THE MERCANTILE CO-OP. CREDIT SOCIETY LTD.,BELAGAVI vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD-2 (1), BELGAUM

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL PANAJI BENCH, PANAJI BEFORE DR. M. L. MEENA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER AND SH. ANIKESH BANERJEE, JUDICIAL MEMBER

I.T.A. Nos. 170 & 171/PAN/2018 Assessment Years: 2013-14 & 2014-15

The Belgaum Manufacturers Vs. Income Tax Officer, Cooperative Industrial Estate Ward-1(1), Belagavi Ltd., Udyambag - Belagavi [PAN: AAAAT 7254J] (Appellant) (Respondent)

Appellant by : None Respondent by: Smt. Rijula Uniyal, Sr. DR

I.T.A. No. 181/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

The Nutan Mahila Urban Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Cooperative Credit Society Ltd., Ward-1(1), Belagavi A/P Munavalli (Tal-Saudatti) (Distt. Belagavi) [PAN: AAAAN 0978P] (Appellant) (Respondent)

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 2 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO

I.T.A. No. 182/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13 M/s Nerli Prathamik Krishi Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Pattin Sahalkari Bank Niyamit, Ward-1(1), Belagavi A/P Nerli (Tal-Hukkeri) (Distt. Belagavi) [PAN: AAAAT 4155C] (Appellant) (Respondent)

I.T.A. No. 183/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13 Sh. Mahalaxmi Urban Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Cooperative Credit Society Ltd., Ward 1, Gokak A/P Nandagaon (Tal-Gokak) (Distt- Belagavi) [PAN: AAHAS 4690Q] (Appellant) (Respondent)

I.T.A. No. 184/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

Sh. Adinath Pattin Souharda Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Sahkari Niyamit, A/P Hebbal Ward 1(1), Belagavi (Tal-Hukkeri) (Distt-Belagavi) [PAN: AAAAS 6400P] (Appellant) (Respondent)

Appellant by : Sh. S. B. Gadadi, CA Respondent by: Smt. Rijula Uniyal, Sr. DR

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 3 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO

I.T.A. No. 141/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

M/s Prathmik Krushi Sahakari Vs. Income Tax Officer, Bank Niyamit, A/P- Badachi, Ward 1(3), Belgaum, Tq. Athani Distt. Belgaum Civil Hospital Road, 591312 Belgaum. [PAN: AAAAP 0816E] (Appellant) (Respondent)

I.T.A. No. 115/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

The Karnataka State Vs. Income Tax Officer, Government Employees Ward 1(1), Belagavi Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd. Near PWD, Athani, Distt. Belagavi 591304 [PAN: AABAK 0154D] (Appellant) (Respondent)

Appellant by : None Respondent by: Smt. Rijula Uniyal, Sr. DR Date of Hearing: 30.03.2022

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 4 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO I.T.A. No. 190/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

Sh. Mallikarjun Co-operative Vs. Income Tax Officer, Credit Society Ltd. Ward-1(2), Belagavi A/p: Jugul, Tal: Athani, Distt. Belgaum-591252 [PAN: AAAAS 5616H] (Appellant) (Respondent)

Appellant by : Sh. Shivanand Halbhavi, CA Respondent by: Smt. Rijula Uniyal, Sr. DR Date of Hearing: 31.03.2022

I.T.A. No. 245/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2014-15

Sh.Shivasagar Viveddudeshagal Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Sahakari Niyamit, Gokak, Ward-1Gokak-591307 Tq: Gokak, Distt. Belgaum [PAN: AAEAS 5992C] (Appellant) (Respondent)

Appellant by : None Respondent by: Smt. Rijula Uniyal, Sr. DR Date of Hearing: 01.04.2022

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 5 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO

I.T.A. No. 216/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2013-14

Madabhavi L.S.M.P. Society Vs. Income Tax Officer, Ltd. Madabhavi, Tal: Athani, Ward-1Nipani (Karnataka) Ditt: Belgaum [PAN: AAAAM 0356Q] (Appellant) (Respondent)

I.T.A. No. 217/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

Bidrakan Group Gramagala Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Seva Sahakari Sangha Ltd. Ward-1Sirsi, Karnataka Bidrakan – 581355 Taluk : Siddapur [PAN: AAAJB 0223C] (Appellant) (Respondent)

