LexThe West Bengal Finance Act, 2006
West Bengal · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this actRI)Ikata pate Extraordinary Published by Authority Registered No. WB/SC-247 No. WB(Part-III)/2006/SAR-6 the SRAVANA 9] MONDAY, JULY 31, 2006 [SAKA 1928 PART III—Acts of the West Bengal Legislature. GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL LAW DEPARTMENT Legislative NOTIFICATION No. 947-L.-31st July, 2006.—The following Act of the West Bengal Legislature, having been assented to by the Governor, is hereby published for general information:— West Bengal Act XVIII of 2006 THE WEST BENGAL FINANCE ACT, 2006. [Passed by the West Bengal Legislature.] [Assent of the Governor was first published in the Kolkata Gazette, Extraordinary, of the 31st July, 2006.] • An Act to amend the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, in its application to West Bengal, the Bengal Amusements Tax Act, 1922, the Bengal Agricultural Income-tax Act, 1944, the West Bengal Entertainments and Luxuries (Hotels and Restaurants) Tax Act, 1972, the West Bengal State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1979, the West Bengal Entertainment-cum-Amusement Tax Act, 1982, the West Bengal Sales Tax Act, 1994, the West Bengal Sales Tax (Settlement of Dispute) Act, 1999, the West Bengal State Tax on Consumption or Use of Goods Act, 2001, the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Fund Act, 2002, and the West Bengal Value Added Tax Act, 2003. 3r 3 1 1 A 2 THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. Short title and commencement. Application and amendment of Act 2 of 1899. Amendment of Ben. Act V of 1922. (Sections 1-3.) WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, in its application to West Bengal, the Bengal Amusements Tax Act, 1922, the Bengal Agricultural Income-tax Act, 1944, the West Bengal Entertainments and Luxuries (Hotels and Restaurants) Tax Act, 1972, the West Bengal State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1979, the West Bengal Entertainment-cum-Amusement Tax Act, 1982, the West Bengal Sales Tax Act, 1994, the West Bengal Sales Tax (Settlement of Dispute) Act, 1999, the West Bengal State Tax on Consumption or Use of Goods Act, 2001, the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Fund Act, 2002 and the West Bengal Value Added Tax Act, 2003, for the purposes and in the manner hereinafter appearing; It is hereby enacted in the Fifty-seventh Year of the Republic of India, by the Legislature of West Bengal, as follows:- 1. (1) This Act may be called the West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (2) Save as otherwise provided, it shall come into force on such date, or shall be deemed to have come into force on such date, as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act. 2. (1) The Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) shall, in its application to West Bengal, be amended for the purpose and in the manner hereinafter provided. (2) In Schedule IA to the principal Act, in article 23, in the column under the heading "Proper Stamp-duty",— (a) in clause (a), for the words "eight per centum", the words "six per centum" shall be substituted; (b) in clause (b), for the words "eight per centum", the words "six per centum" shall be substituted; (c) in clause (c), for the words "six per centum", the words "five per centum" shall be substituted. 3. In the Bengal Amusements Tax Act, 1922,— (1) in section 8A,— (a) for sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be substituted:— "(2) If no return is submitted under section 4 by a proprietor in relation to a cinematograph exhibition or if the return submitted by such proprietor appears to the prescribed authority to be incorrect or incomplete, he shall, after giving such proprietor a reasonable opportunity of being heard and after making such enquiry as he considers necessary, assess to the best of his judgement the amount of entertainments tax, surcharge or additional surcharge payable under this Act by such proprietor and where such proprietor fails to submit the return within such date as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act, or the date as specified in the arrangement approved by the State Government, or has wilfully furnished incorrect particulars in the return submitted, as the case may be, the prescribed authority may, if he is satisfied that there is no reasonable cause for the default or for furnishing incorrect information in the return, direct such proprietor to pay by way of penalty in addition to the amount of entertainments tax, surcharge or additional surcharge so assessed a 2 of 1899. Ben. Act V of 1922. Ben. Act IV of 1944. West Ben. Act XXI of 1972. West Ben. Act VI of 1979. West Ben. Act VI of 1982. West Ben. Act XLIX of 1994. West Ben. Act IV of 1999. West Ben. Act XV of 2001. West Ben. Act XXI of 2002. West Ben. Act XXXVII of 2003. PART III] THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 3 The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 3.) sum not exceeding double the amount of entertainments tax, within the date specified in a notice issued in this behalf by the prescribed authority."; (b) for sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be substituted:— "(3) Where— (a) any proprietor in relation to any entertainment, other than horse racing and cinematograph exhibition, has not obtained any prior permission from the prescribed authority before holding any entertainment, or (b) any proprietor referred to in clause (a), or any