COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX V. SHRI AMBICA MILLS LTD.

ITR/52/1990

AI Insights

The case involves the Commissioner of Income Tax versus Shri Ambica Mills Ltd., where three questions were referred to the High Court of Gujarat concerning the assessment year 1978-79. The questions pertained to the deductibility of certain expenditures and the applicability of specific tax provisions. The court's decisions were influenced by precedents and interpretations of the Income Tax Act, particularly concerning revenue expenditures and deductions related to export promotion and director's benefits.

• Counselvise Citation: [2001] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 677755 (HC-GUJARAT)
• Appeal Type: Others
• Pronouncement Date: 28-02-2001
• Assessment Year: misc
• Other Referred Cases: COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX v. ASHOKA MILLS LTD. (1996) 218 ITR 526, WESTERN INDIA INDUSTRIES v. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, (1992) 197 ITR 680, COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX v. AMBICA MILLS LTD. (1999) 236 ITR 921
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act
• Result in Favour of: Partly Allowed
• Court: HIGH COURT
• Assessee Lawyers: B B NAIK; MANISH BHATT
• Keywords: Income Tax; Insurance premium; Medical expenses; Perquisites; Revenue expenditure; Telephone Expenses; Weighted deduction; Export Promotion Fees
• Section: 40A(5); 35B(1)(b)(iii)

Judgement Text

" IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD INCOME TAX REFERENCE No 52 of 1990 For Approval and Signature: Hon'ble MR.JUSTICE J.M.PANCHAL and Hon'ble MR.JUSTICE M.S.SHAH ============================================================ 1. Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed : NO to see the judgements? 2. To be referred to the Reporter or not? : NO 3. Whether Their Lordships wish to see the fair copy : NO of the judgement? 4. Whether this case involves a substantial question : NO of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution of India, 1950 of any Order made thereunder? 5. Whether it is to be circulated to the Civil Judge? : NO -------------------------------------------------------------- COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Versus SHRI AMBICA MILLS LTD. -------------------------------------------------------------- Appearance: MR BB NAIK instructed by MR MANISH R BHATT for Petitioner NOTICE SERVED for Respondent No. 1 -------------------------------------------------------------- CORAM : MR.JUSTICE J.M.PANCHAL and MR.JUSTICE M.S.SHAH Date of decision: 28/02/2001 ORAL JUDGEMENT (Per : MR.JUSTICE M.S.SHAH) In this Reference, at the instance of the Revenue, three questions are referred for our opinion in respect of A.Y. 1978-79. 2. We have heard learned counsel Mr. B.B.Naik for the Revenue. Though served, none appears for Official Liquidator for the respondent-Company which is in liquidation. 3. Question No.1 \"Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the assessee is entitled to deduction of Rs.2,01,185/- being the amount paid to M/s. Mettur Beard Shell Co. Ltd. for the user of its trade mark 'Tablished' ?\" 4. Mr. Naik, learned counsel for the Revenue fairly states that the controversy raised herein is now concluded by the decision of this Court in COMMISSIONER OF INOME-TAX v. ASHOKA MILLS LTD. (1996) 218 ITR 526, wherein this Court held that the amount paid to Mettur Beard Shell Co.Ltd. for the user of its trade-mark \"Tebilized\" was revenue expenditure. 5. We accordingly answer the question in the affirmative i.e. in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue. 6. Question no.2 \"Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the assessee is entitled to claim weighted deduction in respect of export promotion fees of Rs. 7,00,764/- paid to ICMF ?\" 7. Mr. Naik, learned counsel for the Revenue points out that in WESTERN INDIA INDUSTRIES v. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, (1992) 197 ITR 680, this Court held that the assessee had paid the price for purchase of rights of other parties to export goods and expenditure was incurred in India and, therefore, it would not qualify for weighted deduction under section 35B(1)(b)(iii). Mr. Naik further states that in the instant case also the amount was paid by the assessee to ICMF by way of export promotion fees and the expenditure was incurred in India. 8. In view of the above, we answer the question in the negative i.e. in favour of the Revenue and against the assessee. 9. Question no.3 \"Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, (i) reimbursement of medical expenses, (2) personal accident insurance premium and (3) telephone expenses paid to Directors are not perquisites and the provisions of section 40A(5) are not applicable ?\" 10. Mr. Naik, learned counsel for the Revenue submits that in view of the decision of this Court in COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX v. AMBICA MILLS LTD. (1999) 236 ITR 921, the question may be answered in favour of the Revenue. However, looking to the smallness of the amounts involved, we are not inclined to go into merits of the question referred to us. We accordingly decline to answer this question. 11. The Reference stands disposed of accordingly, with no order as to costs. (J.M.Panchal,J.) ( M.S.Shah,J.) (patel) "