MEINHARDT SINGAPORE PTE LTD AND ANOTHER V. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX, CIRCLE 3(1) INTERNATIONAL TAXATION NEW DELHI

W.P.(C)/14077/2009

AI Insights

The case involves Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd., a Singapore-based company with a branch in India, which provided technical consultancy services to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The Assistant Director of Income Tax initiated reassessment proceedings for the assessment years 2002-03 to 2005-06, questioning the tax rate applied to income received from these services. The primary legal issue was whether the income received by a sub-consultant, Quest International Consultants, directly from NHAI should be included in the taxable income of Meinhardt Singapore. The court examined the contracts between Meinhardt Singapore, NHAI, and Quest International, and the interpretations made by the Assessing Officer during the original assessments.

• Counselvise Citation: [2012] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 752157 (HC-NEW DELHI)
• Appeal Type: Others
• Pronouncement Date: 04-12-2012
• Assessment Year: misc
• Other Referred Cases: Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd. vs. Assistant Director of Income Tax, Circle 3(1), International Taxation, New Delhi
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Partly Allowed
• Court: HIGH COURT
• Department Lawyers: SANJEEV SABHARWAL; PUNEET GUPTA
• Assessee Lawyers: C S AGGARWAL; PRAKASH KUMAR
• Keywords: Foreign company; Income Tax; Reassessment proceedings; Taxable income; Technical consultancy
• Section: 143(3); 115A; 151(1); 44D

Judgement Text

"r * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on : 2\"^November 2012 % Date of Decision; 4\"' December, 2012 + WRIT PETO ON (CIVIL) NQS. 14077/2009, MEINHARDT SINGAPORE PTE LTD. Petitioner Through Mr. C.S. Aggarwal, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate. VERSUS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX, CHICLE 3(1), INTERNATIONAL TAXATION, NEW DELHI Respondent Tln'ough Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, Sr. Standing Counsel & Mr. Puneet Gupta, Standing ^ Counsel. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV KHANNA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.V. EASWAR SANJIV KHANNA, J.: For detailed order see WP(C) No. 14076/2009 titled Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd. vs. Assistant Director of Income Tax, Circle 3(1), International Taxation, New Delhi pronounced today. December 4\"', 2012 NA/kkb (SANJIV KHANNA) JUDGE f •. (R.V. EASWAR) ,IUDGE Signing Date:25.09.2024 17:03:17 Certify that the digital and physical file have been compared and the digital data is as per the physical file and no page is missing. Signature Not Verified IN TIrlE HIGH COURT OFDELHI ATNEW DELHI Reserved on : 2'\"'November 2012 o/y Date of))ecision: December, 2012 •I WRIT PETITON rCIVIL^ NQS. 14076/2009 MEINtlAKDT SINGAPORE PTE LTD. . Petitioner Through Mr. C.S. Aggarwal, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate. VERSUS ^SSISTANT DIRECTOR 01- INCOME TAX, CIRCLE 3(1), INJTiRJNATIONAL TAXATION, NliW DELHI Respondent Through Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, Sr. Standing Coimsel & Mr. Puneet Gupta, Standing Counsel. -1 WRIT PETITON (\"CIVIL) NQS. .14.077/2j)09ji METNIIARDT SINGAPORIi PTE LTD. Petitionec Through Mr. C'.S. Aggarwal, Sr. Advocate with Ml'. Prakash Kumar Advocate. VERSUS ASSIS'l ANT DIRECl'OR OF INCOME TAX, C-aICLE 3(1), INTERNATIONAL TAXATION, NEW DELHI Respomtcnt Through Mr. Sanjeev Sabliarwal. Sr. Standing Counsel & Mj. Punect Gupta, Standing Counsel. ,I. WRIT PETITON rCIVIL) NQS. 14085/2009 MEINHAWTF SlNGAPORl-: PTE LTD. Petitioner Through Mr. C.S. Aggarwal, Sr. Advocate with M.r. Prakash Kumar, Advocate. VERSUS ASSISTANT DIW.tCTOR OF INCOMP: TAX, CIRCUI 3(1), INTin^ATIONAL I'AXA'llON, NEV / DELHI Rci^pondcnt Throug]) Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, Sr Standing • Coun;;cl & Mr. Puneet Gupta. Standing Counsel. W.P.(C) l4076,/2n09, i'1077/2009, 1 -108.v'2009 & 14096/2009 1C'f 25 I- WRIT PETITON (CIVIL) NQS. 14096/2009, MEINI-IARDT SINGAPORE PTE LTD. Petitioner Through Mr. C.S. Aggarwal, Sr. Advocate . with Mr. Prakasli Kumar, Advocate. VERSUS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX; CIRCLE 3(1), INTERNATIONAL TAXATION, NEW DELHI Respondent Tlirough Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwai, Sr. Standing Counsel & Mi\". Puneet Gupta, Standing Coimsel. • COl^M: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SAMJW KHANNA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.V. EASWAR SANJIV KHANNA, J.: ' The present judgment will decide the challenge to the reassessment proceedings initiated against the petitioner Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd. for the assessment 3'ears 2002-03 to 2005-06 vide reasons recorded on 25\"'-26\"^ March, 2009. The said reassessment proceedings have been initiated by the Deputy Director of Income Tax, Circle-3(1), New Delhi. 2. Reasons have been separately recorded for each assessment year, but they are virtually identical. For the sake of convenience, we are reproducing the reasons recorded in the assessment year 2002-03, vdiich read as under \"Assessee filed its return of Income declaring an income of Rs.74,77,927 on 26-02-2004. The assessment was completed under section 143(3) on the Returned income on 23 •03-2005. 2. The assessee is a Singapore based company, having a Branch Officer (B.C.) in India and is engaged in providing technical consultancy in the area of road construction in hidia. V /.P.(C) 14076/2009. 