5. Limitations on relief under this Act

Any period excluded as a relief under section 2 of this Act shall not exceed a period of twelve months:

Provided that, a period exceeding twelve months may be excluded as a relief where the court, tribunal or any other authority established by or under any law is satisfied that it is just and equitable to do so and the period so excluded shall not exceed a period of further six months:

Provided further, that the period excluded as a relief shall not exceed eighteen months in the aggregate.