Section 42 — Powers of the Appellate Authority and disposal of appeal

(1) No appeal against any order, decision or direction of the competent authority made under any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be entertained after the expiry of the period specified under section 41. (2) The appellate authority may at its discretion, allow further time not exceeding one month for preferring the appeal under section 41, if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal in time. (3) The appellate authority may, pending the exercise of its powers, pass such order as it deems fit. (4) On receipt of any such appeal, the appellate authority shall, after,- (i) giving the parties an opportunity of making representation; (ii) making, if necessary, such inquiry as it deems fit; and (iii) considering all the circumstances of the case, make such order as it deems just and equitable within a period of two months from the date of receipt of the appeal.