(1)

Where, during the pendency of any proceeding for the assessment of any turnover or for the assessment or reassessment of any turnover which has escaped assessment, an officer not below the rank of the Assistant Commercial Tax Officer and who is empowered to perform the function of Collector under the Pondicherry Revenue Recovery Act, 1970, (Act No. 14 of 1970.) is of the opinion that for the purpose of protecting the interests of the revenue it is necessary so to do, may, by order in writing, attach provisionally in the prescribed manner any property belonging to the dealer or person :

Provided that the stock-in-trade in the case of a trader and plant and machinery and inputs in the case of a manufacturer shall not be liable for provisional attachment.

(2)

Every such provisional attachment shall cease to have effect after the expiry of a period of six months from the date of the order made under sub-section (1) of this section:

Provided that the officer who is exercising powers under sub-section (1) may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the aforesaid period by such further period or periods as he thinks fit, so, however, that the total period of extension shall not in any case exceed two years.