(1) The Appellate Board may after giving both the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it think fit.

(2) The Appellate Board may, at any time within four calendar years from the date of order, with a view to rectify any mistake apparent in the record, rectify any order passed by it under sub-section (1), and may make such rectification if the mistake is brought to its notice by the dealer or the Assessing Officer:

Provided that no such rectification shall be made if it has the effect of enhancing an assessment or reducing a refund or otherwise increasing the liability of a dealer, unless the Appellate Board has been given notice to the dealer of its intention to do so and has allowed the dealer a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(3) On an application under sub-section (6) of Section 46, the Appellate Board may, after considering the merits of the application made by the dealer, pass an order of stay for a period of three hundred and sixty five days from the date of such order and the Appellate Board shall dispose of the appeal within the said period of stay specified in that order:

Provided that where such appeal is not so disposed off within the said period of stay as specified in the order of stay, the Appellate Board shall, on an application made in this behalf by the dealer and on being satisfied that the delay in disposing of the appeal is not attributable to the dealer, extend the stay for a maximum period of six calendar months at a time.

(4) The cost, if any, in an appeal shall be at the discretion of the Appellate Board.

(5) The Appellate Board shall send a copy of any order passed under this Section to the dealer and to the Commissioner.