BILL (ENGLISH)

© GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU 2023

[Regd. No. TN/CCN/467/2012-14.

[R. Dis. No. 197/2009.

[Price: Rs. 15.20 Paise.

No. 355] CHENNAI, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023 Purattasi 23, Sobakiruthu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2054

Part IV—Section 1

Tamil Nadu Bills

CONTENTS

Pages.

BILLS:

No. 24 of 2023—The Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries (Amendment) Act, 2023.. .. .. 110-112 No. 25 of 2023—The Tamil Nadu Private Universities (Amendment) Act, 2023. .. .. 113-116 No. 26 of 2023—The Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2023. .. .. .. 117-118 No. 27 of 2023—The Tamil Nadu Silkworm Seed (Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment

Act, 2023.

119-122 No. 28 of 2023—The Tamil Nadu Taxes (Settlement of Arrears) Act, 2023. 123-134 No. 29 of 2023—The Tamil Nadu Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Act, 2023. 135-142 No. 30 of 2023—The Chit Funds (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2023. .. .. .. .. 143-145

[109]

DTP—Ex-IV-1 (355)110 TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

OF THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu on 10th October 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 24 of 2023

A BILL FURTHER TO AMEND THE TAMIL NADU PAYMENT OF

SALARIES ACT, 1951.

Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu in the Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

Short title and 1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries

commencement.

(Amendment) Act, 2023.

(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of

June 2023.

Amendment of

Tamil Nadu section 12-B.

Act XX of 1951.

2. In section 12-B of the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Act,1951, for sub-section (1), excluding the Explanation and the proviso thereunder, the following sub-section shall be substituted namely:-

"(1) There shall be paid a pension of Thirty thousand rupees per mensem to every person who after the 15th day of August 1947, had been a Member of the Legislative Assembly or of the Legislative Council or of both.".

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

On the 19th April 2023, the Hon'ble Chief Minister has announced, on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, among others, that the pension payable to former members of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council will be enhanced from Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand only) to Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty thousand only) per mensem with effect from 1st June 2023.

2. To give effect to the above announcement, the Government have decided to amend the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Act, 1951 (Tamil Nadu Act XX of 1951) suitably.

3. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

M.K. STALIN, Chief Minister.

FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM

The Bill when enacted and brought into force would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of the State. The additional expenditure to be incurred as a result of the proposed legislation will be approximately a sum of Rs.6,54,00,000/- (Rupees Six Crores Fifty-Four lakhs only) per annum.

M.K. STALIN, Chief Minister.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN, 10th October 2023.

Secretary.

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu on 10th October 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 25 of 2023

A BILL TO AMEND THE TAMIL NADU PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

ACT, 2019.

Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of

Tamil Nadu in the Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

Short title and 1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Private Universities

Commencement.

(Amendment) Act, 2023.

(2) It shall come into force at once.

Tamil Nadu Act

Substitution of 14 of 2019.

section 9.

2. For section 9 of the Tamil Nadu Private Universities Act, 2019 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

"9. Amendment to Schedule.—(1) The Government shall, by notification, include the name of the University in the Schedule and upon issue of such notification, the Schedule shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where a notification has been issued under sub-section (1), there shall, unless the notification is in the meantime rescinded, be introduced in the Legislative Assembly, as soon as may be, but in any case during the next session of the Legislative Assembly following the date of issue of the notification, a Bill to give effect to the inclusion of the name of the University in the Schedule and the notification shall cease to have effect when such Bill becomes a law:

Provided that if the notification under sub-section (1) has been issued, when the Legislative Assembly is in session, such a Bill shall be introduced in the Legislative Assembly during that session.".

Substitution of 3. For the Schedule to the principal Act, the following Schedule shall

Schedule.

be substituted, namely:—

"THE SCHEDULE.

(See sections 3 and 9)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS.

The Tamil Nadu Private Universities Act, 2019 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 2019) enables the Government to permit the establishment of a Private University by any sponsoring body, by inclusion of the name of the University, its location and the details of the sponsoring body in the Schedule of the Act. Section 9 of the said Act provides for amending the Schedule by the Government, after satisfying that the sponsoring body has fulfilled the conditions of letter of intent. Accordingly, so far seven Private Universities have been included in the Schedule by amending it, by way of notifications.

2. The University Grants Commission has stated that section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (Central Act III of 1956) stipulates that a University means, a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act or a Provincial Act or a State Act and includes any such institution, as may, in consultation with the University concerned, be recognized by the Commission. The University Grants Commission has, therefore, requested to get the aforesaid Private Universities established through separate Acts or to include the names of the Universities in the Schedule of the said Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 2019 through an Act of the State Legislature.

3. In view of the above and in order to protect the welfare of the student community, it has been proposed to amend the Tamil Nadu Private Universities Act, 2019 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 2019) so as to provide for inclusion of the said seven Private Universities in the Schedule of that Act and also to provide for introduction of a Bill in the Legislative Assembly, hereafter to amend the said Act, as soon as may be, to give effect to the inclusion of the name of the University in the Schedule, after issue of the Notification for the purpose.

4. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

DR. K. PONMUDY, Minister for Higher Education.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN,

10th October 2023.

Secretary.

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the Tamil Nadu on 10th October 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 26 of 2023

A Bill further to amend the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937.

Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu in the

Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

Short title and 1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Prohibition

commencement.

(Amendment) Act, 2023.

(2) It shall come into force at once.

