ACC LIMITED,MUMBAI vs. DCIT (LTU), MUMBAI

5. With regard to Ground No. 1 which is in respect of disallowance U/s. 14A of the Act attributed for earning dividend income, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Page No. | 2

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2008-09 in ITA No. 6638/MUM/2018 and ITA No. 268/MUM/2019 dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the assesse and against the department.

6. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR.

7. Considered the submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2008-09. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No.6638/MUM/2018 & ITA.No. 268/MUM/2019, held as under: -

13. So far as disallowance of other administrative expenditure is considered, it is observed that Hon'ble Delhi ITAT in the case of Vireet Investment Pvt. Ltd. [165 ITD 27] has held as under: “Section 14A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 read with rule 8D of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 - Expenditure incurred in relation to exempt income not includible in total income - Assessment year 2008-09 - Whether only those investments are to be considered for computing average value of investment which yielded exempt income during year - Held, yes [Para 11.16][Matter remanded]

14. The above referred decision has been followed by co-ordinate Bench in the case of DCIT v. Shree Global Tradef in Ltd. in dated 22nd December, 2022 has held as under: “11. Having heard the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record. It is observed that the assessee has made a suo moto disallowance of Rs.1,263/- for which the assessee contends that the A.O. ought not to have applied Rule 8D on the ground that suo moto disallowance has been made by the assessee. The assessee further contends that without prejudice, the disallowance should be restricted only to the investments which have yielded an exempt income for the assessee during the impugned year. It is also pertinent to point out that since the assessee had not borrowed funds during the relevant year, no disallowance as per Rule 8D(2)(i) of the Income Tax Rules was warranted. It is also observed that the A.O. has recorded his satisfaction that the correctness of the assessee's claim of expenses of disallowance was not to the satisfaction of the A.O., thereby entitling the A.O. to invoke the provisions of Rule 8D and the decision of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Maxopp Investment Ltd. (supra) holds good in the present case. We are also of the considered opinion that the ld. CIT(A) has rightly held that the assessee has not made bifurcation of the expenses claimed under 'other expenses' and in case of which the A.O. had to invoke Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules. The suo moto disallowance of the assessee does not disentitle the A.O. from invoking the said provision. In this Page No. | 3 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited regard, we find justification in the order of the ld. CIT(A) in upholding the A.O.'s action in invoking the provision of Rule 8D(2)(ii) by rejecting the assessee's contention that suo moto disallowance by the assessee warrants no further disallowances. The assessee's alternate claim is that the disallowance u/s. 14A read with Rule 8D(2)(iii) should be restricted only to those investments on which exempt income was earned by the assessee during the impugned year, by placing reliance on the decision of Vireet Investments Pvt. Ltd. (supra). We also find justification in the order of the ld. CIT(A) in holding that the disallowance u/s. 14A read with Rule 8D(2)(iii) of the Act should be invoked for calculation of disallowance pertaining to only investment from which exempt income is earned by the assessee by placing reliance on the decision of the Special Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Vireet Investments Pvt. Ltd. (supra). We find no infirmity in the order of the ld. CIT(A).

12. By respectfully following the above mentioned decisions, we uphold the order of the ld. CIT(A) in directing the A.O. to recompute the disallowance only to the investments which have yielded exempt income during the impugned year.”

15. Considering the finding given by Coordinate Bench, the Assessing Officer is directed to re-work disallowance u/s.14A under rule 8D(2)(iii) on investment which has yielded exempt income and consider only those investments which yielded the exempt income. The assessee gets the relief accordingly. This ground of appeal is partly allowed.”

8. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2008-09 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is partly allowed.

9. In Ground No.2, assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 2: Denial of claim of exclusion of Sales tax Incentive as Capital Receipt (Rs. 85,48,23,477/-) a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) erred in confirming the action of AO in not excluding sales tax incentive availed by the Appellant under various schemes of different states, aggregating to Rs.85,48,23,477/-, being capital in nature, in computing total income under normal provisions of Act. b) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT (A) was not justified and grossly erred by disallowing Sales Tax Incentives by not following the order of the Jurisdictional Tribunal (on similar facts) and order of his predecessor in the Appellant's own case without any reason recorded in the order. c) The Appellant prays that subsidy received by the Appellant from various States be held as capital receipt, not chargeable to tax.”

Page No. | 4

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 10. With regard to Ground No. 2 which is in respect of denial of claim of exclusion of sales tax incentive as capital receipt, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2012-13 in ITA No. 3203 & 3246/MUM/2018 and dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the assesse and against the department.

11. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR.

12. Considered the submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2012-13. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3203 & 3246/MUM/2018, held as under: -

10. In the Ground No.3, Department has raised the following grievance: “On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Id. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Rs. 13,34,92,198/- by holding that premature payment of deferred sales tax at Net Present Value against the total sales tax liability represent capital receipt and could not be a remission or cessation of a trading liability under section 41(1) of the Act, especially when the scheme under consideration, also provides for capital investment subsidy separately and in view of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s Siemens Pub. Communication Network Pvt. Limited, wherein, it has been held that unless, the grant indeed received by the assessee is utilized for acquisition of an asset, the must be understood to be in nature of revenue receipt, except, by way of voluntary contribution received from parent company.

11. On identical issue in Assessee’s appeal, in the Ground No.3, following issue is raised: “3(a). On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in not excluding sales tax incentive availed by the appellant under various schemes of different states, aggregating to Rs. 22,43,82,308/- , being capital in nature, in computing total income under the normal provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3(b). On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT (A) was not justified and grossly erred by disallowing Sales Tax Incentives by not following the order of the jurisdictional Bench of ITAT and Order of his precedent in the Appellant's own case without any reason recorded in the order Page No. | 5

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 12. Similar issue was considered by us in Department Appeal for AY 2005-06 in Ground no 5 and held as under: “32.Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. On this issue, coordinate bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited in ITA No 5883/Mum/2012 & 5927/Mum/2012 (A.Y.2005-06) dated 31/10/2022 has held as under: “….. The relevant material facts, so far as necessary for adjudication of these grievances, are as follows. The assessee before us is a company engaged in the business of manufacturing of cement and generation of electricity. The assessee has set up its plants in different parts of the country, and as the location of some of these plants was in backward areas, the assessee had received certain sales tax concessions from the respective State Governments. These concessions were in the nature of exemptions and remissions etc, and were granted under specific schemes announced, under the industrial policies, from time to time. During the relevant previous year, the assessee received amounts aggregating to Rs 169,93,34,752, but all these receipts were treated as tax exempt on account of being in the nature of capital receipts. When income tax return filed by the assessee was subjected to the scrutiny assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer noticed that the assessee had a lodged a claim for exclusion of Rs 169.93 crores, being sales tax exemption/incentives received by it, as capital receipt, and hence not liable to tax. The Assessing Officer declined this claim, primarily on the basis of certain observations in the judgments in the cases of Tamilnadu Sugar Corporation Ltd Vs CIT [(2001) 251 ITR 843 (Mad)], CIT Vs Rajaram Maize Products [(2001) 251 ITR 427 (SC)], CIT Vs S Kumars Tyre Manufacturing Co [(2004) 266 ITR 325 (MP)], and CIT Vs Abhishek Industries Ltd [(2006) 286 ITR 1 (P&H)]. The entire amount of Rs 1169.93 crores was added to income of the assessee. Aggrieved, assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A). Learned CIT(A) took note of the fact that these amounts pertained to five different units under four schemes- namely Maharshtra’s Dispersal of Industries Package Scheme of Incentives 1993 (Maratha Unit), Punjab’s Industrial Incentives Code under the Industrial Policy, 1996 (Ropar and Bhatinda Units), Rajasthan’s Sales Tax New Incentives Scheme for Industries, 1989 (Rabriyawas Unit), and Exemptions/ Concessions to Industries Excise & Taxation Department Notification No EXN C(9)2/9- dated 31-1-2-1994 (Himachal Unit). He discussed these schemes in quite a bit of detail-to the extent wordings of the preamble of the schemes are concerned, and concluded that while the amounts aggregating to Rs 130,57,12,796, in respect of Punjab and Maharashtra Schemes, are indeed capital receipts in nature, and exempt from tax as such, the amounts aggregating to Rs 39,36,21,956 are revenue in nature, and to that extent the Assessing Officer was justified in including the same in taxable income. None of the parties is satisfied. While the assessee is aggrieved of the amount of Rs 39,36,21,956 being included in his taxable income, the Assessing Officer is aggrieved of the learned CIT(A)’s granting

Page No. | 6 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited relief of Rs 130,57,12,796. Both parties are in appeal before us.

6. We have heard the rival contentions, perused the material on record, and duly considered the facts of the case in the light of the applicable legal position.

7. We find that the learned CIT(A) has, in his elaborate analysis, primarily followed the Special Bench decision in the case of DCIT Vs Reliance Industries Ltd [(2004) 88 ITD SB 273 (Mum)]. Upon analysis of this decision, he has noted that ‘for deciding the nature of subsidy, whether capital or revenue, what should be seen and examined is the purpose for which the subsidy has been given, and not the timing of the subsidy or the manner in which it has been given to the industry’, as is also held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT Vs Ponni Sugar and Chemicals Ltd [(2008) 306 ITR 392 (SC)]. A large number of judicial precedents have been cited in this context. Learned CIT(A) has then held that so far as the object and purpose for which the subsidy is given, only the subsidy schemes of the Maharashtra and Punjab State specifically state that the subsidies in question are for achieving dispersal of industries outside Mumbai, to attract them to the underdeveloped and developing areas of the State, and to promote the growth of the industry in the State, in the preamble to the scheme. It is on this basis that he has held that so far as the subsidies given by the Maharashtra and Punjab States are concerned, these are required to be treated as capital in nature, whereas, the subsidies received from the State Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, in the absence of specific mention to the effect in the preambles of the subsidy schemes that these subsidies are required to be held to be revenue in nature. However, in our considered view, the approach of discerning the purpose of the subsidy, solely from the specific words used in the preamble of the scheme and without examining the overall scheme of the Act- which is admittedly to promote the growth of industry, is incorrect and superficial. The subsidies so received can be said to be revenue in nature unless these subsidies are for augmenting the profits of the assessee, and that is not even the case of the revenue. The CIT(A) is simply swayed by the wording of the preamble of the scheme- something clearly impermissible. These subsidy schemes are materially similar in nature, and there are, by now, a number of decisions of the coordinate benches, as also Hon’ble Courts above, dealing with these schemes. It is also important to bear in mind the fact that the subsidies received by the assessee are in the nature of sales tax subsidies, and dealing with sales tax subsidies, Hon’ble Gujarat High Court, in the case of CIT Vs Nirma Ltd [(2017) 397 ITR 49 (Guj)], has observed as follows: 7. So far as second issued as to Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in law and on facts in upholding the decision of the CIT (A) and in directing the Assessing Officer to consider the Sales-tax exemption benefit of Rs. 5,45,81,171/- as capital

Page No. | 7 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited receipts is concerned, Mr.Mehta contended that in view of the decision of the Calcutta and Punjab High Court, the Tribunal has committed an error in reversing the view taken by CIT (Appeals) so far as Tax Appeal No.226 of 2010 is concerned, wherein the CIT (A), after discussing the evidence has held in favour of the department. In this regard, he has relied upon the decision of High Court of Bombay in the case of CIT v. Reliance Industries Ltd. [2010] 8 taxmann.com 218/[2011] 339 ITR 632, wherein it is held that object of subsidy being to set up new units in backward area is a capital receipt and another decision of High Court of Calcutta in the case of CIT v. Chhindwara Fuels [2001] 114 Taxman 707/[2000] 245 ITR 9, wherein it is held that subsidy in the form of refund of sales-tax received after commencement of production cannot be treated as capital receipt.

8. On the other hand, Mr. Soparkar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent contended that so far as Tax Appeal No.226 of 2010 is concerned, after discussing the evidence on record, the Tribunal has followed earlier decision and discussed the issue in detail in para 54 and 55 of its decision, which reads as under:- "54. Per contra, the learned D.R. Supported the orders passed by the Assessing Officer and the learned CIT (A). Referring to the judgment in Sahney Steel and Press Works Limited v. CIT 228 ITR 253 (SC), he submitted that the impugned sales tax exemption increased the profits of the assessee by eliminating the expenses which the assessee would have had to incur later and therefore the impugned receipts were in the revenue field. He also referred to Explanation (10) to Section 43 (1) of the Income Tax Act inserted in with effect from 01/04/99 to emphasise that the action of the assessee in not reducing the cost of assets by the amount of subsidy for working out the Written Down Value was indicative of the fact that the impugned receipts were not in the nature of capital receipts.

55. We have heard both the parties and considered their rival submissions. Perusal of the scheme extending the aforesaid incentives to "prestigious" units announced by Government of Gujarat on 26/07/91 makes it amply clear that the scheme was announced to attract investment in core sector industry having potential, to spur industrial growth in ancillary, tertiary and secondary sector of the economy. The other scheme announced by the Government of Gujarat as Capital Investment Incentive Scheme on 11th September 1995 was intended to attract investments to generate greater employment in less industrially developed areas of Page No. | 8 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited Gujarat and also to secure balanced development of industries in Gujarat through dispersal of industries in the most backward area and backward areas. It is thus clear that the object of both the scheme was to ensure development of backward areas or for development of core sector industries in the State or for generating the employment. Perusal of both the schemes shows that the incentives extended to the eligible units were, inter alia, through exemption from payment of Sales Tax. Thus, the object of both the schemes was to attract capital investment to ensure development of backward areas and the modality or mechanism chosen to attract such investment was, inter alia, through exemption from payment of sales tax."

9. He further contended that in view of decisions of this Court in CIT v. Birla VXL Ltd. [2013] 32 taxmann.com 330/215 Taxman 117 (Guj.) and in Dy. CIT v. Munjal Auto Industries Ltd. [2013] 37 taxmann.com 115/218 taxman 135 (Guj.) the issue is squarely covered and the decisions which are sought to be relied upon by learned advocate for the appellant are not applicable in the facts of the present case. In the case of Birla VXL Ltd. (supra), this Court has observed as under:- '12. It can thus be straightaway seen that the benefit, though computed in terms of the Sales Tax liability in the hands of the recipient, the same was not mean to give any benefit on day-to-day functioning of the business, or for making the industry more profitable. The principle aim of the scheme was to cover the capital outlay already made by the assessee in undertaking special modernization of its existing industry.

13. In a recent decision dated 28th January 2013 in Tax Appeal No. 450 of 2012 and connected appeals, we had an occasion to examine the nature of incentives received by the assessee from the State Government in the form of entertaining tax waiver for setting up multiplexes. In such context, we had in wake of the revenues contention that the receipt was revenue in nature, held and observed as under : "From the provisions of the said scheme, it clearly emerges that the subsidy though computed in terms of sales tax deferment or waiver, in essence it was meant for capital outlay expended by the assessee for set up of the unit in case of a new industrial unit and for expansion and diversification of an existing unit. As noted, such subsidy was available only to a new industrial unit or a unit undertaking expansion or diversification. Fixed capital investment has been defined as to include various investments in land under use, new construction, plant and machinery

Page No. | 9 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited etc. The entitlement was related to percentage of fixed capital investment. It is undoubtedly true that such subsidy was computed in terms of sales tax deferment and necessarily therefore, would accrue to an industry only once the commercial production commences. However, this by itself would not be either a sole or concluding factor. In case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. and others v. Commissioner of Income- tax reported in 228 ITR 253, the Apex Court held and observed that the character of the subsidy in the hands of the recipient whether revenue or capital will have to be determined, having regard to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The source of fund is quite immaterial. If the purpose is to help the assessee to set up its business or complete a project the monies must be treated as having been received for capital purposes. But, if monies are given to the assessee for assisting him in carrying out the business operations and given after the satisfaction of the conditions of commencement of production, such subsidy must be treated as assistance for the purpose of the trade."

14. In the result, we do not find that the Tribunal has committed any error. No question of law, therefore, arises. Tax Appeals are therefore dismissed.' 10. In the case of Munjal Auto Industries Ltd. (supra), this Court has observed as under:- "7. From the provisions of the said scheme, it clearly emerges that the subsidy though computed in terms of sales tax deferment or waiver, in essence it was meant for capital outlay expended by the assessee for set up of the unit in case of a new industrial unit and for expansion and diversification of an existing unit. As noted, such subsidy was available only to a new industrial unit or a unit undertaking expansion or diversification. Fixed capital investment has been defined as to include various investments in land under use, new construction, plant and machinery etc. The entitlement was related to percentage of fixed capital investment.

8. It is undoubtedly true that such subsidy was computed in terms of sales tax deferment and necessarily therefore, would accrue to an industry only once the commercial production commences. However, this by itself would not be either a sole or concluding factor. In case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. and others v. Commissioner of Income- tax reported in 228 ITR 253, the Apex Court held and observed that the character of the subsidy in the hands of the recipient whether revenue or capital will

Page No. | 10 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited have to be determined, having regard to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The source of find is quite immaterial. If the purpose is to help the assessee to set up its business or complete a project the monies must be treated as having been received for capital purposes. Such But if monies are given to the assessee for assisting him in carrying out the business operations and given after the satisfaction of the conditions of commencement of production, such subsidy must be treated as assistance for the purpose of the trade."

11. He also submitted that in view of above decisions, these appeals may not be entertained.

12. We have heard both the learned counsel and perused the record. We have also gone through the decisions cited before us. After considering the material on record, we are of the view that the issues involved in these appeals are squarely covered by the decisions of this Court in Birla VXL Ltd. (supra) and in Munjal Auto Industries Ltd. (supra). Therefore, the questions of law posed for our consideration in these appeals are answered in favour of the assessee and against the department. Accordingly, all these appeals are dismissed.

8. In the case of JCIT Vs Grasim Industries Limited (ITA Nos 2155/Mum/2016 and Ors; order date 29th April 2022), a coordinate bench has dealt with these legal issues in considerable detail and observed as follows: 5.3.5. …………. the dominant purpose for which the incentive scheme per se introduced by the respective State Governments was only for the purpose of setting up of industries in the respective areas for industrial development in State and also to accelerate development and absolutely not for augmenting the profits of the assessee. Effectively, the schemes of various State Governments envisaged the rapid industrialisation, growth and new employment generation in the respective areas which would in turn promote the growth of the State. Hence, it could be safely concluded that subsidy / incentive granted is only for setting up of the units based on the fixed percentage of the capital cost and not for running the business of the assessee. Moreover, even this subsidy which is determined based on sales tax assessment orders for 9 years, 6 years etc., are subject to maximum outer limit already fixed under the respective schemes. Though the quantification of the subsidy has been made post commencement of business, the measurement of subsidy is immaterial. In our considered opinion, none of the schemes contemplated to finance the assessee in the form of subsidy / incentive for meeting the working capital requirements of the assessee company post commencement of business. Hence, by applying the purpose test, apparently, the subsidy / incentive received in the instant case would only have to be construed as capital receipts not chargeable to income tax. In this regard, we find that ld. AR placed reliance on the decision

Page No. | 11 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd., reported in 306 ITR 392, wherein the incentive conferred under that scheme were two fold. First, in the nature of higher free sale sugar quota and second, in allowing the manufacturer to collect Excise duty on sale price on the free sale sugar in excess of the normal quota, but to pay to the Government only the Excise duty payable on the price of levy sugar. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in para 14 of its decision had held that “character of receipt of subsidy has to be determined with respect to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant. The source is immaterial. The form of subsidy is immaterial.” In fact, the Hon’ble Supreme Court while rendering this decision had duly considered its earlier decision in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd., reported in 228 ITR 253 and had absolutely no quarrel with that judgement. Rather, it concurred with the decision rendered in Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd., case. In this regard, it would be relevant to reproduce the operative portion of the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd., as under:- 14. The second case is Lincolnshire Sugar Co. Ltd. v. Smart 20 TC 643. In that case it was found that Lincolnshire Sugar Co. Ltd carried on the business of manufacturing sugar from home grown beet. The company was paid various sums under British Sugar Industry (Assistance) Act, 1931, out of monies provided by the Parliament. The question was whether these monies were to be taken into account as trade receipts or not. The object of the grant was that in the year 1981, in view of heavy fall in prices of sugar, sugar industries were in difficulty. The Government decided to give financial assistance to certain industries in respect of sugar manufactured by them from home-grown beet during the relevant period. Lord Macmillan held that- "What to my mind is decisive is that these payments were made to the company in order that the money might be used in their business." He further observed that: "I think that they were supplementary trade receipts bestowed upon the company by the Government and proper to be taken into computation in arriving at the balance of the company's profits and gains for the year in which they were received."

15. In the case before us, the payments were made to assist the new industries at the commencement of business to carry on their business. The payments were nothing but supplementary trade receipts. It is true that the assessee could not use this money for distribution as dividend to its shareholders. But the assessee was free to use the money in its business entirely as it liked and was not obliged to spend the money for a particular purpose like extension of docks as in the Seaham Harbour Dock Co. 5 case (supra).

Page No. | 12 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 16. There is a Canadian case St. John Dry Dock & Ship Building Co. Ltd. v. Minister of National Revenue 4 DLR 1, which has close similarity to the case of Seaham Harbour Dock Co. 's case (supra). In that case it was held that where subsidies were given under statutory authority, the statutory purpose for which they are authorised is relevant and may even be decisive in determining whether it is taxable income in the hands of the recipient. In that case, it was pointed out after discussing the Seaham Harbour Dock Co. 's case (supra)as well as that of Lincolnshire Sugar Co. Ltd. 5 case (supra)that subsidy given by the Canadian Government to encourage construction of dry docks was 'an aid to the construction of dry dock and not an operational subsidy'.

17. This precisely is the question raised in this case. By no stretch of imagination can the subsidies whether by way of refund of sales tax or relief of electricity charges or water charges can be treated as an aid to setting up of the industry of the assessee. As we have seen earlier, the payments were to be made only if and when the assessee commenced its production. The said payments were trade for a period of five years calculated from the date of commencement of production in the assessee's factory. The subsidies are operational subsidies and not capital subsidies. 5.3.6. Yet another decision was rendered by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs. Chapalkar Brothers reported in 400 ITR 279 which held that where the object of respective subsidy schemes of State Government was to encourage development of multiple theatre complexes, incentives would be held to be capital in nature and not revenue receipts. The relevant operative portion of the judgment is reproduced hereunder:- 18. After discussing the judgment in Sahney Steel & Press Works Ltd.'s case (supra) this Court then held: "The importance of the judgment of this Court in Sahney Steel case lies in the fact that it has discussed and analysed the entire case law and it has laid down the basic test to the applied in judging the character of a subsidy. The test is that the character of the receipt in the hands of the assessee has to be determined with respect to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. In other words, in such cases, one has to apply the purpose test. The point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant. The source is immaterial. The form of subsidy is immaterial. The main eligibility condition in the Scheme with which we are concerned in this case is that the incentive must be utilised for repayment of loans taken by the assessee to set up new units or for substantial expansion of existing units. On this aspect there is no dispute. If the object of the Subsidy Scheme was to enable the assessee to run the business more profitably then the receipt is on revenue account. On the other hand, if the object of the assistance under the Subsidy Scheme was to enable the assessee to set up a new unit or to expand the existing unit then the receipt

Page No. | 13 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited of the subsidy was on capital account. Therefore, it is the object for which the subsidy/assistance is given which determines the nature of the incentive subsidy. The form of the mechanism through which the subsidy is given is irrelevant."

19. Sahney Steel was distinguished, in para 16 by then stating that this Court found that the assessee was free to use the money in its business entirely as it liked.

20. Finally, it was found that, applying the test of purpose, the Court was satisfied that the payment received by the assessee under the scheme was not in the nature of a helping hand to the trade but was capital in nature.

21. What is important from the ratio of this judgment is the fact that Sahney Steel was followed and the test laid down was the "purpose test". It was specifically held that the point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant; the source of the subsidy is immaterial; the form of subsidy is equally immaterial.

