(1) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint the Protector General of Emigrants or any other officer of that Government of a rank higher than that of a Protector of Emigrants to be the authority (hereinafter referred to as the competent authority) for issuing permits under this Chapter.
     (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government may, by notification, authorise any person who is employed under that Government in any country or place outside India to exercise the powers of the competent authority, and issue permits under this Chapter to employers who are not citizens of India for the purpose of recruiting any citizen of India for employment in such country or place and a person so authorised shall endorse a duly certified copy of every permit issued by him under this Chapter to the Protector General of Emigrants.