Hearing of appeal permits disposal on merits if appellant is absent, with restoration on proof of sufficient cause.

Rule 15 requires that the appellant be heard on the fixed or adjourned hearing day and that the Central Government may hear the Board or its authorised representative with the appellant entitled to reply. If the appellant does not appear, the Central Government may dispose of the appeal on merits, but if the appellant later shows sufficient cause for non-appearance the Central Government must set aside that order and restore the appeal.

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