22. Applying the aforesaid test contained in both Sahney Steel as well as Ponni Sugar, we are of the view that the object, as stated in the statement of objects and reasons, of the amendment ordinance was that since the average occupancy in cinema theatres has fallen considerably and hardly any new theatres have been started in the recent past, the concept of a Complete Family Entertainment Centre, more popularly known as Multiplex Theatre Complex, has emerged. These complexes offer various entertainment facilities for the entire family as a whole. It was noticed that these complexes are highly capital intensive and their gestation period is quite long and therefore, they need Government support in the form of incentives qua entertainment duty. It was also added that government with a view to commemorate the birth centenary of late Shri V. Shantaram decided to grant concession in entertainment duty to Multiplex Theatre Complexes to promote construction of new cinema houses in the State. The aforesaid object is clear and unequivocal. The object of the grant of the subsidy was in order that persons come forward to construct Multiplex Theatre Complexes, the idea being that exemption from entertainment duty for a period of three years and partial remission for a period of two years should go towards helping the industry to set up such highly capital intensive entertainment centers. This being the case, it is difficult to accept Mr. Narasimha's argument that it is only the immediate object and not the larger object which must be kept in mind in that the subsidy scheme kicks in only post construction, that is when cinema tickets are actually sold. We hasten to add that the object of the scheme is only one -there is no larger or immediate object. That the object is carried out in a particular manner is irrelevant, as has been held in both Ponni Sugar and Sahney Steel.

23. Mr. Ganesh, learned Senior Counsel, also sought to rely upon a judgment of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in Shree Balaji Alloys v. CIT [2011] 9 taxmann.com 255/198 Taxman 122/ 333 ITR 335. While considering the scheme of refund of excise duty and interest subsidy in that case, it was held that the scheme was capital in nature, despite the fact that the incentives were not available unless and until

Page No. | 14 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited commercial production has started, and that the incentives in the form of excise duty or interest subsidy were not given to the assessee expressly for the purpose of purchasing capital assets or for the purpose of purchasing machinery.

24. After setting out both the Supreme Court judgments referred to hereinabove, the High Court found that the concessions were issued in order to achieve the twin objects of acceleration of industrial development in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and generation of employment in the said State. Thus considered, it was obvious that the incentives would have to be held capital and not revenue. Mr. Ganesh, learned Senior Counsel, pointed out that by an order dated 19.04.2016, this Court stated that the issue raised in those appeals was covered, inter alia, by the judgment in Ponni Sugars & Chemicals Ltd. case (supra) and the appeals were, therefore, dismissed.

25. We have no hesitation in holding that the finding of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on the facts of the incentive subsidy contained in that case is absolutely correct. In that once the object of the subsidy was to industrialize the State and to generate employment in the State, the fact that the subsidy took a particular form and the fact that it was granted only after commencement of production would make no difference. 5.3.7. We further find that the Hon’ble Gujarat High Court in CIT vs. Munjal Auto Industries Ltd., in Tax Appeal No.450 with 451-453 of 2012 dated 28/01/2013 also had an occasion to consider the very same issue in dispute before us. In this case also, the Revenue had taken a specific argument that since subsidy would be received only once unit goes for production, subsidy would be revenue nature. The Hon’ble Gujarat High Court referred to the relevant subsidy scheme noted that concession was capped @125% of fixed capital investment and could be availed within 9 years. The Hon’ble Gujarat High Court after considering the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court both in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd., and Ponni Sugars and Chemicals referred to supra had held as under:- “7. From the provisions of the said scheme, it clearly emerges that the subsidy though computed in terms of sales tax deferment or waiver, in essence it was meant for capital outlay expended by the assessee for set up of the unit in case of a new industrial unit and for expansion and diversification of an existing unit. As noted, such subsidy was available only to a new industrial unit or a unit undertaking expansion or diversification. Fixed capital investment has been defined as to include various investments in land under use, new construction, plant and machinery etc. The entitlement was related to percentage of fixed capital investment.

8. It is undoubtedly true that such subsidy was computed in terms of sales tax deferment and necessarily therefore, would accrue to an industry only once the commercial production commences. However, this by itself would not be either a sole or concluding factor. In case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. and others v. Commissioner of Income-tax reported in 228 ITR 253, the Apex Court held and observed that the Page No. | 15 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited character of the subsidy in the hands of the recipient whether revenue or capital will have to be determined, having regard to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The source of find is quite immaterial. If the purpose is to help the assessee to set up its business or complete a project the monies must be treated as having been received for capital purposes. Such But if monies are given to the assessee for assisting him in carrying out the business operations and given after the satisfaction of the conditions of commencement of production, such subsidy must be treated as assistance for the purpose of the trade.

9. Such decision was considered in case of Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd.(supra) and the Apex Court held and observed as under : “13. The main controversy arises in these cases because of the reason that the incentives were given through the mechanism of price differential and the duty differential. According to the Department, price and costs are essential items that are basic to the profit making process and that any price related mechanism would normally be presumed to be revenue in nature. In other words, according to the Department, since incentives were given through price and duty differentials, the character of the impugned incentive in this case was revenue and not capital in nature. On the other hand, according to the assessee, what was relevant to decide the character of the incentive is the purpose test and not the mechanism of payment.

14. In our view, the controversy in hand can be resolved if we apply the test laid down in the judgment of this Court in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. (supra). In that case, on behalf of the assessee, it was contended that the subsidy given was up to 10% of the capital investment calculated on the basis of the quantum of investment in capital and, therefore, receipt of such subsidy was on capital account and not on revenue account. It was also urged in that case that subsidy granted on the basis of refund of sales tax on raw materials, machinery and finished goods were also of capital nature as the object of granting refund of sales tax was that the assessee could set up new business or expand his existing business. The contention of the assessee in that case was dismissed by the Tribunal and, therefore, the assessee had come to this Court by way of a special leave petition. It was held by this Court on the facts of that case and on the basis of the analyses of the Scheme therein that the subsidy given was on revenue account because it was given by way of assistance in carrying on of trade or business. On the facts of that case, it was held that the subsidy given was to meet recurring expenses. It was not for Page No. | 16 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited acquiring the capital asset. It was not to meet part of the cost. It was not granted for production of or bringing into existence any new asset. The subsidies in that case were granted year after year only after setting up of the new industry and only after commencement of production and, therefore, such a subsidy could only be treated as assistance given for the purpose of carrying on the business of the assessee. Consequently, the contentions raised on behalf of the assessee on the facts of that case stood rejected and it was held that the subsidy received by Sahney Steel could not be regarded as anything but a revenue receipt. Accordingly the matter was decided against the assessee. The importance of the judgment of this Court in Sahney Steel case lies in the fact that it has discussed and analysed the entire case law and it has laid down the basic test to be applied in judging the character of a subsidy. That test is that the character of the receipt in the hands of the assessee has to be determined with respect to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. In other words, in such cases, one has to apply the purpose test. The point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant. The source is immaterial. The form of subsidy is immaterial. The main eligibility condition in the scheme with which we are concerned in this case is that the incentive must be utilized for repayment of loans taken by the assessee to set up new units or for substantial expansion of existing units. On this aspect there is no dispute. If the object of the subsidy scheme was to enable the assessee to run the business more profitably then the receipt is on revenue account. On the other hand, if the object of the assistance under the subsidy scheme was to enable the assessee to set up a new unit or to expand the existing unit then the receipt of the subsidy was on capital account. Therefore, it is the object for which the subsidy/assistance is given which determines the nature of the incentive subsidy. The form of the mechanism through which the subsidy is given is irrelevant.”

10. In a recent judgement dated 8.1.2013 in case of DCIT-Circle1(2)- Baroda v. Inox Leisure Ltd., we had an occasion to consider somewhat similar question in the backdrop of entertainment tax waiver scheme of State of Gujarat as well as State of Maharashtra. Even in such a case, the entertainment tax waiver which was granted in terms of sale of tickets was treated as capital in nature when it was found that same was relatable to the capital investment made by the assessee. It was held as under : “10. From the above noted provisions of thescheme it can be clearly seen that the entire purpose of granting tax exemption was for giving the boost to the terrorism sector. This was to be achieved by attracting higher investment in areas with tourism potential. In order to achieve such purpose,

Page No. | 17 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited exemption from various taxes as may be applicable was granted. It is true that the exemption was to be computed in terms of tax otherwise payable by the industry. However, the purpose of such exemption was to meet with the capital outlay already undertaken by the assessee. This clearly comes out from various provisions of the scheme. For example, the scheme was applicable only to the new project or to a existing project provided investment in fixed capital or capacity was increased atleast by 50%. Thus, the very eligibility for seeking exemption was linked with new investment being made in fixed capital. Further though the scheme envisaged a certain period spanning for 5 to 10 years during which such exemption could be availed depending on the category of the unit, such exemption would cease the moment the total incentives touched 100% of the eligible capital investments. In other words, the upper limit of total incentive which the unit could receive from the State Government in the form of tax waiver would not exist 100% of the eligible capital investment regardless of the residue of the period of its exemption eligibility as per the scheme. From the combined reading of salient features of the scheme, we have no doubt in our mind that the incentive was being offered for recouping or covering a capital investment or outlay already made by the assessee.”

11. In the result we find no error in view of the Tribunal. Tax Appeals are dismissed. 5.3.7.1. It is pertinent to note that against this judgement, civil appeals were dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 08/05/2018 on the ground that the issue is already covered in the decision of Chapalkar Brothers referred to supra. 5.3.8. Before us, the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue referred to various decisions of Hon’ble High Courts. But, all those decisions were rendered prior to the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court referred to above. Hence, the decisions relied upon by the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue would not advance the case of the Revenue. 5.3.9. It is pertinent to note that in each of the aforesaid decisions of Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Courts have been mindful of the fact that the subsidy has to be received after commencement of business and to be availed within 9,10 &12 years, as the case may be, and yet by applying purpose test, it was held that subsidy was on capital account. 5.4. Applicability of Special Bench decision of Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries reported in 88 ITD 273. The ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue vehemently submitted that the decision of the Hon’ble Special Bench has been reversed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court by remitting the matter back to the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. First of all, it would be relevant to bring on record the crux of the decision of the Special Bench in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. In case of Special Bench decision of Reliance Industries Ltd, the scheme dealt with sales tax exemption under the scheme of Government of Maharashtra, 1979. Further the said scheme was Page No. | 18

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited implemented by SICOM. The following question was referred by the Hon’ble President, Tribunal to the Special Bench: “Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the assessee company is justified in its claim that the sales-tax incentive allowed to it during the previous year in terms of the relevant Government order constitutes capital receipt and is not to be taken into account in the computation of total income?” The Hon’ble Tribunal for Asst Years 1984-85 and 1985-86 had held the sales tax exemption to be capital in nature as the same was given for industrial development of the backward districts as well as generation of employment. However, the matter was referred to the Special Bench as it was alleged that the decision for AY 1985-86 was virtually overruled by subsequent decision of the Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Bajaj Auto Ltd (ITA No. 49 and 1101 of 1991). The Special Bench held that the decision of Bajaj Auto has not overruled the decision of Hon’ble Mumbai Tribunal for AY 1985-86 on the following basis: i) There cannot be any question of overruling the decision of one Bench by another bench of equal strength as it would be contrary to the established norms of judicial system in the country. ii) Even on merits it cannot be said that the Tribunal has laid out more stress on the form of the scheme and not their substance as held in Bajaj Auto as the Tribunal in the order for AY 1985-86 has explained the difference between exemption schemes of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in detail. iii) Reliance placed by Tribunal in Asst Year 1985-86 on the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Sahney Steel & Press Works Ltd. v. CIT (228 ITR 253) cannot be said to be erroneous. The Tribunal did recognise that the object with which subsidy is given is decisive as laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court. If the scheme is for setting up or expansion of industry in a backward area, it will be capital, irrespective of the modality or source of fund. If the scheme is for assisting of carrying out of business operations, it is revenue. Hon’ble Supreme Court demonstrated the principle that the object of the subsidy must be given primary importance over the source of fund. 5.4.1. Ultimately the Special Bench after placing reliance on the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in Sahney Steel and Hon’ble Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Ponni Sugars & Chemicals Ltd. Reported in 260 ITR 605 held that the decision of the Tribunal in Asst Year 1985-86 is correct and observed the following:

Page No. | 19 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 37…. The observations of the Madras High Court lend support to the view that the purpose and object of the Scheme under which the subsidy is given is of more fundamental importance than the fact that the subsidy was received after the commencement of production or conditional upon it. Therefore, in our view and with respect, the Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. ( supra) had correctly interpreted and understood the ratio of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Sahney Steel & Press Works Ltd.’s case (supra).

38. In this view of the matter, we answer the question referred to us in the affirmative. 5.4.2. The ld. AR vehemently submitted that the department did not challenge the decision of the Special Bench before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. However, he fairly stated that there was a subsequent decision of the Division Bench of this Tribunal which followed the Special Bench and that Division Bench order was challenged by the Revenue before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. The Hon’ble Bombay High Court while disposing of the said appeal did not reverse the decision of the Special Bench and accepted the same. When that appeal was further challenged by the Revenue before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Hon’ble Supreme Court remitted the matter back to the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. Accordingly, he argued that the decision of Special Bench was never reversed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court as stated by the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue and accordingly still is a good law and therefore a binding precedent on this Division Bench. In fact, in assessee’s own case for A.Y.2001-02 in ITA No.778 of 2015 dated 18/12/2018 before the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court, wherein the question Nos. c & d was exactly on this point. For the sake of convenience, the question Nos. c & d raised by the Revenue before the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court is reproduced hereunder:- “(c) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was justified in restoring the issue of taxability of the sale tax exemption benefit of Rs.58 crores availed by the assessee to the file of the Assessing Officer for deciding afresh after considering the decision of the Special Bench of the ITAT in the case of DCIT V. Reliance Industries Ltd., 88 ITD 273, which has not been accepted by the Revenue? (d) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was justified in entertaining the additional ground without appreciating that the assessee had treated the amount of sales tax exemption benefit of Rs.58 crores as revenue receipt and had included this amount in the returned income and it had been taxed accordingly and the assessee did not raise this issue before the CIT(A) and the issue had attained finality?” 5.4.3. While disposing of the questions Nos. c & d, the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court categorically held that the decision of the Special Bench of Tribunal had not been reversed or stayed by any higher judicial forum and it holds good as on date. The relevant operative portion of the judgement of Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court in this regard is reproduced as under:-

Page No. | 20 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited “3. We will first address the questions no. (c) and (d), which are different elements of the same issue. The respondent assessee had received a subsidy. It is undisputed that up to the level of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, the assessee did not raise a contention that such subsidy was towards capital account and, therefore, not taxable. However, before the Tribunal such a contention was raised. The Tribunal by the impugned judgment relied upon its earlier judgment for the Assessment Year 1999-2000 in case of this very assessee and restored the issue back to the Assessing Officer. In the earlier order, the Tribunal had remanded the issue to the file of the Assessing Officer "to decide the issue afresh after considering the decision of Special Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra)". Thus, the Tribunal remanded the issue back to the Assessing Officer to be decided in the light of the Special Bench judgment in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. The Revenue's grievance in this respect is two fold. It was contended that the issue was raised for the first time before the Tribunal and the same should not have been permitted. Secondly, the view of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Industries Ltd. was challenged before the High Court. The High Court in a judgment dated 15.04.2009 in Income Tax Appeal No. 1299 of 2008 had held that no question of law in this respect arises and thereby confirmed the judgment of the Tribunal. It was pointed out that against this judgment of the High Court, the Department had approached the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court had held that a question of law did arise. The Supreme Court framed a question and placed the matter back before the High Court. We are informed that this appeal is still pending.

4. On the other hand, learned Counsel for the assessee firstly contended that the Tribunal had merely remanded the issue back to the Assessing Officer. In earlier orders, the Revenue had approached the Court against the similar orders of the Tribunal. The High Court on two occasions, in the order dated 27.09.2016 and 22.11.2016 passed in Income Tax Appeal Nos. 475 of 2014 and 102 of 2014 respectively had not entertained the challenge of the Revenue. In any case, it was contended that the facts on record are available and the Tribunal has merely asked the Assessing Officer to take a decision on the assessee's contention.

5. As long as the material exists on record, a contention raised by the assessee for the first time before the Tribunal, cannot be barred. So much is clear from series of judgments of various Courts including of this Court in case of CIT Vs. Pruthvi Brokers and Shareholders P. Ltd. (2012) 349 ITR 336. It is not the case of the Revenue that the assessee in the context of its contention on the nature of the subsidy, desired to produce additional evidence. It is true that the judgment of this Court confirming the order of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Industries Ltd. has been partially reversed by the Supreme Court. A question of law has been framed and placed for consideration of the 4 of High Court. However, this does not mean that the judgment of the Tribunal as on today stands reversed or stayed. In any case, quite apart from the judgment in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. of the Special Bench of the Tribunal, it is always been for the assessee to Page No. | 21

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited contend before the Assessing Officer by pointing out the relevant clauses of the subsidy that in law the subsidy cannot be treated to be towards revenue account. It would be equally open for the Revenue to oppose such a contention if so advised. The Assessing Officer and the Revenue authorities would have to take a decision in accordance with law. These questions, therefore, are not considered.” (emphasis applied by us while placing reliance on the decision of Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court) 5.4.4. Against this judgement on other issues, the Revenue preferred an SLP before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the same was dismissed vide order dated 23/08/2019 in SLP (Civil) Diary No.22929/2019. In other words, the Revenue while preferring SLP before the Hon’ble Supreme Court did not even challenge this ground of subsidy and the decision of Special Bench of Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd., Hence, the order of the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court in assessee’s own case for A.Y.2001-02 had become final on the very same issue. Though the said decision has been rendered for subsequent assessment year as compared to the years under consideration before us, in view of identical facts and the same legal issue, and more especially, in order to address the fact of binding precedent of Special Bench decision in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd., this Bench deems it fit to place reliance on the said decision also of the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court. Accordingly, we categorically hold that the decision of the Special Bench still holds the field and is a good law. The entire contentions raised by the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue in this regard are hereby dismissed. 5.4.5. Further, we find that the Co-ordinate Bench of Ahmedabad Tribunal in the case of ACIT vs. Genus Electrotech Ltd., reported in 72 taxmann.com 101 had an occasion to consider the fact of Special Bench decision in a more elaborate manner. The relevant operative portion is reproduced hereunder:- “11. We find that so far as the Special Bench decision of this Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra) is concerned, it still holds the field. All that has happened, as a result of Hon'ble Supreme Court's decision dated 9th September 2011, is that Hon'ble Bombay High Court has now admitted the question "whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble Tribunal was right in holding that sales tax exemption was a capital receipt" and will, in due course though, adjudicate on this legal issue. To that extent, Hon'ble Bombay High Court's order dated 15th April 2009, to the extent of declining to admit this question, stands reversed. However, the decision of the Special Bench still holds good as the same has not, and at least not yet, even been examined by Hon'ble Bombay High Court. Mere admission of appeal against a decision, as is elementary, does not affect the biding nature of a judicial precedent. The Special Bench decision, in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra), was not reversed by Hon'ble Supreme Court, but was directed to be examined, on merits, by Hon'ble Bombay High Court. That is quite different from disapproving the special bench decision, but it appears that the coordinate bench was Page No. | 22

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited led to believe, and there could not have been any other reason for ignoring the special bench decision, that this Special Bench decision is reversed. That is patently incorrect, and when we pointed it out to the learned Commissioner (DR), he did not have much to say except to rely upon the coordinate bench decision which seems to have followed that approach. The coordinate bench, in the case of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (supra), did indeed travel much beyond its limited mandate in ignoring a binding judicial precedent simply because appeal against that special bench decision is now pending before Hon'ble Bombay High Court. When posed with a special bench decision and a division bench directly on the issue, though touching different chords, we have no difficulty in recognizing our limitations. The wisdom of a division bench, even if superior- as strenuously argued by the learned Commissioner, has to make way for the higher wisdom of a larger bench. It is this faith of judicial hierarchical system that is the strength of our functioning, and we must follow the same. We, therefore, regret our inability to follow the division bench in the case of Jindal Power, no matter how deeply we respect and admire the work of all our colleagues, and we would rather be guided by the special bench decision - which is exactly what another division bench, on the same set of facts as before us, did in the case of Ajanta Manufacturing Ltd. (supra). As for learned Commissioner (DR)'s suggestion that we should follow the jurisdictional High Court decision in the case off Colourman Dyechem Ltd. (supra), we find that Their Lordships, in this case, were dealing with an entirely different type of subsidy which was clearly dealing with an expansion situation. However, we would rather refrain from making any further detailed observations on this issue, as we are alive to the fact that Hon'ble jurisdictional High Court, in Tax Appeal No 358 of 2012, has admitted appeal against the decision of this Tribunal in Ajanta's Manufacturing Ltd. case (supra) and all these issues will now come up for consideration of Their Lordships. The fact that appeal is admitted does not, as we have stated earlier as well, does not affect the binding nature of the judicial precedents. There is no dispute before us that the scheme under which the sales tax and excise duty subsidy are given to this assessee are the same as in the case of Ajanta Manufacturing Ltd. (supra). All the material facts being the same, there is no reason to take any other view of the matter than the view so taken by the coordinate bench. We must, therefore, uphold the conclusions arrived at by the Commissioner (Appeals), which are in consonance with the Special Bench decision in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra) and coordinate bench decision in the case of Ajanta Manufacturing Ltd. (supra), and decline to interfere in the matter.” (emphasis supplied by us) 5.4.6. In view of the above, no fault could be attributed on the ld. CIT(A) placing reliance on the decision of the Special Bench of the Tribunal and granting relief to the assessee in the instant case.

Page No. | 23 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 9. In the Special Bench decision in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd (supra), what came up for consideration was specifically the sales tax subsidy, and that decision, as we seen in the elaborate analysis of the coordinate bench- as extracted above still holds good in law. In the case of CIT Vs Chaphalkar Brothers [(2018) 400 ITR 279 (SC)], Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that where the object of respective subsidy schemes of State Governments was to encourage the development of Multiple Theatre Complexes, incentives would be held to be capital in nature and not revenue receipts, and, following the same logic, the sales tax subsidy schemes, which are admittedly to encourage industrial growth in the specific areas and the overall scheme in all the sales tax subsidy and exemption schemes unambiguously indicate so, are capital receipts in nature.

10. In view of these discussions, as also bearing in mind the entirety of the case, we uphold the plea of the assessee that the amount of Rs 39,36,21,956 added to the income of the assessee must stand deleted, and reject the grievance of the Assessing Officer against the grant of relief of Rs 130,57,12,796 by the CIT(A).”

9. In grounds nos. 12 and 13, the assessee has raised the following grievances: 12. That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(Appeals) was not justified and grossly erred in not allowing exclusion of Sales Tax Incentive availed of Rs. 1,69,93,34,752/-, being capital in nature, in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB of the Act.

13. That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, necessary directions may please be given to the A.O. to exclude of Sales Tax Incentive availed by the appellant amounting to Rs. 1,69,93,34,752/-, being capital in nature, in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB of the Act.

50. Learned representatives fairly agree that the above issues are now covered, in favour of the assessee, by Hon’ble Calcutta High Court’s judgment in the case of PCIT Vs Ankit metal & Power Ltd [(2019) 416 ITR 591 (Cal)], by Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court’s judgment in the case of CIT Vs Harinagar Sugar Mills Ltd [ITA No 1132 of 2014, dated 4th January 2017] and by a coordinate bench decision in the case of ACIT Vs JSW Steel Limited [(2019) 112 taxmann.com 55 (Mum)]. Learned Departmental Representative, however, relied upon the stand of the authorities below.

