50. Special mode of recovery

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 49 or any law or contract to the contrary, the assessing authority or any other authority authorised by the Commissioner may, at any time or from time to time by notice in writing, a copy of which shall be sent to the dealer at his last known address, require, –

(a) any person from whom any amount is due or may become due to a dealer who has failed to pay due tax or other sum on demand by the assessing authority; or

(b) any person who holds or may subsequently hold any money for or on account of such dealer

to pay into the Government Treasury or the Bank authorised to receive money on behalf of the State Government, in the manner specified in the notice issued under this section either forthwith or upon the money becoming due from him or being held by him, within the time specified in the notice (not being before the money becomes due or it is held), so much of the money as is sufficient to pay the amount due from the dealer in respect of the demand of tax and other sum under this Act, or the whole of the money when it is equal to or less than that demand.

Explanation. – For the purpose of this sub–section, the amount due to a dealer or money held for or on account of a dealer by any person shall be computed after taking into account such claims, if any, as may have fallen legally due for payment by such dealer to such person.

(2) The authority issuing a notice under sub–section (1) may at any time, or from time to time, amend or revoke any such notice or extend the time for making any payment in pursuance of this notice.

(3) Any person making any payment in compliance with a notice issued under sub– section (1) shall be deemed to have made the payment under the authority of the dealer and the treasury receipt or the challan of the bank for such payment shall constitute a good and sufficient proof of discharge of the liability of such person to the extent of the amount specified in the receipt or the challan.

(4) Any person, who discharges any liability by making payment to the dealer or otherwise, after service on him of the notice issued under sub–section (1), shall be personally liable to the State Government to the extent of the liability discharged or the amount of demand, whichever is less.

(5) Any amount or money which a person is required to pay under sub–section (1) or for which he is personally liable to the State Government under sub–section (4) shall, if it remains unpaid, be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(6) The provisions of this section shall be without prejudice to any action that may be taken for the recovery of the arrears of tax and other sum, if any, due from a dealer.

Explanation. – For the purposes of this section dealer includes a person from whom any sum is recoverable under this Act.