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 2 of 25 It has offered the income out of its activities in India for tax as Feefor Technical Services (FTS) undersection 44D of the Act. 3.1 During the year, the assessee was indulged in providing technical consultancy services to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in respect of NHAI Allahabad project, the contract in respect of which was signed on January 30, 2001. In terms of provisions contained under section 44D read with II5A of the Act, the receipts from this project are taxable as FTS on gross basis @ 20%. 3.2 From the Profit & Loss account filed during the assessment proceedings, it is noticed that the Assessee declared total receipts of Rs.74,77,925/- under secticm 44D. which were offered for tax @ 15%. However, in the assessment order u/s 143(3) dated 23-03-2005 the same was taxed @ 20%. 4.1 It is observed that the assessee entered into a Sub- consultancy contract dated February 01, 2001 with respect to the same NHAI Allahabad project with one M/s Quest International Consultants, a copy of which was submitted during the assessment proceedings for the A.Y. 2006-07. It has been the assessee claim that it had only provided team leader to the project whose salary was added back in computation of Income; while other expenses were borne by the Sub-consultants, which were reimbursed directly to it by the NHAI. Enquiries have been conducted with M/s Quest International Consultants and it is seen that following payments have been received directly by the Sub-consultants from the NHAI in various financial years; Sr. No. Financial Year Amount Received by M/s Quest International Consullants directly from NHAI 1 2001-02 Rs. 1,16,76,611/- 2 2002-03 Rs.2,38,07,150/- 3 2003-04 Rs. 1,61,24,993/- 4 2004-05 Rs.2,46,36,754/- \"5\" ' 2005-06 Rs. 1,32,26,105/- Copies of Form I6A issued by the NHAI to the Quest International Consultants have also been placed on record. 4.2 During the assessment proceedings for the A.Y. 2006-07, the taxability of payments, received by the Quest International directly from the NHAI, in the hands of M/s Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. was examined. It was seen that the NHAI entered into a contract witn the assessee in respect of certain technical services to be provided by latter for its Allahabad W.P.(C)14()76/2009, 14077/2U09, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 3 of 25 project. There is no agreement/contract between theNHAl and ^ M/s Quest International. 4.3 At page 14of the contract between NHAl and the assessee. Sub-consultant is defined as any entity to which the Consultants subcontract any part of the services in accordance with GC 3.7, as quoted above. The purpose for including, in clause 3.7, provision for prior approval of NHAI before appointing Key Personnel and entering into any sub-contract was merely to ensure quality control. The ultimate responsibility of the assessee towards satisfactory completion of contract is ensured by way of inserting sub clause (b). As can be seen from the text of GC 3.7(b), it is the assessee which is completely liable for the performance of the Services by the Sub-consultant. !t clearly shows that the assesee was to assume all the risk in respect of the contract, even in respect of the portion of services to be rendered by the Sub-consultants and, in the event of failure on latter's part to fulfill its obligations satisfactorily, was to face the consequences. 4.4 The above conclusion is reinforced by clause 1.2 of the contract. As can be seen, it declares that the Consultants (i.e. , the assessee) have complete charge of Personnel and Sub- consultants performing the services; and shall be fully responsible for Services performed by thern or on their behalf 'fhis shows that the fetters placed on the power of the assessee to appoint personnel and Sub-consultants are only to the extent so as to ensure the desired quality and by no means could it be interpreted as proof ofan independent relationship between the NHAI and Quest International. 4.5 Clause 4.1 of the contract requires the assessee to employ ' and provide for qualified and suitably experienced personnel and sub-consultants to carry out the Services. Had there been an independent relationship between the NHAI and Quest International, this clause would have been meaningless. It clearly shows that it was the assessee who had to decide its> team infulfilling the contract, and role of NHAI was limited to assess their quality only. As per clause 4.3, certain Key Personnel and Sub-consultants, including Quest International are approved by NHAI. If assessee's argument that there was an independent contractual relationship between the NHAI and the Sub-consultant is accepted, it would also infer that the Key personnel by the assessee were also independent, which obviously is ridiculous. 4.6 As per clause 5..5, the NHAI was required to make payments to the assessee in lieu of services rendered. Nowhere, the contract mentions that the .payments shall be made,to the Sub-consultants. Again in clause 6.2, it is the consultants, i.e. the assessee who is to receive remuneration and W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009,'14085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 4of 25 i/ reimbursable expenditure. The import of ail this is that the entire payment/receipt shall be accrued to the assessee only, irrespective of who actually receives the payments based on assessee's authorization. During the assessment proceedings, the assessee itself submitted copies of bills raised by Quest International, duly countersigned by the assessee. It clearly shows that for the Client, i.e. the NHAl it is the assessee which matters, and not its sub-consultants. It expects proper fulfillment of contractual obligations from the assessee and releases payments only on assessee's authorization. 