COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX V. TRANSPEK INDUSTRY LTD

ITR/20/1992

AI Insights

The case revolves around the dispute concerning the rate of depreciation applicable to a diesel generating set owned by Transpek Industry Ltd for the Assessment Year 1983-84. Initially, the assessee claimed a depreciation rate of 15%, arguing that the set was part of the same machinery which had been consistently allowed a 15% depreciation rate due to exposure to corrosive chemicals. The assessing officer granted this claim, but the Commissioner of Income-Tax (CIT) later revised this decision, reducing the depreciation rate to 10%. The Tribunal, however, restored the 15% rate, citing precedents and the consistent application of this rate in previous years. The revenue challenged this decision, leading to the reference to the High Court.

• Counselvise Citation: [2003] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 734106 (HC-GUJARAT)
• Appeal Type: Others
• Pronouncement Date: 04-09-2003
• Assessment Year: misc
• Laws Referred To: Income-tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Others
• Court: HIGH COURT
• Assessee Lawyers: MANISH BHATT
• Keywords: Depreciation; Income tax appellate tribunal; Diesel generating set; Revisional action
• Section: 263; 256(1)

Judgement Text

" IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD INCOME TAX REFERENCE No 20 of 1992 For Approval and Signature: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.H.WAGHELA Sd/- and HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.A.MEHTA Sd/- ============================================================ 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 concerned : NO Magistrate/Magistrates,Judge/Judges,Tribunal/Tribunals? 1 to 5 NO -------------------------------------------------------------- COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX Versus TRANSPEK INDUSTRY LTD -------------------------------------------------------------- Appearance: 1. INCOME TAX REFERENCE No. 20 of 1992 MR MANISH R BHATT for Petitioner No. 1 .......... for Respondent No. 1 -------------------------------------------------------------- CORAM : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.H.WAGHELA and HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.A.MEHTA Date of decision: 04/09/2003 ORAL JUDGEMENT (Per : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.A.MEHTA) 1. This is the reference at the instance of the revenue under section 256 (1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 ('the Act'). The following question of law has been referred to us by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Ahmedabad Bench 'C' for Assessment Year 1983-84:- \"Whether, the Appellate Tribunal is right in law and on facts in directing the inspecting Assistant Commissioner to allow depreciation at the rate of 15% on diesel generating set ?\" 2. The assessee, a limited company, claimed depreciation at the rate of 15% on diesel generating set stating that the same was a part and parcel of the same machinery which was owned and used by the assessee. It was further stated by the assessee that the plant and machinery came in contact with corrosive chemicals and all other plant and machinery were allowed depreciation at the rate of 15% and hence the diesel generating set, which was a part of the same machinery, was also entitled to depreciation at the rate of 15%. The assessing officer granted the claim of the assessee. 3. However, the C.I.T., taking revisional action under section 263 of the Act, restricted the deduction of depreciation to the rate of 10% holding that every assessment was distinct and independent. The assessee carried the matter in appeal before the Tribunal and the Tribunal referred to the decisions of the Ahmedabad Bench and Jaipur Bench of the Tribunal and found that such machineries, namely, generating sets, were entitled to depreciation at the rate of 30%, the assessee had restricted its claim to deduction at the rate of 15% and hence the same was allowable. 4. We have heard Mr.M.R.Bhatt, learned senior standing counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant-revenue. Though served, none appears on behalf of the respondent. 5. It is pertinent to note that over and above reliance on the different Benches of the Tribunal, in the present case, the Tribunal has also taken note of the fact that depreciation had been allowed on the same machinery at the rate of 15% to the assessee for all the preceding assessment years and also subsequent years. In our opinion, in light of this peculiar factual position, it is not necessary to interfere with the finding recorded by the Tribunal and we hold that the Tribunal was justified in law in directing the assessing officer to allow depreciation at the rate of 15% on the diesel generating set. 6. The question referred to us is, therefore, answered in the affirmative, i.e. in favour of the assessee and against the revenue. Reference stands disposed of accordingly with no order as to costs. Sd/- ( D.H.Waghela,J.) Sd/- ( D.A. Mehta, J.) (KMG Thilake) "