12. Penalty for non-payment of duty of excise within the prescribed period. -

If any duty of excise payable by the occupier of the factory or the owner of the limestone or dolomite mine to the Central Government under section 4 is not paid to that Government within the period prescribed thereunder, it shall be deemed to be in arrears and the authority prescribed in this behalf may, after such inquiry as it deems fit, impose on the occupier of the factory or, as the case may be, on the owner of the limestone or dolomite mine a penalty not exceeding the amount of duty of excise in arrears :

Provided that before imposing any such penalty such occupier or such owner, as the case may be, shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard and, if after such hearing the said authority is satisfied that the default was for any good and sufficient reason, no penalty shall be imposed under this section.