proprietor in relation to a pool game or bowling game or sports and games held in an amusement park, theme park or water games park, as the case may be, has not furnished any particulars to the prescribed authority as required under the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, or (c) upon enquiry or information received, the prescribed authority has reasons to believe that— (i) the proprietor referred to in clause (a) has furnished incorrect particulars at the time of obtaining permission from the prescribed authority to hold any entertainment referred to in this sub- section, or (ii) the proprietor in relation to a pool game or bowling game or sports and games held in an amusement park, theme park or water games park, has furnished any particulars required under the provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder which are incorrect or incomplete, the prescribed authority shall, in such manner as may be prescribed, proceed to assess to the best of his judgement the amount of entertainments tax payable by such proprietor after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard, and after giving credit for the security furnished under section 4 of the Act, if any, direct such proprietor to pay the amount of tax so assessed in such manner, and within such date, as may be prescribed: `Provided that where the proprietor in relation to pool game or bowling game or sports and games held in an amusement park, theme park or water games park fails to submit the particulars within such date as may be prescribed or wilfully furnishes incorrect particulars and where the prescribed authority is satisfied that there is no reasonable cause for the default, or for furnishing the incorrect particulars, the prescribed authority may direct such proprietor to pay by way of penalty in addition to the amount of entertainments tax so assessed, a sum not exceeding the amount of entertainments tax, which shall be paid within the date specified in a notice issued in this behalf by the prescribed authority."; (2) to section 8C, the following Explanation shall be added:— `Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, the expression "total amount invested", in respect of making a new multiplex theatre complex or converting an existing cinema hall into a new multiplex theatre complex, shall mean any amount paid by the proprietor— (a) for purchasing or developing land for the construction of the multiplex theatre complex and in case, the land so purchased is utilised 4 THE KOLKATA GAZE I 1E, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 3.) for building any commercial or industrial or residential unit in addition to the multiplex theatre complex, proportionate value of land actually utilised for the construction of the multiplex theatre complex including the proportionate share of land required to be kept vacant as per existing building rules of the municipality where such multiplex theatre complex is situated; or (b) for defraying the cost of construction of the building in which the multiplex theatre complex is situated along with the amount paid towards the cost of construction of the space utilised for setting up of other multi-entertainment activities and facilities as notified by the State Government in the Official Gazette in accordance with the provision of clause (5a) of section 2 of the Act and owned by the proprietor; or (c) where the land and/or building in which the multiplex theatre complex is situated have been taken under a lease agreement for a period of not less than thirty-three years, for premium paid, for the purpose of setting up the multiplex theatre complex; or (d) for purchasing materials and equipments necessary to set up a multiplex theatre complex including cost of computer hardware and software; or (e) for purchasing materials and equipments necessary to set up other multi-entertainment activities and facilities as notified by the State Government in the Official Gazette in accordance with the provision of clause (5a) of section 2 of the Act.'; (3) in section 11E,— (a) for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted:— "(1) Any proprietor, in relation to an entertainment, may prefer an appeal against any order of assessment under section 8A or any other order made under the Act, within thirty days from the receipt of a notice of demand or order in respect thereof, or such further period as may be allowed by the said authority for cause shown to his satisfaction, to such authority, and in such manner, as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act: Provided that no appeal shall be entertained by the said authority unless it is satisfied that such amount of entertainments tax, surcharge or additional surcharge as the appellant may admit to be due from him, has been paid."; (b) for sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be substituted:— "(2) Subject to such procedures as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act, the appellate authority in disposing of any appeal under sub-section (1), may confirm, cancel or modify any order of assessment under section 8A or any other order made under the Act."; (c) for sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be substituted:— "(3) Subject to the rules as may be made under this Act, in respect of any assessment made or order passed by the prescribed authority, the prescribed authority may, upon application made within thirty days from the date of receipt of demand notice or order, or on PART