Tamil Nadu Act

Amendment of 2. In section 18-B of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, in

X of 1937.

section 18-B.

sub-section (1),—

(1) in clause (a), for the expression "rupees two hundred and fifty",

the expression "rupees five hundred" shall be substituted;

(2) in clause (b), for the expression "rupees three hundred", the

expression "rupees six hundred" shall be substituted;

(3) in clause (c), for the expression "rupees five hundred",

the expression "rupees one thousand" shall be substituted.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

With a view to augment the revenue of the State, it has been decided to enhance the maximum rate of excise duty leviable on Indian-made foreign spirits from two hundred and fifty rupees to five hundred rupees per proof litre in the case of ordinary brands, three hundred rupees to six hundred rupees per proof litre in the case of medium brands and five hundred rupees to one thousand rupees per proof litre in the case of premium brands.

2. To give effect to the above decision, the Government have decided to amend sub-section (1) of section 18-B of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937 (Tamil Nadu Act X of 1937) suitably.

3. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

S. MUTHUSAMY, Minister for Housing and Urban Development.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN, 10th October 2023.

Secretary.

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the Tamil Nadu on 10th October 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 27 of 2023

A Bill further to amend the Tamil Nadu Silkworm Seed (Production,

Supply and Distribution) Act, 1956.

Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu

in the Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:--

1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Silkworm Seed Short title and (Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Act, 2023.

commencement.

(2) (1) Section 7 shall be deemed to have come into force on the

20th day of December 1996.

(2) All remaining sections shall be deemed to have come into

force on the 24th day of May 1990.

Amendment of Tamil Nadu Act XXIII of 1956

long title.

2. In the long title of the Tamil Nadu Silkworm Seed (Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), after the expression "silkworm seed", the expression "and raw silk" shall be inserted.

3. In the preamble of the principal Act, after the expression "silkworm Amendment of seed", the expression "and raw silk" shall be inserted.

preamble.

Amendment of

short title.

4. In section 1 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), after the expression "Silkworm Seed", the expression "and Raw Silk" shall be inserted.

5. In section 2 of the principal Act,-

Amendment of

section 2.

(1) in sub-section (1),--

(i) for clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted,

namely:--

"(b) "Director" means the Director of Sericulture;";

(ii) after clause (b), the following clause shall be

inserted, namely:--

"(bb) "Fund" means the Sericulture Development and

Price Stabilization Fund established under section 9-B";

(2) in sub-section (2), for the expression "the officer-in-charge of the Sericultural Section of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tamil Nadu", the expression "the Director" shall be substituted.

6. After section 9 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be

inserted, namely:-

Insertion of new sections 9-A and 9-B "9-A Levy of fee on seller and licenced buyer.—(1) There shall be levied a fee of point seven five percent. (0.75%) of the value of the cocoon and raw silk on every seller and licensed buyer of cocoon and raw silk.

(2) The fee levied under sub-section (1) and collected from every

seller and licensed buyer shall be credited to the fund.

(3) The Government may, by notification, increase the fee leviable under sub-section (1) to such extent, not exceeding two per cent. of the value of the cocoon and raw silk.

9-B Sericulture Development and Price Stabilization Fund.—(1) There shall be established a fund to be called the Sericulture Development and Price Stabilization Fund.

(2) The fee levied under section 9-A and grants, if any, made for

the purpose by the Government shall be credited to the fund.

(3) The fund shall be operated by the Director.

(4) The fund shall be utilized for the purposes of the development

of the Sericulture industry.".

7. After section 9-B, as so inserted, the following section shall be

Insertion of new section 9-C inserted, namely:-

"9-C Sericulture Development Committee.—

(1) The Government may, by order, constitute a Committee to be known as the Sericulture Development Committee consisting of, --

(i) the Secretary to Government incharge of Handlooms,

Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department–ex-officio Chairman;

(ii) the Secretary to Government incharge of Finance

Department – ex-officio Member;

(iii) the Director of Sericulture – ex-officio Member—

Secretary;

(iv) the Deputy Director, Anna Silk Exchange, Kancheepuram

– ex-officio Member; and

(v) a representative of the Central Silk Board, Bangalore –

Member.

(2) The Committee shall meet atleast once in a year on such

date and at such time, as the Chairman may determine.

(3) The Committee shall suggest measures for effective utilization

of the fund for the development of the Sericulture industry.".

Validation. 8. Notwithstanding anything contained in the principal Act or in any judgment, decree or order of any court or other authority, anything done or any levy and collection of fee or any action taken by the Director, the Sericulture Development Committee and the Government during the period commencing from the 24th day of May 1990 and ending with the date of publication of this Act in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, shall be deemed to have been validly done or taken under the principal Act, as amended by this Act.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS.

The Tamil Nadu Silkworm Seed (Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1956 (Tamil Nadu Act XXIII of 1956) provides for the regulation of production, supply and distribution of silkworm seed in the State. The Government have issued orders for constituting a fund called "Sericulture Development and Price Stabilization Fund" and directed that a fee of 0.75% value of cocoon and raw silk be collected from both the buyers and the sellers of the cocoon and raw silk and credited to the Fund vide G.O.(Ms.) No.178, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department, dated 24.05.1990. Further, the Government have also constituted a Committee to suggest measures for effective utilization of the said fund vide G.O.(Ms.) No. 217, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department, dated 20.12.1996.

To give legal sanctity to the above orders, the Government have decided to amend the said Tamil Nadu Act XXIII of 1956 suitably for the purpose and to validate the actions taken based on the aforesaid two Government orders.

2. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

T.M. ANBARASAN, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Sections 9-A and 9-C of the Tamil Nadu Silkworm Seed (Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1956 (Tamil Nadu Act XXIII of 1956) as proposed to be inserted by clauses 6 and 7 of the Bill authorise the Government to issue notification and order, respectively, for the purposes specified therein.

