicial officer (by whatever name called) of an equivalent rank in the judicial service of any other State.] [ Added by Act 41 of 1982, Section 7 (w.e.f. 15.5.1983). ]

(2)

For the disposal of an appeal under this Act, the appellate authority shall have the same powers (including the powers under sections 15 and 15-A), and shall, subject to the provisions of this section, perform as nearly as may be the same duties as are conferred or imposed by this Act on the competent authority in respect of the matters under Chapter III and Chapter IV.

(3)

The appellate authority may, if he thinks it expedient so to do, call in his aid one or more assessors and hear the appeal wholly or partly with the aid of such assessors.

(4)

For the purpose of determining the amount under any appeal before him, the appellate authority may, after making such further enquiry or after taking such additional evidence, as may be necessary, pass such order as he thinks fit, determining the amount, by confirming, modifying or annulling the order appealed against.

(5)

An order of the appellate authority determining the amount under this Act shall be final.