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2011 DIGILAW 1347 (RAJ)

A. C. T. O. , Ward IV, Rajsamand v. R. S. R. K. Marbles

2011-07-12

VINEET KOTHARI

body2011
JUDGMENT 1. - Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. This revision petition has been filed by the Revenue against the order dated 04.01.2003 whereby while upholding the order of Deputy Commissioner (Appeals) dated 18.07.2000 dismissing the Revenue's appeal learned Tax Board held in favour of assessee that machinery (Crane) in question purchased by a marble manufacturing unit could be validly purchased without payment of tax under the Notification No. S. No. 578: F.4 (14) FDGr.IV/84-30 dated 25.09.1985 since the machinery was purchased during the operative period of said notification, which was in operation for the period 01.04.1985 to 31.03.1990; and the machinery in question was purchased during the year 1989- 90. 3. The Assessing Authority denying the exemption on purchase of such machinery held that since the production was commenced by the assessee on 17.07.1987 itself, therefore, the machinery purchased thereafter in the year 1989-90 was not entitled to such exemption under the notification dated 25.09.1985 and he imposed additional tax liability. The appellate authority, however, held in favour of assessee vide the order dated 04.01.2003. Being aggrieved of the same, the Revenue has come up in revision before this Court. 4. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, this Court is of the opinion that there is no force in the revision petition filed by the Revenue. This Court in the case of Shiv Ganpati Margo Tiles P. Ltd. v. ACTO, Rajsamand (S.B.S.T.R.No. 852/2003, decided on 21.01.2010) has held as under: "8 There is no dispute about the legal position that exemption Notification has to be strictly construed but once a Unit or assessee falls within the four corners of exemption Notification liberal interpretation is called for. It is called 'play in the joints'. The Notification in question before this Court dated 27/3/1995 grants exemption from sales tax on plants and machineries for setting up new industrial units in respect of purchase of said plants and machineries. In the present case, the petitioner assessee had admittedly set up a new industrial unit for manufacture of marble slabs and tiles after installation of gang saw machine & it appears that it also obtained the certificate from the concerned authority that it had commenced the commercial production w.e.f. 2/12/1996. In the present case, the petitioner assessee had admittedly set up a new industrial unit for manufacture of marble slabs and tiles after installation of gang saw machine & it appears that it also obtained the certificate from the concerned authority that it had commenced the commercial production w.e.f. 2/12/1996. However, two machines included in the said project namely Block Dressing machine and Transformer, orders of which were placed even prior to 2/12/1996, were received after few days on 21/12/1996 and 28/12/1996. 9. The question before this court is as to whether the process of setting up of industrial unit should be treated as continuous or over on the said date 2/12/1996 and whether the purchase of plant & machinery after the said date is not entitled to exemption from tax under the said Notification? 10. The answer by this Court is in negative, in favour of assessee and against the Revenue. The reasons are as follows. 11. As observed above, the process of setting up of an industry is a continuous process which takes a period of time and it is not a thing or description of position like that of switch on & switch off. The petitioner assessee before this court had admittedly set up the industrial unit during the validity of Notification so also placed the order for the two machines to be used in setting up the said industrial unit & had also purchased these two machineries during the operative period of the Notification. Obtaining of the certificate from the competent authority of the Industries Department that after installation of some of the plant and machinery, it commenced the commercial production on 2/12/1996, does not make the said Notification dated 27/3/1995 inapplicable to the said Industry altogether. The project report of setting up of new industrial unit had admittedly covered these two machines also which are integral part of plant & machinery for setting up of an industrial unit for manufacture of marble slabs and tiles. For the delay of few days and even of few months would not make the purchase of said machineries disjuncted from the project itself. For the delay of few days and even of few months would not make the purchase of said machineries disjuncted from the project itself. More so, when these plant and machinery were also purchased by the petitioner assessee during the validity of Notification itself, which held the field between 27/3/1995 to 31/3/1997, vide clause (i) of the said Notification, the petitioner cannot be denied the said exemption taking a very narrow and pedantic approach in the matter. The process of setting up of industry as per project report does not come to an end on 2/12/1996 when such certificate for commencement of commercial production was obtained by the industry. The said process of setting up of industry can continue even thereafter. 17. Consequently, this revision petition of petitioner assessee is allowed and the orders passed by all the tax authorities below dated 31/3/1999 (Annex.4) of Assessing Authority, 9/6/2000 (Annex.5) of Deputy Commissioner (Appeals) and 28/4/2003 (Annex.6) of tax Board are set aside and the assessee is held entitled to exemption of tax under the Notification dated 27/3/1995 in respect of aforesaid two machineries purchased by the assessee. The assessee would be entitled to refund of such tax, if any, realised by the Revenue Department in pursuance of the impugned orders with interest. No order as to costs." 5. Therefore, the notification dated 27.03.1995 used the word setting-up of a new industry, whereas in the present case notification dated 25.09.1985 does not impose any such restriction of setting-up of a new industry or machinery to be purchased for setting up of a new industry, and any industrial unit of the specified kind, which the marble industry undoubtedly is, as it deals in marble and is a mineral based industry. Thus, the purchase of machinery (crane) during the operative period of the said notification dated 25.09.1985 cannot be denied such benefit on the basis of artificial cut-off date of commencement of commercial production as has been done by the Assessing Authority. The case of the present respondent-Assessee stands on a better footing than the one involved before this Court in the case of M/s Shiv Ganpati Marmo Tiles P. Ltd. (supra). 6. Therefore, the appellate authorities have not committed any error in giving such benefit of exemption to the assessee in terms of notification dated 25.09.1955. The case of the present respondent-Assessee stands on a better footing than the one involved before this Court in the case of M/s Shiv Ganpati Marmo Tiles P. Ltd. (supra). 6. Therefore, the appellate authorities have not committed any error in giving such benefit of exemption to the assessee in terms of notification dated 25.09.1955. There is no force in the revision petition filed by the Revenue and accordingly the same is dismissed. No costs.Revision dismissed *******