48. We further noted that the ITAT special bench of Kolkata Tribunal, in the case of Sutlej Cotton mills Ltd. v. Asstt. CIT [1993] 45 ITD 22 (Cal.) (SB), held that a particular receipt, which is admittedly not an income cannot be brought to tax under the deeming provisions of section 115J of the Act, as it defies the basic intention behind introduction of provisions of section 115JB of the Act. The ITAT Jaipur bench, in case of Shree Cement Ltd. (supra) had considered an identical issue and held that incentives granted to the assessee is capital receipt and hence, cannot be part of book profit computed u/s 115JB of the Act. Similarly, the ITAT Kolkata Bench, in the case of Sipca India (P.) Ltd. v. Dy. CIT [2017] 80 taxmann.com 87 (Trib.) had considered an identical issue and held that when, subsidy in question is not in the nature of income, it cannot be regarded as income even for the purpose of book profit u/s 115JB of the Act, though credited in the profit and loss account and have to be excluded for arriving at the book profit u/s 115JB of the Act.

49. Insofar as, case laws relied upon by the department , we find that all those case laws have been either considered by the Tribunal or High Court and came to conclusion that in those cases the capital receipt is in the nature of income, but by a specific provision, the same has been exempted and hence, the came to the conclusion that, once particular receipt is routed through profit and loss account, then it should be part of book profit and cannot be excluded, while arriving at book profit u/s 115JB of the Act 1961.

Page No. | 25 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 52. We see no reasons to take any other view of the matter than the view so taken by the coordinate bench. Respectfully following the same, we uphold the plea of the assessee and direct the Assessing Officer to exclude the sales tax incentive subsidy for computing book profit under section 115 JB of the Act. The assessee gets the relief accordingly.”

33. It is observed that coordinate bench has also decided similar issue in favour of Ambuja Cement Limited, holding company of assessee from A.Y. 2006-07 to 2011-12 as stated supra. It is observed that various observations made by Assessing Officer and arguments made by Ld. DR are already dealt with by various decisions referred supra hence there is no reason to deviate from the finding given by Coordinate Bench referred supra. Thus, sales tax incentives received by assessee are rightly considered as Capital Receipts by Ld.CIT(A) both for the purposes of normal tax as well for the purposes of computation u/s.115JB of the Act and be excluded while computing taxable income.

raised by the Departmental is dismissed.”

13. Respectfully following the above decision and similar ground was raised by Assessee in Ground No 2 in AY 2007-08 was also decided in favour of the Assessee. This issue is settled in favour of the Assessee. Hence, the ground raised by the revenue is dismissed.”

13. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2012-13 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is allowed.

14. In Ground No. 3, the assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 3: Denial of claim of exclusion of refund of royalty as Capital Receipt (Rs. 25,17,62,233/-) a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) erred in confirming the action of AO in not excluding refund of royalty granted under the Industrial Policy of the State of Maharashtra, amounting to Rs.25,17,62,233 being capital in nature, in computing total income under normal provisions of Act. b) The Appellant prays that royalty refund received by the Appellant be held as capital receipt, not chargeable to tax.”

15. The Assessing Officer has dealt this issue at Para No 6.1 to 6.8 of Assessment Order. The Assessing Officer has observed that assessee has claimed sales tax

Page No. | 26

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited incentives for various units such as Bargarh (Orissa), New Wadi (Karnataka), Gagal (HP), Chanda (Maharashtra)and Chaibasa (Jharkhand) for ₹.99,17,41,517/-. The Assessing Officer has examined different schemes under which incentive is granted to assessee and same was considered as revenue receipt by mainly relying upon decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd [228 ITR 253]. He has further observed that sales tax incentive given to assessee is for expansion of units and cannot be treated as capital receipt. The Assessing Officer further observed that the assessee has also claimed an amount of ₹.25,17,62,233/- relating to refund of royalty as a capital receipt. The Assessing Officer observed that such amount represents the refund of the royalty paid to the State of Maharashtra in respect of its Chanda Plant. The Assessing Officer has treated above receipts as revenue receipts both while computing income as per normal provisions of the Act as well as while computing book profit u/s 115JB of the Act. Assessing Officer further observed that the nature of refund of royalty is no different than the above sales tax incentives. Hence the Assessing Officer further made the addition of ₹.25,17,62,233/- in respect of refund of royalty paid to State of Maharashtra by treating the same as revenue receipts both while computing income as per normal provisions of the Act as well as while computing book profit u/s 115JB of the Act.

16. In appeal, Ld. CIT (A) has discussed the above issue at Para No. 9.1 to 9.3 of his order and held as under:

I have considered the above submissions. However, based on the reasons given above, the purpose of incentive granted under the Scheme of Maharashtra is not capital in nature. In the result, the ground of appeal No. 6 is dismissed.

17. Against the observation of the Ld. CIT (A), the assessee has filed an appeal before us. At the time of hearing, the Ld. DR has relied upon the orders of lower authorities whereas the Ld. AR has argued that royalty refund is capital receipt as nature of income is similar to sales tax subsidy. The Ld AR has also referred to decision of this coordinate bench in the case of assessee itself in earlier years as well as in the case of holding company of the assessee i.e. Ambuja Cement Limited wherein on similar facts, sales tax subsidy is held as capital receipt. Page No. | 27

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 18. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. It is observed that the Assessing Officer has made the addition on account of refund of royalty paid by the assessee to the State of Maharashtra in respect of its Chanda Plant by treating such receipts as a revenue receipt as same is of similar nature as that of sales tax incentive. With regard to the taxability of such sales tax incentives, as held in preceding paras, this issue is squarely covered by the decision of coordinate bench in the case of assessee itself as well as Ambuja Cement Limited, holding company of the assessee in following ITA Nos.:

Name & AY Cement Limited AY 2005-06 ITA No. 5927/Mum/2012 Ambuja Cement Limited AY 2006-07 ITA No. 2366/Mum/2013 Ambuja Cement Limited 2007-08 ITA No. 6405/Mum/2013 Ambuja Cement Limited 2008-09 & 2009-10 ITA Nos. 3307/Mum/2015 and 2428/Mum/2019 Ambuja Cement Limited 2010-11, 2011-12 ITA No. 2958 and and 2012-13 3843/Mum/2019 and 1889/Mum/2018

19. The coordinate bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited for AY 2005-06 has held as under:

“3. In ground no. 1, the assessee has raised the following grievance: That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [here-in-after referred to as Ld. CIT (Appeals)] was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of the A.O. in denying the claim of exclusion of Sales Tax Incentive availed in respect of units situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan aggregating to Rs. 39,36,21,956/-, being capital in nature, in computing total income under the normal provisions of the Act.

4. In a connected ground of appeal number 1 in revenue's appeal, which we will take up along with the above ground of appeal, the Assessing Officer has raised the following grievance: On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in allowing sales tax incentives received by the Maratha unit in Maharasthra, Ropar Unit in Punjab and Bhatinda Unit in Punjab, amounting to Rs. 13,05,71,276 (the correct figure, however, is Rs 130,57,12,796) as a capital Receipt.

Page No. | 28 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 5. The relevant material facts, so far as necessary for adjudication of these grievances, are as follows. The assessee before us is a company engaged in the business of manufacturing of cement and generation of electricity. The assessee has set up its plants in different parts of the country, and as the location of some of these plants was in backward areas, the assessee had received certain sales tax concessions from the respective State Governments. These concessions were in the nature of exemptions and remissions etc, and were granted under specific schemes announced, under the industrial policies, from time to time. During the relevant previous year, the assessee received amounts aggregating to Rs 169,93,34,752, but all these receipts were treated as tax exempt on account of being in the nature of capital receipts. When income tax return filed by the assessee was subjected to the scrutiny assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer noticed that the assessee had a lodged a claim for exclusion of Rs 169.93 crores, being sales tax exemption/incentives received by it, as capital receipt, and hence not liable to tax. The Assessing Officer declined this claim, primarily on the basis of certain observations in the judgments in the cases of Tamilnadu Sugar Corporation Ltd Vs CIT [(2001) 251 ITR 843 (Mad)], CIT Vs Rajaram Maize Products [(2001) 251 ITR 427 (SC)], CIT Vs S Kumars Tyre Manufacturing Co [(2004) 266 ITR 325 (MP)], and CIT Vs Abhishek Industries Ltd [(2006) 286 ITR 1 (P&H)]. The entire amount of Rs 1169.93 crores was added to income of the assessee. Aggrieved, assssee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A). Learned CIT(A) took note of the fact that these amounts pertained to five different units under four schemes- namely Maharshtra's Dispersal of Industries Package Scheme of Incentives 1993 (Maratha Unit), Punjab's Industrial Incentives Code under the Industrial Policy, 1996 (Ropar and Bhatinda Units), Rajasthan's Sales Tax New Incentives Scheme for Industries, 1989 (Rabriyawas Unit), and Exemptions/ Concessions to Industries Excise & Taxation Department Notification No EXN C(9)2/9- dated 31-1-2-1994 (Himachal Unit). He discussed these schemes in quite a bit of detail- to the extent wordings of the preamble of the schemes are concerned, and concluded that while the amounts aggregating to Rs 130,57,12,796, in respect of Punjab and Maharashtra Schemes, are indeed capital receipts in nature, and exempt from tax as such, the amounts aggregating to Rs 39,36,21,956 are revenue in nature, and to that extent the Assessing Officer was justified in including the same in taxable income. None of the parties is satisfied. While the assessee is aggrieved of the amount of Rs 39,36,21,956 being included in his taxable income, the Assessing Officer is aggrieved of the learned CIT(A)'s granting relief of Rs 130,57,12,796. Both parties are in appeal before us.

6. We have heard the rival contentions, perused the material on record, and duly considered the facts of the case in the light of the applicable legal position.

7. We find that the learned CT(A) has, in his elaborate analysis, primarily followed the Special Bench decision in the case of DCIT Vs Reliance Industries Ltd [(2004) 88 ITD SB 273 (Mum)]. Upon analysis of this decision, he has noted that 'for deciding the nature of subsidy, whether capital or revenue, what should be seen and examined is the purpose for which the subsidy has been given, and not the timing of the subsidy or the manner in which it has been given to the industry', as is also held by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT Vs Ponni Sugar and Chemicals Ltd [(2008) 306 ITR 392 (SC)]. A large number of judicial precedents

Page No. | 29 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited have been cited in this context. Learned CIT(A) has then held that so far as the object and purpose for which the subsidy is given, only the subsidy schemes of the Maharashtra and Punjab State specifically state that the subsidies in question are for achieving dispersal of industries outside Mumbai, to attract them to the underdeveloped and developing areas of the State, and to promote the growth of the industry in the State, in the preamble to the scheme. It is on this basis that he has held that so far as the subsidies given by the Maharashtra and Punjab States are concerned, these are required to be treated as capital in nature, whereas, the subsidies received from the State Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, in the absence of specific mention to the effect in the preambles of the subsidy schemes that these subsidies are required to be held to be revenue in nature. However, in our considered view, the approach of discerning the purpose of the subsidy, solely from the specific words used in the preamble of the scheme and without examining the overall scheme of the Act- which is admittedly to promote the growth of industry, is incorrect and superficial. The subsidies so received can be said to be revenue in nature unless these subsidies are for augmenting the profits of the assessee, and that is not even the case of the revenue. The CIT(A) is simply swayed by the wording of the preamble of the scheme- something clearly impermissible. These subsidy schemes are materially similar in nature, and there are, by now, a number of decisions of the coordinate benches, as also Hon'ble Courts above, dealing with these schemes. It is also important to bear in mind the fact that the subsidies received by the assessee are in the nature of sales tax subsidies, and dealing with sales tax subsidies, Hon'ble Gujarat High Court, in the case of CIT Vs Nirma Ltd [(2017) 397 ITR 49 (Guj)], has observed as follows: 7. So far as second issued as to Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in law and on facts in upholding the decision of the CIT (A) and in directing the Assessing Officer to consider the Sales-tax exemption benefit of Rs. 5,45,81,171/- as capital receipts is concerned, Mr.Mehta contended that in view of the decision of the Calcutta and Punjab High Court, the Tribunal has committed an error in reversing the view taken by CIT (Appeals) so far as Tax Appeal No.226 of 2010 is concerned, wherein the CIT (A), after discussing the evidence has held in favour of the department. In this regard, he has relied upon the decision of High Court of Bombay in the case of CIT v. Reliance Industries Ltd. [2010] 8 taxmann.com 218/[2011] 339 ITR 632, wherein it is held that object of subsidy being to set up new units in backward area is a capital receipt and another decision of High Court of Calcutta in the case of CIT v. Chhindwara Fuels [2001] 114 Taxman 707/[2000] 245 ITR 9, wherein it is held that subsidy in the form of refund of sales- tax received after commencement of production cannot be treated as capital receipt.

8. On the other hand, Mr. Soparkar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent contended that so far as Tax Appeal No.226 of 2010 is concerned, after discussing the ITA Nos. 5883 and 5927/Mum/2012 Assessment year: 2005-06 evidence on record, the Tribunal has followed earlier decision and discussed the issue in detail in para 54 and 55 of its decision, which reads as under:-- "54. Per contra, the learned D.R. Supported the orders passed by the Assessing Officer and the learned CIT (A). Referring to Page No. | 30 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited the judgment in Sahney Steel and Press Works Limited v. CIT 228 ITR 253 (SC), he submitted that the impugned sales tax exemption increased the profits of the assessee by eliminating the expenses which the assessee would have had to incur later and therefore the impugned receipts were in the revenue field. He also referred to Explanation (10) to Section 43 (1) of the Income Tax Act inserted in with effect from 01/04/99 to emphasise that the action of the assessee in not reducing the cost of assets by the amount of subsidy for working out the Written Down Value was indicative of the fact that the impugned receipts were not in the nature of capital receipts.

9. He further contended that in view of decisions of this Court in CIT v. Birla VXL Ltd. [2013] 32 taxmann.com 330/215 Taxman 117 (Guj.) and in Dy. CIT v. Munjal Auto Industries Ltd. [2013] 37 taxmann.com 115/218 taxman 135 (Guj.) the issue is squarely covered and the decisions which are sought to be relied upon by learned advocate for the appellant are not applicable in the facts of the present case. In the case of Birla VXL Ltd. (supra), this Court has observed as under:- '12. It can thus be straightaway seen that the benefit, though computed in terms of the Sales Tax liability in the hands of the recipient, the same was not mean to give any benefit on day-to-day functioning of the business, or for making the industry more profitable. The principle aim of the scheme was to cover the capital outlay already made by the assessee in undertaking special modernization of its existing industry.

14. In the result, we do not find that the Tribunal has committed any error. No question of law, therefore, arises. Tax Appeals are therefore dismissed.' 10. In the case of Munjal Auto Industries Ltd. (supra), this Court has observed as under:-- "7. From the provisions of the said scheme, it clearly emerges that the subsidy though computed in terms of sales tax deferment or waiver, in essence it was meant for capital outlay expended by the assessee for set up of the unit in case of a new industrial unit and for expansion and diversification of an existing unit. As noted, such subsidy was available only to a new industrial unit or a unit undertaking expansion or diversification. Fixed capital investment has been defined as to include various investments in land under use, new construction, plant and machinery etc. The entitlement was related to percentage of fixed capital investment.

Page No. | 32 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 8. It is undoubtedly true that such subsidy was computed in terms of sales tax deferment and necessarily therefore, would accrue to an industry only once the commercial production commences. However, this by itself would not be either a sole or concluding factor. In case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. and others v. Commissioner of Income-tax reported in 228 ITR 253, the Apex Court held and observed that the character of the subsidy in the hands of the recipient whether revenue or capital will have to be determined, having regard to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The source of find is quite immaterial. If the purpose is to help the assessee to set up its business or complete a project the monies must be treated as having been received for capital purposes. Such But if monies are given to the assessee for assisting him in carrying out the business operations and given after the satisfaction of the conditions of commencement of production, such subsidy must be treated as assistance for the purpose of the trade."

11. He also submitted that in view of above decisions, these appeals may not be entertained.

8. In the case of JCIT Vs Grasim Industries Limited ( ITA Nos 2155/Mum/2016 and Ors; order date 29th April 2022), a coordinate bench has dealt with these legal issues in considerable detail and observed as follows: 5.3.5. ............. the dominant purpose for which the incentive scheme per se introduced by the respective State Governments was only for the purpose of setting up of industries in the respective areas for industrial development in State and also to accelerate development and absolutely not for augmenting the profits of the assessee. Effectively, the schemes of various State Governments envisaged the rapid industrialisation, growth and new employment generation in the respective areas which would in turn promote the growth of the State. Hence, it could be safely concluded that subsidy / incentive granted is only for setting up of the units based on the fixed percentage of the capital cost and not for running the business of the assessee. Moreover, even this subsidy which is determined based on sales tax assessment orders for 9 years, 6 years etc., are subject to maximum outer limit already fixed under the respective schemes. Though the quantification of the subsidy has been made post commencement of business, the measurement of subsidy is immaterial. In our considered opinion, none of the schemes contemplated to finance the assessee in the form of subsidy / incentive for meeting the working capital requirements of the assessee company post commencement of business. Hence, by applying the purpose test, apparently, the subsidy Page No. | 33 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited / incentive received in the instant case would only have to be construed as capital receipts not chargeable to income tax. In this regard, we find that ld. AR placed reliance on the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd., reported in 306 ITR 392, wherein the incentive conferred under that scheme were two fold. First, in the nature of higher free sale sugar quota and second, in allowing the manufacturer to collect Excise duty on sale price on the free sale sugar in excess of the normal quota, but to pay to the Government only the Excise duty payable on the price of levy sugar. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in para 14 of its decision had held that "character of receipt of subsidy has to be determined with respect to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant. The source is immaterial. The form of subsidy is immaterial." In fact, the Hon'ble Supreme Court while rendering this decision had duly considered its earlier decision in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd., reported in 228 ITR 253 and had absolutely no quarrel with that judgement. Rather, it concurred with the decision rendered in Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd., case. In this regard, it would be relevant to reproduce the operative portion of the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd., as under:- 14. The second case is Lincolnshire Sugar Co. Ltd. v. Smart 20 TC 643. In that case it was found that Lincolnshire Sugar Co. Ltd carried on the business of manufacturing sugar from home grown beet. The company was paid various sums under British Sugar Industry (Assistance) Act, 1931, out of monies provided by the Parliament. The question was whether these monies were to be taken into account as trade receipts or not. The object of the grant was that in the year 1981, in view of heavy fall in prices of sugar, sugar industries were in difficulty. The Government decided to give financial assistance to certain industries in respect of sugar manufactured by them from home-grown beet during the relevant period. Lord Macmillan held that-- "What to my mind is decisive is that these payments were made to the company in order that the money might be used in their business." He further observed that: "I think that they were supplementary trade receipts bestowed upon the company by the Government and proper to be taken into computation in arriving at the balance of the company's profits and gains for the year in which they were received."

Page No. | 34 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited the money for a particular purpose like extension of docks as in the Seaham Harbour Dock Co. 5 case (supra).

19. Sahney Steel was distinguished, in para 16 by then stating that this Court found that the assessee was free to use the money in its business entirely as it liked.

20. Finally, it was found that, applying the test of purpose, the Court was satisfied that the payment received by the assessee under the scheme was not in the nature of a helping hand to the trade but was capital in nature.

21. What is important from the ratio of this judgment is the fact that Sahney Steel was followed and the test laid down was the "purpose test". It was specifically held that the point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant; the source of the subsidy is immaterial; the form of subsidy is equally immaterial.

22. Applying the aforesaid test contained in both Sahney Steel as well as Ponni Sugar, we are of the view that the object, as stated in the statement of objects and reasons, of the amendment ordinance was that since the average occupancy in cinema theatres has fallen considerably and hardly any new theatres have been started in the recent past, the concept of a Complete Family Entertainment Centre, more popularly known as Multiplex Theatre Complex, has emerged. These complexes offer various entertainment facilities for the entire family as a whole. It was noticed that these complexes are highly capital intensive and their gestation period is quite long and therefore, they need Government support in the form of incentives qua entertainment duty. It was also added that government with a view to commemorate the birth centenary of late Shri V. Shantaram decided to grant concession in entertainment duty to Multiplex Theatre Complexes to promote construction of new cinema houses in the State. The aforesaid object is clear and unequivocal. The object of the grant of the subsidy was in order that persons come forward to construct Multiplex Theatre Complexes, the idea being that exemption from entertainment duty for a period of three years and partial remission for a period of two years should go towards helping the industry to set up such highly capital intensive entertainment centers. This being the case, it is difficult to accept Mr. Narasimha's argument that it is only the immediate object and not the larger object which must be kept in mind in that the subsidy scheme kicks in only post construction, that is when cinema tickets are actually sold. We hasten to add that the object of the scheme is only one -there is no larger or immediate object. That the object is carried out

Page No. | 36 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited in a particular manner is irrelevant, as has been held in both Ponni Sugar and Sahney Steel.

24. After setting out both the Supreme Court judgments referred to hereinabove, the High Court found that the concessions were issued in order to achieve the twin objects of ITA Nos. 5883 and 5927/Mum/2012 Assessment year: 2005-06 acceleration of industrial development in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and generation of employment in the said State. Thus considered, it was obvious that the incentives would have to be held capital and not revenue. Mr. Ganesh, learned Senior Counsel, pointed out that by an order dated 19.04.2016, this Court stated that the issue raised in those appeals was covered, inter alia, by the judgment in Ponni Sugars & Chemicals Ltd. case (supra) and the appeals were, therefore, dismissed.

25. We have no hesitation in holding that the finding of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on the facts of the incentive subsidy contained in that case is absolutely correct. In that once the object of the subsidy was to industrialize the State and to generate employment in the State, the fact that the subsidy took a particular form and the fact that it was granted only after commencement of production would make no difference. 5.3.7. We further find that the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in CIT vs. Munjal Auto Industries Ltd., in Tax Appeal No.450 with 451-453 of 2012 dated 28/01/2013 also had an occasion to consider the very same issue in dispute before us. In this case also, the Revenue had taken a specific argument that since subsidy would be received only once unit goes for production, subsidy would be revenue nature. The Hon'ble Gujarat High Court referred to the relevant subsidy scheme noted that concession was capped @125% of fixed capital investment and could be availed within 9 years. The Hon'ble Gujarat High Court after considering the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court both in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd., and Ponni Sugars and Chemicals referred to supra had held as under:- "7. From the provisions of the said scheme, it clearly emerges that the subsidy though computed in terms of sales tax deferment or waiver, in essence it was meant for capital outlay expended by the assessee for set up of the unit in case of a new industrial unit and for expansion and diversification

Page No. | 37 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited of an existing unit. As noted, such subsidy was available only to a new industrial unit or a unit undertaking expansion or diversification. Fixed capital investment has been defined as to include various investments in land under use, new construction, plant and machinery etc. The entitlement was related to percentage of fixed capital investment.

8. It is undoubtedly true that such subsidy was computed in terms of sales tax deferment and necessarily therefore, would accrue to an industry only once the commercial production commences. However, this by itself would not be either a sole or concluding factor. In case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. and others v. Commissioner of Income-tax reported in 228 ITR 253, the Apex Court held and observed that the character of the subsidy in the hands of the recipient whether revenue or capital will have to be determined, having regard to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. The source of find is quite immaterial. If the purpose is to help the assessee to set up its business or complete a project the monies must be treated as having been received for capital purposes. Such But if monies are given to the assessee for assisting him in carrying out the business operations and given after the satisfaction of the conditions of commencement of production, such subsidy must be treated as assistance for the purpose of the trade.

9. Such decision was considered in case of Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd.(supra) and the Apex Court held and observed as under : "13. The main controversy arises in these cases because of the reason that the incentives were given through the mechanism of price differential and the duty differential. According to the Department, price and costs are essential items that are basic to the profit making process and that any price related mechanism would normally be presumed to be revenue in nature. In other words, according to the Department, since incentives were given through price and duty differentials, the character of the impugned incentive in this case was revenue and not capital in nature. On the other hand, according to the assessee, what was relevant to decide the character of the incentive is the purpose test and not the mechanism of payment.