4.7 Moreover, in clausc 6.4(GC) it is the Consultants i.e. the assessee which is saddled with the responsibility of fulfilling various procedural requirements in order to make a claim of payments due. Nowhere the contract recognizes rights of the Sub-consultants i.e. Quest-International of getting paid. As per clause 6.4 (e), all the payments were to be made by the Client in designated accounts, which are listed in Special condition . (SC) 6.4 (e). The list indeed includes a local account of Quest International and the Ld. A.R. during the assessment proceedings placed enormous reliance onthis'fact. However, if one reads all the clauses related to payments in unison (GC 5.5 and 6-page 29 to 32-the relevant extracts of which are reproduced above in para 5.2), the conclusion can't escape the notice that the accounts mentioned in SC 6.4 (e) do not, per se, confer any rights to earn income to the Sub-consultants; and instead just a tool of convenience for the operational benefit of the assessee. It is the assessee who, in the eyes of NHAI is rendering services, and as per'the contract, it is the assessee only who is getting paid. Character of income cannot change by mere direction to deliver the payments to a third person. 4.8 The fact that the contract is between the assessee and Quest International and not between the NHAI and Quest International, in itself, supportsthe conclusions drawn in above paragraphs.- Itdoesn't held assessee's case-that the relationship between the NHAI and Quest International is independent-one bit. Once a contract is signed between the NHAI and the assessee, no matter how much work the assessee sub-contracts, the contractual responsibilities and consequent benefits shall be with the assessee only. Contract between the Quest International and the assessc 4.8 The fact that the contract is between the assessee and Quest International and not between the NHAI and Quest International, in itself, supports the conclusions drawn in the above paragraphs. It doesn't help assessee's case that the relationship between the NHAI and Quest International is independent - one bit. Once a contract is signed between the NHAI and the assesse, no matter how much work the assessee ' A/.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 5of25 sub-contracts, the contractual responsibilities and consequent benefits shall be with the assessee only. 4.9 It can be seen that the contract was entered into after the, assessee has already signed a contract with NHAI and the assessee was merely sub-contracting its obligation to the sub- consultants. The sub-contracting cannot possibly be construed as a separate contract between the NHAI and the Sub- consultants; 4, lOFurther, the true character of the contract comes out clearly if one analyses clause 7. It stipulates that the assessee shall not be liable to pay the Sub-consultants i.e. Quest International in the event that NHAI did not fulfill their obligations to pay the assessee. It clearly shows that it is the assessee who is rightful owner of alj the monetary consideration to be received from NHAI under-the contract, and the Sub-consultant was to get its share only when the assessee receives its due. Had there been an independent contract between the NHAI and Quest International in respect of payment to be received by Quest International, there was absolutely no need to insert clause 7 in the contract. 4.11 The contract between the NHAI and the assessee was entered into on January 30, 2001. According to the assessee's own admission the services rendered are in the nature of Technical Services under the relevant provisions of Income-tax Act, 1961 and the relevant DTAA. The assessee itself has admitted that the receipts in respect of NHAI Allahabad project are taxable as FTS under Section 44D read with section 115A of the Act on gross basis @ 20%. Under these circumstances, when there was no extra benefit of expenses available to the assessee, the claim of payment of a substantial amount of receipt directly in the hands of the Sub- consultants is nothing but a ploy to avoid payment of taxes by the assessee. Rightfully, entire receipts arising on account of the said contract are'taxable in the hands of the assessee on gross basis @,20% under section 44D read with section 115A of the Act. 4.12There can be no denial to the fact that Contract was awarded to the assessee only and not the assessee and Quest International. After signing the contract with NHAI, the assessee entered into a sub-consultancy agreement with Quest International, but the responsibility for the total performance from start to successful completion and full compliance with the specification for the performance remained with the assessee. Also, it was the assessee, and not the Sub-consultant, who was asked vide GC 6.4 (a) to provide a bank guarantee. •4.13In the eventuality of any unforeseen event which might have, prevented .the Sub-consultant from fulfilling its obligations, responsibility was on the assessee to execute the contract. The overall picture which emerges makes it clear that W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 6 of 25 though contract was later on sub contracted in part, the intention of parties was very clear that the entire gamut of services were to be rendered on the pattern of one composite x;ontract. 