2. The powers delegated are normal and not of an exceptional character.

T.M. ANBARASAN, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN, 10th October 2023.

Secretary.

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the Tamil Nadu on 10th October, 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 28 of 2023

A Bill to provide for settlement of arrears of tax, penalty or

interest pertaining to certain taxes administered by Commercial

Taxes and Registration Department and the matters connected

therewith or incidental thereto.

WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for settlement of arrears of

tax, penalty or interest, as the case may be, under,—

Tamil Nadu

(i) the repealed Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act, 1959,

Act 1 of 1959.

Tamil Nadu

(ii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Surcharge) Act, 1971,

Act 24 of 1971.

Tamil Nadu

(iii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Additional Sales Tax Act, 1970,

Act 14 of 1970.

Tamil Nadu

(iv) the repealed Tamil Nadu Tax on Luxuries Act, 1981,

Act 6 of 1981.

Tamil Nadu

(v) the repealed Tamil Nadu Tax on Entry of Goods into Local

Act 20 of 2001.

Areas Act, 2001,

Tamil Nadu

(vi) the repealed Tamil Nadu Tax on Entry of Motor Vehicles into

Act 13 of 1990.

Local Areas Act, 1990,

Tamil Nadu

(vii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Entertainments Tax Act, 1939,

Act X of 1939.

Tamil Nadu

(viii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Advertisements Tax Act, 1983,

Act 22 of 1983.

Tamil Nadu

(ix) the repealed Tamil Nadu Betting Tax Act, 1935,

Act XX of 1935.

Tamil Nadu

(x) the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006, and

Act 32 of 2006.

(xi) the Central Sales Tax Act,1956;

Central Act

74 of 1956.

Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu in the Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Taxes Short title, (Settlement of Arrears) Act, 2023.

extent and commencement.

(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Tamil Nadu.

(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State

Government may, by notification, appoint.

2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- Definitions.

(a) "admitted tax" means tax payable as per the returns, books of accounts or tax assessed by the assessing authority under the relevant Act but does not include disputed tax;

(b) "applicant" means a dealer or any person who is liable to pay

tax under the relevant Act;

(c) "arrears of tax, penalty or interest" means-

(i) tax including sales tax, additional sales tax, surcharge, additional surcharge, value added tax, central sales tax, luxury tax, advertisement tax, entertainments tax, entry tax or betting tax, payable by an applicant upon assessment under the relevant Act;

(ii) penalty payable by an applicant under the relevant Act; or

(iii) interest payable by an applicant under the relevant Act,

as the case may be, pertaining to the assessment years upto 2017-2018, for which assessment has been made on or before the 31st day of March 2021 under the relevant Act, and pending collection on the date of filing of application under this Act;

(d) "certificate of settlement" means a certificate issued under this Act for settlement of arrears of tax, penalty or interest under the relevant Act;

(e) "declaration form" means form or certificate prescribed under the relevant Act for sale or purchase of goods at reduced or concessional rate of tax or for exemption from tax;

(f) "designated authority" means an authority appointed under

section 3;

(g) "disputed tax" means the whole or part of tax determined by the assessing authority under the relevant Act against which appeal, revision or review is pending before any authority, tribunal or court, as on the date of commencement of this Act;

(h) "Government" means the State Government;

(i) "relevant Act" means,-

(i) the repealed Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act, 1959; or Tamil Nadu

Act 1 of 1959.

(ii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Surcharge) Act, 1971; or Tamil Nadu

Act 24 of 1971.

(iii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Additional Sales Tax Act, 1970; or Tamil Nadu

Act 14 of 1970.

(iv) the repealed Tamil Nadu Tax on Luxuries Act, 1981; or Tamil Nadu

Act 6 of 1981.

Tamil Nadu (v) the repealed Tamil Nadu Tax on Entry of Goods into Local

Act 20 of 2001.

Areas Act, 2001; or

Tamil Nadu (vi) the repealed Tamil Nadu Tax on Entry of Motor Vehicles

Act 13 of 1990.

into Local Areas Act, 1990; orTAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY 125 Tamil Nadu

(vii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Entertainments Tax Act, 1939; or

Act X of 1939.

Tamil Nadu

(viii) the repealed Tamil Nadu Advertisements Tax Act, 1983; or

Act 22 of 1983.

Tamil Nadu

(ix) the repealed Tamil Nadu Betting Tax Act, 1935; or

Act XX of 1935.

Tamil Nadu

(x) the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006; or

Act 32 of 2006.

Central

(xi) the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, as the case may be.

Act 74 of 1956.

(2) Unless there is anything repugnant to the subject or context, all words and expressions used in this Act, but not defined, shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the relevant Act.

Tamil Nadu

Designated authority.

Act 19 of 2017.

3. For carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Government may, by notification, appoint one or more officers referred to in section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 to be the designated authority and such authority shall exercise jurisdiction over such area or areas as the Government may specify in the notification.

Eligibility for settlement.

4. Subject to the other provisions of this Act, an applicant is eligible to make an application for settlement of arrears of tax, penalty or interest pertaining to the assessment years upto 2017-2018 for which assessment has been made under the relevant Act, on or before the 31st day of March 2021, against which an appeal, revision or review is not pending before any authority or tribunal under the relevant Act or any court on the date of filing of application:

Provided that in cases where any appeal, revision or review, is pending before any authority or tribunal under the relevant Act or any court on the date of commencement of this Act, application for settlement of arrears shall be made along with a copy of leave to withdraw granted by the authority or tribunal or court, as the case may be:

Provided further that in cases where any appeal filed by the Government is pending before any authority, tribunal under the relevant Act or court on the date of commencement of this Act, application for settlement of arrears shall be made as per the tax claimed by the Government, treating such claims as disputed tax together with the corresponding penalty or interest.

