Finance Acts

Insertion of new section 31A.

105. After section 31 of the Central Excise Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-

"31A. Interim Board for Settlement.-(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, constitute one or more Interim Boards for Settlement, as may be necessary, for the settlement of pending applications:

Provided that on and from the date of the constitution of the Interim Board, every pending application shall be dealt by it from the stage at which such pending application stood immediately before its constitution.

(2) Every Interim Board shall consist of three members, each being an officer of the rank of Chief Commissioner or above, as may be nominated by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

(3) If the Members of the Interim Board differ in opinion on any point, the point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority.

(4) The Interim Board shall be assisted by such Central Excise Officers, to be nominated by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.".