COMMISSIONER OF TRADE TAX, U. P. , LUCKNOW v. HINA COOLER CORPORATION.
2006-07-25
RAJESH KUMAR
body2006
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT RAJES KUMAR J. - These two revisions under section 11 of the U.P. Trade Tax Act, 1948 ("the Act") are directed against the order of Tribunal dated July 28, 1999 relating to the assessment year 1996-97. Revision No. 609 of 1999 relates to the penalty under section 13A(4) of the Act while Revision No. 611 of 1999 relates to the assessment proceedings. Dealer/opposite party ("dealer") was engaged in the business of manufacture and sale of cooler body and had disclosed its turnover at Rs. 77,665 which had been raised to Rs. 8,90,000 by the assessing authority by way of best judgment assessment. In first appeals, turnover has been reduced to Rs. 1,20,000. Tribunal allowed both the appeals and accepted the disclosed turnover. Penalty under section 13-A(4) of the Act has been levied on the ground that on February 13, 1997, Trade Tax Officer, Mobile Squad, Bulandshahar, had found that the goods for Rs. 15,900 against Bill No. 52 was being transported. For the proper verification of the bill, matter had been referred to the assessing authority. Assessing authority issued notice and on the basis of discrepancies found in the bill available along with the goods and the carbon copy of the bill. Notice under section 13A(3) of the Act was issued and a sum of Rs. 4,770 was levied towards penalty under section 13A(4) of the Act by passing ex parte order. Order of penalty has been confirmed in first appeal. In second appeal, Tribunal allowed the appeal and set aside the penalty order. Tribunal held that the goods were found entered in the books of account. Tribunal further held that the goods have not been seized. The books of account and disclosed turnover has been accepted by the Tribunal on the ground that the enhancement of the turnover has been made only on the basis of the alleged discrepancies found by the Trade Tax Officer, Mobile Squad, Bulandshahar on February 13, 1997 and the penalty levied under section 13A(4) of the Act. Heard learned Standing Counsel. Despite the service of notice, no one appears on behalf of the dealer.
Heard learned Standing Counsel. Despite the service of notice, no one appears on behalf of the dealer. Learned Standing Counsel submitted that Bill No. 52 which was found along with the goods was not issued from the regular bill book and was issued from the bill book maintained for labour charges and therefore, the difference was found in bill No. 52 found along with the goods and the carbon copy of the bills and thus, the penalty has rightly been levied. He submitted that the estimate of turnover made by the assessing authority was also justified on the basis of the material. I do not find any substance in the argument of learned Standing Counsel. Penalty under section 13-A(4) of the Act can only be levied in respect of the goods seized under section 13-A(1) of the Act. If the goods is not seized, penalty proceedings under section 13-A(3) of the Act cannot be initiated. In the present case, it appears that the goods had not been seized. Further the dealer had explained that since both the copies of the bill had been taken away by the purchaser, therefore, Bill No. 52 was issued from the bill book relating to the labour charges maintained in the regular course of business and, therefore, the difference occurred in the bill found along with the goods and carbon copy of the bill but the entry of the goods was duly found entered in the books of account. Tribunal has accepted the explanation of the dealer and held that the entries of the goods were found entered in the books of account. Finding of the Tribunal is finding of fact. No contrary material has been shown by the learned Standing Counsel. For the reasons stated above, both the revisions fail and are accordingly, dismissed.