Procedure.
274. (1) No order
imposing a penalty under this Chapter shall be made unless the assessee has
been heard, or has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
84[(2) No order imposing a
penalty under this Chapter shall be made—
(a) by the Income-tax Officer, where the penalty
exceeds ten thousand rupees;
(b) by the Assistant Commissioner 85[or Deputy Commissioner],
where the penalty exceeds twenty thousand rupees,
except with the prior
approval of the 86[Joint]
Commissioner.]
87[(3) An income-tax
authority on making an order under this Chapter imposing a penalty, unless he
is himself the Assessing Officer, shall forthwith send a copy of such order to
the Assessing Officer.]