Application for settlement.

5. (1) An application for the purpose of section 4 shall be made to the designated authority within four months from the date of commencement of this Act or such later date as the Government may, by notification, specify, from time to time, in such form, and in such manner, as may be prescribed, along with proof of payment of the amount at the rates specified in section 7.

(2) A separate application shall be made for each assessment

year.

Determination of

amount payable by applicant.

6. (1) The designated authority shall verify the correctness of the particulars furnished in the application made under section 5 with reference to all relevant records and determine the amount payable at the rates specified in section 7.

(2) The designated authority shall demand further amount payable by the applicant in the form prescribed, if the amount paid by the applicant along with application falls short of the amount determined under sub-section (1).

(3) The amount determined under sub-section (1) shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee and, for this purpose, where such amount contains a part of a rupee, and, if such part is fifty paise or more, it shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee, and if such part is less than fifty paise, it shall be ignored.

7. (1) The amount payable by the applicant and to be waived shall

be determined as follows: —

Rate applicable in determining amount payable.

(a) where the total arrears of tax, penalty or interest is above rupees fifty thousand and upto rupees ten lakh for an assessment year on the date of application for settlement under this Act, the applicant shall have an option to pay under any one of the following methods that is most beneficial to him:—

(i) pay twenty per cent. on the total arrears of tax, penalty or interest and on such payment, the remaining arrears of tax, penalty or interest payable shall be waived; or

(ii) (1) on the admitted tax, pay sixty-six per cent. along with ten per cent. of the penalty and ten per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining admitted tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(2) on the disputed tax, pay thirty-three per cent. along with ten per cent. of the penalty and ten per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining disputed tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(3) where it relates to arrears of penalty or interest or both and where there is no arrear of tax, pay ten per cent. of the interest and ten per cent. of the penalty and on such payment, the remaining interest or penalty or both payable shall be waived;

(b) where the total arrears of tax, penalty or interest is above rupees ten lakh and upto rupees one crore for an assessment year on the date of application for settlement under this Act, the applicant shall,—

(i) on the admitted tax, pay sixty-six per cent. along with ten per cent. of the penalty and ten per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining admitted tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(ii) on the disputed tax, pay thirty-three per cent. along with ten per cent. of the penalty and ten per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining disputed tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(iii) where it relates to arrears of penalty or interest or both and where there is no arrear of tax, pay ten per cent. of the penalty and ten per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining penalty or interest or both payable shall be waived;

(c) where the total arrears of tax, penalty or interest is above rupees one crore and upto rupees ten crore for an assessment year on the date of application for settlement under this Act, the applicant shall,—

(i) on the admitted tax, pay seventy-five per cent. along with fifteen per cent. of the penalty and twenty per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining admitted tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(ii) on the disputed tax, pay fifty per cent. along with fifteen per cent. of the penalty and twenty per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining disputed tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(iii) where it relates to arrears of penalty or interest or both and where there is no arrear of tax, pay fifteen per cent. of the penalty and twenty per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining penalty or interest or both payable shall be waived.

(d) where the total arrears of tax, penalty or interest is more than rupees ten crore for an assessment year on the date of application for settlement under this Act, the applicant shall,—

(i) on the admitted tax, pay ninety per cent. along with fifteen per cent. of the penalty and thirty per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining admitted tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(ii) on the disputed tax, pay sixty per cent. along with fifteen per cent. of the penalty and thirty per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining disputed tax, penalty and interest payable shall be waived;

(iii) where it relates to arrears of penalty or interest or both and where there is no arrear of tax, pay fifteen per cent. of the penalty and thirty per cent. of the interest and on such payment, the remaining penalty or interest or both payable shall be waived.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the relevant Act, interest accrued at the time of payment of tax, penalty or interest, as the case may be, under this Act, shall also stand waived.

Total waiver of certain

amounts.

8. Notwithstanding anything contained in the relevant Act or this Act, where on the date of commencement of this Act, the total arrears of tax, penalty or interest, is rupees fifty thousand or less for an assessment year, the entire amount shall stand waived on that date and the assessee shall stand discharged from his liability to make payment of such arrears of tax, penalty or interest.

Restrictions.

9. Notwithstanding anything contained in the relevant Act, no

arrears of tax, penalty or interest payable under this Act shall be,—

(a) paid through the input tax credit account;

(b) adjusted against any excess amount; or

(c) refunded,

under any circumstances.

Settlement of arrears

and issue of

certificate.

10. (1) The designated authority shall, on being satisfied about the payment of the amount determined under sub-section (1) of section 6, by an order, settle the arrears of tax, penalty or interest and issue a certificate of settlement in such form as may be prescribed, and thereupon, the applicant shall be discharged from his liability to make payment of such arrears of tax, penalty or interest. A separate certificate of settlement shall be issued in respect of each application:

Provided that where certificate of settlement is issued in a case, wherein appeal filed by the Government is pending before any authority, tribunal or court, the Government shall withdraw the appeal forthwith.

(2) The designated authority, for reasons to be recorded in writing,

may refuse to settle the arrears of tax, penalty or interest:

Provided that no order under this sub-section shall be passed without giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against such refusal.