HI] THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 5 The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Sections 4, 5.) its own motion, within four years from the date of such assessment or order and after giving the proprietor an opportunity of being heard, review such assessment or order passed under the Act."; (4) after section 11E, the following sections shall be inserted:— "Second appeal to 1 lEA. Any proprietor, in relation to an entertainment, Commissioner of Entertainments if aggrieved by an order made under the Act by the Tax. appellate authority, may, in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act, prefer an appeal to the Commissioner of Entertainments Tax against such order within thirty days from the date of communication of the order or such further period as may be allowed by the said authority for cause shown to his satisfaction. Suo motu revision 11EB. The Commissioner of Entertainments Tax by Commissioner of Entertainments may, on his own motion, call for the record of any Tax. proceedings under this Act in which an order has been passed by an authority subordinate to him and after making such enquiry, may revise the order so passed or may pass such order as he thinks fit: Provided that the Commissioner of Entertainments Tax shall not pass an order under this section, which is prejudicial to the interest of the proprietor without giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard: Provided further that the Commissioner of Entertainments Tax shall not, on his own motion, revise an order under this section after expiry of three years from the date of the order sought to be revised."; in section 20A, in sub-section (1), for the words "two per centum", the words "one per centum" shall be substituted; (6) in section 20B, in sub-section (1), for the words "two per centum", the words "one per centum" shall be substituted. (5) Amendment of Ben. Act IV of 1944. Amendment of West Ben. Act XXI of 1972. 4. In the Bengal Agricultural Income-tax Act, 1944,— (1) in section 26C, for the words "two per centum", the words "one per centum" shall be substituted; (2) in section 26D, in sub-section (1), for the words "two per centum", the words "one per centum" shall be substituted; in section 26E, in sub-section (1), for the words "two per centum", the words "one per centum" shall be substituted; (4) in section 44, in sub-section (la), for the words "two per centum", the words "one per centum" shall be substituted. 5. In the West Bengal Entertainments and Luxuries (Hotels and Restaurants) Tax Act, 1972,— (1) in section 3, in sub-section (1), for the words "which is provided with luxury,", the words "which is provided with luxury, or within the premises of such hotel or restaurant," shall be substituted; (2) in section 4,— (a) for clause (a), the following clause shall be substituted:— "(a) in the case of a restaurant situated— (i) within the area of Kolkata as described in Schedule I to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, at the rate West Ben. Act LIX of 1980. (3) 6 THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. Amendment of West Ben. Act VI of 1979. (Section 6.) of an annual sum of rupees two thousand for every ten square metres or part thereof, (ii) within the area of Kolkata Metropolitan Planning Area as described in the First Schedule to the West Bengal Town and Country (Planning and Development) Act, 1979, excluding the area as mentioned in sub-clause (i), at the rate of an annual sum of rupees one thousand and five hundred for every ten square metres or part thereof, (iii) within the area of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Asansol Municipal Corporation and Durgapur Municipal Corporation, as mentiond in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation Act, 1990, the Asansol Municipal Corporation Act, 1990 and the Durgapur Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, respectively, at the rate of an annual sum of rupees one thousand for every ten square metres or part thereof, (iv) within any area not included in the area as mentioned in sub-clause (i), sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iii), at the rate of an annual sum of rupees five hundred for every ten square metres or part thereof, in respect of so much of the floor area of restaurant which is provided with luxury, and"; (b) second proviso shall be omitted. 6. In the West Bengal State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1979,— (1) in section 5, in sub-section (6), for the words "not exceeding rupees twenty for each English calendar month of delay in case of an employer and not exceeding rupees ten for each English calendar month of delay in the case of others", the words "a sum of rupees five hundred for delay of each twelve English calendar months or part thereof, in case of an employer and a sum of rupees one hundred for delay of each twelve English calendar months or part thereof, in the case of others" shall be substituted; (2) in section 7, in sub-section (4a),— (a) for the words "after the expiry of six years", the words "after the expiry of two years" shall be substituted; (b) in the first proviso, for the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2006:", the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2007:" shall be deemed to have been substituted with effect from the 1st day of January, 2006; (c) after the first proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted:— "Provided further that the assessment in respect of any of the years or parts of