Penalty for non-submission of return and evasion of Tax

(1) If the Commissioner, in the course of any proceeding under this Act, is satisfied that any dealer— (a) has, without reasonable cause, failed to furnish the return which he was required to furnish under section 7 or section 10 or has, without reasonable cause, failed to furnish it within the time allowed and in the manner required, or (b) has, without reasonable cause, failed to comply with a notice under sub-section (2) of section 8; or (c) has concealed the particulars of taxable goods purchased or deliberately furnished inaccurate particulars of such purchase or (d) has evaded in any way the liability to pay tax, he may direct that such dealer shall pay by way of penalty, in addition to the tax payable by him, a sum not exceeding one and half of that amount but which shall not be less than 10% of that amount. (2) No order under sub-section (1) shall be made unless the dealer has been heard or has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (3) The penalty payable under this section shall be paid by such date as may be specified in the notice of demand and, where no such date is specified, it shall be paid within thirty days of the service of the notice.