(1)  Any person aggrieved by the order passed by the adjudicating officer under section 35, may prefer an appeal to an officer not below the rank of Secretary to the State Government or the Union territory administration specially authorised by that Government or administration in this behalf, to be an appellate authority, within sixty days from the date of receipt of the order, in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be.

   (2)  An appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period of sixty days if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.

   (3)  The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as he may think fit.

   (4)  An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing of the appeal.