(3) The designated authority may, at any time within ninety days from the date of issue of certificate under sub-section (1), modify the certificate by rectifying any error apparent on the face of the record:

Provided that no such rectification adversely affecting the applicant shall be made without giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against such rectification.

Appeal. 11. Any person aggrieved by an order passed under sub-section (2) of section 10 may prefer an appeal to an officer not below the rank of Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes as the Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf. The said officer shall dispose the appeal, either by confirming the order of the designated authority or set aside the order and direct the designated authority to pass a fresh settlement order, after further enquiry.

Revision. 12. (1) The Commissioner may of his own motion, for reasons to be recorded in writing, at any time, within twelve months from the date of order, call for and examine any order passed under section 10 or section 11, to satisfy himself as to the correctness, legality or propriety of the order made or decision taken therein and if in any case, it appears to the Commissioner that any such order or decision should be modified, annulled, reversed or remitted back for reconsideration, he may pass orders accordingly.

(2) No order prejudicial to any person shall be passed under sub-section (1) unless such person has been given an opportunity of making his representation.

Bar on

re-opening of settled

cases.

13. A certificate of settlement issued under section 10 shall be conclusive as to the settlement of arrears to which it relates, and no matter covered by such certificate of settlement shall be re-opened in any proceeding of appeal, revision or review or in any other proceeding, under the relevant Act.

Revocation of

certificate.

14. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 13, where it appears to the designated authority that an applicant has obtained a certificate of settlement under sub-section (1) of section 10, by suppressing any material information or particulars or by furnishing any incorrect or false information or particulars, the designated authority, may, within a period of two years from the date of issue of the certificate, for reasons to be recorded in writing and after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity of showing cause, revoke the certificate.

(2) In the case of revocation of a certificate under sub-section (1), the amount paid by the applicant along with the application made under section 5 shall be treated as payment towards the amount payable for the relevant assessment year under the relevant Act.

Information

to be sent

to authorities under

relevant Act. 15. The designated authority shall inform the assessing authority, appellate authority, revisional authority or tribunal under the relevant Act or the Court, as the case may be, which, for the time being, has jurisdiction over the applicant under the relevant Act,—

(a) the fact of making of an application by the applicant under

section 5;

(b) the fact of passing of any order by the designated authority

under section 10;

(c) the fact of rectification of any error on the face of any

certificate under sub-section (3) of section 10;

(d) the fact of revocation of any certificate under

section 14; and

(e) such other matters as it may deem necessary in such

form, in such manner, and within such time, as may be prescribed.

Power of

Commissioner

of Commercial 16. The Commissioner of Commercial Taxes may, from time to time, issue instructions and directions as he may deem fit to the designated authorities for carrying out the purposes of this Act:

Taxes.

Provided that no such instruction or direction shall be issued after the expiry of one year from the date of coming into force of this Act.

Prohibition of

disclosure of

particulars produced

before designated

authorities.

17. (1) All particulars contained in the application, statement made, records or documents produced under the provisions of this Act or in any evidence given or affidavit or deposition made, in the course of any proceeding under this Act or in any proceeding for the purposes of this Act shall be treated as confidential and shall not be disclosed.

(2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall apply to the

disclosure of any such particulars—

Central Act

XLV of 1860.

(a) for the purpose of investigation of, or prosecution for, an offence under this Act, or under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 or under any other law for the time being in force; or

(b) to any person enforcing the provisions of this Act where it is

necessary to disclose the same to him for the purposes of this Act; or130 TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY (c) occasioned by the lawful employment under this Act of any

process for the recovery of any demand; or

(d) to a civil court in any suit to which the Government are party and which relates to any matter arising out of any proceeding under this Act; or

Central Act

II of 1899.

(e) occasioned by the lawful exercise by a public servant of his powers under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, to impound an insufficiently stamped document; or

(f) to an officer of -

(i) the Government of India; or

(ii) the Government of any State or Union Territory in India with which an arrangement for disclosure on a reciprocal basis has been entered into by the Government; or

(g) to an officer of any department other than the Commercial Taxes Department of the Government after obtaining the permission of the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes:

Provided that such particulars shall be furnished under this clause only in exceptional cases and that any officer obtaining such particulars shall keep them as confidential and use them only in the lawful exercise of the powers conferred by or under any enactment.

(3) Nothing herein contained shall prevent the publication of the certificate of settlement or rejection of any application in the prescribed manner.

Protection of

action taken

in good faith.

18. (1) No suit, prosecution or other proceedings shall lie against any officer or servant of the Government for any act done or purporting to be done under this Act, without the previous sanction of the Government.

(2) No officer or servant of the Government shall be liable in respect of any such act in any civil or criminal proceeding if the act was done in good faith in the course of the execution of duties or the discharge of functions imposed by or under this Act.

Power to remove

difficulties.

19. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, remove such difficulty:

Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of one

year from the date of coming into force of this Act.

Power to make

20. (1) The Government may, make rules, whether prospectively

rules

or retrospectively, for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) (a) All rules made under this Act shall be published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette and unless they are expressed to come into force on a particular date, shall come into force on the date, on which they are so published.

(b) All notifications issued under this Act shall, unless they are expressed to come into force on a particular date, come into force on the date on which they are so published.

(3) Every rule made or notification or order issued under this Act shall, as soon as possible after it is made or issued, be placed on the table of the Legislative Assembly and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so placed or the next session, if the Assembly makes any modification in any such rule or notification or order or the Assembly decides that the rule or notification or order should not be made or issued, the rule or notification or order shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be, so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be, without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or notification or order.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS.

