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1998 DIGILAW 1474 (MAD)

Commissioner of Income Tax v. Graf Sales Limited

1998-11-03

A.SUBBULAKSHMY, R.JAYASIMHA BABU

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Judgment :- R. JAYASIMHA BABU, J. The Tribunal has held that the amount remitted to the assessee by the Indian company with whom it had collaboration agreement on 28th May, 1980 was for the transfer outside India of drawings, designs, documentation, etc., relating to the products manufactured by the Indian company in collaboration with the Swiss company and, therefore, payment made fell under s. 115A(1)(ii) and rejected the Revenue's argument that it falls under sub-cl. (iii) which sub-section refers to fees for technical services. The Tribunal referred to the Expln. to s. 9(1)(vii) which defines 'technical services' and pointed out that what is contemplated is payment for services rendered and not for transfer of any technical know-how as such. The Revenue contends that that view of the Tribunal has been taken by it in the appeal by the assessee for the asst. yr. 1981-82 is erroneous. We do not find any substance in that submission. The reasons given by the Tribunal are cogent and as pointed out by it, the relevant clauses of the agreement practically reproduce the language of s. 115A(1)(ii). We have perused the agreement. We are satisfied that the Tribunal has correctly understood the purport of it and the purpose for which the payment was effected. The agreement clearly provides for the transfer of the technical know-how as contained in the drawings and documentation at Switzerland. We, therefore, answer the questions referred to us, namely : "(i) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and having regard to the provisions of s. 9 of the IT Act, 1961, the Tribunal is right and had valid materials to hold that the collaboration agreement with the company does not fall under s. 115A(1)(iii) of the IT Act. 1961 ?(ii) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and having regard to the provisions of s. 9 of the IT Act, 1961, the Tribunal is right and had valid materials to hold that the collaboration agreement fell under s. 115A(1)(ii) of the Act and, therefore, only 20 per cent of the technical know-how fees received by the assessee to be brought to tax as income arising in India ?" in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue. The assessee shall be entitled to costs in the sum of Rs. 2, 000 (rupees two thousand) only.