(1) If a dealer fails without reasonable cause to furnish any return by the prescribed date as required under sub-section (2) of section 21, or to pay the tax due according to the return as required by sub-section (3) of that section, the Commissioner may after giving the dealer an opportunity of being heard, direct that the dealer shall pay, by way of penalty, in addition to the amount of tax payable, a sum not exceeding twice that amount or where no tax is payable a sum not exceeding two thousand rupees.
(2) The penalties specified under sub-section (1) may be imposed by the Commissioner notwithstanding the fact that assessment proceedings have not been initiated against the dealer under section 23.