4.14The mere fact the Quest International Consultants was assessed to tax is not a reason alliunde to which assessee could be exonerated from the payment of rightful tax dues. Hon'ble Supreme Court in the cases of ITO v. Ch. Atchaiah (218 ITR 239) (SC) and S.P. Jaiswal v. CIT (224 ITR 619)(SC) has held that the right person has to be assessed even if some other person has already filed returns and paid taxes thereon. 4.15For the purpose of ascertaining the intention of parties, regard shall be had to the terms of the contract, the conduct of the parties and the circumstances of the case. It is the duty .to construe the contract according to the intention of the parties. The law of contract is intended to ensure that what has been , promised shall be performed, and in the event of breach, party at default shall compensate the other. To achieve this task a contract must be capable of being executed independently. The factual details of the contract have been examined. The above analysis clearly shows that the Contract is basically one consolidated contract only. Clause in respect of bank guarantee makes it abundantly clear that the entire responsibility of execution of contract was vvith the assessee only from beginning to end. Assessee was required to ensure the quality of local manpower, and by mere sub-contracting, it-would not take the position that it was not responsible for the execution of the project in Toto. Taking into consideration the entire conspectus of the case, the conclusion can't escape that the ploy of direct payments to Quest International was a fagade created for the purpose of taxation, ex consequenti and therefore, veil has to be lifted to tax the correct amount of receipt as FTS under section 44D read with 115A of the Act @ 20% on gross basis. 4.16. During the year, the Quest International received an amount of Rs. 1,16,76,6 i 1/- directly from the NHAI on behalf of the assessee. As discussed above, this amount should have been taxed in the hands of the assessee. Therefore, I have reasons to believe that an amount of Rs.1,16,76,611/- has escaped assessment. ^ Approval of the DIT (International Taxation-I), New Delhi is solicited in terms of the proviso to section 151(1) of the Act. Deputy Director of Income Tax . Intl. Tax. Circle 3(1), New Delhi Dated;26-03-2009\" W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 7 of 25 3. We may note that the proceedings for the assessment year 2002- 03 and 2003-04 are beyond the period of four years and, therefore, the first proviso to Section 147 ofthe Income TaxAct, 1961 (Act, for short) is apphcable. The notices for these two assessment years have been issued after obtaining approval under the proviso to Section 151(1) of the Act from the DIT (International Taxation-1). 4. With regard to the assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06, we accept that the petitioner-assessee is entitled to succeed and the reassessment proceedings are liable to be quashed on the ground of 'change of opinion'. However, for the assessment years 2002-03 and 2003-04, we have come to the conclusion that the reassessment proceedings have been rightly initiated and accordingly the writ petitions forthe said years areliable to be dismissed. 5. Whiie deciding the writ petitions, we have kept in mind that each assessment year is separate and independent. It may be appropriate to reproduce the following observations of the Bombay ffigh Court in Income Tax Reference No. 2/1995 titled M/s Unitech Products Ltd. Vs. Commissioner ofIncome Tax, decided on 30\"^ July, 2012:- \"21. Once the absence of the relevant material before the AO is established, the burden is on the assessee to establish that the AO in some manner and for some reason had • knowledge of such material and considered it while making the assessment orders. There may well be circumstances vhich would lead to such an inference. That, however, would depend on the facts of each case. In the facts of this case, we are not inclined to speculate in the respondent's favour. ) 22. An AO is not concerned with only one assessee or three assessment orders. If judicial notice may be taken it must be .of the fact that an AO has considerable other work including the assessment proceedings of several assessees. We see no reason to presume that the AO would remember all the material and all the facts in respect of the assessment proceedings for a particular year while dealing with the assessment proceedings of another year even in respect of the same assessee. There is nothing to suggest that the AO VV.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 8 of25 while making the assessment orders meach of the Sc ] years in fact, considered the material available in lespect _/ of the other years'. That the assessment orders were niade in different dates albeit within a gap of only ew days indicate the contrary. The exigencies and the burden of he work may well result in his inabihty to conelate the material betAveen various assessment proceedings even though made only within afew days of each othei The burden would rest heavily upon the assessee to establish otherwise. There is nothing on record that persuades us to come to a conclusion that the AO while ^e assessment orders for the A.Ys. 1981-82 and 1982J9 3 recollected Note 16 to its Accounts for 31.12.1982 included in the return of income loi the A.Y. 1983-1984.