The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint an officer, who is holding or has held an office which in its opinion is not lower in rank than that of Deputy Collector or Civil Judge, to be the Competent Authority for performing the functions of such authority under this Chapter in such areas, or in respect of such premises or class of premises in any area, as may be specified in the notification; and more than one officer may be appointed as Competent Authority in the same area in respect of different premises or different classes of premises.
<span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>The State Government may, by notification in the <i>Official Gazette</i>, appoint an officer, who is holding or has held an office which in its opinion is not lower in rank than that of Deputy Collector or Civil Judge, to be the Competent Authority for performing the functions of such authority under this Chapter in such areas, or in respect of such premises or class of premises in any area, as may be specified in the notification; and more than one officer may be appointed as Competent Authority in the same area in respect of different premises or different classes of premises.<br>