the years ending within the period commencing from the 1st day of April, 2000 and ending on the 31st day of March, 2006, shall, notwithstanding the provisions of this section, be made on or before the 31st day of March, 2008."; (3) in section 7A,— (a) in sub-section (1),— (i) for the words "year and if it appears to the Commissioner from the returns furnished by each of such employers that the amount West Ben. Act XIII of 1979. West Ben. Act XXX of 1990. West Ben. Act XXXI of 1990. West Ben. Act LIII of 1994. PART III] THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 7 The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 6.) of tax paid by each of such employers for such year does not exceed three thousand rupees", the word "year," shall be substituted; (ii) for the proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted:— "Provided that the provision of this sub-section shall not apply to any registered employer,— (a) if the assessment of tax payable by such registered employer has not been made for at least one year in the last seven successive years immediately preceding the year for such selection, or (b) if he fails to comply with the requirement of sub- section (1), or sub-section (2), of section 15, or (c) if any accounts, registers or other documents have been seized under section 17 from him during the period of three years immediately preceding the year of such selection."; (b) in sub-section (2), for the words, figure and brackets "that the amount of tax paid by each of such employers of the class referred to in sub- section (1) for all the periods of a year does not exceed three thousand rupees and each of them is eligible for selection", the words, figure and brackets "that each of the employers of the class referred to in sub-section (1) is eligible for selection" shall be substituted; (4) in section 8, in sub-section (2), for the words "paid by him before", the words "paid by him on or before" shall be deemed to have been substituted with effect from the 1st day of April, 2005; after section 8, the following section shall be inserted:— "Option to make 8A. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub- payment of tax for future period by section (2) of section 8, any person who is duly enrolled person. enrolled or who gets himself enrolled under clause (c) of sub-section (4) of section 5 on or before the 31st day of March, 2007, and who has paid the tax in respect of the year commencing from the 1st day of April, 2006 and ending on the 31st day of March, 2007, by the 31st day of March, 2007 along with interest payable thereon under sub-section (3), or sub-section (3a), as the case may be, of section 9, may, at his option, pay tax at a time for a block of four successive years commencing from the 1st day of April, 2007 and ending on the 31st day of March, 2011, on or before the 31st day of March, 2007, at the rate applicable to him in respect of the year commencing from the 1st day of April, 2006 and ending on the 31st day of March, 2007: Provided that where there is subsequent enhancement in the rate of tax after the 31st day of March, 2007, an enrolled person who has already paid the tax at a time for four years at his option under this section, prior to such change in the rate, shall not be liable to pay such enhanced amount of tax along with interest payable under the Act: Provided further that nothing in this section shall apply to an enrolled person who makes such payment after the 31st day of March, 2007."; (6) in section 15, after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted:— "(1a) Every registered employer other than an officer of Government and any educational institution run by Government, who has paid or is (5) THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 7.) liable to pay tax equal to or more than thirty thousand rupees in a year, shall, within seven months from the closing of such year, submit before the prescribed authority a certificate in the prescribed manner from a qualified practising Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant or Company Secretary to the effect that such registered employer has complied with the requirement of the provisions of this Act and has discharged his liability towards payment of tax in respect of such year."; (7) in section 19, in sub-section (1), for clause (a), the following clause shall be substituted:— "(a) fails to comply with the requirement under sub-section (1), or sub- section (2), of section 5, or furnishes any incorrect information in a return under sub-section (1) of section 6, or". Amendment of West Ben. Act VI of 1982. 7. In the West Bengal Entertainment-cum-Amusement Tax Act, 1982,— (1) after section 5B, the following sections shall be inserted:— "Interest payable SBA. (1) Where a cable operator registered under by cable operator registered under this Act fails to make full payment of tax payable this Act and under section 5B within the prescribed date, he shall pay determination thereof. a simple interest at the rate of one per centum for each month of default from the first day of such month next following the prescribed date upto the month preceding the month of full payment of such tax, or upto the month prior to the month of assessment in respect of the period under section 5C of this Act, whichever is earlier, upon so much of the amount of tax payable by him according to the return, where such return has been furnished, or according to such assessment, where such return has not been furnished, as remains unpaid