\" 6. At the same time, we ai-e cautious of tlie fact tliat if the issue m question permeates, is agermane and live, issue for all the .issessment yeai-s, it ean be overlapping. There can be cases when an issue/quest,on may have been examined even when the Assessing Officer had not raised awritten query etc. especially when assessment proceedings for two or more years are pending or have been decided by the same Assessing Officer or tire questioiVissue was raised/examined mthe immediately preceding yeai'. In spite ofthe said position, for tlie reasons set out below, we have reached two different conclusions by applymg tlie legal principles applicable to Section 147/148 ofthe Act. 7 \"We have already set out in detail tire reasons for reopening, tor ay 2002-03 The petitioner. a.s noted in the said reasons, is aSingapore based company having a branch office in India, and during the assessments years in question, it had provided technical consuh^rcy sei-vices to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) under a contract dated 30\"' January. 2001. For each assessment year, the assessee had filed returns declaring total receipts from NI-[AI. For first wo yeas, the gross receipts ftom NIIAI were offered to tax @ 15% under Section 44D of the Act. For the assessment years 20024)3 and 2003-04, tire Assessing Officer, mthe assessment orders dated 23 w.p.iciiM76/2(i09, mnnm. imsmn & laossnoov March, 2005 and 22\"^' February, 2006 passed under Section 143(3), observed and held that the gross receipts were taxable @20%. For the assessment year 2004-05, the assessee had declared total receipts of Rs.1,61,24,993/- under Section 44D, which was offered to tax @20%, whereas the remaining receipts of Rs.65,48,410/- were oftered to tax under Section 44DA on net basis. For the same assessment year, i.e. 2004-05, the petitioner-assessee had also claimed indirect expenses ol Rs.1,11,65,895/- against the receipts offered for tax under Section 44DA. Similarly, for the assessment year 2005-06, the petitioner had declared total receipts of Rs.1,08,96,441/- under Section 44D, which were offered to tax @20%. The remaining receipts ofRs.3,45,30,515/- were offered to tax under Section 44DA on net basis. The assessee had claimed indirect expenses of Rs.3,83,31,294/- against the receipts offered for taxation under Section 44DA. On this amount, the assessee had itself disallowed Rs.51,18,679/- being expenses incurred in relation to projects taxable under Section 44D. The assessments for AY 2004-05 and 2005-06 were completed under Section 143(3) on the returned income on 5''^ December, 2006 and 24\"VDecember, 2007, respectively. 8. From the reasons recorded, it is apparent that the Assessing Officer was of the opinion that payments made to Quest International Consultants (Quest, for short), a sub-contractor, should be included ni the receipts or the taxable income under Section 44D read with Section 115A of the Act and have to be taxed in the hands of the petitionei @ 20%. In the assessment years in question. Quest had received Rs.f,16,76,611/-, , Rs.2,38,07,150/-, Rs.1,61,24,993/- and Rs.2,46,36,754/- respectively from NHAI. This, according to the Assessing Officer, is the escaped income and is taxable mthe hands of the assessee. The Assessing Officer, in this connection, has referred to the clauses of the contract between NHAI and the petitioner as well as W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 10 of 25 the contract between the petitioner and Quest. He has quoted, examnied and interpreted the said agreements to justify initiation of the reassessment proceedings. For the assessment year 2006-07, the Assessing Officer has held in the assessment proceedings that the amounts received by Quest from NHAI are taxable in the hands of the asscssee. It is apparent that the assessment order for the assessment year 2006-07 became the starting point for initiation ot the reassessment proceedings. 9. For the sake of convenience, we will first deal with W.P.(C) Nos.14085/2009 and 14076/2009, which relate to the assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06. As observed above, as far as the assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06 are concerned, the petitioner's case falls in the category of 'change of opinion'. It is an accepted and admitted position that in the assessment year 2004-05, both, the agreement between the petitioner and NHAI, and the agreement betAveen the petitioner and Quest, are available on the records of the Assessing Officer. Therefore, the Assessing Officer was aware and had loiowledge of the said agreements. From the reasons quoted above, it is clear that the Assessing Officer has referred to the clauses of the two agreements and has interpreted them to hold prima facie and tentatively that receipts by Quest from NHAI were taxable in the hands of the assesse, and should be included in the net income of the asscssee. Once the two agreements were with the Assessing Officer, during the course of the assessment proceedings for the assessment year 2004-05, the said aspect as asequitor would have been examined and dealt with by him. Ihe respondents in their additional affidavit filed on 19\"^ April, 2012, have accepted the position that the agreement between the petitioner and Quest is available in the records for the assessment year 2004-05. 'fhey cannot question their own records and state that they do W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, M085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 11 of 25 the contract between thepetitioner and Quest, He has quoted, examined • and interpreted the said agreements to justify initiation of the reassessment proceedings. For the assessment year 2006-07, the Assessing Officer has held in the assessment proceedings that the amounts received by Quest J:rom NHAI are taxable in the hands of the assessce. It is apparent that the assessment order for the assessment year 2006-07 became the starting point for initiation of the reassessment proceedings. 9. For the sake of convenience, we will first deal with W.P.