Appointment of Financial Controller by the Minister

(1) Where the Minister, after considering the financial affairs of the Council, forms the opinion that its financial affairs are not being conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations, or that the financial position of the Council is such that it requires strengthened fiscal management and financial controls, he may, after consultation with the Council, appoint a financial controller to oversee the financial affairs of the Council and may direct that all disbursements from the Town Fund above such amount as he may prescribe shall be certified by such financial controller in order to be valid. (2) In every case where the Minister appoints a financial controller in pursuance of sub-section (1), he shall lay a report thereof on the table of the National Assembly at its next practicable sitting. (3) In every case where the approval or certification of the financial controller is required pursuant to sub-section (1), every person who makes or authorises a payment without such certification or approval, without prejudice to any civil liability which may be incurred in that behalf, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Lands