I.T.A. No. 218/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2012-13

Sh. Mallikarjuna Seva Sahakari Vs. The Income Tax Officer, Sangha Ltd, Kansur Road, Ward-1Sirsi, Karnataka Balesar, Tq. Siddapur-581340 [PAN: AAAJS 0074J] (Appellant) (Respondent)

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 6 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO

I.T.A. No. 226/PAN/2018 Assessment Year: 2013-14

The Mercantile Cooperative Vs. Income Tax Officer, Credit Society Ltd., Kadolkar Ward-2(1) Belgaum Galli, Distt : Belgaum 590 001 [PAN: AAAAT 5212E] (Appellant) (Respondent)

Appellant by : None Respondent by: Smt. Rijula Uniyal, Sr. DR Date of Hearing: 04.04.2022 Date of Pronouncement: 04.04.2022 ORDER Per Bench:

The instant appeals are filed by the different assessees before the ITAT against the order of the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax, passed u/s 250(6). 2. The following ITA Nos. are time barred appeals as ITA No. 184/PAN/2018 is delay in 26 days, ITA No. 181/PAN/2018 is delay in 32 days and 180 is delay in 31 days. The assessees prayed for condonation of delay. In all the three appeals delay are condoned and accepting for appeal hearing. 3. First we will consider the appeal No. 184/PAN/2018 for AY 2018-2019 as lead case.

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 7 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 8 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO 7. The Ld. counsel further argued that the assessee is registered under Cooperative Society Distt. Belagavi under department of Cooperative, Government of Karnataka bearing certificate no. 10161 dated 29.11.2003. The assessee is eligible for deduction of the interest or dividend derives by its investment which other Co-operative Society & also from co-operative bank. It was argued that the assessee has earned interest from Cooperative Bank which are primarily Cooperative society. So, the assessee is rightly eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d).

“5. Explanation to Section 8OP(4) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 says that the Co- operative Bank and Primary Agricultural Credit Society shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in Part-V of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The following definitions under Banking Regulation Act, 1949 will help in determining whether any particular Co-operative Society can be treated as Co-operative Bank/ Primary Co-operative Bank or not.

SI. Category Clause/section of Definition No. Banking Regulation Act, 1949 1 Co-operative Clause (cci) of Section 5 Co-operative Bank means a State Co- Bank operative Bank, a Central Co-operative Bank and a 2 Primary Co- Clause (ccv) of Section 5 Primary Co-operative Bank means a Co- operative Bank operative Society other than a Primary Agricultural Credit Society- (1) the primary object or principal business of which is the transaction of banking business; (2) the paid up share capital and reserves

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 9 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO of which are not less than one lakhs of rupees; (3) the bye-laws of which do not permit admission of any other co-operative society as a members. 3 Primary Credit Clause (ccvi) of Section 5 Primary Co-operative Society means a Co- Society operative society other than a primary agricultural credit society – (1) the primary object or principal business of which is the transaction of banking business; (2) the paid up share capital and reserves of which are not less than one lakh of rupees; and (3) the bye laws of which do not permit admission of any other co-operative society as a member.

10.1. The Cooperative Bank wherein the assessee deposited out of its surplus funds for earning interest. Then, the only interest was earned by the assessee on the

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 10 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO deposit would be eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d). The definition of the Co- operative Society is bought in larger umbrella under which the Cooperative Banks is performed. In this consideration we relied on the catena of judgments which are as follows:-

a) In the case of Tumukur Merchants Souhard credit coop limited Vs. The income Tax officer ward-1 Tumkur, [2015] 55 taxmann.com 447 (Karnataka)

“10. In the instant case, the amount which was invested in banks to earn interest was not an amount due to any members. It was not the liability. It was not shown as liability in their account. In fact this amount which is in the nature of profits and gains, was not immediately required by the assessee for lending money to the members, as there were no takers. Therefore they had deposited the money in a bank so as to earn interest. The said interest income is attributable to carrying on the business of banking and therefore it is liable to be deducted in terms of Section 80P(1) of the Act. In fact similar view is taken by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in the case of CIT v. Andhra Pradesh State co-operative Bank Ltd., [2011] 200 Taxman 220/12 taxmann.com 66. In that view of the matter, the order passed by the appellate authorities denying the benefit of deduction of the aforesaid amount is unsustainable in law. Accordingly it is hereby set aside. The substantial question of law is answered in favour of the assessee and against the revenue. Hence, we pass the following order” b) In the case of The Commissioner of Income tax vs Gulshan Mercantile Urban Co-Operative Bank Ltd [2013] 29 taxmann.com 8 (All.)