(C) Nos. 14085/2009 and 14076/2009, Avhich relate to the assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06. As'observed above, as far as the assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06 are concerned, the petitioner's case falls in the category of 'change of opinion'. It is an accepted and admitted position that in the assessment year 2004-05, both, the agreement between the petitioner and NFIAl, and the agreement bet-ween the petitioner and Quest, are available on the records of the Assessing Officer. Therefore, the Assessing Officerwas aware and had knowledge of the said agreements. From the reasons quoted above, it is clear that the Assessing Officer has referred to the clauses of the two agreements and has interpreted them to hold prima facie and tentatively that receipts by Quest from NFIAI were taxable in the hands of the assesse, and should be included in the net income of the assessee. Once the two agreements were with the Assessing Officer, during the course of the assessment proceedings for the assessment year 2004-05, the said aspect as a sequitor would have been examined and dealt with by hiiii. The respondents in their additional affidavit filed on 19\"^ April, 2012, have accepted the position that the agreement between the petitioner and Quest is available in the records for the assessment year 2004-05. They cannot question their own records and state that they do W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 11 of 25 not know how the agreement is available on record for the said yeai\", without valid, good reason and justification. The onus is on them. It is claimed and stated that this by itself does not show that the Assessing Officer had applied his mind to the said question of taxability of receipts of Quest in the hands of the assessee. It is not possible to accept the statement made by the learned counsel for the Revenue. There are a number of reasons for the same. Firstly, the fact that the contract between Quest and the petitioner is available on record shows that the Assessing Officer must have called for the same. Secondly, there is correspondence, in the fomi of a letter dated 30\"' October, 2006, written by the petitioner to the Assessing Officer in the AY 2004-05 on the issue in question. The petitioner, -in paragraph 4 of the said letter, had stated as under:- \"4. Copy of the Audited accounts of M/s Quest hnternational, Allahbad and the certificate for them certify that M/s Quest International are raising bills directly to NHAI, Allahabad and getting payments directly from NHAI, Allahabad.\" 10. Thereafter, in the letter dated 14^'^ November, 2006, again for the AY 2004-05, the petitioner had stated as under;- \"1. During the year under assessment company has paid the total salary of Rs.31,88,801.82 to the staff working at New Delhi for the various projects except project at NHAI, Allahabad. The Head Officer has simply remitted certain funds . to the branch office in India for maintajning various expenses in India, 'fhe Delhi Branch office staff has been engaged for the functioning of Indian branch. The details of salary paid by the India branch and by the Quest International is enclosed which establishes the fact that staff at Delhi are not attending any work for NHAI project. These are two different staffs having different duties and nature of, work. ' TDS of Rs.507223/- has been deducted and TDS returns have been filed by the company. The amount so paid has been debited to Profit & Loss account and has been claimed as deduction being an expenditure incurred or execution of contracts entered after April 2003. 2 : 3. Copy of NHA project, Allahabad is .enclosed for your ready reference and record. From this agreement with the National Highway Authority' of India, you will observe that the provisions of sub-consultancy in the name of Quest W.P.{C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 12 of 25 International Consultants is given under the organization chart at page no.54 of the contract. The organization chart clearly defines and establish the fact that the Quest hiternational has been appointed as sub-consultant for undertaking day to day work as directed by NHAl. 4 5. Every month company is raising professional bill in hidian currency. As informed to your earlier that Quest hiternational has been appointed by NHAI as sub-consultant for undertaking • local work as per the requirement of NHAI from time to time. Accordingly, Quest hiternational is raising bill in hidian Currency. The Indian currency bill consist of manpower provided by Quest International and other expenses incurred by Quest International. The bill relating to supply of man-power is being shared between Meinhardt Singapore and Quest International as per their mutual agreement Avhich work out to be at 25% of the bill related to providing of manpoAver. Reimbursement of expenses are not shared between Quest International and Meinhardt Singapore Pte. Ltd.\" 11. Thirdly, the order sheet entry dated 30\"' December, 2005 for the assessment year 2004-05 reads as under;- \"30/12/05 Sh Saxena appeared and discussed the case'. The counsel contends that in the profit & loss a/c no expenses have been claimed for NHAI-Allahabad project as this project agreement was entered into before 31/3/03. Proof in respect of this is to be given as the expenses appear to be common. Also, details of contract between M/s Meinhardt Singapore and M/s Quest International are to be given. Since the counsel has stated that -M/s Quest International is handling the NHAI project and bearing all expenses. , Fixed for 6/1/06\" 12. It may be relevant here to refer to the questionnaire served on the petitioner on 20\"' November, 2006, in which the petitioner was questioned \"1. Please refer to the computation of income & documents ' filed during the asstt. proceedings ofthe case. Please submit the following:- The copy of agreements entered into with the South city Projects Calcutta Ltd., Bengal silver spring project, Queens Park Estate Pvt. Ltd. & NHAI, New Delhi to show that these agreements are entered after 31^' March, 2003. 