(1) The functioning of the Adjudicating Officer and the Designated Appeals Committee shall, as far as possible, be digital by design and they shall function as digital offices and deploy such techno-legal measures as may be prescribed, to enable online process for their functioning.

   (2)  The Adjudicating Officer and Designated Appeals Committee shall have the same powers as a civil court, and all proceedings before it shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the meaning of section 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).