14. In our view, the controversy in hand can be resolved if we apply the test laid down in the judgment of this Court in the case of Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. (supra). In that case, on behalf of the assessee, it was contended that the subsidy given was up to 10% of the capital investment calculated on the basis of the quantum of investment in capital and, therefore, receipt of such subsidy was on capital account and not on revenue account. It was also urged in that case that subsidy granted on the Page No. | 38

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited basis of refund of sales tax on raw materials, machinery and finished goods were also of capital nature as the object of granting refund of sales tax was that the assessee could set up new business or expand his existing business. The contention of the assessee in that case was dismissed by the Tribunal and, therefore, the assessee had come to this Court by way of a special leave petition. It was held by this Court on the facts of that case and on the basis of the analyses of the Scheme therein that the subsidy given was on revenue account because it was given by way of assistancein carry ing on of trade or business. On the facts of that case, it was held that the subsidy given was to meet recurring expenses. It was not for acquiring the capital asset. It was not to meet part of the cost. It was not granted for production of or bringing into existence any new asset. The subsidies in that case were granted year after year only after setting up of the new industry and only after commencement of production and, therefore, such a subsidy could only be treated as assistance given for the purpose of carrying on the business of the assessee. Consequently, the contentions raised on behalf of the assessee on the facts of that case stood rejected and it was held that the subsidy received by Sahney Steel could not be regarded as anything but a revenue receipt. Accordingly the matter was decided against the assessee. The importance of the judgment of this Court in Sahney Steel case lies in the fact that it has discussed and analysed the entire case law and it has laid down the basic test to be applied in judging the character of a subsidy. That test is that the character of the receipt in the hands of the assessee has to be determined with respect to the purpose for which the subsidy is given. In other words, in such cases, one has to apply the purpose test. The point of time at which the subsidy is paid is not relevant. The source is immaterial. The form of subsidy is immaterial. The main eligibility condition in the scheme with which we are concerned in this case is that the incentive must be utilized for repayment of loans taken by the assessee to set up new units or for substantial expansion of existing units. On this aspect there is no dispute. If the object of the subsidy scheme was to enable the assessee to run the business more profitably then the receipt is on revenue account. On the other hand, if the object of the assistance under the subsidy scheme was to enable the assessee to set up a new unit or to expand the existing unit then the receipt of the subsidy was on capital account. Therefore, it is the object for which the subsidy/assistance is given which determines the nature of the incentive subsidy. The form of the mechanism through which the subsidy is given is irrelevant."

Page No. | 39 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 10. In a recent judgement dated 8.1.2013 in case of DCIT- Circle1(2)-Baroda v. Inox Leisure Ltd.,we had an occasion to consider somewhat similar question in the backdrop of entertainment tax waiver scheme of State of Gujarat as well as State of Maharashtra. Even in such a case, the entertainment tax waiver which was granted in terms of sale of tickets was treated as capital in nature when it was found that same was relatable to the capital investment made by the assessee. It was held as under : "10. From the above noted provisions of thescheme it can be clearly seen that the entire purpose of granting tax exemption was for giving the boost to the terrorism sector. This was to be achieved by attracting higher investment in areas with tourism potential. In order to achieve such purpose, exemption from various taxes as may be applicable was granted. It is true that the exemption was to be computed in terms of tax otherwise payable by the industry. However, the purpose of such exemption was to meet with the capital outlay already undertaken by the assessee. This clearly comes out from various provisions of the scheme. For example, the scheme was applicable only to the new project or to a existing project provided investment in fixed capital or capacity was increased atleast by 50%.Thus, the very eligibility for seeking exemption was linked with new investment being made in fixed capital. Further though the scheme envisaged a certain period spanning for 5 to 10 years during which such exemption could be availed depending on the category of the unit, such exemption would cease the moment the total incentives touched 100% of the eligible capital investments. In other words, the upper limit of total incentive which the unit could receive from the State Government in the form of tax waiver would not exist 100% of the eligible capital investment regardless of the residue of the period of its exemption eligibility as per the scheme. From the combined reading of salient features of the scheme, we have no doubt in our mind that the incentive was being offered for recouping or covering a capital investment or outlay already made by the assessee."

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited above. Hence, the decisions relied upon by the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue would not advance the case of the Revenue. 5.3.9. It is pertinent to note that in each of the aforesaid decisions of Hon'ble Supreme Court, the Courts have been mindful of the fact that the subsidy has to be received after commencement of business and to be availed within 9,10 & 12 years, as the case may be, and yet by applying purpose test, it was held that subsidy was on capital account. 5.4. Applicability of Special Bench decision of Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries reported in 88 ITD 273. The ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue vehemently submitted that the decision of the Hon'ble Special Bench has been reversed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court by remitting the matter back to the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. First of all, it would be relevant to bring on record the crux of the decision of the Special Bench in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. In case of Special Bench decision of Reliance Industries Ltd, the scheme dealt with sales tax exemption under the scheme of Government of Maharashtra, 1979. Further the said scheme was implemented by SICOM. The following question was referred by the Hon'ble President, Tribunal to the Special Bench: "Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the assessee company is justified in its claim that the sales-tax incentive allowed to it during the previous year in terms of the relevant Government order constitutes capital receipt and is not to be taken into account in the computation of total income?" The Hon'ble Tribunal for Asst Years 1984-85 and 1985-86 had held the sales tax exemption to be capital in nature as the same was given for industrial development of the backward districts as well as generation of employment. However, the matter was referred to the Special Bench as it was alleged that the decision for AY 1985-86 was virtually overruled by subsequent decision of the Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Bajaj Auto Ltd (ITA No. 49 and 1101 of 1991). The Special Bench held that the decision of Bajaj Auto has not overruled the decision of Hon'ble Mumbai Tribunal for AY 1985-86 on the following basis: i) There cannot be any question of overruling the decision of one Bench by another bench of equal strength as it would be contrary to the established norms of judicial system in the country. ii) Even on merits it cannot be said that the Tribunal has laid out more stress on the form of the scheme and not their substance as held in Bajaj Auto as the Tribunal in the order for AY 1985-86 has explained the difference between exemption schemes of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in detail. iii) Reliance placed by Tribunal in Asst Year 1985-86 on the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sahney Steel & Press Works Ltd. v. CIT (228 ITR 253) cannot be said to be erroneous. The Tribunal did recognise that the object with which subsidy is given is decisive as laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court. If the scheme is for setting up

Page No. | 41 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited or expansion of industry in a backward area, it will be capital, irrespective of the modality or source of fund. If the scheme is for assisting of carrying out of business operations, it is revenue. Hon'ble Supreme Court demonstrated the principle that the object of the subsidy must be given primary importance over the source of fund. 5.4.1. Ultimately the Special Bench after placing reliance on the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Sahney Steel and Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Ponni Sugars & Chemicals Ltd. Reported in 260 ITR 605 held that the decision of the Tribunal in Asst Year 1985-86 is correct and observed the following: 37....The observations of the Madras High Court lend support to the view that the purpose and object of the Scheme under which the subsidy is given is of more fundamental importance than the fact that the subsidy was received after the commencement of production or conditional upon it. Therefore, in our view and with respect, the Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. ( supra) had correctly interpreted and understood the ratio of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Sahney Steel & Press Works Ltd.'s case (supra).

38. In this view of the matter, we answer the question referred to us in the affirmative. 5.4.2. The ld. AR vehemently submitted that the department did not challenge the decision of the Special Bench before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. However, he fairly stated that there was a subsequent decision of the Division Bench of this Tribunal which followed the Special Bench and that Division Bench order was challenged by the Revenue before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court while disposing of the said appeal did not reverse the decision of the Special Bench and accepted the same. When that appeal was further challenged by the Revenue before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the Hon'ble Supreme Court remitted the matter back to the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. Accordingly, he argued that the decision of Special Bench was never reversed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court as stated by the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue and accordingly still is a good law and therefore a binding precedent on this Division Bench. In fact, in assessee's own case for A.Y.2001-02 in ITA No.778 of 2015 dated 18/12/2018 before the Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court, wherein the question Nos. c & d was exactly on this point. For the sake of convenience, the question Nos. c & d raised by the Revenue before the Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court is reproduced hereunder:- "(c) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was justified in restoring the issue of taxability of the sale tax exemption benefit of Rs.58 crores availed by the assessee to the file of the Assessing Officer for deciding afresh after considering the decision of the Special Bench of the ITAT in the case of DCIT V. Reliance Industries Ltd., 88 ITD 273, which has not been accepted by the Revenue?

Page No. | 42 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited (d) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was justified in entertaining the additional ground without appreciating that the assessee had treated the amount of sales tax exemption benefit of Rs.58 crores as revenue receipt and had included this amount in the returned income and it had been taxed accordingly and the assessee did not raise this issue before the CIT(A) and the issue had attained finality?" 5.4.3. While disposing of the questions Nos. c & d, the Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court categorically held that the decision of the Special Bench of Tribunal had not been reversed or stayed by any higher judicial forum and it holds good as on date. The relevant operative portion of the judgement of Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court in this regard is reproduced as under:- "3. We will first address the questions no. (c) and (d), which are different elements of the same issue. The respondent assessee had received a subsidy. It is undisputed that up to the level of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, the assessee did not raise a contention that such subsidy was towards capital account and, therefore, not taxable. However, before the Tribunal such a contention was raised. The Tribunal by the impugned judgment relied upon its earlier judgment for the Assessment Year 1999-2000 in case of this very assessee and restored the issue back to the Assessing Officer. In the earlier order, the Tribunal had remanded the issue to the file of the Assessing Officer "to decide the issue afresh after considering the decision of Special Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra)". Thus, the Tribunal remanded the issue back to the Assessing Officer to be decided in the light of the Special Bench judgment in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. The Revenue's grievance in this respect is two fold. It was contended that the issue was raised for the first time before the Tribunal and the same should not have been permitted. Secondly, the view of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Industries Ltd. was challenged before the High Court. The High Court in a judgment dated 15.04.2009 in Income Tax Appeal No. 1299 of 2008 had held that no question of law in this respect arises and thereby confirmed the judgment of the Tribunal. It was pointed out that against this judgment of the High Court, the Department had approached the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court had held that a question of law did arise. The Supreme Court framed a question and placed the matter back before the High Court. We are informed that this appeal is still pending.

5. As long as the material exists on record, a contention raised by the assessee for the first time before the Tribunal, cannot be barred. So much is clear from series of judgments of various Courts including of this Court in case of CIT Vs. Pruthvi Brokers and Shareholders P. Ltd. (2012) 349 ITR 336. It is not the case of the Revenue that the assessee in the context of its contention on the nature of the subsidy, desired to produce additional evidence. It is true that the judgment of this Court confirming the order of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Industries Ltd. has been partially reversed by the Supreme Court. A question of law has been framed and placed for consideration of the 4 of High Court. However, this does not mean that the judgment of the Tribunal as on today stands reversed or stayed. In any case, quite apart from the judgment in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. of the Special Bench of the Tribunal, it is always been for the assessee to contend before the Assessing Officer by pointing out the relevant clauses of the subsidy that in law the subsidy cannot be treated to be towards revenue account. It would be equally open for the Revenue to oppose such a contention if so advised. The Assessing Officer and the Revenue authorities would have to take a decision in accordance with law. These questions, therefore, are not considered." (emphasis applied by us while placing reliance on the decision of Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court) 5.4.4. Against this judgement on other issues, the Revenue preferred an SLP before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the same was dismissed vide order dated 23/08/2019 in SLP (Civil) Diary No.22929/2019. In other words, the Revenue while preferring SLP before the Hon'ble Supreme Court did not even challenge this ground of subsidy and the decision of Special Bench of Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd., Hence, the order of the Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court in assessee's own case for A.Y.2001-02 had become final on the very same issue. Though the said decision has been rendered for subsequent assessment year as compared to the years under consideration before us, in view of identical facts and the same legal issue, and more especially, in order to address the fact of binding precedent of Special Bench decision in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd., this Bench deems it fit to place reliance on the said decision also of the Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court. Accordingly, we categorically hold that the decision of the Special Bench still holds the field and is a good law. The entire contentions raised by the ld. Special Counsel for the Revenue in this regard are hereby dismissed. 5.4.5. Further, we find that the Co-ordinate Bench of Ahmedabad Tribunal in the case of ACIT vs. Genus Electrotech Ltd., reported in 72 taxmann.com 101 had an occasion to consider the fact of Special Bench decision in a more elaborate manner. The relevant operative portion is reproduced hereunder:-

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ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited "11. We find that so far as the Special Bench decision of this Tribunal in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra) is concerned, it still holds the field. All that has happened, as a result of Hon'ble Supreme Court's decision dated 9th September 2011, is that Hon'ble Bombay High Court has now admitted the question "whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble Tribunal was right in holding that sales tax exemption was a capital receipt" and will, in due course though, adjudicate on this legal issue. To that extent, Hon'ble Bombay High Court's order dated 15th April 2009, to the extent of declining to admit this question, stands reversed. However, the decision of the Special Bench still holds good as the same has not, and ITA Nos. 5883 and 5927/Mum/2012 Assessment year: 2005-06 at least not yet, even been examined by Hon'ble Bombay High Court. Mere admission of appeal against a decision, as is elementary, does not affect the biding nature of a judicial precedent. The Special Bench decision, in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra), was not reversed by Hon'ble Supreme Court, but was directed to be examined, on merits, by Hon'ble Bombay High Court. That is quite different from disapproving the special bench decision, but it appears that the coordinate bench was led to believe, and there could not have been any other reason for ignoring the special bench decision, that this Special Bench decision is reversed. That is patently incorrect, and when we pointed it out to the learned Commissioner (DR), he did not have much to say except to rely upon the coordinate bench decision which seems to have followed that approach. The coordinate bench, in the case of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (supra), did indeed travel much beyond its limited mandate in ignoring a binding judicial precedent simply because appeal against that special bench decision is now pending before Hon'ble Bombay High Court. When posed with a special bench decision and a division bench directly on the issue, though touching different chords, we have no difficulty in recognizing our limitations. The wisdom of a division bench, even if superior- as strenuously argued by the learned Commissioner, has to make way for the higher wisdom of a larger bench. It is this faith of judicial hierarchical system that is the strength of our functioning, and we must follow the same. We, therefore, regret our inability to follow the division bench in the case of Jindal Power, no matter how deeply we respect and admire the work of all our colleagues, and we would rather be guided by the special bench decision - which is exactly what another division bench, on the same set of facts as before us, did in the case of Ajanta Manufacturing Ltd. (supra). As for learned Commissioner (DR)'s suggestion that we should follow the jurisdictional High Court decision in the case off Colourman Dyechem Ltd. (supra), we find that Their Lordships, in this case, were dealing with an entirely different type of subsidy which was clearly dealing with an expansion situation. However, we would rather refrain from making any further detailed observations on this issue, as we are alive to the fact that Hon'ble jurisdictional High Court, in Tax Appeal No 358 of 2012, has admitted appeal against the decision of this Tribunal in Ajanta's Manufacturing Ltd. case

Page No. | 45 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited (supra) and all these issues will now come up for consideration of Their Lordships. The fact that appeal is admitted does not, as we have stated earlier as well, does not affect the binding nature of the judicial precedents. There is no dispute before us that the scheme under which the sales tax and excise duty subsidy are given to this assessee are the same as in the case of Ajanta Manufacturing Ltd. (supra). All the material facts being the same, there is no reason to take any other view of the matter than the view so taken by the coordinate bench. We must, therefore, uphold the conclusions arrived at by the Commissioner (Appeals), which are in consonance with the Special Bench decision in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd. (supra) and coordinate bench decision in the case of Ajanta Manufacturing Ltd. (supra), and decline to interfere in the matter." (emphasis supplied by us) 5.4.6. In view of the above, no fault could be attributed on the ld. CIT(A) placing reliance on the decision of the Special Bench of the Tribunal and granting relief to the assessee in the instant case.

9. In the Special Bench decision in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd (supra), what came up for consideration was specifically the sales tax subsidy, and that decision, as we seen in the elaborate analysis of the coordinate bench- as extracted above still holds good in law. In the case of CIT Vs Chaphalkar Brothers [(2018) 400 ITR 279 (SC)], Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that where the object of respective subsidy schemes of State Governments was to encourage the development of Multiple Theatre Complexes, incentives would be held to be capital in nature ITA Nos. 5883 and 5927/Mum/2012 Assessment year: 2005-06 and not revenue receipts, and, following the same logic, the sales tax subsidy schemes, which are admittedly to encourage industrial growth in the specific areas and the overall scheme in all the sales tax subsidy and exemption schemes unambiguously indicate so, are capital receipts in nature.

10. In view of these discussions, as also bearing in mind the entirety of the case, we uphold the plea of the assessee that the amount of Rs 39,36,21,956 added to the income of the assessee must stand deleted, and reject the grievance of the Assessing Officer against the grant of relief of Rs 130,57,12,796 by the CIT(A).

11. Ground no. 1 of the assessee is thus allowed and ground no. 1 of the revenue is thus dismissed.”

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited discussed in the preceding paras, the addition made for refund of royalty paid by the assessee to State of Maharashtra cannot be sustained in view of the decisions referred supra more particularly when the Assessing Officer himself has observed that both of them (sales tax subsidy and royalty refund) are similar in nature. It is observed that various observations made by Assessing Officer and arguments made by Ld. DR are already dealt with by various decisions referred supra hence there is no reason to deviate from the finding given by Coordinate Bench referred supra. Thus, refund of royalty needs to be considered as Capital Receipts both for the purposes of normal tax as well for the purposes of computation u/s.115JB of the Act and be excluded while computing taxable income. Hence considering the above, the addition made by Assessing Officer is deleted. This ground of appeal raised by assessee is allowed.

21. In the Ground No.4, assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 4: Denial of claim of additional depreciation amounting to Rs. 3,49,97,15,380/- a. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) erred in confirming the action of AO in denying the claim of the Appellant of additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia) in respect of plant & machinery on original cost in the year subsequent to year of acquisition and installation b. Without Prejudice to the above, the CIT(A) erred in not following the order of his predecessor in Appellant's own case and the decision of the Hon'ble Jurisdictional Tribunal on the same issue relied by the Appellant. c. The Appellant prays that the claim of the Appellant be allowed.”

23. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR.

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ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 24. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2007-08. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 4669 & 4556/Mum/2012, held as under: -

44. In the Ground No.5, assessee has raised the following grievance: “5.0That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(Appeals) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of the A.O. in denying the claim of additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia) amounting to Rs. 85,60,39,093/- on the eligible assets acquired during the previous year 2005-06 in computing the total income under the normal provisions of the Act.

45. The AO has dealt with the issue at para 10 to 10.5 of the Assessment Order. The AO observed that assessee has claimed additional depreciation u/s 32(iia) of the Act on all the eligible assets acquired after 31st March 2005. The contention as raised by assessee before AO was reproduced at para 10.3 of assessment order. However, this contention of assessee was not accepted by AO on the ground that assessee is entitled to additional depreciation on assets acquired during the year only and balance claim made by assessee was rejected. 46 In appeal CIT (A) has discussed the above issue at para 9.3.1 & 9.3.2 of his order and held as under: “9.3.1 From the above, it is clear that the additional depreciation is to be allowed on the actual cost of the eligible machinery or plant. There cannot be any doubt that there is a difference between the actual cost of an asset and the WDV of an asset. The assessee has already claimed additional depreciation or has been allowed additional depreciation in respect of the actual cost of the eligible asset which was purchased in the F.Y. 2005-06 in the A.Y. 2006-07 itself. Hence, no additional depreciation can be allowed in the A.Y. 2007-08 on the said assets since in the A.Y. 2007-08, the value of-the assets are(sic) the WDV and not the actual cost of the assets which were eligible assets in the F.Y. 2005-06 relevant to the A.Y. 2006-07. It is, therefore, clear that additional depreciation can be allowed only on the assets which have been acquired and installed during the period 01/04/2006 to 31/03/2007. The additional depreciation is to be allowed to the assessee only once in the year in which the asset has been acquired and installed. 9.3.2 Section 32(1)(iia) provides for depreciation allowance in a particular assessment year in the case of any block of assets to be worked out as a percentage on the written down value thereof. This would be the depreciation allowance available to the assessee in a particular assessment year. Apart from the above, an additional depreciation has been provided in respect of any new machinery and plant which has been acquired and installed after 31.03.2005 which is available to the assessee @20% of the actual cost of machinery or plant in the year in which the said machinery or plant has been acquired or installed. If the arguments of the assessee were to be Page No. | 48

ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited accepted, it would create an illogical situation wherein in the second year of the acquisition and installation of the machinery or plant, while depreciation u/s. 32(1)(i) would be allowed to it on the WDV of the asset in question, additional depreciation u/s. 32(1)(iia) would be worked out on the actual cost of the asset which would be higher than its WDV. This clearly not provided in the section. Hence, the action of the AO of not allowing additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia) amounting to Rs. 85,60,39,093/- on assets which were acquired before 01/04/2006 and allowing additional depreciation only on the Eligible assets acquired on or after 01/04/2006 is as per the clear provisions of the Act and therefore, justified. His action is upheld. This ground of appeal filed by the assessee is dismissed.”

47. The Assessee has filed appeal against the finding of CIT(A) as referred supra. During the course of appellate hearing, Ld AR has relied upon the arguments as were made before Assessing Officer and CIT(A). The Ld AR has also referred Legislative history of the provisions of sec. 32(1)(iia) introduced by Finance (No.2) Act, 1980, Circular No. 281 dated 22-09-1980, Sec. 32(1)(iia) introduced by Finance Act, 2002, - Circular No.8 of 2002 dated 27-08-2002, Sec. 32 as amended by Finance Act, 2005 and Circular No. 3 of 2006 dated 27-02- 2006 and contended that claim made by assessee is as per provisions of the Act. In support of such argument, Ld AR has relied upon decision of Ambuja Cement Limited, holding company of assessee company wherein coordinate bench has allowed similar claim of assessee. He has also referred decision of DCIT v. Gloster Jute Mills Ltd (ITA 95/Kol/2011) (Kolkata Tribunal and argued that claim of assessee needs to be allowed. The Ld AR has also referred to appellate order passed in case of assessee for subsequent years wherein similar claim is allowed by CIT(A) himself and such finding is also relied upon during the course of appellate hearing. On the other hand, Ld DR has vehemently contended that additional depreciation should be restricted to assets acquired during the year and finding of lower authority needs to be confirmed. In support of such argument, Ld DR has also relied upon decision of coordinate bench in the case of Everest Industries Limited dated 31.01.2018.

48. Ld.DR relied on the orders passed by the Assessing Officer and Ld.CIT(A) to deny the additional depreciation claimed by the assessee and in this regard she submitted as under: - a. Additional depreciation is to be allowed on the ACTUAL COST of the eligible machinery or plant. b. No additional depreciation can be allowed in the A.Y. 2007-08 on assets purchased in F.Y. 2005-06, since in A. Y. 2007- 08, the value of the assets is the WDV and not the actual cost of the assets. c. Additional depreciation can be allowed only on the assets which have been acquired and installed during the period 01.04.2006 to 31.03.2017. If the argument of the assessee were to be accepted; it would create an illogical situation wherein in the second year of the acquisition and installation of the machinery or plant, while depreciation u/ s. 32(1)(i) would be allowed to it on the WDV of the asset in question, additional Page No. | 49 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited depreciation u/ s. 32(1)(iia) would be worked out on the actual cost of the asset which would be higher than its WDV. This is clearly not provided in the section.