2. Please explain as to why not the payments made to Quest International consultants be considered as expenses with W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 Page 13 of Z5 r/l sub-contract and the same be treated as receipt for the purpose of computing tax u/s 44D r/w s 115A of IT 1961; This is in view of the fact that the company is raising invoices to NHAI. 2. From the audited a/cs of the branch it is seen that during F.Y. 02-03 the company has incurred •expenses of Rs.322662/-. The company has also submitted that it has PE in the form of branch^office in India. These expenses were not claimed as deduction during A.Y. 03-04. Considering the provisions of S. 44D, please state on what a/c the expenses are made What were the such expenses in F.Y. 2000-01, 2001-02 also considering the fact that the B.O. didn't have any project other than NHAI in earlier years it can be said that these expenses were incurred in connection with NHAI project Allahabad due to this please also explain as to why an expense of Rs.3226621/- be reduced from the current year expenditure also treating the same as incurred for NHAI Allahabad project. 4. Please explain on what a/c the advance to Quest International and Arch Consultancy be made since when the advance was made submit the copy of documents in this regard.\" 13. Similar^, the order sheet entry dated 7\"^ November, 2006 reeords:- \"2. Why the total receipt from NHAI in respect of Allahabad project in Indian currency be treated as a receipt and taxed as per provision of Section 44D read with 115A of the Act\". 14. The letters/responses of the petitioner, when read with order sheet entry dated 30\"' December, 2005 and questionnaire dated 20\"' November, 2006, gives a clear indication that the Assessing Officer was aware that payments had been made by NHAI to Quest. Secondly, both the agreement between NHAI and Quest, as well as the agreement between the petitioner and NHAI were on record. 15. In the assessment year 2005-06 vide order sheet entry dated 14\"' December, 2007, the petitioner was asked the following question:- \"Please explain how have you confirmed that no expenses have been incurred for the services offered to tax under Section 44D read with Section 115A, except the salary paid to the Headquarter? W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 14 of 25 16. Relevant portion of the earlier questionnaire with respect to AY 2005-06 dated 19^''November, 2007 was as under:- \"2. Please furnish copies of all the agreements contracts with the hidian parties, if notfurnished alongwith the returned of income. Also furnish copies of invoices raised on these parties. 3. Details of your employees and the employees of the associated enterprises (AEs) who visited India during the financial year 2004-05, purpose of their visit and duration of stay in India(support with documentary evidence). 4. Name and address of the AE in India and details oi transaction with such AE.\" Ill 17. The petitioner claims that it had filed replies dated 29.' November, 2007, 6\"' December, 2007 and 20\"' December, 2007. However, the same are not on records/files of the respondents. Order sheet entries dated 30^'' November, 2007, 6\"' December, 2007 and 20\"' December, 2007 state that letters were filed. The questionnaire and order sheet entries themselves disclose that the issue in question was examined by the Assessing Officer. In the letter dated 17\"^ December, 2007, the petitioner in response to one ofthe queries had stated:- \"1. XX, XX XX 2. Explain the two contracts Avith NHAI a) We have entered in the first contract with NHAI in January' 2001 for supervision of National Highway Construction Supervision for 4 Laning and Strengthening of Existing Two Lane Stretches from KM, 115 to 158 KM and from KM245 to kM3 17 on NH 2. (Copy of agreement is attached for your reference). The above said contract was in association with local consultant namely M/s Quest hiternational, the work was distributed as Meinhardt has to provide expat Team leader and Quest to provide all the • local staff All the expenses except salary of Team Leader is being paid by Quest International. On the similar pattern NHAI pays Team Leader's remuneration direct to Meinhardt and fee for local staff and expenses is paid to Quest International. The above said income to Meinhardt has been offered for tax under section 115A read with section 44DA as the contract was signed before T' April' 2003.\" W.P.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 • Page 15 ot 25 18. It is the contention of the petitioner that the contract with Quest )^ dated 1'^ February, 2001 was furnished and, therefore, the query was raised. We agree as it is obvious and it would be incongruous to hold to the contrary. That the contract dated 1'' February, 2001 is on record in the immediate preceding year 2004-05 is accepted. The answer given was pertinent and specific. It is indicative of the application of mind on the factual matrix. 