The system of levy of tax on Goods and Services has been introduced across the country, including Tamil Nadu, from the 1st day of July 2017. A large amount of tax, penalty and interest are pending under various repealed Acts, namely, the Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act, 1959 (Tamil Nadu Act 1 of 1959), the Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Surcharge) Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu Act 24 of 1971), the Tamil Nadu Additional Sales Tax Act, 1970 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1970), the Tamil Nadu Tax on Luxuries Act, 1981 (Tamil Nadu Act 6 of 1981), the Tamil Nadu Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 2001 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 2001), the Tamil Nadu Tax on Entry of Motor Vehicles into Local Areas Act, 1990 (Tamil Nadu Act 13 of 1990), the Tamil Nadu Entertainments Tax Act, 1939 (Tamil Nadu Act X of 1939), the Tamil Nadu Advertisements Tax Act, 1983 (Tamil Nadu Act 22 of 1983), the Tamil Nadu Betting Tax Act, 1935 (Tamil Nadu Act XX of 1935) and also under the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006 (Tamil Nadu Act 32 of 2006) and the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 (Central Act 74 of 1956). Reversal of Input Tax Credit under the said Tamil Nadu Act 32 of 2006 and the levy of Entry tax on motor vehicles and goods under the Entry tax enactments, having been upheld by the Hon'ble Courts during the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the demands have accumulated over a period of time. The dealers were not able to pay the taxes levied as a result of such decisions, assessments made under the best of judgment, and due to levy of consequential penalties and interest due thereon.

2. With a view to expedite the collection of arrears, Samadhan Schemes were implemented in the past during the years 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011 by enactment of the Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Settlement of Arrears) Act, 2006 (Tamil Nadu Act 27 of 2006), the Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Settlement of Arrears) Act, 2008 (Tamil Nadu Act 60 of 2008), the Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Settlement of Arrears) Act, 2010 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 2010) and the Tamil Nadu Sales Tax (Settlement of Arrears) Act, 2011 (Tamil Nadu Act 29 of 2011). However, a substantial amount of arrears due to the Government under the relevant Acts are still pending for collection.

3. During the presentation of the Revised Budget for the year 2021-2022, the Government had announced on the floor of Assembly on 13th August 2021, that an effective Samadhan Scheme will be launched to clear the pending dues of Rs.28,000 crore under the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax and other taxation laws referred above.

4. In view of the above announcement and also considering the representations received from various trade associations for the re-introduction of the Samadhan Scheme for expeditious settlement of the pending cases and in order to mitigate the hardship of the dealers and to reduce tax litigations, the Government have decided to give another opportunity to the dealers to settle the arrears of tax, penalty and interest payable to the Government pertaining to the assessments under the said Acts for the assessment years up to 2017-2018 (i.e., up to 30.06.2017), which has been made on or before the 31st day of March 2021.

5. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

P. MOORTHY,

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION.

Clauses 1(3), 3, 5(1), 10, 11, 15, 16, 19 and 20 of the Bill authorise the Government or the Commissioner to issue notifications, orders or directions or instructions or to make rules, as the case may be, for the purposes specified therein.

2. The powers delegated are normal and not of an exceptional character.

P. MOORTHY,

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN, 10th October 2023.

Secretary.

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu on 10th October 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 29 of 2023

A Bill further to amend the Tamil Nadu Goods and Services

Tax Act, 2017.

BE it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu in the

Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

Short title and 1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Goods and Services Tax

commencement.

(Second Amendment) Act, 2023.

(2) Save as otherwise provided in this Act,—

(i) sections 2 to 24 (except sections 14 to 19) shall be deemed

to have come into force on the 1st day of October 2023;

(ii) sections 14 to 19 shall be deemed to have come into force

on the 1st day of August 2023.

Tamil Nadu Act

Amendment of 2. In section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017

19 of 2017.

section 10.

(hereinafter referred to as the principal Act),—

(1) in sub-section (2), in clause (d), the expression "goods or" shall

be omitted;

(2) in sub-section (2A), in clause (c), the expression "goods or" shall

be omitted.

Amendment of 3. In section 16 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2),—

section 16.

(1) in the second proviso, for the expression "added to his output tax liability, along with interest thereon", the expression "paid by him along with interest payable under section 50" shall be substituted;

(2) in the third proviso, after the expression "made by him", the

expression "to the supplier" shall be inserted.

4. In section 17 of the principal Act,— Amendment of

section 17.

(1) in sub-section (3), in the Explanation, for the expression "except those specified in paragraph 5 of the said Schedule", the following shall be substituted, namely:—

"except,—

(a) the value of activities or transactions specified in paragraph

5 of the said Schedule; and

(b) the value of such activities or transactions as may be

prescribed in respect of clause (a) of paragraph 8 of the said Schedule.";

(2) in sub-section (5), after clause (f), the following clause shall be

inserted, namely:—

Central Act 18 of

2013. "(ff) goods or services or both received by a taxable person, which are used or intended to be used for activities relating to his obligations under corporate social responsibility referred to in section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013;".

Amendment of

section 23.

5. In section 23 of the principal Act, for sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be substituted and shall be deemed to have been substituted with effect from the 1st day of July 2017, namely:—

"(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in sub-section (1) of section 22 or section 24, the Government may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notification, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein, specify the category of persons who may be exempted from obtaining registration under this Act.".

Amendment of

6. In section 30 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1),—

section 30.

(1) for the expression "the prescribed manner within thirty days from the date of service of the cancellation order:", the expression "such manner, within such time and subject to such conditions and restrictions, as may be prescribed." shall be substituted;

(2) the proviso shall be omitted.