1. The undersigned would also like to rely upon the decisions of the Chennai ITAT in the case of CRI Pumps(P) Ltd. Vs ACIT (2013) 34 taxmann.com 123 (Chennai Tribunal), wherein in para 9 & 10 of its order, the Hon'ble Bench held as under "9. First requirement for being eligible for the claim of additional depreciation is that is should be on a new machinery or plant. A machinery is new only when it is first put to use. Once it is used, it is no longer a new machinery. Admittedly, the machinery, on which additional depreciation has been claimed, was already used in various preceding previous years. Therefore, for the impugned assessment year, it is no more a new machinery or plant. Once it is not a new machinery or plant, allowance u/ s. 32(1)(iia) cannot be allowed. Additional depreciation itself is only for a new machinery or plant. A claim of additional depreciation as made by the assessee, if allowed, will not be an allowance for a new machinery or plant. Intention of the Legislature was to give such additional depreciation in the year in which assets were put to use and not for any succeeding year. There is nothing in the statue which allows such claim of additional depreciation every year on machinery acquired in earlier year. There cannot be any presumption that unless a claim is specifically denied, it has to be allowed...’ "10. When an allowance which is ordinarily not available under normal commercial principles of accounting, is made specifically allowable, accordingly, it was held that the assessee is entitled to claim balance amount of additional depreciation in the succeeding year. (Para 26) d. The amendment brought into section 32 by the Finance Act 2015 by inserting third proviso with effect from 01.04.2016 also supports above view (Para 27) e. By insertion of the above said proviso in section 32 though Finance Act 2015 with effect from 01.04.2016, the parliament has approved the view taken by the Tribunal/ Courts in respect of additional depreciation allowable under section 32(1)(iia). This provisions also makes it very clear that the additional depreciation allowed only once. (Para 28) It is observed that the assessee has placed reliance on the recent decision of the Mumbai ITAT in the case of its holding company, Ambuja Cements Ltd. ( A.Y.2007-08 in ITANo. 6375 and 6405 of 2013}. The same is perused and it is observed that the Hon'ble Bench while deciding the issue in favour of the Ambuja Cements Ltd. did not consider the decision of the coordinate Bench in the case of Everest Industries Ltd. rendered in favour of the Revenue. In view of the above and in view of the analysis of the legislative intent and various amendments brought in effect by the various

Page No. | 50 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited Finance Act, in the context of section 32(1)(iia) carried out by the Hon'ble Chennai ITAT & the Mumbai ITAT in the decisions relied upon by the undersigned, decision of the CIT(A) rejecting the assessee's claim of additional depreciation on assets acquired in the F.Y. 2005-06 needs to be upheld.” 49.Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. The brief facts of the case are that the assessee has claimed the additional depreciation on all the eligible assets acquired on or after 01-04-2005. However in the assessment order the Ld. AO has disallowed such additional depreciation on the assets acquired on or after 01-04-2005 but before 31-03-2006 for the reason that additional depreciation for the assessment year under consideration is allowable only on eligible assets acquired on or after 01-04-2006 meaning thereby the additional depreciation is allowed only for the assets acquired during the year under consideration and not on the assets acquired before the commencement of the year. The assessee has filed an appeal before CIT(A) against such assessment order. Subsequent to which the CIT(A) has decided the issue against the assessee. It is observed that identical issue was decided by coordinate bench of Mumbai in the case of holding company of the assessee being Ambuja Cement Limited vide order dated 07.11.2022 in the ITA No. 6375 and 6405/Mum/2013 for A.Y. 2007- 08 wherein it was held as under: “25. So far as this grievance is concerned, the proposition canvassed before is that “looking to the intent of the Act, the machinery acquired after 1-4-2005 but installed in the previous relevant to the assessment year to the assessment year 2007-08 should qualify for claim of depreciation”. This aspect of the matter is no longer res integra. This issue is squarely covered by the judgment of the Hon’ble Gujarat High Court, in the case of PCIT Vs IDMS Ltd [(2017) 393 ITR 441 (Guj)]. The other aspect of the matter, and that is more relevant in the present context, is whether the additional depreciation is also to be granted in respect of the subsequent year. That aspect of the matter is covered by a coordinate bench decision in the case of DCIT Vs Gloster Jute Mills Limited [(2017) 88 taxmann.com 738 (Kol)], which has been subsequently followed by other benches- including Mumbai benches. The coordinate bench has inter alia observed as follows: “24. Ground No. 3 raised by the revenue reads as follows :- 3. That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law by allowing assessee's claim of additional depreciation of plant and machinery on original cost in the year subsequent to the year of acquisition and installation and thereby has erred in deleting the addition of Rs.54,21,617/- without appreciating the fact that such additional depreciation is allowable on plant and machinery only in the year of acquisition and installation."

25. This ground of appeal relates to the claim of the Assessee for additional depreciation u/s.32(1)(iia) of the Act. The undisputed facts are that the original cost of the new machinery purchased and installed by the Assessee after 31-3-2005 but before 1-4-2006 in the 100% EOU and DTA unit Rs.29,77,470 and Rs.2,41,30,615. The WDV of these machineries as on 1-4-2006 was Rs.24,51,920/- and Rs.1,81,50,266/- respectively. The Page No. | 51 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited Assessee availed of additional depreciation @ 20% on the original cost of the machinery at Rs.5,95,494/- and Rs.48,26,123/- respectively in AY 2006-07. In AY 2007-08 also the Assessee claimed additional depreciation at 20% of the original cost viz., Rs.5,95,494 and Rs.48,26,123 respectively in all depreciation totalingRs.54,21,617/-.

26. According to the AO, the deduction u/s.32(1)(iia) of the Act is granted only to "new" plant and machinery and once depreciation is granted in the 1st year in which the machinery is installed or put to use, the machinery ceases to be a new machinery and therefore additional depreciation cannot be allowed. The plea of the Assessee however was that Section 32(1)(iia) of the Act merely provides that further to the normal depreciation at the prescribed rates, an additional depreciation shall be allowed to the assessee at the rate of 20% on new plant and machinery acquired and installed after 31-03-2005. However, the period the period during which such additional depreciation shall be allowed is not specified in the Act. Thus, one may conclude that the allowance of additional depreciation shall not only be restricted to the initial year but continue to second and subsequent years.

27. The claim for additional depreciation was however rejected by the CIT(A) for the reason that additional depreciation is available only in respect of new plant and machinery acquired and installed after 31-03- 2005. The word 'new' is not defined in the Act. According to the Shorter Oxford Dictionary the word 'new' means "not existing before; now made, or brought into existence, for the first time". The AO held that the assets on which additional depreciation was claimed by the assessee is neither "new" nor brought into existence in the hands of the assessee in the relevant previous year. It is already used in earlier years and is already depreciated and, therefore, old in the hands of the assessee in the previous year. He held that the qualification that the asset should be new was basic qualification for entitlement of additional depreciation as laid down in the provisions of Sec.32(1)(iia) of the Act and that conditions was not satisfied in the case of the Assessee. The AO accordingly disallowed the claim of the Assessee for additional depreciation.

28. Before we set out the conclusions of the CIT(A) on this issue, it would be worthwhile to examine the history of scheme of allowance by way of additional depreciation in the Act. 'Sec.32 Depreciation. (1) In respect of depreciation of— (i) buildings, machinery, plant or furniture, being tangible assets; (ii) know-how, patents, copyrights, trade marks, licences, franchises or any other business or commercial rights of similar nature, being intangible assets acquired on or after the 1st day of April, 1998, owned, wholly or partly, by the assessee and used for the purposes of the business or profession, the following deductions shall be allowed— (i) in the case of assets of an undertaking engaged in generation or generation and distribution of power, such percentage on the actual cost thereof to the assessee as may be prescribed; (ii) in the case of any block of assets, such percentage on the written down value thereof as may be prescribed:

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ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited Section 32(1)(iia) of the Act was originally introduced by the finance (no.2) Act, 1980 w.e.f. 1-4-1981 reads thus (the sub-section existed upto 31-3- 1988 and was deleted thereafter): "(iia) in the case of any new machinery or plant (other than ships and aircraft) which has been installed after the 31st day of March, 1980 but before the 1st day of April, 1985, a further sum equal to one-half of the amount admissible under clause (ii) (exclusive of extra allowance for double or multiple shift working of the machinery or plant and the extra allowance in respect of machinery or plant installed in any premises used as a hotel) in respect of the previous year in which such machinery or plant is installed or, if the machinery or plant is first put to use in the immediately succeeding previous year, then in respect of that previous year :" Sec.32(1)(iia) of the Act as reinserted by finance (No.2) Act, 2002 w.e.f. 1-4-2003, reads thus: '(iia) in the case of any new machinery or plant (other than ships and aircraft), which has been acquired and installed after the 31st day of March, 2002, by an assessee engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing, a further sum equal to fifteen per cent of the actual cost of such machinery or plant shall be allowed as deduction under clause (ii): Provided that such further deduction of fifteen per cent shall be allowed to— a new industrial undertaking during any previous year in which such (A) undertaking begins to manufacture or produce any article or thing on or after the 1st day of April, 2002; or any industrial undertaking existing before the 1st day of April, 2002, during (B) any previous year in which it achieves the substantial expansion by way of increase in installed capacity by not less than *[ten per cent ]: "Subs. for "twenty-five per cent" by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004, (w.e.f. 1- 4-2005)." Sec.32(1)(iia) as substituted by Finance Act, 2005, (w.e.f. 1-4- 2006) reads as follows: "(iia) in the case of any new machinery or plant (other than ships and aircraft), which has been acquired and installed after the 31st day of March, 2005, by an assessee engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing, a further sum equal to twenty per cent of the actual cost of such machinery or plant shall be allowed as deduction under clause (ii):"' 29. It can be seen from the provisions of Sec.32(1)(iia) as it existed from 1-4-1981 to 31-3-1988 and reinserted subsequently from 1-4-2003 that the benefit for claiming additional depreciation was restricted only to the initial assessment year. However the provisions of Sec.32(1)(iia) as substituted by the finance Act, 2005 w.e.f. 1-4- 2006, the benefit for claiming additional depreciation was not so restricted to only to the intital assessment year. From AY 1981-82 to 87-88, the claim for additional depreciation was restricted to previous year in which such machinery or plant is installed or, if the machinery or plant is first put to use in the immediately succeeding previous year. From AY 2003-04 till 2005-06, the claim for additional depreciation was restricted to previous year in which such undertaking begins to manufacture or produce any article or thing on or after the 1st day of April, 2002; or if any industrial undertaking existed before the 1st day of April, 2002, during any previous year in which it achieves the substantial expansion by way of increase in installed capacity by not less than ten per cent. From AY 2006-07, there is no restriction with regard to the year in which such additional depreciation should be allowed and also there is no restriction with regard to the additional depreciation being allowed only on the written down value and therefore the additional depreciation even in the second and subsequent Page No. | 53 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited years have to be allowed on the original cost of the Asset. These are evident from a plain reading and literal construction of the relevant statutory provisions.

31. Aggrieved by the order of CIT(A) the revenue has raised ground no.3 before the Tribunal. The ld. DR placed reliance on the order of the AO. The ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that fiscal statute shall be interpreted on the basis of the language used therein and not de hors the same. It was argued that Clause (iia) to Sec. 32(1) was first introduced vide Finance (No. 2) Act, 1980 w.e.f. 01-04-81 and was applicable till AY Page No. | 54 ITA NO.6082/MUM/2014 (A.Y: 2007-08) 4556/MUM/2012 (A.Y: 2007-08) M/s. ACC Limited 1987-88. The clause was subsequently re-introduced vide Finance Act, 2002 w.e.f. 01-04-03. On perusal of clause (iia) to Sec. 32(1) as existed during the aforesaid period, it could be seen that the legislature conferred the benefit of additional depreciation only in the first AY when the asset was installed and first put to use. However vide Finance Act, 2005, clause (iia) to Sec. 32(1) was amended w.e.f. 01-04-06 wherein the condition of claiming additional depreciation only in the initial AY was deleted. It was submitted that since the specific condition for claim of additional depreciation in one year has been done away with, it should be construed as the intention of the legislature to allow additional depreciation in subsequent years as well. Reliance was placed on the following decisions wherein it has been held that a fiscal statute shall have to be interpreted on the basis of the language used therein and not de hors the same. Even if there is a casus omissus, the defect can be remedied only by legislation and not by judicial interpretation :— - Orissa State Warehousing Corpn. v. CIT [1999] 103 Taxman 623/237 ITR 589 (SC) - Prakash Nath Khanna v. CIT [2004] 135 Taxman 327/266 ITR 1 (SC) - Smt. TarulataShyam v. CIT [1977] 108 ITR 345 (SC) - Padmasundara Rao v. State of Tamil Nadu [2002] 255 ITR 147 (SC) Apart from the above, it was also pointed out that DTC Bill 2013 has proposed expressly that additional depreciation would be allowed in the FY in which the P&M is used for the first time and those provisions are not made with retrospective effect. It was argued that the legislature has consciously not restricted the allowance of additional depreciation on the original cost for AY 2006-07 till AY 2013-14 to one year only and therefore the additional depreciation should be allowed on the original cost of the asset for the second and subsequent years as well. It was submitted that the condition imposed by the relevant provisions was that Plant and Machinery must be new at the time of installation to be eligible for additional depreciation u/ s 32(1)(iia) and not new in subsequent years.

32. We have given very careful consideration to the rival submissions and are of the view that the provision of section 32(1)(iia) as amended w.e.f. 01-04-2006 by the Finance Act 2005, there is no restriction that the additional depreciation will be allowed only in one year or that it would be allowed only on the written down value. The law as it prevailed prior to the said amendment imposed such a condition that additional depreciation will be allowed only in the year of installation of machinery or plant or the year in which it is first put to use or the year in which the concerned undertaking begins to manufacture or produce any article or thing or achieves substantial expansion by way of increase in installed capacity by 25%. The only objection of the AO is that the provisions refer to "new machinery or plant" and therefore the machinery will cease to be a new machinery after the end of the first year in which it is installed or put to use. In our view this stand taken by the revenue is not supported by the language of statutory provision. The condition imposed by the relevant provisions is that Plant and Machinery must be new at the time of installation to be eligible for additional depreciation u/ s 32(1)(iia) and not new in subsequent years. The expression "new machinery" is therefore to be construed as referring to the condition that at the time of acquisition or installation the machinery or plant should be new. Going by the legislative history of the relevant provision, we are of the view that the condition for allowing additional depreciation only in the initial assessment year ceased to exist as and from 01-04-2006. The plain language of the Page No. | 55

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited section warrants such an interpretation. We therefore uphold the order of CIT(A) and dismiss ground No.3 raised by the revenue. “ 50. We observe that in decision of ITAT Kolkata in the case of DCIT vs. Gloster Jute mills ltd. in ITA No. 1524/Kol/2013 dated 01.03.2017 has held that additional depreciation would be allowed in subsequent assessment years by observing that the condition imposed by the relevant provisions is that Plant and Machinery must be new at the time of installation to be eligible for additional depreciation u/ s 32(1)(iia) and not new in subsequent years. The expression “new machinery” is therefore to be construed as referring to the condition that at the time of acquisition or installation the machinery or plant should be new. Going by the legislative history of the relevant provision, ITAT held that the condition for allowing additional depreciation only in the initial assessment year ceased to exist as and from 01.04.2006. However, subsequently in the Decision of ITAT Mumbai in the case of Everest Industries Ltd. vs. JCIT [2018] 90 taxmann.com 330. Such decision was also referred by Ld DR in her written submission. In this decision, the decision of ITAT Kolkata in the case of DCIT vs. Gloster Jute Mills Ltd. (supra) was distinguished and the case has been decided against the assessee on the ground that the Kolkatta bench of Tribunal has taken the view in favour of the assessee, on plain reading of the provisions of sec. 32(1)(iia) vis-àvis old provisions, by holding that the additional depreciation prescribed u/s 32(1)(iia) of the Act is allowable every year and further held that the Kolkata bench of Tribunal did not consider the third proviso inserted by Finance Act, 2015. Since the legislative intent in inserting sec.32(1)(iia) has been made clear by the third proviso inserted in sec. 32(1) by Finance Act 2015, hence ITAT Mumbai did not follow the view expressed by the Kolkatta bench of Tribunal in the case of Gloster Jute Mills (supra). It is pertinent to refer to the Decision of Hon’ble ITAT Kolkata in the case of DCIT vs Graphite India Ltd. in ITA No. 472/Kol/2018 dated 22.11.2019 wherein both of the above decisions of ITAT Kolkata as well as ITAT Mumbai has been duly considered and has decided in the favour of the assessee. In this decision, decision of ITAT Mumbai in the case of Everest Industries Limited (supra), was referred in finding of CIT(A). The ITAT has followed Gloster Jute Mills Ltd. (supra) and has decided the issue in assessee’s favour. It is observed that coordinate bench in its later decision in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited(supra), holding company of assessee has allowed similar claim of depreciation. When coordinate bench of ITAT in its latest decision has decided issue in favour of assessee by holding that assessee is entitled for additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia), such later decision would prevail over the decision of Everst Industries Limited relied upon by Ld DR. As a result, since this aspect of the matter is no longer res integra, we see no reasons to take any other view of the matter than the view so taken by the coordinate bench in the group concern’s case of the assessee. Respectfully following the same, we uphold the plea of the assessee and direct the Assessing Officer to allow depreciation u/s.32(1)(iia) of the Act. The assessee gets the relief accordingly. This ground of appeal is allowed.”

Page No.56

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 25. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2007-08 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is allowed.

“Ground No. 5: Disallowance of proportionate Head Office expenditure while computing deduction u/s 80IA/80IC: (a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified in confirming the partial apportioning of the indirect Head Office expenses aggregating to Rs. 335,10,52,186/- and adjusting such allocated amount of Rs. 26,50,62,734/- in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IA for eligible Captive Power Plants, without establishing any nexus between the nature of expenses and such eligible units of the appellant. (b) Without prejudice to the above, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified in confirming the action of AO in apportioning a part of the indirect Head Office expenses aggregating to Rs. 341,77,13,839/- (including Rs 6,66,61,653/- being R&D Expenses) and adjusting such allocated amount of Rs 22,76,67,917/- in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IC for eligible Gagal 1 Cement Manufacturing Unit, without establishing any nexus between the nature of expenses and such eligible units of the appellant. (c) Without prejudice to the Ground 5(b), that on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified rather grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in apportioning Research & Development expenses incurred at Thane Technical Service Centre amounting to Rs. 6,66,61,653/- in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IC. (d) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and without prejudice to Ground Nos. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) taken here-in-above, in the unlikely event if it is held that indirect Head Office expenses (and R&D expenses as the case may be) is required to be allocated, such allocation should be made on the basis of total cost of the respective eligible undertaking to the total cost of the appellant company instead of allocation on the basis of turnover made in the order u/s 143(3).”

27. With regard to Ground No. 5 which is in respect of disallowance of proportionate Head office expenditure while computing deduction u 80IA/80IC, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2008-09 in and ITA No. 268/MUM/2019 dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the department and against the assessee.

28. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR. Page No.57

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 29. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the department in the A.Y.2008-09. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 6638/MUM/2018 & ITA.No. 268/MUM/2019, held as under: -

35. In the Ground No.8, Department has raised the following grievance: “Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Id. CIT(A) erred in directing the assessing officer that auditor’s fee and director’s remuneration (indirect expenses) should not be apportioned for computing deduction u/s 80IA of the Act?

36. On identical issue in Assessee’s appeal, in the Ground Nos.7 to 10 following issue is raised: Ground No. 7: Denial of claim of deduction u/s. 80IA in respect of Power Plant (TG2) at Wadi: On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT (A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the denial of claim of deduction u/s 80IA in respect of Power Plant namely TG2 at Wadi in the state of Karnataka. Ground No. 8: Apportionment of indirect Head Office Expenses while computing deduction u/s. 80IA for TG2 unit: On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified in apportioning a part of the indirect Head Office expenses aggregating to Rs. 8,56,53,109/- and adjusting such allocated amount of Rs 60,72,265/- in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IA for eligible Captive Power Plants, without establishing any nexus between the nature of expenses and such eligible units of the appellant. Ground No. 9: Apportionment of indirect Head Office Expenses (including R&D expenses) while computing deduction u/s. 80IB and 80IC units: On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified in confirming the action of AO in apportioning a part of the indirect Head Office expenses aggregating to Rs.10,90,85,705/-(including Rs. 2,34,32,596/- being R&D Expenses) and adjusting such allocated amount of Rs. 95,00,748 in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IB for eligible Tikaria 2 unit and Rs. 1,03,70,526/- in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IC for eligible Gagal 1 Cement Manufacturing Unit, without establishing any nexus between the nature of expenses and such eligible units of the appellant. Ground No. 10: Apportionment of indirect Head Office Expenses (including R&D expenses) while computing deduction u/s. 80IB and 80IC units: On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, tire Ld. CIT(A) was not justified rather grossly erred in confirming the action Page No.58 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited of AO in apportioning Research & Development expenses incurred at Thane Technical Service Centre amounting to Rs. 2,34,32,596/- in computing Tax Holiday u/s 80IB and 80IC.

37. Similar issue was considered by us in the Department appeal in Ground No 10 in AY 2005-06 and held as under: “75.Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. We observe that the Assessing Officer has identified indirect expenditure incurred at Head Office i.e Statutory Audit fees, Audit for taxation matter, Director Fees, Cost Auditor expenses, Subscription to CME etc and observed that such expenditure are not allocated to eligible businesses and to that extent deduction u/s 80IA is claimed excess. Before Ld.CIT(A), assessee has claimed that cost audit fees and subscription to CMA are in respect of cement manufacturing unit hence no allocation of such expenditure is required to be made. To that extent, Ld.CIT(A) has accepted the plea of assessee and such fact is not controverted by Ld. DR hence finding given by Ld.CIT(A) to that extent is upheld. Further, on this issue, coordinate bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited, holding company of assessee in ITA Nos. 1889 and 1241/Mum/2018, 2384, 2958, 3475 and 3843/Mum/2019(for A.Y. 2010-11 to 2012-13) vide order dated 07/11/2022 has held as under: “108. We are unable to see any merits in the stand of the assessee that the head office expenses cannot be allocated to all the units, as deductions and allowance of eligible units are required to be taken into account while treating such units as profit centres, and computing the profits accordingly. The fiction of the eligible units being treated on a standalone basis does not require that the profits of the units are to be computed as if they are independent of each other, and once that fiction sets in, the expenses incurred by someone other than eligible unit, in the interest of the eligible unit, are to be taken into account while computing the profits of the eligible unit. Accordingly, the allocation of expenses, as the learned Assessing Officer rightly contends, must be done. The assessee has further contended that HO expenses are not „derived from‟ or „derived by‟ the eligible undertakings, and, for this reasons, these expenses cannot be allocated to the eligible undertaking. We see no reasons to decline allocation of head office expenses to ensure that the profits of the eligible units are correctly worked out, on the basis of hypothetical independence embedded in the eligible units beingtreated on a standalone basis. To this extent, we reject the plea of the assessee. However, the basis of allocation as turnover is not really correct and reasonable, nor the relationship between the turnover and expenses always linear; the allocation would be more appropriate based on expenditure incurred by the units vis-à-vis overall expenditure. To this extent, we uphold the plea of the assessee.

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited HO expenses should be done on the basis of expenditure incurred by the units vis-à-vis overall expenditure” 76. Respectfully following decisions of coordinate bench referred supra, Assessing Officer is directed to allocate Head office expenses (other than auditor fees and CMA expenses) on the basis of expenditure incurred by the units vis-à-vis overall expenditure. Thus, related ground of appeal in departmental appeal is dismissed and ground of appeal in assessee’s appeal is partly allowed as directed herein above.”

38. Respectfully following the above decision, we are dismissing the ground raised by the revenue and partly allow the grounds raised by the assessee

30. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2008-09 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is allowed.

31. In the Ground No.6, assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 6: Disallowance of proportionate CENVAT credit availed for units eligible for deduction u/s 80IA (Rs. 11,22,04,525/- for CPPs): a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of the AO in reducing the claim of the Appellant u/s.80IA to the extent of Rs.11,22,04,525/- on the contention that CENVAT/service-tax/VAT component of expenditure so incurred on consumption of raw materials & other servicesby the eligible undertakings should be included for arriving at profits of eligible units for deduction u/s 80IA. b) The Appellant therefore prays that the action of CIT(A) and AO be set-aside.”

32. With regard to Ground No. 6 which is in respect of disallowance of proportionate CENVAT credit availed for units eligible for deduction u/s 80IA, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2011-12 in & 3178/MUM/2019 dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the assesse and against the department.

33. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR.