19. Consequently, the respondent's claim that these letters are not on record, and therefore should not be taken into consideration, cannot be accepted. This cannot be a ground to reject, and to not take into consideration, the letters. Record maintenance of the respondents leaves much to be desired. Departmental files and records are neither page numbered nor in seriatim. There is no concept of afiling counter and issuance of a proper receipt. The petitioner-assessee has taken a categorical stand that these letters were written to the Assessing Officer. The respondents cannot deny receipt of the said letters merely on the basis that they are now not on record, once the order-sheets record tiling by the petitioner. We, therefore, opt and accept the statement of the petitioner that the agreement between them and Quest was furnished to the Assessing Officer. Time has come for the respondent to start digitization, and to have proper Dak receipt counters and registers. The denial by the respondents that the agreement with Quest was not furnished in the proceedings for AY 2005-06 is rejected. Without the letters, the respondents cannot deny the existence and availability of the agreement between the petitioner and Quest, on their recoid. 20. Thus, for the assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06, the Assessing Officer in the original proceedings had examined and was aware of the two agreements. He was also aware that Quest had received payments from NHAI and that these were not included in the W.p.(C) 14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 & 14096/2009 Page 16 of 25 taxable income or receipts oi the income. lie was also aware that the petitioner's income was taxed on the gross receipt basis under Section ]151. There was no lapse or fault on the part ofthe assessee. Full facts were on record and the Assessing Officer accepted the returns. li at all, there was a lapse on the part ofthe Assessing Officer to understand the legal position. At best the case of the Revenue can be that the Assessing Officer had wrongly applied, and did not appreciate the legal position. This cannot be a ground to reopen finalised regular assessments for the said years. The Supreme Court in the case of LIT Vs. Kelvinator India Ltd. (2010) 2SCC 723 has held has undei.- \"5. On going tlirougli tiie changes, quoted above, made to Section 147 of the Act, we find that, prior to the Direct Tux Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, reopening could be done undei tlie above two conditions and fulfillment of the said conditions alone conferred jurisdiction on the assessing officer.to make a back assessment, but in Section 147 of the Act (with effect from 1-4-1989), they are given a go-by and only one condition has remained viz. that where the assessing officer has reason to believe that income has escaped assessment, conleis jurisdiction to reopen the assessment. Therefore, post-1-4-1989, power to reopen is much wider. However, one needs to give a schematic interpretation to the words \"reason to believe\" failing which, we are afraid. Section 147 would give arbitrary powers to the assessing officer to reopen assessments on the basis ol \"mere change of opinion\", which cannot heper se reason to reopen. 6. We must also keep in mind the conceptual difference between power to review and power to reassess. The assessing officer has no power to review; he has the power to reassess. But reassessm.ent has to be based on fulfillment of ceitain preconditions and if the concept of \"change of opinion is removed, as contended on behalf of the Department, then, in the garb of reopening the assessment, review would take place. 7. One must treat the concept of \"change of opinion\" as an in-built test to check abuse of power by the assessing officer. Hencc, after 1-4-1989, the assessing officer has power to reopen, provided there is \"tangible .material\" to come to the conclusion thatthere is escapement of income from assessment. .Reasons must have a live link with the formation ofthe belief Our view gets support from the changes made to Section 147 of W.P.(C)14076/2009, 14077/2009, 14085/2009 &14096/2009 ' Page \" wV the Act, as quoted hereinabove. Under the Direct Tax Laws - c (Amendment) Act, 1987, Parliament not only deleted the woids jV \"reason to believe\" but also inserted the word opmion in Section 147 of the Act. However, on receipt of representations from the companies against omission of the words \"reason to believe\" Parliament reintroduced the said expression anc deleted the word \"opinion\" on the ground that it would, vest arbitrary powers in the assessing officer.\" 21. For the assessment years 2002-03 aird 2003-04, the agreement between tlie petitioner-assessee and Quest is not in the assi^ssment reeords. The petitioner, however, contends tliat tlie agreement between them and Quest was filed before tire Assessing Offieer. However, no letter endosing the said agreement has been placed on record, and neither is tliere any order sheet enhry on the basis of whieh it cm.ld be stated that tlie agreement between the petitioner and Quest was filed on record. There is odierwise no material or evidence to show that the agreement between the petitioner and Quest was filed with the Assessing Offieer in the said two assessment years. The Assessing Offieer vide letter dated 27'\" December, 2004 for the AY 2002-03 had called upon tlie assessee to give the details oftheir business relationship with M/s Quest International Consultants, Faiidabad along witli copy of agreement with this concern, if any. The petitioner was also asked to confirm whether any supplies were made by the petifioner or any of its associate entity, to any other concern in India. Ifyes, details were asked to be provided. 22. By its response dated 24'\" .Tanuary, 2005, the petifioner had categorically stated that \"Mfe Quest International Con.siiltant is asub i-.nnsnll:ant of M/s NHAI andlhe^mranv is not havine^_busiil