23 Competent
authority.
269B. 24(1) The Central Government
may, by general or special order published in the Official Gazette,—
(a) authorise as many 25[ 26[Joint] Commissioners], as
it thinks fit, to perform the functions of a competent authority under this
Chapter ; and
(b) define the local limits within which the
competent authorities shall perform their functions under this Chapter.
(2) In respect of any
function to be performed by a competent authority under any provision of this
Chapter in relation to any immovable property referred to in section 269C, the competent authority referred to
therein shall,—
(a) in a case where such property is situate
within the local limits of the jurisdiction of only one competent authority, be
such competent authority ;
(b) in a case where such property is situate
within the local limits of the jurisdiction of two or more competent
authorities, be the competent authority empowered to perform such functions in
relation to such property in accordance with rules made in this behalf by the
Board under section 295.
27[Explanation.—For the purposes of this
sub-section, immovable property, being rights of the nature referred to in
clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 269AB in, or with respect to, any building
or part of a building which has been constructed or which is to be constructed
shall be deemed to be situate at the place where the building has been
constructed or is to be constructed.]
(3) No person shall be
entitled to call in question the jurisdiction of a competent authority in
respect of any immovable property after the expiry of thirty days from the date
on which such competent authority initiates proceedings under section 269D for the acquisition of such property.
(4) Subject to the
provisions of sub-section (3), where the jurisdiction of a competent authority
is questioned, the competent authority shall, if satisfied with the correctness
of the claim, by order in writing, determine the question accordingly and if he
is not so satisfied, he shall refer the question to the Board and the Board
shall, by order in writing, determine the question.