Page No.60

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 34. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2011-12. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3139 & 3178/MUM/2019, held as under: - “71. In the Ground No.7, Assessee has raised the following grievance: Ground No. 7: Disallowance of proportionate CENVAT credit availed for units eligible fordeduction u/s 80IA (Rs. 14.07.93.544/- for CPPs & Rs. 2,25,63,693/- for Rail systems): On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of the AO in treating CENVAT credit availed on inputs and capital goods used in the undertakings eligible for deduction u/ s 80IA as cost of the eligible undertakings. The Appellant therefore prays that the action of CIT(A) and AO be set- aside.

Page No.61 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Cement Manufacturing Unit must reimburse the captive power unit for such a CENVAT credit. It cannot be open to the assessee to provide for the expenses which have earned the CENVAT credits, but not to account for the CENVAT credits and the benefits accruing form the same. In any event, the fiction envisages under section 80IA(5) is to enable computation of profits on a standalone basis, rather than to increase the scope of profits itself and allocate notional expenditure to the eligible units. When the eligible units are other units are treated as independent of each other, and the profit computations are on a standalone basis, the eligible unit must get the corresponding credit for the CENVAT credits availed by the other units. Viewed thus, not accounting for the CENVAT credit does not, in our considered view, vitiate the profits of the eligible undertaking, as long as all such credits are fully availed by the other units as is the undisputed position anyway. What the assessee has done is that the expenses are debited net of the CENVAT credit availed. To this extent, we see no infirmity in the stand of the assessee.

103. In view of these discussions, as also bearing in mind the entirety of the case, we uphold the plea of the assessee, and direct the Assessing Officer to delete the impugned adjustment on account of CENVAT in the profits of the eligible units. The assessee gets the relief accordingly.”

39. It is observed that facts of assessee’s case are identical with facts of decisions referred supra. Considering decision of Coordinate Bench referred supra, addition made by Assessing Officer is thus deleted and this ground of appeal

is allowed.”

73. Respectfully following the above said decision, we allow the ground raised by the assessee.”

35. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2011-12 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is allowed.

36. In the Ground No.7, assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 7: Disallowance u/s 80-IA on Rail System (Rs. 1,57,25,87,896/-) a) On facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) erred in confirming the action of the AO in denying the deduction claimed by the Appellant u/s. 80IA of the Act in respect of Rail System. b) The Appellant prays that the AO be directed to allow the deduction u/s. 80IA towards rail system to the Appellant as claimed.

37. With regard to Ground No. 7 which is in respect of disallowance U/s. 80-IA on Rail System, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has Page No.62

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2011-12 in ITA No. 3139 & 3178/MUM/2019 dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the assesse and against the department.

38. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR.

39. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2011-12. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3139 & 3178/MUM/2019, held as under: - “68. In the Ground No.6, Assessee has raised the following grievance: Ground No. 6: Disallowance u/s 80-IA on Rail System (Rs.1,26,17,49,139/-: a) On facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) erred in confirming the action of the AO in denying the deduction claimed by the Appellant u/s. 801A of the Act in respect of Rail System, b) The Appellant prays that the AO be directed to allow the deduction u/s. 80IA towards rail system to the Appellant as claimed.

69. Similar issue was considered by us in the assessee Appeal in Ground No 3 in AY 2009-10 and held as under: “30. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. It is observed that entire controversy of allowability of deduction u/s 80IA(4) on Rail Infrastructure facility was raised based upon CIT(A)’s order in the case of Ultratech Cement Limited as referred in assessment order. This fact is also mentioned by Ld DR in its written submission. The Ld. DR has also stated that on perusal of facts as emanating from the CIT(A)’s order and the ITAT’s order in the case of Ultratech Cement Limited, it can be safely assumed that the agreement between Ultratech Cement Limited and the Railway Authorities and that between assessee and the Rail Authorities are similarly worded. It is relevant to refer to decision of co-ordinate Bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Ltd. in and 1241/Mum/2018, 2384, 2958, 3475 and 3843/Mum/2019 vide its order dated 07.11.2022 has decided issue in favour of assessee after considering coordinate bench in the case of Ultratech Limited which in turn has reversed the finding of CIT(A) in its case which is relied upon by AO of assessee in assessment order: “87. So far as this grievance of the assessee is concerned, only a few material facts need to be taken note of. During the course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer took note of the fact that the assessee has claimed deduction under section 80IA on rail system comprising of railway sidings, railway tracks, loading and unloading systems, at Ropar, Maratha, Sankrail, Farraka and Bhatapara units. He also the assessee’s contention that these rail systems alongside the cement plants are to enable the transportation of raw material (i.e. coal etc) and finished goods (i.e. cement) to and from the cement plants of the Page No.63 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited assessee. The assessee’s claim that the rail system meets all the requirements of Section 80IA(4) was also noted. The method adopted for computing the income was being excess of road freight and handling charges payable for transportation of goods by road to the nearest railhead, over the tariff payable for transportation of goods from railway siding to the rail head as per tariff notified by the Indian Railways. This claim, however, did not find favour with the assessee this time, even though the same stand of the assessee was accepted for three consecutive preceding assessment years. After elaborately discussing the things in detail, and extensively referring to investigations carried out in the case of Ultratech Cements Limited, the Assessing Officer concluded that (a) the so called rail system of the assessee company is simply a private rail siding, and is not any infrastructure of public utility; (b) the agreements entered into between the assessee company and the Indian Railways consisting of terms and conditions for private sidings, and could not be viewed as an agreement for building, operating and maintenance of a rail system; (c) the conditions stipulated under section 80IA have not been satisfied; (d) the actual operation of the rail system (i.e. running of the goods train) was being done by the Indian Railways and not the assessee company; (e) all the four cement plant sites were notified as independent booking stations and the freight was charged for the entire distance- including the distance from these private sidings to the railheads; (f) the notional profit computation is incorrect; and (g) the decisions of the Tribunal were not applicable as these critical facts were not placed before the Tribunal. The claim for deduction under section 80IA in respect of the rail system was rejected. Aggrieved, assessee carried the matter in appeal but without success. Learned CIT(A) reiterated the same arguments and upheld the stand of the Assessing Officer. The assessee is not satisfied and is in further appeal before us.

89. We find that the very case, on the basis of investigation in which the authorities below had decided the matter in favour of the assessee, came up before a coordinate bench of this Tribunal, and, in the said case, the matter was decided in favour of the assessee. In the said judgment, reported as Ultratech Cement Ltd Vs ACIT [(2017) 88 taxmann.com 907 (Mumbai)], the coordinate bench has held as follows: 9. During the course of assessment AO disallowed assessee's claim of deduction u/s.80IA in respect of profit of rail systems. The assessee made this claim on the ground that it had earned profit by operating its rail systems at Hirmi [Chhattisgarh], Tadipatri [AP], Arakkonam [Tamil Nadu] and Durgapur [West Bengal]. In the context, during the assessment proceedings it was explained that the assessee had inherited those rail systems [along with cement plants-Hirmi Cement Works, A P Cement Works, Arakkonam Cement Works & West Bengal Cement Works] out of demerger from L&T Ltd. at all those locations; that the rail systems were set-up by L&T Ltd. [and that way by the assessee company as it had inherited the cement plants from L&T Ltd. by way of demerger] to enable the transportation of raw material [coal etc] and finished goods [i.e. cements] at their cement plants through railway wagons, at all the said; four locations. It was explained that prior to putting up those rail systems, the assessee used to transfer the material from the cement plants [at all the four locations] to the nearest railway station and vice versa on road through trucks. Before the AO the claim of deduction was justified by assessee by taking the plea that the various conditions as prescribed u/s 80IA(4) was met with in as much as it had entered into an agreement with the government through

Page No.64 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited department of Railways for developing, maintaining and operating the rail system [infrastructure facility]; and that in pursuance thereof it had developed the integrated rail system in between the plant and the nearest railway track [of Indian Railways] and running it [in between] for movement of the inward and outward material so as to enable it to transport the materials from its plants straightaway to the various destinations and vice versa at all those four locations; and that by way of such operation of rail systems, it has been able to save the expenses for loading [at those plants] into the trucks, road freight and expenses for unloading and loading the same at the site of nearest Indian railways and that resulted into the. profit of such rail systems.

10. However, the AO noted that those agreements were for laying out private sidings and not for any rail system [as referred to in Explanation (a) to the clause (t) of sub-section (4) section 80IA in reference to the infrastructure facility] as claimed by the assessee that railway had laid down those [sidings] partly on the land belonging to the railways and partly belonging to the assessee company so as to facilitate the transportation of raw materials/cement bags through railway wagons [from / to their plant sites]. The AO also noted that the assessee [rather L&T Ltd.] had primarily requested the' railway department to extend the sidings [railway tracks] to the site of cement plants of the company so as to enable it to transport its goods [raw material & cement] from/to their plant sites itself [so that it could avoid transportation through the roads till the nearest railway station and loading and unloading etc]; that on such request the railway authorities conducted survey and laid down sidings and charged the assessee for laying out the railway track and other related infrastructure. The AO also noted that the wagons were actually run on those sidings by the railway authority and not by the assessee company. The AO also took note that railway authorities had posted its staff for weighing raw material/ cement bags loaded/unloaded by the assessee; and that all activities were directly or indirectly being carried out by the railway authorities and the assessee only reimbursed the expenses or charges levied by the railways in r/o siding maintenance etc. as per the agreement. The AO inferred that the so called "rail system" [of the assessee company] is not a self reliant, independent unit; and that it is providing services to the cement plants of the assessee company only. The AO also stated that railway department do not allow operation of the railways by any private enterprise and for that reason it [railway department] had formulated a Build-own-lease- transfer (BOLT) scheme whereby the private enterprises could set-up the necessary and crucial components of a railway system and provide that on lease to Indian Railways for maintenance and operation; and in the context referred to the CBDT circular No. 733, dated 03.01.1996 whereby the benefit of Sec. 80IA was also extended to such rail system constructed / developed by the private enterprises as per the said BOLT scheme. By that circular, the Board had also clarified that such concession would be available only to an infrastructure facility meant for development of rail systems and not to any other infrastructural facility including rolling stocks. The AO also observed that the assessee, had not given the said railway system or the crucial component thereof on lease to the railway department [had it been so, the profit by way of lease rent from such rail. system would have qualified for deduction u/s 80lA as per the concession given by the aforesaid circular]. Finally, the AO held that assessee was not eligible to claim the deduction u/s 80lA in r/o such rail systems and disallowed the claim accordingly.

Page No.65 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 11. In its appellate order CIT(A) noted that the issue has come up first in A.Y. 2004-05. In that year, the assessee had claimed deduction of Rs 15.63 crores in r/o rail system at Hirmi, Raipur District, Chattisgarh. In A.Ys. 2005- 06 & 2006-07, the assessee claimed deduction of Rs.16.30crs. & Rs 20.95 crs. respectively in r/o that rail system at Hirmi. In A.Y. 2007- 08, the claim was made in r/o two more rail systems [one at Tadipatri in Andhra Pradesh & the other at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu]. The total claim for that year amounted to Rs 52.38 crs. [Rs 21.09 crs. - Hirmi; Rs 25.56 crs. -Tadipatri & Rs 5.73 crs. -Arakkonam]. In A.Y. 2008- 09, the claim extended to one more rail system at Durgapur [West Bengal] and the total claim amounted to Rs 61.56 crs. This claim for AY 2009-10 i.e. for the year under consideration had risen to 73.13 crs.

12. The rail systems at all these four locations viz. Hirmi, Tadipatri, Arakkonam& Durgapur are said to have commenced the operations in AY. 2000-01, AY. 1999-00, AY. 2001-02 ft AY. 2002-03 respectively [refer assessee's reply dated 06.01.2014] It was further observed by CIT(A) that the L&T Ltd. on whose request the private sidings were set up at all these four locations, never claimed any such deduction u/s 80IA(4). The deductions are being claimed by the assessee company since AY. 2004-05, after the various cements plants were transferred to the assessee company [in the year 2003- 04] as per demerger scheme. In AY. 2004-05, claim was made [for the first time] in respect of such Rail System at Hirmi. Then in AY. 2007-08, it started claiming deduction in respect of rails systems at Tadipatri and Arakkonam and then in AY. 2008-09 for Durgapur also. From AY. 2009-10 and onwards the claim pertains to all the four units.

13. The CIT(A) further noted that in Ays. 2004-05 & 2005-06, the Hon'ble ITAT vide its order dated 20.08.2009 in ITA Nos. 7735 & 7736/Mum/2007 had decided this issue in the favour of assessee. Later that decision of the tribunal was followed by the ITAT in its [assessee] case in AY. 2006-07 [ ITA No. 2604/M/09 order dated 31.5.2010] and in AYs 2007-08 & 2008-09 [ITA Nos. 8143/mum/2010 and 1813/Mum12012, order dated 28.02.2014]. The relevant part of the Tribunal's decision in AY. 2004- 05 is reproduced hereunder: "13. Regarding the issue in r/o deduction u/s 80lA on profit of Rail system at Hirmi, the AO rejected the claim on the ground that the rail system is not a profit centre but it is a cost centre and that the rail system is not an independent unit but it is 100% depending on the cement unit. Detailed submissions filed by the assessee which are reproduced in the assessment order was not found satisfactorily to the AO. Detailed submissions were again filed before the CIT(A). It was explained that the company had established a cement plant in Hirmi, The nearest available railway siding was at a distance of around 15 km. from the plant. To facilitate inward and outward movement of goods, the assessee developed infrastructure facility of rail system which was made operating in 1999. The assessee company duly entered into an agreement with the railways, which is a part of Government of India. It was submitted that there was option available u/s 80lA with the assessee to claim deduction for any of 10 consecutive years as its own choice. The assessee has opted for claiming the deduction from A.Y. 2004-05 on wards. It was submitted that the income offered for tax by the assessee

Page No.66

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited includes income from rail system and that certificate of M/s Sharp &Tannan, CA in Form No. 10CCB certifying the correctness of the aforesaid claim was duly submitted to the AO. 13.1. It was further submitted that the rail system is a profit centre. The rail system is engaged in business of providing transportation facility to the cement plant, profit of which is embedded in the profit of the assessee company as a whole. It was submitted that by developing this infrastructure facility, there has been saving in transportation cost and overall profits of the company have increased due to such savings. It was such that the mere fact that it does not raise an invoice from its railway unit to its cement unit cannot govern the tax implication of the profits delivered by the rail system. In support of its contention that treatment of a transaction in books of accounts cannot govern the tax statement reliance was placed on the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Kadernath Jute Manufacturing Company Ltd. 82 ITR 362; in the case of TutcorinAlali Chemicals Ltd. in 227 ITR 172; in the case of Godhra Electricity Company in 91 Taxman 91; in the case of Bokaro Steel Ltd in 263 ITR 315 and in the case of Sutlet Cotton Mills Ltd. in 116 ITR 1 and submitted that it would be totally incorrect to say that an assessee who raises internal invoices would be entitled to benefit of Sec 80IA and an assessee who does not raise internal invoices would not be entitled to such benefit. 13.2. The assessee further submitted that Sec. 80IA(8) itself contemplates a situation where goods or services are transferred by an eligible undertaking to non-eligible undertaking and vice versa. In such cases, deduction is to be allowed based on the market value of such goods or services. It was further submitted that the section itself envisages situation of captive consumption. Reliance was placed on the decision reported in 59 ITR 514 (Guj.) and 254 ITR 17 (Bom). 13.3. Further reliance was also placed on the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Tata Iron & Steel Company Ltd. in 48 ITR 123 and stated that in that case, the assessee was engaged in the business of extraction of iron ore and manufacturing of iron and steel therefrom. The final product sold by the company was the finished iron and steel. Under some statute, a cess was leviable on the annual net profits derived from the mines. It was contended that since no iron ore extracted is sold to an outsider, no profits could be said to have been derived from the extracting activities. This argument was advanced based on the principle that a person cannot make profits out of himself, The Supreme Court negative this argument and held that despite captive consumption of iron ore certain profits can be regarded as having derived from the extraction activities. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of bifurcating the total profits into two activities viz. the extraction activity and the manufacturing activity. It was therefore submitted that in view of the above, it is not correct to say that the assessee does not earn any Page No.67 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited profits from its rail system merely because the rail system is used for the captive purposes of the cement plant. 13.4. It was further submitted that the Board Circular No. 733 dated 03.01.1996 states that deduction u/s 80lA is applicable to an infrastructure facility meant for development of rail system. It was contended that the AO has categorically stated in para 5.2.3 of his order that rail system was developed by L&T and was inherited by the assessee out of demerger. It was further submitted that in a demerger all the property of the undertaking is necessarily transferred by the demerged company to the resulting company, therefore it is immaterial whether the rail system was developed by L&T Ltd. or by the resulting company i.e. the assessee. Further it was submitted that the facility of rail system consists of all that is required to carry on the railway activity in an organized and systematic manner. The activity of rail system is real and substantial and it is carried on with said purpose viz transportation of goods from one place to another and thereby augmenting profits of the company as a whole by saving transportation cost which it would have otherwise incurred. It was further submitted that the profits derived from the rail systems are clearly arising out of the business of developing operating and maintaining the rail system. 13.5. It was further submitted that substantial investment has been made in developing the railway system. There is an agreement with the railways for operating and maintaining the rail system. It employs required personnel directly or through the railway authorities and it bearing the salary cost relating thereto. It was submitted that the rail system is developed on the basis of entirely different technology and employs different equipment and machinery from those applied by the cement unit for cement production. It is was further submitted that the rail system is not formed by splitting up or reconstruction of a business already in existence or by the transfer to a new business of machinery previously used for any purpose. It was therefore argued that the rail system is not a part of the cement unit but is an, independent unit. It was further submitted' that the conditions specified in Sec. 8OIA(4)(i) in r/o an infrastructure facility are fully satisfied in the present case. The rail system is owned by the assessee company which is a company registered in India. The assessee has entered into an agreement with the Railways for operating and maintaining the new infrastructure facility. It has started operating and maintenance the infrastructure facility after 01.04.1995.

14. After considering the submission and perusing the material on record, the CIT(A) was satisfied with the explanation of the assessee and taking into consideration the various case laws held that the assessee is eligible for deduction us BOIA in rlo profits from rail system. Accordingly, the AO was directed to allow deduction u/s 80IA. Now the department is in appeal here before the Tribunal.

15. The Id. DR on the other hand placed reliance on the order of the AO and on the other hand the Id counsel of the assessee placed reliance on Page No.68 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited the order of the CIT(A). Attention of the Bench was drawn on para 5.2 of the order of the AO and then on the provision of Sec 8OIA clause 2 and sub- clauses 3&4. It was further explained that the assessee can avail benefit of deduction u/s 80IA in 10 years of his choice out of 15 years period. The provisions are very clear. Attention of the Bench was also drawn on the copy of the agreement placed at page .93 of the paper book. It was further submitted that all the conditions of Sec. 80IA have been fulfilled. Reliance was placed on the decision reported in 40 ITR 123. It was submitted that the ClT(A) has discussed the issue extensively and the findings of the ld. CIT(A) remained uncontroverted. Therefore the order of the CIT(A) is liable to be confirmed in this regard.

16. We have heard the rival submission and considered them carefully: We have also perused the various material placed on record on which our attention was drawn. After taking into consideration we find that the CIT(A) has dealt with the aspect in detail. Contention raised before the ClT(A) on behalf of the assessee were not found incorrect or false. Conditions of Sec. 80IA have been fulfilled by the assessee. Thereafter, the CIT(A) came to the conclusion that the assessee is eligible for deduction u/s 80IA. The findings of the Id. CIT(A) are given in para 3.10 are as under :- 3.10 After perusal of the facts of the case, findings given by the AO and submissions made by the appellant, I find that the only issues in this case is whether the appellant is eligible for deduction u/s. 80IA in r/o profits derived from the rail system. There is no dispute that the appellant (i) is a company (if) has developed the rail system and (iii) it" has entered into an agreement for operation and maintenance of the rail system with the railways i.e the Government. Thus all the 3 conditions required to be fulfilled as per Sec. 80IA(4)(i) have been satisfied by the appellant. Moreover rail system is defined in explanation to sec. 80IA(4)(i) as an infrastructure facility. Further separate books of account are being maintained by the appellant. The mere fact that internal invoices are not raised does not mean that the rail system is not a profit centre. It is also found that all the doubts raised by the AO in the assessment order have been fully explained by the appellant the AO has himself stated in the assessment order that the rail system was developed by L&T Ltd which has been inherited by the appellant as a result of the demerger and Circular No. 733 dated 03.01.1996categorically stated that benefit of sec. 80IA is applicable to development of rail system and there is no gain saying that fact that the appellant has developed the rail system and is operating and maintaining the same. After perusal of the facts as well as the judicial pronouncements quoted above it is therefore held that the appellant is eligible for deduction u/s 80IA in r/o profits from rail system. In view of the same, the AO is directed to allow deduction u/s 80IA of Rs. 15,64,33,576/-17. As stated above neither the findings of the Id CIT(A) could 'be controverted by the Id DR nor any other material was brought on record to establish otherwise. Therefore in view of the uncontroverted reasoning given by the Id. CIT(A) we confirm his order on this issue also."

Page No.69 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 14. After having all the above observation, the CIT(A) noted that the issue of the allowability of the assessee's claim u/s 80IA(4) in respect of ' Rail Systems' as referred to by the assessee has been examined by him afresh from the point of view of the relevant provisions of the Act and the facts as to whether the 'Rail System' as referred to by the assessee could indeed be treated as the infrastructure facility for which deduction u/s 80lA is intended to by the legislature; and whether the assessee operated that rail system.

15. Replies and justification filed by assessee was not accepted by CIT(A) and he held that the rail system of the assessee do not fall within the definition of the infrastructure facility, as the same could not be treated as a facility of public utility. For this reason the assessee company was held to be not entitled for the deduction u/s.80IA in r/o the profit, from the operation of rail system. Reasons for the same was as under:- 16. The CIT(A) observed that the agreements under reference were not at all any agreements for developing, maintaining and operating any infrastructure facility to which benefit of exemption is intended to be given in Section 80IA. For this reason also the assessee company was held to be not entitled for deduction u/s.80IA in r/o the profit from the operation of rail system.

17. The CIT(A) also observed that L&T Ltd., who have developed the said rail system was also not eligible u/s.80IA on operations of those rail systems under the provisions that existed at the relevant time i.e., prior to 01/04/2002 when such infrastructure facility was said to have become operational.

18. The CIT(A) observed that the L&T Ltd., did not claim exemption on operation of those rail systems. Rather the assessee company has started claiming exemption from AY. 2004-05 after the ownership over the cement plants together with such rail systems were transferred to it following the demerger scheme in FY. 2003-04.

19. The CIT(A) further observed that the provision of railway track, signals, level crossings etc are the essential components of a rail system but that in itself would not give rise to any profit. For that movement of traffic [i.e. material] is to be made over those railway tracks. The profit would arise by charging the freight thereon.

20. The CIT(A) further observed that as per' the agreement, the railway track, signals, level crossings etc were laid out on the cost of L&T Ltd. The cost of maintenance was also to be borne by L&T Ltd. [and now by the assessee]. On that only expenses are incurred and there would be no profit element. Then the issue arises of running the wagons onto those tracks. As per the agreement, the assessee was not permitted to run the wagon onto those tracks.

21. As per CIT(A), it is not a case of running of railways [goods train] by L&T Ltd. or the assessee company on those private sidings and as such the assessee did not run any rail system onto those private sidings. Therefore, it cannot be said that the assessee company had operated any rail systems at all. Therefore the deduction u/s 80lA would not be available to it onto the profit, if any, from such rail systems.

Page No.70 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 22. The CIT(A) also observed that there is very limited profit on operation of such rail system and the claim made by assessee u/s.80IA is exorbitant.

23. In view of the above discussion, the CIT(A) concluded that assessee's claim of deduction u/s.80IA is not allowable. However, by observing that the Tribunal has allowed the claim of assessee in the Ays. 2004-05, 2006-07 to 2008-09, to follow the judicial discipline, he followed the order of Tribunal and allowed assessee's claim in the A.Y.2009-10. However, by stating that new facts have been brought on record in the A.Y. 2010-11, he declined claim of deduction u/s. 80IB(4).

