(1) Where an assessee makes default in payment of tax or any other amount due under this Act within the time specified in the notice of demand, he shall, in addition to the tax or other amount in arrears and the amount of interest payable under sub-section (3) of section 23, be liable to pay, by way of penalty such amount and in the case of a continuing default, amount at such rate for every day during which the default continues, as the assessing authority may direct, so, however, that the total amount of penalty shall not exceed the amount of tax or other amount in arrears.

(2) No penalty under sub section (1) shall be imposed without giving the assessee a reasonable opportunity of being heard.