“10. The question as to whether the business is derived from or attributable to SLR or non-SLR funds would not make any difference for the purposes of qualifying the interest earned by the cooperative bank under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) as the deposits of surplus idle money available from working capital, including reserves, excess collection of interest tax and other incomes are all attributable to the business of banking. The interest from such deposits cannot be said to be beyond the legitimate business activities of the bank. 11.For the aforesaid reasons, we do not find that the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal committed any error in arriving at findings that the interest are not deposits of non-SLR funds and the cooperative bank will qualify for exemption under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act.”

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 11 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO c) In the case of Kaliandas Udyog Bhavan Memises Co-op Society Ltd. v. Income-tax Officer-21(2)(1), 6547/MUM/2017, AY 14-15 (ITAT-Mumbai), Date of Order-25/04/2018.

“9. We thus in the backdrop of our aforesaid observations are unable to persuade ourselves to be in agreement with the view taken by the lower authorities that the assessee would not be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d), in respect of the interest income on the investments made with the co-operative bank. We thus set aside the order of the lower authorities and conclude that the interest income of Rs.27,48,553/- earned by the assessee on the investments held with the co-operative bank would be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d).”

d) In the case of Tirupati Campus PH. II CO-OP HOUSING SOCIETY MARYADIT VERSUS THE NCOME TAX OFFICER WARD -7 (4), PUNE (ITAT_Pune) ITA No.1429/PUN/2018, AY-2015-16, Date of Order 28/02/2019.

“5. I have heard the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The issue in the present ground is with respect to denial of claim of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. The claim of deduction by the assessee was denied by the AO with respect to the interest income earned from Saraswat Co-operative Bank on the ground that the same is not a Co-operative Society. I find that the Co-ordinate Bench of the Delhi Tribunal in the case of M/s. The Veer Cooperative Group Housing Society Limited (supra) has held that Sarswat Co-operative Bank to be a Co- operative Society and the interest earned therein to be entitled to claim deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. I further find that Co-ordinate Bench of the Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Lady Ratan Tower Cooperative Housing Society Ltd., (supra) and after relying on the decision in the case of Kaliandas Udyog Bhavan Premises Cooperative Society Ltd., (supra) has held that the interest earned on investments held with the Co-operative Banks would be eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act.”

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 12 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO 10.2. In relation to the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court, Totgars Co-operative Sales Society Ltd, supra the counsel has made a comparative chart which is inserted as follows:

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 13 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO 10.3. Thus we also find that section 80P(2)(d) of the Act allows whole deduction of income by way of interest or dividend derived by Cooperative Society from its investments with any other co-operative society. This provision does not make any distinction with regard to the source of investment because this section envisages deduction in respect of any income derived by co-operative society from in his investment with a co-operative society. So the Revenue is not required to look another of investment whether it was formed as required within time or otherwise.

10.4. We have heard the considered of the case of Totagars Co-operative Sales Society Ltd. Supra which was relied by the Ld. DR and find that the Hon’ble Apex Court has dilapidated on the issue of deduction u/s 80P(2)(a)(i) but not on section 80P(2)(d). We also observed that in the case of Totagars Cooperative Sales Society Ltd, [2017] 78 taxmann.com 169 (Karnataka) itself the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka has allowed the claim of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) vide order dated 05.01.2017.

10.5. Considering all the judgments of the different High Courts & Tribunals we hereby hold that the investment of assessee in cooperative bank is eligible investment u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. The interest of the said investment related to Cooperative Society, assessee is eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. Accordingly the appeals of the assessee are allowed.

ITA Nos. 170&171/PAN/2018 & Ors 14 The Begaum Manfacturers Coop.& Ors v. ITO 190, 245/PAN/2018, ITA Nos. 216, 217, 218/PAN/2018 and ITA No. 226/PAN/2018 are allowed.

Order pronounced in the open court on 04.04.2022

Sd/- Sd/- (Dr. M. L. Meena) (Anikesh Banerjee) Accountant Member Judicial Member Date: 04.04.2022 *GP/Sr. PS* Copy of the order forwarded to: (1) The Appellant: (2) The Respondent: (3) The CIT(A), (4) The CIT concerned (5) The Sr. DR, I.T.A.T (6) The Guard File