at the end of such month of default. (2) Where a cable operator registered under this Act fails to make payment of tax payable within the date fixed by the prescribed authority after the assessment made under section 5C, he shall pay a simple interest at the rate of one per centum for each month of default from the first day of the month next following the date specified in the demand notice upto the month prior to the month of full payment of such tax or upto the month preceding the month of commencement of proceedings under section 9, whichever is earlier, upon so much of the amount of tax payable by him according to such demand notice as remains unpaid at the end of such month of default. (3) A cable operator liable to pay interest under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of this section, as the case may be, shall, in the prescribed manner, pay into a Government Treasury through treasury link bank or the Reserve Bank of India the amount of interest payable by, or due from, him by such date as may be prescribed. (4) Where as a result of an order passed under section 10, the amount of tax payable is modified, the interest payable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of this section, shall be determined or re-determined on the basis of such modified amount and the excess interest paid, if any, shall be refunded. (5) Where the prescribed authority is satisfied that any cable operator is liable to pay interest under this section, such authority shall, in such manner as may be prescribed, determine the amount of interest payable by such cable operator. PART III] THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 9 The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 8.) Interest payable by prescribed authority. 5BB. The prescribed authority shall, in the prescribed manner, pay a simple interest at the rate of one per centum for each month of delay in making refund of tax paid in excess which arises out of an order passed under section 5C or section 10, from the first day of such month next following the date of passing of such order upto the month preceding the month in which the refund is made, upon the amount of tax refundable to the cable operator according to such order. Rounding off tax 5BC. In calculating the interest payable under section payable for calculation of 5BB, the amount of tax in respect of which such interest interest. is to be calculated, shall be rounded off to the nearest multiple of rupees ten and for this purpose, where such amount is less than rupees five, it shall be ignored."; (2) after section 8, the following section shall be inserted:— "Seizure. 8A. If the prescribed authority or such other authority as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, has reason to believe, upon information or otherwise, that any cable operator liable to pay tax under sub-section (4a) of section 4A— (a) fails to get himself registered under this Act within the prescribed period; or (b) fails to submit a return to the prescribed authority under section 5B for each month showing his gross receipt and the amount of tax payable thereon in such manner, and within such time, as may be prescribed; or (c) is evading any tax or is attempting to evade payment of any tax, or has failed to deposit any tax, as the case may be, he may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, seize such accounts, registers or documents, including those in the form of electronic record, or any computer or other electronic equipment of such cable operator, as may be necessary and shall grant such cable operator, a receipt for such accounts, registers or documents, including those in the form of electronic record, or any computer or electronic equipment seized by him and shall retain all or any of them only for such period as may be necessary for examination thereof or for prosecution or for any other purpose of this Act: Provided that any officer as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint to assist the prescribed authority, shall not retain any of the accounts, registers or documents, including those in the form of electronic record, or any computer or electronic equipment, seized under this section for a period exceeding one year from the date of the seizure unless he states the reason, in writing, therefor and obtains sanction of the prescribed authority in writing in respect thereof". Amendment of West Ben. Act XLIX of 1994. 8. In the West Bengal Sales Tax Act, 1994,— (1) after section 8, the following sections shall be inserted:— `Establishment of 8A. (1) The State Government may, by notification, West Bengal Sales establish a Commission to be known as the West Bengal Tax Settlement Commission. Sales Tax Settlement Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Settlement Commission") to discharge the function assigned to it under the Act. 10 THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 8.) (2) The Settlement Commission shall consist of not less than three members. (3) No person shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the Settlement Commission unless— (a) he is an Additional Commissioner or a Special Commissioner; or (b) he has been, prior to his retirement on superannuation from the service of the State Government, an Additional Commissioner or a Special Commissioner. (4) A member of the Settlement Commission shall hold office for a term of two years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of sixty-two years, whichever is earlier. (5) The other terms