Which of the following matters can be challenged before the Hearing Officer?

Under the PERA Act 2024, the scope of matters that can be challenged before the Hearing Officer is clearly defined. The Act provides that an offender or affected party may contest fines, confiscations, or sealing orders issued under enforcement provisions. These actions are considered enforcement penalties, and to ensure fairness, the law allows them to be reviewed through representation before the Hearing Officer.

This legal framework is important because it creates a check on enforcement powers. Without such a provision, penalties like confiscation of goods, sealing of premises, or the imposition of fines could be arbitrary or excessive. By allowing affected individuals or businesses to appeal to the Hearing Officer, the Act ensures that due process is followed.

The Hearing Officer’s role is not to handle every administrative or government matter, such as appointments of officers, provincial tax disputes, or land acquisition cases, which fall under separate laws and jurisdictions. Instead, their role is focused specifically on enforcement-related disputes under the PERA Act 2024.

Once the offender files a representation within the 30-day period, the Hearing Officer examines the case, hears both parties, and may forward a reference for final decision by the Chairperson of the Board or the Authority, depending on the nature of the case.