24. With regard to the disallowance, deduction u/s. 80IA(4), Revenue is in appeal before us in the A.Y. 2009-10, whereas assessee is in appeal for the A.Y. 2010-11.

25. It was vehemently argued by learned AR that Revenue authorities have not considered the eligibility requirement u/s.80IA as brought by the Finance Act 2001 wherein Finance Act, 2001 has deleted the requirement of the assessee to transfer the infrastructure facility to the concern Government authorities within prescribed time. He contended that CIT(A) has wrongly applied the provisions of law as applicable prior to 01/04/2002 while considering the assessee's claim for deduction for the Ays.2009-10 and 2010-11 under consideration. Learned A.R threadbare taken us to the objections raised by the CIT(A) and the reply filed by the assessee controverting each and every objection of the CIT(A). Our attention was invited to the amended provisions of Section 80IA(4) which does not require infrastructure facility to be a public facility for allowing deduction u/s. 80IA. Our attention was also invited to the terms and conditions of the agreement entered between the assessee company and the railway department which contained conditions for construction of railway sidings, development of sidings, laying of tracks, signaling system and all the essential components of rail system. The terms of the agreement also provided for its operation and maintenance. He vehemently argued that the rail systems were developed in accordance with the agreements entered with the Indian Railways, wherein assessee was allowed to operate and maintain these sidings under supervision and as per the guidelines of Indian Railway. Our attention was invited to the various clauses particularly Class 2, 6, 7(a), 17 and 8(b) which stipulate for construction of railway sidings at the cost of the assessee. Construction work was awarded either to railway or third party contractors based on their expertise and the work was undertaken under the supervision of the Railways. Clause 6 is specifically provided for payment in advance to the railway administration, the total estimated cost of the work done by the party and thus by the railway administration. Clause 7(a) stipulate that assessee will provide and deliver at site the permanent way and other materials in accordance with the railway administration standard and specifications. Clause 17 stipulate that assessee shall provide labour for and bear the cost of all Operations on the siding. Clause 9(b) provides for maintenance and other charges for the operation of the sidings at assessee's cost and expense to the satisfaction of railway administration.' 26. Learned AR also argued that all the conditions of Section 80IA(4) was complied with for claiming deductions. Learned AR also invited our attention to the observation of CIT(A) with respect to the freight rate

Page No.71 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited insofar as CIT(A) has wrongly considered the rate for quintals as against per Metric Ton adopted by assessee while computing eligible amount of deduction u/s.80IA (4). It was also contended by learned AR that assessee has started claiming deduction for rail system u/s.80IA only from A.Y.2004-05 since it has satisfied all the conditions as prescribed u/s.80IA (4).

27. With regard to disallowance u/s.14A on account of interest, our attention was invited to the profit earned by the undertaking during the year as well as interest free funds available with the assessee for making investment in tax free securities and it was contended that since investment was out of assessee's own interest free funds, in terms of decision of Jurisdictional High Court in case of CIT v. Reliance Utilities & Power Ltd. [2009] 178 Taxman 135/313 ITR 340 (Bom.) and CIT v. HDFC Bank Ltd., [2014] 49 taxmann.com 335/226 Taxman 132 (Mag.)/366 ITR 505 (Bom.), no disallowance of interest is warranted. With regard to the disallowance made under Rule 8D(2)(iii) he contended that assessee itself has offered the amount attributable for earning the exempt income, therefore, further disallowance made by Revenue authorities was not justified.

28. Learned AR also invited our attention to the order of the Tribunal in assessee's own case for Ays. 2004-05 to 2008-09, wherein Tribunal have after considering in detail allowed the assessee's claim u/s.80IA with regard to rail system. Sales Tax exemption as capital receipt was also decided by Tribunal in assessee's own case for the Ays. 2004-05 to 2008-09, relevant decision of the Tribunal was also filed before us.

29. Learned AR relied on following judicial pronouncements in support of the proposition that benefit allowed in earlier year cannot be denied in subsequent years.

Page No.72 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited department contained the terms and conditions for construction of private siding which cannot be treated as any agreement for development operation and maintenance of any rail system. She further vehemently argued that assessee has not complied with various conditions given in Section 80IA to arrive at eligibility for deduction. She further invited our attention to the observation made by CIT(A) to the effect that the actual operation of rail system on to the private sidings between the serving railway station and plant premises was being done by the Indian Railways and not by the assessee Company, therefore, assessee was not entitled for 80 IA(4). She further alleged that profit computed by assessee for the rail system was very exorbitant and method adopted for computation was also not correct. Our attention was invited to the computation of profit as per table 'F'of CIT(A)'s order. She further contended that when L&T Ltd., itself was not eligible for deduction u/s.80IA, how assessee company became eligible for the same after demerger and inherited the cement business i.e., cement plants together with the rail systems of the L&T Ltd., She placed reliance on the Circular No.733 dated 03/01/1996 which provided that BOLT scheme of Indian Railway shall be eligible for the benefit u/s.80IA.

31. With regard to sales tax exemption benefit being treated as capital receipt, she relied on the decision of Jammu and Kashmir High Court in the case of Shree Balaji Alloys v. CIT [2011] 198 Taxman 122/9 taxmann.com 255/333 ITR 335, Bombay High Court in case of CIT v. Chaphalkar Brothers [2013] 33 taxmann.com 431/215 Taxman 145 (Mag.)/351 ITR 309.

32. With regard to disallowance made u/s.14, she relied on the findings recorded by lower authorities.

34. Grievance of both the assessee and revenue revolves around assessee's eligibility for claim of deduction u/s.80IA (4) of the Income-tax Act. From the record we found that assessee UltraTech Cement Ltd. ('UTCL') has acquired the cement business of Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T') along with the Rail systems at Hirmi, Tadipatri, Arrokonam and Durgapur in the FY. 2003-04. These Railway systems were developed on or after 01/04/1995 by the L&T. year wise details of the aforesaid rail systems are as follows: UnitIRailsystemUndertakings Year of Initial Commencement year of of operations claim (A. Y.) (A.Y.) Rail system at Hirmi in the state of 2000-01 2004-05 Chhattisgarh Rail system at Tadipatri in the state 1999-00 2007-08 of Andhra Pradesh Rail system at Arakkonam in the 2001-02 2007-08 state of TamilNadu Rail System at Durgapur in the state 2002-03 2008-09 of WestBengal

Page No.73

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 35. M/s. L&T had entered into agreements with the Railway authorities to develop, operate and Maintain the Rail systems which infact the company has done from initial day. This agreement with the Railway Authorities was not under the BOLT Scheme but infact the assessee was permitted to setup and even operate and maintain the rail system so developed in accordance with terms and conditions of the agreements under the supervision and as per guidelines of Indian Railways. Prior to putting up the rail systems, the assessee used to transfer the material from its plant to the nearest Indian Railways station and vice versa through Road and used to incur road freight and loading & unloading charges at multiple stages. To save these costs and other incidental costs, the assessee decided to develop the rail infrastructure from its manufacturing setup till the nearest Indian Railway station. It is Indian Railways who either have the power to develop any railways in India or it can enter into any arrangement with any person for developing and for operating rail systems subject to prior approvals and conditions. Therefore, the assessee accordingly entered into agreement with the Rail authorities to develop, operate and maintain its rail systems. The agreement lays down various conditions to be complied with, before and during the development, maintaining and operating the rail systems. Such rail system can also be made available to any third party with the permission of the Indian Railway. For this purpose, the assessee approached to the Indian Railways for development of Rail systems which Indian railways has agreed to provide permission for laying down the railway sidings (including the rail line upto the nearest rail head) and accordingly the assessee had awarded the contract to the private parties for construction and to the Indian Railway approved agency for supervision and consultancy of the Rail system and had borne the entire cost of development including for incidental expenses paid to all the agencies. The clause in the agreement saying that railway administration is willing to lay the said sidings / construct the siding is meant for Railway administration's permission for allowing the assessee for developing the Rail system as per the norms and supervision of Indian Railways. The revenue authorities alleged that the Railway system have been developed to facilitate the transportation of goods for the assessee from and upto the factory premises, and therefore the Agreements entered into by the assessee with the Indian Railways cannot be regarded as required agreements between the Govt. and the assessee. In this respect the assessee submitted as under before the lower authorities. as per section 80- IA(4)(i)(b) the agreement has to be entered with the Central Govt or (a) a State Govt or a Local Authority or any other statutory body for (i) developing or (ii) Operating and Maintaining or (iii) Developing, Operating and Maintaining the infrastructure facility. Indian Railways is the statutory body under the Indian Railways Act. The provision of Sec.80-IA (8) contemplates a situation where goods or services are (b) transferred by an eligible undertaking and vice versa. Undoubtedly therefore, the section itself envisages situations of captive consumption.

(c) Further as mentioned in clause 15 of the agreement, the rail systems developed by the appellant can be made available to any third party with the prior approval of the Indian Railways. 36. It was therefore contended that the agreements as entered into by the assessee with Indian Railways are as envisaged u/s 80- IA( 4 )(i) and Page No.74 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited in no case it can be inferred that they are not the required agreements under section 80-IA.

37. The Govt can also enter into any arrangement with any person for developing and for operating rail systems subject to prior approvals and conditions of the Indian Railways. M/s L&T has accordingly entered into agreement with the appropriate rail authorities to Develop, Operate and Maintain its rail systems. M/s. L&T had awarded contract to the private parties for construction of rail sidings (including upto the nearest rail head) under the supervision of Indian Railways approved agency, and the entire cost for construction / development paid to the aforesaid agency and supervision charges paid to Indian Railways approved agency have been borne by the assessee, apart from all costs incurred for all the materials and incidental expenses. It was further explained in terms of clause 14, Wagons are hauled by the Railway Administration from the point marked 'X' or such other points as may be fixed upon by mutual consent of the applicants and railway administration in such manner as shall be determined in each case by the Railway administration. The assessee undertakes to shunt the wagons from such point to his premises and back with his own labour. However", no siding charges are charged by Indian Railways, since it is a private siding. The Clause 16 reads to mean that, charges such as Siding Charges are to be paid 'wherever leviable'. In assessee's case siding charges are not leviable.

38. The rail systems were developed by assessee under the agreements entered into with Indian Railways and assessee operates and maintains the same in accordance with terms and conditions of the Agreements, under the supervision and as per guidelines of Indian Railways. Relevant clauses of the agreements substantiating the same are asunder:- (a) ClauseNo.2, Agreement to Construct Siding – Wherein it is mentioned that "the Railway administration will at the cost and the expenses of the applicant, in all respect, construct the railwaysidings" Further kindlybe informed that, for construction ofthe siding under thesupervision ofthe Railways, the contract for construction and supervision has been awarded by the applicant andtheentire cost hasbeen borne by theapplicant. (b) Clause No. 6 - Payment by Applicant against the total estimated cost - wherein it is mentioned that, "The applicant will pay in advance to the railway administration the total estimated cost of the work consisting of the estimated costs of work done by the party and those by the railway administration" (c) Clause No. 7(a) - Permanent way materials - "The applicant will provide and deliver at site thepermanent way and other materials (which includes Girders, Rails, Sleepers, fastenings, points,crossings, fencings, signals and overhead structures and any other things connected therewith forelectric tractions and other machinery and equipments necessary for working of the sidings) inaccordance with the Railway administration's standards and specifications. All charges incurred inlaying and fitting the permanent way materials and all other equipments which may be providedshallentirelybe borne by the applicant." (d) Clause No. 17 - Working of the Siding - wherein it is mentioned that " ... the applicant shall providelabour for and bear the cost of all Operations on the siding. The applicant shall be responsible forthe strict compliance by himself and his employees and agents of all rules, regulations and standing orders made by the railway administration from time to time for the working of sidings and for all accidents, loss or damage that may be ensured or be caused by reasons of negligence or non- observance of such rules, regulations and orders (e) Clause No. 8(b) - Wherein it is mentioned that, \\ Maintenance and other Charges for the portion of the sidings - The applicant will at their own cost and expenses in all things and to the satisfaction of the railway administration and if required by the railway administration under its supervision maintains in good order and repair the said portion of the siding. Such Page No.75 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited charges as may be fixed by the railway for the supervision rendered shall be paid by the applicant.

39. These are other various clauses wherein it is evident that the Development, Operation and Maintenance is done by the assessee and the entire cost for the same is borne by the assessee.

40. From the record we also found that the assessee has duly submitted for all the rail systems, Form 10CCB, duly certified and audited by M/s. G.P Kapadia & Co., Chartered Accountants along with Balance Sheet, P&L account, Schedules forming part of Balance sheet and P&L Account.

41. However, the AO did not agree with assessee's contention and held that Rail systems developed by assessee is not eligible for claim of deduction u/s.80IA (4). Now, we deal precisely with the observation made by CIT(A) for declining Assessee's claim of deduction u/s.80IA.

42. With regard to CIT(A)'s observation as to whether rail systems developed by M/s. L&T were in accordance with the Build-Own-Lease-& Transfer (BOLT) scheme of the Indian Railways, we observe that L&T had entered into agreements with the railway authorities to develop, operate & maintain the rail systems, which in fact the company has done from the initial day. The assessee was permitted to setup and even operate & maintain the rail systems so developed. Further, regarding' Circular No. 733 dated 03-01-1996, we found that the Circular clarifies that tax holiday benefit u/s. 80-IA of the Act was also available to private enterprises which only built and leased out the rail system to the Indian Railways. In spite the absence of activities-'operate and maintain' the rail systems, such 'infrastructure facilities' were also declared as eligible to claim deduction under the said section. Further, the circular also states that rail systems developed other than under the BOLT scheme were also eligible for benefit u/s 80-IA. In case of the assessee, the clarification of benefits u/s. 80-IA being available to those rail systems who do not 'operate and maintain' the systems clearly establishes that, enterprises who in fact operate and maintain the rail systems were certainly eligible for tax holiday benefits. As the assessee has entered into agreements with the railway authorities to develop, operate & maintain the rail systems, which in fact the company has done from the initial day. There was indeed an 'infrastructure' facility eligible for deduction u/s 80lA. We also found that the Hon'ble ITAT in assessee's own case for AY. 2006-07, has categorically allowed the deduction u/s. 80-IA for its rail system after dealing with the Circular No. 733 dtd 3.1.1996.

Page No.76 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 44. From the record we found that M/s. L&T had entered into agreements with the Railway authorities to develop, Operate and Maintain the Rail systems which infact the company has done from initial day. This agreement with the Railway Authorities was not under the BOLT Scheme but infact the assessee was permitted to setup and even operate and maintain the rail system so developed in accordance with terms and conditions of the agreements under the supervision and as per guidelines of Indian Railways. As per the relevant provisions of law during relevant period there is no requirement for Rail Infrastructure to be In BOLT scheme, to be eligible for claiming deduction under Section SO-lA (4)(i). Section 80-lA (4)(i) provides the following conditions to be complied with for claiming deductions; (i) ...... (a) itis ownedby a companyregisteredinIndia (b) it has entered into an agreement with the Central Government or a State Government or a localauthority or any other statutory body for (i) developing or (ii) operating and maintaining or (iii) developing,operatingandmaintaininganew infrastructure facility; (c) it has started or starts operating and maintaining the infrastructure facility on or after the 1st day of April,1995: 45. With regard to objection of revenue authorities on applicability of CBDT circular No.733 on BOLT schemes, systems developed under BOLT scheme are also eligible for 80-IA benefit, and in no way restricts the deduction u/s.80-IA to other rail systems. We found that the Hon'ble ITAT in assessee's own case for AY 2006-07, has categorically allowed the deduction u/s. 80-IA for its rail system after dealing with the Circular No. 733 dtd 3.1.1996.

46. Therefore the agreements as entered into by the assessee with Indian Railways are as envisaged u/s 80- IA(4)(i) and in no case it can be inferred that they are not the required agreements under section 80-IA.

48. Contention of revenue authorities that Railways had constructed the rail system is not factually correct. In fact, M/s. L&T had entered into agreement with the appropriate rail authorities to Develop its rail systems. M/s. L&T had constructed the rail system by awarding contract to the private parties for construction of rail sidings (including upto the nearest rail head) under the supervision of Indian Railways approved agency, and the entire cost for construction/ development paid to the aforesaid agency and supervision charges paid to Indian Railways approved agency have been borne by the assessee, apart from all costs incurred for all the materials and incidental expenses.

49. From the record we found that the rail systems were developed under the agreements entered into with Indian Railways and assessee operates and maintains the same in accordance with terms and conditions of the Page No.77

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Agreements, under the supervision and as per guidelines of Indian Railways. We have carefully gone through the relevant clauses of the agreements substantiating the same which reads as under: (a) ClauseNo.2,AgreementtoConstructSiding-Wherein it is mentioned that "the Railway administration will at the cost and the expenses of the applicant, in all respect, construct the railway sidings" Further kindly be informed that, for construction of the siding under the supervision of the Railways, the contract for construction and supervision has been awarded by the applicant and the entire cost has been borne by the applicant. (b) Clause No. 6 - Payment by Applicant against the total estimated cost -wherein it is mentioned that, "The applicant will pay in advance to the railway administration the total estimated cost of the work consisting of the estimated costs of work done by the party and those by the railway administration" (c) Clause No. 7(a) - Permanent way materials - "The applicant will provide and deliver at site the permanent way and other materials (which includes Girders, Rails, Sleepers, fastenings, points, crossings, fencings, signals and overhead structures and any other things connected therewith for electric tractions and other machinery and equipments necessary for working of the sidings) in accordance with the Railway administration's standards and specifications. All charges incurred in laying and fitting the permanent way materials and all other equipments which may be provided shall entirely be borne by the applicant." (d) Clause No. 17 - Working of the Siding - wherein it is mentioned that " ... the applicant shall provide labour for and bear the cost of all Operations on the siding. The applicant shall be responsible for the strict compliance by himself and his employees and agents of all rules, regulations and standing orders made by the railway administration from time to time for the working of sidings and for all accidents, loss or damage that may be ensured or be caused by reasons of negligence or non- observance of such rules, regulations and orders .... " Further, the appellant carries out all the operations for smooth movement of its goods, viz. Shunting of the Wagons, placing of the wagons at appropriate locations, Loading / Unloading of Wagons within the stipulated time and stipulated methods of Indian Railways through Wagon Loading Machines and Wagon Tipplers, Weighing of Wagons on Motion Weigh Bridges, Maintaining signa ling systems, Wagons, Couplings, Rake formation for dispatch, hauling of Wagons through its own locomotives, etc. Further, in Clause No. 14 - Traffic on Siding - it is mentioned that applicant undertakes to shunt the wagons from such point to his premises and back with his own labour and the railway administration would not be responsible for any delay, loss and damages caused in consequence of the failure of the applicant to arrange for such shunting. " Thus, the rail system is being operated by the appellant and the cost of above operations is borne by appellant. (e) Clause No. 8(b) - Wherein it is mentioned that, Maintenance and other Charges for the portion of the sidings - The applicant will at their own cost and expenses in all things and to the satisfaction of the railway administration and if required by the railway administration under its supervision maintains in good order and repair the said portion of the siding. Such charges as may be fixed by the railway for the supervision rendered shall be paid by the applicant. There are other various clauses wherein it is evident that the Development, Operation and Maintenance is done by the appellant and the entire cost for the same is borne by the appellant.

Page No.78 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 50. The question of allowability of the deduction u/s. 80IA in respect of rail systems has been settled in earlier years by the Hon'ble ITAT in assessee's own case. The facts and the agreements were also placed before authorities in those years. Therefore, the claim based on same facts needs to be allowed following the principle of Consistency in assessment proceedings. Even though the 'principles of res judicata' do not apply to income tax proceedings and each assessment year being a separate unit, what is decided in one year may not apply in the following year but where a fundamental aspect permeating through the different assessment years has been found as a fact one way or the other and parties have allowed that position to be sustained by not challenging the order, it would not be appropriate to allow the position to be changed in a subsequent year. The above principles have been accepted in the undernoted case: ♦ H.A.Shah& Cov. CIT[1956](30ITR618)(Bom.) ♦ AmalgamatedCoalfieldsLtd.v.JanapadaSabhaAIR1964SC1013 ♦ CruchofSouthIndiaTrust Associationv.TeluguChurchCouncil[1996]2SCC520 51. From the record we also found that the overall profits of the company have increased due to such commercial benefits and the same should have been treated as the revenue of the rail systems, which is the Fair Market Value of the services provided by the undertaking as per the provisions of Sec. 80IA(8) and the assessee is entitled for benefit u/s 80IA accordingly. However, the basis adopted for calculating the revenue from rail system by the assessee has been conservatively considered as lower of the freight chargeable through Rail and Road freight saved. The rail freight being lower is considered after further discounting it by 50% based on the circular of Indian Railways for the freight chargeable upto the nearest railway station.

53. Unit wise details of amount of claim of deduction u/s.80-IA on the profits of Rail System for AY. 04-05 to AY. 09-10 is as under:- Rail Systems at AY.04-05 AY.05-06 AY.06-07 AY.07-08 AY.08-09 AY.09-10 Hirmi 15.63 16.13 20.95 21.09 24.33 28.26 Tadipatri -- -- -- 25.56 25.22 31.03

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(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Rail Systems at AY.04-05 AY.05-06 AY.06-07 AY.07-08 AY.08-09 AY.09-10 Arakkonam -- -- -- 5.73 6.30 7.11 Durgapur -- -- -- -- 5.71 6.72

54. We have also verified the calculation of revenue from rail system, filed before the lower authorities and found that the basis adopted for calculating the revenue from rail system is, lower of the Freight chargeable through Road and Rail. The Rail Freight being lower is considered after discounting it further by 50% based on the Circular of Indian railways for the freight chargeable upto the nearest railway station. Freight Rates are considered as per the Freight Rate chart & Freight Circulars issued from time to time by Indian Railways, based on the classification of the goods transported. The Railway freight rates are uniformly charged to everyone by Indian Railways. The copies of Form 10CCB including the Profit and loss account, Balance sheet along with Schedules, giving- therein the basis for calculation of revenue has been submitted before the lower authorities and had been duly examined by us and found to be correct.

55. We also found that the loading and unloading of goods is being done by the integrated Rail system set up by the assessee and expenses which were incurred earlier for loading and unloading of materials at the plant as well as the nearest Indian Railway station have been avoided and saved and are considered as income of the rail system arising due to setting up of such integrated rail system. The assessee has already submitted for all the Rail Systems form 10CCB duly certified and audited by M/s. GP Kapadia & Co. Chartered Accountants, alongwith Balance Sheet, P&L Account, Schedules forming part of Balance sheet and P&L Account. We have also checked the amount eligible for deduction as furnished in form 10 CCB and found the same as correct. 56. With regard to CIT(A)'s observation in the A.Y.2010-11 at page 42 to the effect that the so called 'Rail System' of the assessee company are simply a private siding and not any infrastructure facility of Public Utility therefore the infrastructure of such private sidings should be treated as "Private Facility", we observe that Section 80IA(4) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 does not require the infrastructure facility to be a public facility for allowing deduction under section 80IA. The explanation to section 80IA(4) defines the term 'infrastructure facility' to mean a road including toll road, a bridge or a rail system without anything further. We observe that the CIT(A) has been referring to the pre-amended definition of the term 'infrastructure facility' which was applicable till AY. 2001-02. The assessee company began its claim of deduction from AY 2004-05 when the definition was simplified with no indication about 'public facility'. Thus CIT(A) was not correct while declining claim of deduction u/s.80IA(4) on this reasoning. 57. As per our considered view, even assuming that the requirement of public facility is to be fulfilled, it is worth noting that a section of public is also considered to be public. This principle has been laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the context of a Chamber of Commerce CIT v. Andhra Chamber of Commerce [1965] 55 ITR 722 wherein it was ruled that even though the Andhra Chamber of Commerce was established only to serve the traders and businessmen in the State of Andhra Pradesh, such traders and businessmen constituted a section of public and therefore the Chamber existed for a public charitable purpose. In the ultimate analysis Page No.80 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited of the facts in the case of assessee Company, the benefits of such siding does ensure to the public in general - to the consumers of cement. Any benefit to the business even though it is first enjoyed by the particular trade or establishment eventually is for the general public good. It has to be noted that several industries may come up on both the sides of sidings from the interchange point till factory gate, if anyone of them wants to make use of railway sidings, it is permissible for the Railway Administration to entertain such request and by making use of the exiting siding, can extend or branch off and lay railway tracks to the industry which makes the request and lay siding accordingly. Thus, the railway siding from the point of interchange till factory gate of the assessee has immense potential, with enabling powers to the Railway Administration (which itself is a public department), to be developed into a facility that will ensure to the public at large. The railway sidings are always constructed for captive consumption. Thus, the provisions of section 80IA(4) cannot be read in the manner to make it redundant, when the legislature in all its wisdom intended to give benefit of tax holiday for construction of infrastructure facility in the form of railway which is meant for captive consumption.

