(1) Subject to such conditions or restrictions as may prescribed, every licensee shall get his accounts or records of a financial year audited by a cost accountant before the date specified by the Excise Commissioner and by that date furnish the report of such audit in the prescribed form duly signed and verified by such cost accountant setting forth such particulars as may be prescribed or specified by the Excise Commissioner, from time to time.
(2) The report of audit referred to in sub-section (1) shall contain, inter alia, the following information,-
(i) whether the licensee has maintained proper books of accounts and records as provided under this Act or the rules framed thereunder or as per the orders issued by the Government or the Excise Commissioner from time to time;
(ii) whether the licensee has manufactured excisable goods or spirit as provided under this Act or the rules framed thereunder or as per the orders issued by the Government or the Excise Commissioner;
1966: KAR. ACT 21] Excise 401
(iii) whether the input-output of raw materials and final products are as per norms provided under this Act or the rules framed thereunder or as per the orders issued by the Government or the Excise Commissioner from time to time and to point out deviations if any;
(iv) whether the wastages occurred during the manufacture or processing of spirits and liquor are as per the norms provided under this Act or the rules framed there under or as per the orders issued by the Government or the Excise Commissioner from time to time; and
(v) any other items and particulars that may be provided under this Act or the rules framed thereunder or as per the orders issued by the Government or the Excise Commissioner from time to time.
(3) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall have effect notwithstanding that the records or books of accounts of the said licensee have been audited or liable to be audited under any other law for the time being in force or otherwise.
(4) The licensee shall be given an opportunity of being heard in respect of any material gathered on the basis of audit under sub-section (1) and proposed to be utilized in any proceedings under this Act or rules made thereunder.
Explanation.- (1) For the purpose of this section “cost accountant” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 2 of the cost and works Accountant Act, 1959 (Central Act 23 of 1959).
(2) “Licensee” means a person who holds a license granted under this Act or the rules made thereunder.]1
1. Substituted by Act 27 of 2007 w.e.f. 29.08.2007.