¹[5A. (1) For the purpose of approval of the design and plan of an inland ship, the owner shall make an application in the prescribed form together with the design and plan of the ship to an authority empowered by the Government in this behalf. ²[(1A) The Government may prescribe fees for application and for approval of design by the competent authority.] (2) The authority receiving an application under sub-section (1) shall, -(a) if, on an examination, it is found that the design and plan conform to the prescribed specification or standard, issue a certificate of approval in the prescribed form ³[within 45 days of the receipt of the application ]; or(b) if it is found that the design and plan do not conform to the prescribed specification or standard, return the application to the owner stating the particulars in respect of which they do not so conform ⁴[within the period specified in clause (a)]:Provided that the return of an application shall not debar the owner from making such a fresh application after alteration or modification of the design and plan so as to conform to the prescribed specification or standard ⁵[and such applications shall be disposed of within 15 days from the date of receipt of the application].]