In section 154 of the Income-tax Act, after sub-section (7), the following sub-section shall be inserted with effect from the 1st day of June, 2001,-
"(8) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (7), where an application for amendment under this section is made by the assessee on or after the 1st day of June, 2001 to an income-tax authority referred to in sub-section (1), the authority shall pass an order, within a period of six months from the end of the month in which the application is received by it,-
(a) making the amendment; or
(b) refusing to allow the claim.".