and conditions of appointment, salary or allowances payable to a member shall be such as may be prescribed. (6) A member of the Settlement Commission shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal 45 of 1860. Code. (7) The Settlement Commission shall sit in the bench of three members at such place, and discharge its functions in such manner, as may be prescribed. Filing of application 8B. (1) A dealer who intends to make an application to Settlement for settlement of any case to the Settlement Commission, Commission. shall— (a) in case of any pending case, within one hundred and twenty days from the date of coming into force of this section; or (b) in any other case, within one hundred and twenty days from the date of receipt of notice of demand, the date of commencement of proceedings under section 88 or the date of registration of a dealer as a sick unit, as the case may be, apply, in such form, and in such manner, as may be prescribed: Provided that an appeal, which has been preferred after the expiry of the period prescribed for filing of such appeal, shall not be taken into consideration for the purpose of this section: Provided further that the appropriate appellate and revisional authority shall not proceed with such case till disposal of the application by the Settlement Commission or till it stands rejected under the provisions of section 8C. (2) The dealer shall, in his application, state the terms and conditions on which he is willing to settle the case. Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, "case" means— (a) an appeal under section 79, or a revision under section 80, section 81 or section 82, against an order of assessment passed on or before the 30th day of June, 1996, pending till the date of coming into force of this section; (b) any proceedings arising out of an offence alleged to have been committed under section 88; (c) a notice of demand served to a dealer for realisation of tax, interest or penalty, if any, on an assessment which is inconsistent with an assessment made earlier under the Act due to application of different rate of tax in respect of any goods or non-admissibility of a claim of such dealer in respect of this assessment, in spite of the fact that no amendment in the provisions of, or no addition, alteration or modification in the Schedule to, the Act has been made during the period of such earlier assessment and this assessment or in spite of the fact that a particular practice or procedure has been followed by the dealer in respect of such earlier assessment; PART III] THE KOLKATA GAZE 11E, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 11 The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 8.) (d) a notice of demand served to a dealer for realisation of tax, interest or penalty, if any, on an assessment made under the Act, where the dealer claims by producing verifiable documents that the rate of tax made applicable in respect of any goods in such assessment is different from the rate of tax applicable in respect of such goods under the normal trade practice; (e) a notice of demand served to a dealer for realisation of tax, interest or penalty, if any, on an assessment made under the Act, where such amount of tax, interest or penalty, if any, remains unrealised on the date of its registration as a sick unit with the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction. Proceedings 8C. (1) On receipt of the application under before Settlement Commission. section 8B, the Settlement Commission shall give an opportunity of hearing to the dealer making such application. (2) After hearing the dealer concerned, the Settlement Commission shall refer the matter to the Commissioner for obtaining his views thereon. (3) Where the Commissioner on the reference of the application under sub-section (2) for his views, finds that such application is not a fit case for settlement by the Settlement Commission, the Settlement Commission shall prima facie, reject such application based on such findings of the Commissioner. (4) Where the Commissioner on the reference of the application under sub-section (2) for his views, agrees to the terms and conditions of the dealer, the Settlement Commission shall prepare a report, in writing, in respect of such terms and conditions of settlement. (5) The Settlement Commission shall, after preparing the report under sub-section (4), forward it to the State Government for approval, and upon approval of such report by the State Government, the Settlement Commission shall settle the case, on payment by the dealer concerned of such sum as may be determined by it and in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) The Settlement Commission shall settle the case within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the application and, in case the dealer and the Commissioner cannot agree to the terms and conditions of settlement, the application shall stand rejected at the expiry of the period of such three months. (7) The provision of section 86 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the Settlement Commission. Bar on further 8D. Upon settlement of the case by the Settlement proceedings in Commission under section 8C,— respect of case settled by (a) the demand involved in the case shall be deemed to Settlement Commission. have been fully satisfied and the pending case or cases shall not be proceeded with any further; or (b) no proceedings by way of review or revision shall be taken in respect of such case; or (c) the proceedings as