Amendment of

7. In section 37 of the principal Act, after sub-section (4), the following

section 37. sub-section shall be added, namely:—

"(5) A registered person shall not be allowed to furnish the details of outward supplies under sub-section (1) for a tax period after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said details:

Provided that the Government may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notification, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein, allow a registered person or a class of registered persons to furnish the details of outward supplies for a tax period under sub-section (1), even after the expiry of the said period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said details.".

Amendment of

8. In section 39 of the principal Act, after sub-section (10), the following

section 39. sub-section shall be added, namely:—

"(11) A registered person shall not be allowed to furnish a return for a tax period after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said return:

Provided that the Government may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notification, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein, allow a registered person or a class of registered persons to furnish the return for a tax period, even after the expiry of the said period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said return.".

Amendment of

section 44.

9. Section 44 of the principal Act shall be renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof, and after sub-section (1) as so renumbered, the following sub-section shall be added, namely:—

"(2) A registered person shall not be allowed to furnish an annual return under sub-section (1) for a financial year after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said annual return:

Provided that the Government may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notification, and subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein, allow a registered person or a class of registered persons to furnish an annual return for a financial year under sub-section (1), even after the expiry of the said period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said annual return.".

Amendment of 10. In section 52 of the principal Act, after sub-section (14), the following

section 52.

sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—

"(15) The operator shall not be allowed to furnish a statement under sub-section (4) after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said statement:

Provided that the Government may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notification, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein, allow an operator or a class of operators to furnish a statement under sub-section (4), even after the expiry of the said period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said statement.".

Amendment of

section 54.

11. In section 54 of the principal Act, in sub-section (6), the expression "excluding the amount of input tax credit provisionally accepted," shall be omitted.

Amendment of

section 56.

12. In section 56 of the principal Act, for the expression "from the date immediately after the expiry of sixty days from the date of receipt of application under the said sub-section till the date of refund of such tax", the expression "for the period of delay beyond sixty days from the date of receipt of such application till the date of refund of such tax, to be computed in such manner and subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed" shall be substituted.

13. In section 62 of the principal Act,— Amendment of

section 62.

(1) in sub-section (2), for the expression "thirty days", the expression

"sixty days" shall be substituted;

(2) to sub-section (2) as so amended, the following proviso shall be

added, namely:—

"Provided that where the registered person fails to furnish a valid return within sixty days of the service of the assessment order under sub-section (1), he may furnish the same within a further period of sixty days on payment of an additional late fee of one hundred rupees for each day of delay beyond sixty days of the service of the said assessment order and in case he furnishes valid return within such extended period, the said assessment order shall be deemed to have been withdrawn, but the liability to pay interest under sub-section (1) of section 50 or to pay late fee under section 47 shall continue.".

Substitution of 14. For section 109 of the principal Act, the following section shall be

section 109.

substituted, namely:—

Central Act 12 of

2017.

"109. Appellate Tribunal.— Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Goods and Services Tax Tribunal constituted under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 shall be the Appellate Tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed by the Appellate Authority or the Revisional Authority under this Act.

Omission of

15. Section 110 of the principal Act shall be omitted.

section 110.

Omission of

16. Section 114 of the principal Act shall be omitted.

section 114.

Amendment of

17. In section 117 of the principal Act,—

section 117.

(1) in sub-section (1), for the expression "State Bench or Area

Benches", the expression "State Benches" shall be substituted;

(2) in sub-section (5), for the expression "State Bench or Area Benches" occurring in two places, the expression "State Benches" shall be substituted.

Amendment of

section 118.

18. In section 118 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), in clause (a), for the expression "National Bench or Regional Benches", the expression "Principal Bench" shall be substituted.

Amendment of

19. In section 119 of the principal Act,—

section 119.

(1) for the expression "National or Regional Benches", the expression

"Principal Bench" shall be substituted;

(2) for the expression "State Bench or Area Benches", the expression

"State Benches" shall be substituted.

Amendment of

20. In section 122 of the principal Act, after sub-section (1A), the following

section 122.

sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—

"(1B) Any electronic commerce operator who—

(i) allows a supply of goods or services or both through it by an unregistered person other than a person exempted from registration by a notification issued under this Act to make such supply;

(ii) allows an inter-State supply of goods or services or both through

it by a person who is not eligible to make such inter-State supply; or

(iii) fails to furnish the correct details in the statement to be furnished under sub-section (4) of section 52 of any outward supply of goods effected through it by a person exempted from obtaining registration under this Act,

shall be liable to pay a penalty of ten thousand rupees, or an amount equivalent to the amount of tax involved had such supply been made by a registered person other than a person paying tax under section 10, whichever is higher.".

Amendment of

21. In section 132 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1),—

section 132.

(1) clauses (g), (j) and (k) shall be omitted;

(2) in clause (l),—

(a) for the expression "clauses (a) to (k)", the expression

"clauses (a) to (f) and clauses (h) and (i)" shall be substituted;

(b) in sub-clause (iii), for the expression "any other offence", the

expression "an offence specified in clause (b)" shall be substituted;

(c) in sub-clause (iv), the expression "or clause (g) or clause (j)"

shall be omitted.

22. In section 138 of the principal Act,— Amendment of

section 138.

