(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 24, every dealer to whom the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (5) of section 15 apply, shall furnish to the prescribed authority an annual return, in the form and manner prescribed, in respect of every financial year by the 31st day of July of the year following the year to which such return relates.

(2)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-Section (1), the Commissioner may, in extraordinary situations such as disasters and in respect of dealers in general or of a specific area, for specific reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the date of filling the return specified in sub-Section (1) in respect of any period, beyond the stipulated date by a general or specific order and such extension shall not exceed a period of three months:

Provided that the State Government may, by a notification, extend the date for filing the return specified in sub-Section (1) beyond the stipulated date, by a period not exceeding six months."

(b) If a dealer fails to furnish the return within the time specified under sub-Section (1), or the date extended in clause (a), he shall be liable to pay, by way of fine, a sum of five hundred rupees for each month, or part thereof, of the delay.

(c) The fine specified in clause (b) shall be paid by the concerned dealer, in the manner prescribed, before furnishing the return specified sub-Section (1).