referred to in clause (b) of Explanation to section 8B shall not be further proceeded with.' ; (2) in section 17, in sub-section (5), in clause (a), for the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 1997", the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2006" shall be substituted; in section 37, in sub-section (3), in the proviso, for the words "within twelve months from the date on which the tax or excess tax, as the case may be, is paid", the words "within twelve months from the date on which the tax or excess tax, as the case may be, is paid or such further period as may be allowed by the Commissioner" shall be substituted; (3) 12 THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 8.) (4) in section 43A, in the proviso, in clause (ii), for the words "the Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries, Government of West Bengal", the words "the Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries, Government of West Bengal or with the Directorate of Tourism, Government of West Bengal" shall be substituted; (5) in section 46A,— (a) in sub-section (1),— (i) for the words, figures and letters "on or before the 30th day of June, 1999", the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2005" shall be substituted; (ii) for the words, figures and letters "on the 31st day of December, 1999", the words, figures and letters "on the 1st day of July, 2006" shall be substituted; (b) in sub-section (3), for the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2001", the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of January, 2007" shall be substituted; (c) in sub-section (4), for clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted:— "(b) where a dealer has furnished a declaration as referred to in sub- section (3) on or before the 31st day of January, 2007, he may, if necessary, furnish such declaration again on or before the 31st day of March, 2007 and if such dealer finds that on the basis of declaration furnished by him on or before the 31st day of March, 2007, an amount of tax or interest has been paid by him in excess of what was payable by him in respect of any return period relating to any year falling within the eligible period, and bring it to the notice of the Commissioner by making an application to him on or before the 30th day of September, 2007,"; (6) in section 79,— (a) in sub-section (1), for the words "appeal to the prescribed authority", the words, figures and brackets "appeal to the Commissioner, the Special Commissioner, the Additional Commissioner or any person appointed under sub-section (1) of section 6 to assist the Commissoiner as may be prescribed to exercise the power under this section" shall be substituted; (b) in sub-section (2), for clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted:— "(b) consider and decide any matter arising out of the proceedings in which the order appealed against was passed, irrespective of the fact that such matter has not been raised before it by the appellant or that no order has been made in the said proceedings regarding such matter for any reason whatsoever;"; (7) section 81 shall be renumbered as sub-section (1) of that section and after sub-section (1) so renumbered, the following sub-section shall be inserted:— "(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Commissioner may, upon application filed during the period commencing from the 1st day of July, 2006 and ending on the 30th day of June, 2008, revise a final appellate or revisional order from an order of assessment."; (8) in section 82, after sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be inserted:— "(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no application shall be filed before the Appellate and Revisional Board during the period commencing from the 1st day of July, 2006 and ending on the 30th day of June, 2008, against any final appellate or revisional order from an order of assessment."; (9) in Schedule VIII, in the entry in column (3) against serial No. 2 in column (1), for the word "twenty-five", the word "thirty" shall be substituted. PART III] THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 13 Amendment of West Ben. Act IV of 1999. Amendment of West Ben. Act XV of 2001. The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Sections 9, 10.) 9. In the West Bengal Sales Tax (Settlement of Dispute) Act, 1999,— (1) in section 2, in sub-section (1), in clause (a), for the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of March, 2003", the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of August, 2006" shall be substituted; (2) in section 4, in sub-section (1), for the words, figures and letters "an appeal or revision relating thereto is pending on the 31st day of March, 2003", the words, figures and letters "an appeal or revision relating thereto which has been filed on or after the 1st day of April, 2003 but is pending on the 31st day of August, 2006" shall be substituted; (3) in section 4A,— (a) in sub-section (1), for the words, figures and letters "on the 31st day of March, 2003", the words, figures and letters "on the 31st day of August, 2006" shall be substituted; (b) in sub-section (1), in the second proviso,— (i) for the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of December, 2003", the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of January, 2007" shall be substituted, and (ii) for the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of March, 2003", the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of