(1) in sub-section (1), in the first proviso,—

(i) for clause (a), the following clause shall be substituted,

namely:—

"(a) a person who has been allowed to compound once in respect of any of the offences specified in clauses (a) to (f), (h), (i) and (l) of sub-section (1) of section 132;";

(ii) clause (b) shall be omitted;

(iii) for clause (c), the following clause shall be substituted,

namely:—

"(c) a person who has been accused of committing an

offence under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 132;";

(iv) clause (e) shall be omitted;

(2) in sub-section (2), for the expression "ten thousand rupees or fifty per cent. of the tax involved, whichever is higher, and the maximum amount not being less than thirty thousand rupees or one hundred and fifty per cent. of the tax, whichever is higher", the expression "twenty-five per cent. of the tax involved and the maximum amount not being more than one hundred per cent. of the tax involved" shall be substituted.

Insertion of 23. After section 158 of the principal Act, the following section shall be

new section inserted, namely:—

158A. "158-A. Consent based sharing of information furnished by taxable person.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 133, 152 and 158, the following details furnished by a registered person may, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), and on the recommendation of the Council, be shared by the common portal with such other systems as may be notified by the Government, in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, namely:—

(a) particulars furnished in the application for registration under

section 25 or in the return filed under section 39 or under section 44;

(b) the particulars uploaded on the common portal for preparation of invoice, the details of outward supplies furnished under section 37 and the particulars uploaded on the common portal for generation of documents under section 68;

(c) such other details as may be prescribed.

(2) For the purposes of sharing details under sub-section (1), the

consent shall be obtained, of—

(a) the supplier, in respect of details furnished under clauses

(a), (b) and (c) of sub-section (1); and

(b) the recipient, in respect of details furnished under clause (b) of sub-section (1), and under clause (c) of sub-section (1) only where such details include identity information of the recipient,

in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no action shall lie against the Government or the common portal with respect to any liability arising consequent to information shared under this section and there shall be no impact on the liability to pay tax on the relevant supply or as per the relevant return.".

Retrospective

exemption

to certain

24. (1) In Schedule III to the principal Act, paragraphs 7 and 8 and Explanation 2 thereof shall be deemed to have been inserted therein with effect from the 1st day of July 2017.

activities and

transactions in

Schedule III.

(2) No refund shall be made of all the tax which has been collected, but which would not have been so collected, had sub-section (1) been in force at all material times.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS.

The Tamil Nadu Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (Tamil Nadu Act 19 of 2017) was enacted with a view to make a provision for levy and collection of tax on intra-State supply of goods or services or both by the State Government. 2. The Goods and Services Tax Council, in its 47th, 48th and 49th Meetings held on 28th and 29th June, 2022, 17th December, 2022, and 18th February, 2023, respectively, has recommended various amendments to the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (Central Act 12 of 2017). To give effect to the said recommendations, the Central Government amended the said Central Act by the Finance Act, 2023 (Central Act 8 of 2023). Corresponding amendments are, therefore, required to be made to the Tamil Nadu Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (Tamil Nadu Act 19 of 2017). The Government have, therefore, decided to amend the said Tamil Nadu Act 19 of 2017 suitably.

3. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

P. MOORTHY,

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION.

Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 23 of the Bill authorise the Government to issue notifications or to make rules, as the case may be, for the purposes specified therein.

2. The powers delegated are normal and not of an exceptional character.

P. MOORTHY,

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN, 10th October 2023.

Secretary.

Under Rule 130 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the following Bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu on 10th October, 2023 is published together with Statement of Objects and Reasons for general information:—

L.A Bill No. 30 of 2023

A Bill to amend the Chit Funds Act, 1982 in its application to the State

of Tamil Nadu.

BE it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu in the

Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

Short title and 1. (1) This Act may be called the Chit Funds (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act,

commencement.

2023.

(2) It shall come into force at once.

Central Act 40

Amendment of 2. Section 70 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 (hereinafter referred to as the

of 1982.

section 70.

principal Act) shall be renumbered as sub-section (1) of that section and,—

(1) in sub-section (1) as so renumbered, after the expression "State Government", the expression "or to such officer or authority, as may be empowered by the State Government, by notification in that behalf" shall be inserted;

(2) after sub-section (1) as so renumbered, the following

sub-section shall be added, namely:--

"(2) Every appeal pending before the State Government, on the date of notification empowering such officer or authority, shall stand transferred on that date to such officer or authority and shall be disposed off as if it has been filed before such officer or authority." .

Amendment of

section 84.

3. In section 84 of the principal Act, for the expression "(other than the power to hear appeals or to make rules)", the expression "other than the power to make rules" shall be substituted.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS.

Under section 70 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 (Central Act 40 of 1982), any party aggrieved by any order or award passed by the Registrar or his nominee under section 69 of the Act, may, appeal to the State Government. A large number of appeals have been filed under this section before the State Government and there is considerable delay in disposal of the said appeals.

2. It is considered necessary to delegate the said power of hearing appeals to the sub-ordinate Officers. Whereas section 84 of the said Act bars delegation of the State Government's power to hear appeals. In order to provide for expeditious disposal of such appeals, the State Government have decided to amend sections 70 and 84 of the said Central Act 40 of 1982 in its application to the State of Tamil Nadu, so as to empower the State Government to delegate the power to hear appeals to sub-ordinate Officers or authorities.

3. The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision.

P. MOORTHY,

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION.

Clauses 2(1) and 3 of the Bill authorise the Government to issue notifications or to make rules, as the case may be, for the purposes specified therein.

2. The powers delegated are normal and not of an exceptional character.

P. MOORTHY, Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009,

K. SRINIVASAN, 10th October 2023.

Secretary.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR OF STATIONERY AND PRINTING, CHENNAI ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU