20. Special mode of recovery.-

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any law or contract to the contrary, the assessing authority may, at any time or from time to time, by notice in writing, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the assessee at his last address known to the assessing authority require,-

 (a) any person from whom any amount or money is due, or may become due to such assessee on whom a notice of demand has been served under this Act, or

(b) any person who holds or may subsequently hold money for or on account of such assessee,

to pay the assessing authority either forthwith upon the money becoming due or being held or at or within the time specified in the notice (but not before the money becomes due or is held as aforesaid) so much of money as is sufficient to pay the amount due by the assessee in respect of the arrears of tax, penalty or interest under this Act, or the whole of the money when it is equal to or less than that amount.

Explanation.- For the purpose of this section the amount of money due to an assessee from, or money held for or on account of an assessee by, any person shall be calculated after deducting therefrom such claims (if any) lawfully subsisting or as may have fallen due for payment by such assessee to such person.

(2) The assessing authority may at any time or from time to time amend or revoke any such notice or extend the time for making any payment in pursuance of the notice.

(3) Any person making any payment in compliance with a notice under this section shall be deemed to have made the payment under the authority of the assessee, and the receipt of the assessing authority shall constitute a good and sufficient discharge of the liability of such person to the extent of the amount refereed to in the receipt.

(4) Any person discharging any liability to the assessee after receipt of the notice referred to in this section, shall be personally liable to the assessing authority to the extent of the liability discharged or the extent of the liability of the assessee for tax, penalty or interest, whichever is less.

(5) Where a person to whom a notice under this section is sent proves to the satisfaction of the assessing authority that the sum demanded or any part thereof is not due to the assessee or that he does not hold any money for or on account of the assessee, then, nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to require such person to pay any such sum or part thereof, to the assessing authority.

(6) Any amount of money which a person is required to pay the assessing authority or for which he is personally liable to the assessing authority under this section, shall, if it remains unpaid, be recoverable as an arrear of land revenue.