August, 2006" shall be substituted; (4) in section 5, in sub-section (1), in clause (a), for the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of December, 2003", the words, figures and letters "the 31st day of January, 2007" shall be substituted; (5) in section 7, in sub-section (1), for clause (a), the following clause shall be substituted:— "(a) where the dispute relates to any arrear tax in dispute,— (i) at the rate of forty per centum of the arrear tax in dispute or the actual amount paid in respect of such arrear tax in dispute, whichever is higher, if the application under section 5 is made on or before the 31st day of October, 2006; or (ii) at the rate of forty-two per centum of the arrear tax in dispute or the actual amount paid in respect of such arrear tax in dispute, whichever is higher, if the application under section 5 is made after the 31st day of October, 2006, but on or before the 30th day of November, 2006; or (iii) at the rate of forty-four per centum of the arrear tax in dispute or the actual amount paid in respect of such arrear tax in dispute, whichever is higher, if the application under section 5 is made after the 30th day of November, 2006, but on or before the 31st day of December, 2006; or (iv) at the rate of forty-six per centum of the arrear tax in dispute or the actual amount paid in respect of such arrear tax in dispute, whichever is higher, if the application under section 5 is made after the 31st day of December, 2006, but on or before the 31st day of January, 2007; or". 10. In the West Bengal State Tax on Consumption or Use of Goods Act, 2001, in the Schedule, after serial No. 28 and the entries relating thereto, the following serial Nos. and the entries relating thereto shall be added:— "29. EDC machine. 30. Telecommunication and transmission apparatus. 31. Currency processing machine (counting). 32. All types of cameras.". 14 THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 [PART III Amendment of West Ben. Act XXI of 2002. Amendment of West Ben. Act XXXVII of 2003. The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Sections 11, 12.) 11. In the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Fund Act, 2002, in section 4, in sub-section (1), in clause (b),- (1) after sub-clause (viii), the following sub-clauses shall be inserted:- "(ix) Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, (x) Essar Oil Limited, (xi) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation."; (2) for the words, letters and brackets "to sub-clause (viii)", the words, letters and brackets "to sub-clause (xi)" shall be substituted; (3) in item (A), for the words, letters and brackets "to sub-clause (viii)", the words, letters and brackets "to sub-clause (xi)" shall be substituted; (4) in item (B), for the words, letters and brackets "to sub-clause (viii)", the words, letters and brackets "to sub-clause (xi)" shall be substituted. 12. In the West Bengal Value Added Tax Act, 2003,- (1) in section 2,- (a) in clause (10), Explanation shall be omitted; (b) in clause (11), for sub-clause (ba), the following sub-clause shall be substituted:- "(ba) a person who has set up an establishment with an intention of selling or purchasing goods in West Bengal,"; (c) in clause (18),- (i) in sub-clause (a), for the words, figures and brackets "other than those enjoying composition under sub-section (3) of section 16 or sub-section (4) of section 18", the words, figures, letters and brackets "other than those enjoying composition under sub- section (3), sub-section (3A), or sub-section (3B), of section 16 or sub-section (4) of section 18" shall be substituted; (ii) sub-clause (b) shall be omitted; (iii) sub-clause (c) shall be omitted; (d) in clause (22), for the words "printing, rearing", the word "rearing" shall be substituted; (e) in clause (23),- (i) for sub-clause (c), the following sub-clause shall be substituted:-- "(c) in case of a registered dealer paying tax at a com- pounded rate under sub-section (3), sub-section (3A), or sub-section (3B), of section 16 or sub-section (4) of section 18, the amount of output tax,"; (ii) in sub-clause (d), for the words and figures "respectively of section 118", the words, figures and brackets "respectively of sub-section (1) of section 118" shall be substituted; (f) in clause (26), for the words, figures and brackets "sub-section (4) of section 18", the words, figures, letters and brackets "sub- section (3A), or sub-section (3B), of section 16 or sub-section (4) of section 18" shall be substituted; (g) in clause (40), for the words "a sale in the course of inter-State trade or commerce", the words "a sale deemed to have taken place in West Bengal in the course of inter-State trade or commerce or in the course of export out of the territory of India" shall be substituted; (h) in clause (54), sub-clause (a) shall be omitted; (2) in section 8, in sub-section (4), for the words and figures "section 76, section 78", the words and figures "section 76, section 77, section 78" shall be substituted; PART III] THE KOLKATA GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, JULY 31, 2006 15 The West Bengal Finance Act, 2006. (Section 12.) the following sections shall be inserted:— 8A. (1) The State Government may, by notification, establish a Commission to be known as the West Bengal Value Added Tax Settlement Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Settlement Commission") to discharge the function assigned to it under the
Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.