59. With regard to CIT(A)s conclusion for the A.Y. 2010-11 at page 42, to the effect that the agreements entered between the assessee Company & Railway Department, contained the terms & conditions for construction of Private Sidings and that cannot be treated as any agreement for development, operation & maintenance of any Rail system, we observe that as per section 80- IA(4)(i)(b), an assessee has to enter into an agreement with the Central Government or a State Government or a Local Authority or any other statutory body for (i) developing or (ii) Operating and Maintaining or (iii) Developing, Operating and Maintaining the infrastructure facility. The Indian Railways, with whom the assessee has entered into an agreement, is the statutory body designated under the Indian Railways with whom the assessee has entered into an agreement, is the statutory body designated under the Indian Railways Act. We found that the agreement does not merely contain the terms and conditions of the construction of railway siding i.e. development of siding (laying of tracks, signal system and all the essential components of Rail Systems) but it also contains the terms and conditions relating to its operation and maintenance as well.

60. Our attention was also invited to letter No. 99/TC(FM)26/1/Pt-II (Sub- Liberalization of siding 'Rules) of the Railway Boar clarifying that the Page No.81 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited capital cost of new siding, maintenance cost, cost of Railway staff etc. will be borne by the enterprise only, which also supports our view.

61. As far as operations is concerned, we found that the assessee carries out all the following operations for smooth movement of its goods, viz. shunting of the wagons, placing of the wagons at appropriate locations, loading/unloading of wagons within the stipulated time and stipulated methods of Indian Railways through Wagon Loading Machines and Wagon Tipplers, weighing of wagons on Motion Weigh Bridges, wagon couplings and de-couplings, rake formation for dispatch, hauling of wagons through its own locomotives within the factory premises, etc. Thus, the rail system is being operated by the assessee and the cost of above operations is borne by assessee.

62. With regard to CIT(A)'s conclusion at page 42 of A.Y. 2010-11 to the effect that various conditions given in Section were not met with, we observe as under:- a. Section 80-IA (4)(i) provides the following conditions to be complied with for claiming deductions; (i) any enterprise carrying on the business of (i) developing, (ii) maintaining and operating or (iii) developing, maintaining and operating any infrastructure facility which fulfils all the following conditions, namely:- (a) itis ownedby a companyregisteredinIndia (b) it has entered into an agreement with the Central Government or a State Government or a localauthority or any other statutory body for (i) developing or (ii) operating and maintaining or (iii)developing,operatingandmaintaininganew infrastructurefacility; (c) it has started or starts operating and maintaining the infrastructure facility on or after the 1st day of April,1995: 63. As per materials placed on record, all the railway systems are established and owned by the assessee which is a Company as defined under the Income-tax Act. This is an undisputed fact and there is no adverse remark by the AO or CIT(A) in this regard.

64. As per clause (b)of Section 80IA (4)(i) an agreement has to be entered with the Central Government or a State Government or a Local Authority or any other statutory body for (i) developing or (ii) Operating and maintaining or (iii) Developing, Operating and Maintaining the infrastructure facility. The Indian Railways, with whom the assessee has entered into an agreement, is the statutory body designated under the Indian Railways Act.

65. We also observe that the agreements entered into by the assessee are for the development, operation and maintenance of the Railway siding. Thus this fulfils the requirement in clause (b).

66. The last requirement as per clause (c) is regarding commencement of operation and maintenance of facility on or after 1st April, 1995. All the railway sidings were developed after April, 1995 as can be verified from the date of agreements entered into by the assessee with the Railway authorities; which are as under:-

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(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Authority with which Date of Location Agreement is entered agreement Hirmi South Eastern Railway March 2000 Tadipatri South central Railway 03-05-1999 Arakkonam Southern Railway 08-01-2001 Durqapur Eastern Railway 18-10-2002

67. This also is an undisputed fact and there is no adverse remark by the AO or CIT(A) in this regard. In view of above all the conditions specified in section 80IA(4) has been complied with by the assessee entitling it to claim the tax holiday.

68. With regard to CIT(A)'s observation that the actual operation of Rail System [i.e. running of goods train] onto the private sidings between the serving railway station and plant premises [upto interchange point! exchange yard], was being done by the Indian Railways and not by the assessee Company. 69. We found that the CIT(A) has equated "running of goods train" with the "operation of Rail System". This is the sole basis on which he has arrived at his conclusion that since the assessee is not running the goods train it is not operation of Rail System and hence not eligible for claiming deduction under section 80IA(4). 70. As per our considered view, the operation of Rail System is not simply running of goods train. Operation of Railway Systems comprises of various activities viz. shunting of the wagons, placing of the wagons at appropriate locations, loading/unloading of wagons within the stipulated time and stipulated methods of Indian Railways through Wagon Loading Machines and Wagon Tipplers, weighing of wagons on Motion Weigh Bridges, wagon couplings and de-couplings, rake formation for dispatch, hauling of wagons through its own locomotives within the factory premises, etc. Thus, the rail system is being operated by the assessee and the cost of above operations is borne by assessee. 71. With regard to allegation of the CIT(A) that the assessee has never claimed that it is hauling the wagons on the entire siding, we found that hauling of wagons is only one of the activity in the entire operation of the rail system. Under the Railways Act, 1989 nobody other than railway administration is allowed to haul wagons of the railway tracks. As per materials placed on record, all the activities relating to the operation of rail system except hauling of wagons till the interchange point, is done by the assessee and the entire cost for the same is borne by it. 72. From the record we also found that even the maintenance of the Rail system such as alignment of track & gauge maintenance, patching of ballast, maintenance of railway track sleepers, signalling points and railway gate crossing from private siding to connecting point of nearest railway station is done by the assessee. 73. Thus the operation of rail is not merely hauling of wagons but comprises of various activities all of which is carried on by the assessee Company.

Page No.83 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 74. With regard to CIT(A)'s observation that all the four cement plants [having private sidings] were notified as independent booking station and the freight was charged by the railway department for the entire distance including the portion of private sidings [upto interchange point / exchange yard], we observe that this is a fact which is undisputed by the assessee and nothing turns out of it.

75. CIT(A) also alleged that the notional profit computed for so called rail system has been very exorbitant and the method is also not correct. It need to be computed in the manner as explained in para 3.2.14 [with reference to table F] above. If that is done, there would hardly be any profit to those rail systems.

80. We further found that an amount towards loading and unloading charges is added to the above revenue for inward and outward movement of goods which is also carried out by the rail undertaking. The basis, for computing this component of revenue is the loading and unloading cost which the cement division was hitherto incurring during transportation through roadways. The question of reducing the freight payments to the Railways does not arise since this cost is incurred by the cement division and not by the railway undertaking.

81. In view of the above discussion, the explanation given by the CIT(A) and the tabular representation of the computation of revenue of rail system in Table F, has no relevance since it is merely based on his incorrect assumption.

82. Further, we found that observation of CIT(A) with respect to the freight rate is also not correct in so far as for comparison, he has considered the rate per quintal as against per Metric Ton adopted by the assessee which can be observed from the calculation submitted by assessee before the lower authorities. Without any evidence in hands, the CIT(A) has merely stated that crucial facts were not disclosed by the assessee without referring to any specific facts which were not disclosed. Perhaps he is indicating about the operations of railway siding being carried out by the railways and not by the assessee. However, as aforesaid, he is comparing the operation of railway siding with merely hauling of wagons. The operations of railway siding involves various activities other than the hauling of wagons. Mere haulage of wagons cannot be equated with operations of railway siding. We found that assessee has filed reports in Form 10CCB from M/s G.P.Kapadia& Co., Chartered Accountant. The CIT(A) himself has allowed the deduction in AY. 2009-10 based on the similar facts available on records but changed his decision merely based on the replies to questionnaire from various Railway Department.

Page No.85 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited removed the abovementioned condition and accordingly, the amended section 80IA(4) clause (b) stood as under from AY. 2002-03 onwards: "(b) it has entered into an agreement with the Central Government or a State Government or a local authority or any other statutory body for (i) developing or (ii) operating and maintaining or (iii) developing, operating and maintaining a new infrastructure facility;"

84. Thus, the Finance Act, 2001 amongst other conditions, particularly deleted the requirement for an assessee to transfer the infrastructure facility to the concerned government authorities with prescribed time.

33. These changes, however, would not alter the situation vis-a-vis the impugned amendment. These legislative changes did enlarge the scope of the deduction and in a sense, made it available to certain assessees who would not have been, but for the changes eligible for such deduction "

87. Thus, under the amended conditions of the section 80-IA(4) i.e. post AY 2002-03, L&T as well as UTCL were eligible for claiming deduction u/s 80IA. As per section 80IA(2), the deduction is available at the option of the assessee, for any ten consecutive assessment years out of twenty years beginning from the year in which the undertaking or enterprise develop and operate any infrastructure facility. The assessee has started claiming deduction post AY. 2004-05 and is within the period of available Page No.86 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited twenty years. Under section 80IB, u/s 80lC, 80ID and 80lE, the first year in which the production is started is taken as initial previous year whereas, after the amendment in provisions of section 80lA w.e.f. 01.04.2000 the initial assessment year is at the option of the assessee to avail the benefit.

88. In view of the amended provisions of Section 80-IA, the year in which the claim is first made i.e. initial assessment year, must apply for determination of eligibility of the claim. In respect of AY. 2004-05 onwards including assessment years 2009-10 and 2010-11, since the condition relating to transfer of such facility to Central Govt. was no longer a pre- requisite for eligibility of claim u/s 80- IA(4)(b), the assessee has correctly made the claim.

90. Even as per fiction created by section 80IA(5), the eligible business is the only source of income and the deduction would be allowed from the initial assessment year or any subsequent assessment year. It nowhere defines as to what is the "initial assessment year". Prior to 1-4-2000, section 80IA(12) defined the "initial assessment year" for various types of eligible assessees. However, after the amendment by the Finance Act, 1999, the definition of "initial assessment year" has been specifically taken away. Now, when the assessee exercises the option of choosing the initial assessment year as culled out in section 80IA(2) from which it chooses its' 10 years of deduction out of 20 years, then only deduction u/s 80lA can be determined.

Page No.87 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 91. ITAT Chennai Bench have dealt with similar issue in case of Mohan Breweries & Distilleries Ltd. v. Asstt. CIT [2009] 116 ITD 241 which pertains to AY. 2004-05 (i.e., after the amendment of S. 80-IA by the Finance Act 1999), the Chennai Tribunal has held that the initial assessment year is the first year of claim and S. 80-IA itself becomes applicable only when the assessee makes the claim for the first time and not before that. Hon'ble Madras High Court has upheld the judgment of Chennai Tribunal and concurred with the view that Section does not mandate that first year of 10 consecutive assessment years should be always first year of set-up of enterprise. The High Court has held that as initial year is not defined in Section 80lA as compared to Section 80IB where it is specifically provided that the year of commencement of business will be the initial year for the purpose of claiming the deduction, the year of option has to be treated as initial assessment year for the purpose of Section 80IA.

92. It is pertinent to mention here that once the deduction for the very first is allowed then in subsequent year the deduction cannot be disallowed on the same ground. Hon'ble High Court decision in the case of Saurashtra Cement & Chemical Industries Ltd. (supra), has pointed out that once deduction is allowed in the first year, revenue has no power to deny the deduction in subsequent assessment years as provided under the Act.

90. Learned Departmental Representative does not dispute the fact that the issue before us is covered by this decision of the coordinate bench, though he places reliance on the stand of the authorities below, and seeks to justify the same. We have also noted that in three immediately preceding assessment years, the same stand of the assessee, which has been rejected now, was accepted during the scrutiny assessment proceedings. While it is indeed true that there is no res judicata in the income tax assessment proceedings, at the same time, following the principles of consistency duly recognized by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Radhasoami Satsang Vs CIT [(1992) 193 ITR 321 (SC)], unless there is a change in the material facts, the issues which have been settled one way or other must to be disturbed. In this view of the matter, and respectfully following the coordinate bench in the case of Ultratech Cement Ltd (supra), we uphold the plea of the assessee. The Assessing Officer is, therefore, directed to delete the impugned disallowance in respect of claim of 80IA in respect of rail system. The assessee gets the relief accordingly.

31. It is relevant to refer to decision of Kolkata ITAT in the case of RASHMI METALIKS LTD in ITA No 813 to 816/Kol/2017 dated 02/05/2018 wherein it is held as under: “38. Learned Counsel for the assessee also took us through the agreement entered into by' the assessee in respect of the Railway System operated by it and pointed out that the clauses in the agreement are exactly identical and it is a standard agreement and since the facts and circumstances being similar the issue of deduction u/s. 80IA in respect of Railway system should be allowed in favour of the assessee. On a perusal of the agreement dated 16.01.2007 entered with South Western Railway, '. Hubli division for railway system we find clauses in the agreement are exactly identical to the agreement entered into by M/s.Ultratech Cements Limited for the railway siding in its premises. On analyzing the agreement and clauses thereon and the provisions of the Act it has been 'held by the Coordinate Bench in the case of M/s. Ultratech Cements Limited (supra) that the Railway System operated by the assessee is an infrastructure facility and entitled for the deduction u/s. 80IA of the Act .

39. We further find that revenues appeal against the decision of Hon 'ble ITAT in the case of M/s. Ultratech Cement Ltd. for A. Y. 2006-07 in ITA.No.6070 of 2010, has been admitted by Hon'ble Bombay High Court vide order dated 02.04.2014 on limited issue of as to whether railway siding can be treated as profit Centre or cost Centre for the purpose of determination of eligible profit. As regards revenue's ground of. appeal against very availability of deduction u/s. 80IA in respect of railway siding the Hon 'ble High Court rejected the same holding as under: ''After hearing the counsel at some length and perusing with their assistance the order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and the income Tax Appellate Tribunal, we are of the opinion that though the appeal deserves admission but it should not be on the question of law as framed at Page 5 of the paper book. That questions Page No.89 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited the very applicability of the provision. From the findings of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), the only question which can be raised as substantial question of law and arising from the discussion on this point is whether the respondent assessee is eligible for deduction u/s. 80IA of the Income Tax Act by urging that the Rail system is not a profit Centre but a cost saving Exercise undertaken in terms of subsection (4) of section 80IA? ......"

40. Thus as regards the claim for the deduction u/s. 80JA of the Act Per se, the ITAT order can be treated as final in favour of the assessee as the Hon 'ble High Court refused to admit the question raised by the Revenue on the very applicability of the provisions of section 80JA of the Act for the Rail System. Therefore/ respectively following the said decision we hold that the assessee entitled for the deduction u/s. 80JA of the Act in respect of the railway system .

43. Thus, in view of what is discussed above, we hold that the assessee is entitled for deduction u/s. 80IA in respect of the Railway System and water Supply project and therefore we set-aside the orders of the Ld- PCIT passed u/s 263 of the Act for the Assessment Years 2008-09 to 2011-12.

32. The above decision is also confirmed by Hon’ble Calcultta High court in 444 ITR 75.

33. In view of above discussion and following decisions referred supra, claim of assessee is found to be correct and Assessing Officer is directed to allow deduction u/s.80IA on Rail Infrastructure. This ground of appeal

is allowed.”

70. Respectfully following the above said decision, we allow the ground raised by the assessee.

40. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2011-12 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is allowed.

Page No.90

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 41. In Ground No.8, assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 8: Denial of claim for deduction of Leave Encashment on provision basis (Rs. 26,50,98,398/-): a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in not allowing the claim of leave encashment amounting to Rs. 26,50,98,398/-. b) The Appellant prays that the AO be directed to allow the claim of the Appellant.”

42. With regard to Ground No. 8 which is in respect of Denial of claim for deduction of Leave Encashment on provision basis, Ld. AR of the assessee submitted that this ground is conceded on account of the supreme court decision in the case of UOI v. Exide Industries Limited (425 ITR 1). Further, he prayed that the direction be given to allow the claim on payment basis.

43. On the other hand, Ld. DR has relied on the order of the lower authorities.

44. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, similar issue has been considered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of UOI v. Exide Industries Limited (Supra) and decided the issue against the assessee. Accordingly, the ground raised by the assessee is dismissed.

45. In the Ground No.9, assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 9: Addition of Rs. 30,14,80,247/- in respect of provision for Interest on Income tax while computing book profits u/s. 115JB of the Act: a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in adding Rs. 30,14,80,247/- being provision for interest on income tax (arising for providing of interest of excess income-tax refund) in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB. b) The Appellant prays that the AO be directed to exclude provision for interest on income tax while computing book profits u/s. 115JB.

46. With regard to Ground No. 9 which is in respect of addition of provision for Interest on Income tax while computing book profits u/s. 115JB of the Act, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by Page No.91

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2010-11 in ITA No. 3177 & 3137/MUM/2019 dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the department and against the assesse.

47. On the other hand, Ld. DR has fairly accepted the submissions of the Ld.AR.

48. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in against the assessee in the A.Y.2010-11. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3177 & 3137/MUM/2019, held as under: -

106. In the Ground No.11, Assessee has raised the following grievance: “Ground No. 11: Addition of provision for Interest on Income Tax (Rs.45,88,00,000/-): On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in adding Rs. 45,88,00,000/- being provision for interest on income tax in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB.

109. The Assessee has preferred appeal against such order. During the course of hearing the Ld. AR has conceded the ground relating to interest u/s.234D vis- a-vis adjustment while computing Book Profit u/s.115JB of the Act in view of Page No.92 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited decision of Coordinate Bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Ltd. [140 Taxman.com 347]. So far as adjustment for interest u/s.244A of the Act while computing Book Profit, Ld. AR has stated that provision was made based upon past records / trend of receipt of Income Tax refund from Tax Department and subsequent withdrawal thereof based upon orders u/s.143(3) of the Act. The Ld. AR has stated that such provision does not fall within the definition of Income Tax as per Explanation 2 to Section 115JB of the Act. The Ld. AR has also provided working of interest income received v. provision made against such interest on a scientific basis. On the other hand, the Ld. DR has relied upon orders of lower authorities and argued that any provision of Income Tax including interest need to be added while computing Book Profit u/s.115JB of the Act 110. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. It is observed that assessee has made provision for interest u/s.244A and interest u/s.234D in Profit & Loss account but such provision was not added back while computing Book Profit us/.115JB of the Act. So far as provisions for interest u/s.234D is concerned, the Ld. AR has not pressed such issue based upon co- ordinate Bench decision in the case of Ambuja Cement Ltd., hence this issue doesn’t require separate adjudication and action of AO to that extent is upheld.

111. So far as provisions of interest u/s.244A is concerned, assessee has debited its Profit & Loss account with estimated amount of interest u/s.244A which would be withdrawn based upon past assessment orders passed in its case. The assessee has claimed that such provision is on a scientific basis. It is observed that explanation 2 to Section 115JB clearly provides that amount of Income Tax would be subject to upwards adjustment while computing Book Profit. Such Explanation also provides that any interest charged under the Act would be subject to positive adjustment. Though, in assessee’s case, interest u/s.244A charged to Profit & Loss account is not recovered by Assessing Officer by passing any order but same is provided based upon past experience based upon assessment orders / appellate orders in case of assessee hence such interest provided in the books of account in actual sense partakes the character of interest as provided in explanation 2 to section 115JB of the act. If assessee would have actually paid amount received u/s.244A to Assessing Officer on account of additions made in assessment order and such interest if would have been debited to P&L account, such interest would have been disallowed while computing Book Profit hence on this analogy also provision of interest deserves to be added back while computing Book Profit u/s.115JB of the Act. It is observed that if in later years such amount is actually required to be paid to Assessing Officer, assessee would adjust such interest payable directly to provision of interest appearing in balance sheet and in that scenario also such interest u/s.244A would not have been subject to Book Profit u/s.115JB of the Act which is contrary to the provision of the Act. On this ground also the claim of assessee fails and adjustment made by Assessing Officer is also upheld. This ground of appeal is dismissed.”

49. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2010-11 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the assessee is dismissed.

Page No.93

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 50. In Ground No.10, the assessee has raised the following grievance:

“Ground No. 10: Addition of Rs. 1,35,86,250/- in respect of tax on non-monetary perquisites while computing book profits u/s. 115JB of the Act: a) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld.CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in adding Rs.1,35,86,250/- being tax on non-monetary perquisites in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB. b) The Appellant prays that the AO be directed to exclude provision for interest on income tax while computing book profits u/s. 115JB”

51. The Assessing Officer has dealt with the issue at Para No. 19 of the Assessment order. The relevant facts are that the Assessing Officer has made the adjustment of tax on non-monetary perquisites to the book profit u/s 115JB of the Act. The Assessing Officer observed that the assessee had not added back ₹.1,35,86,250/- in the computation of book profit which was disallowed u/s 40(a)(v) being tax paid on non-monetary perquisites provided to employees. The Assessing Officer further observed that such amount will be considered as amount of income tax for the purposes of clause (a) of Explanation 1 to Section 115JB(2) of the Act and therefore the Assessing Officer added such amount to the book profits of the assessee. The assessee filed an appeal before Ld.CIT(A). The Ld.CIT(A) has discussed the above issue at Para No. 30.2 of his order which is reproduced as under:

The AO has made this addition under clause (a) of Explanation (1) to 115JBwhereby the amount of income tax paid or payable, and the provision therefor is to beadded to profit as per Companies Act for calculating book profit. The AO hasobserved that tax paid u/s 10(10CC) is not deductible in view of 40(a)(v). Since, it isnot taxable in the hands of the employee, it is not akin to the TDS/FBT. I agree withthe AO. The amount is covered under clause (a) of Explanation (1) and is required tobe added to book profits. The ground is dismissed.

52. Against the findings of Ld.CIT(A), the assessee is in appeal before us. During the course of hearing, the Ld. DR has relied upon the orders of lower authorities, whereas the Ld. AR of the assessee has argued that the taxes borne by the assessee on non-monetary perquisites provided to employees forms part of Employee Benefit cost and akin to Fringe Benefit Tax since they are certainly not below the line items

Page No.94

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited since the same are expressively disallowed u/s 40(a)(v) and the same do not constitute Income Tax for the assessee in terms of Explanation2 to Section 115JB(2) of the Act. Reliance has been placed on several judgments to support its contentions.

53. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. It is undisputed fact that the tax paid by the employer on the non-monetary perquisites was not allowable to the employer while computing the total income under the normal provisions of the Act in view of Section 40(a)(v). The assessee itself has disallowed such amount while computing the total income under normal provisions of the Act hence such fact is not in dispute. The only issue involved is regarding adding such sum while computing the book profits as per Explanation 1 to Section 115JB(2) of the Act. We note that on this issue, the coordinate bench in the case of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. v. CIT [2018] 91 taxmann.com 104, held as under and we reproduce the head note for the sake of clarity as under:

“Minimum alternate tax (Perquisite) - Assessment year 2012-13 - Whether fringe Benefit tax not being part of income-tax is not required to be added back while arriving at Book Profits under section 115JB - Held, yes [Para 8] [In favour of assessee]

54. Further, the coordinate bench in the case of IDBI Bank v. DCIT in and 3849/MUM/2019 has held as under:

“Assessee vehemently relied upon the decision of coordinate bench of tribunal in Rashtriya Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd. (supra) wherein on similar ground of appeal the coordinate bench held the taxes borne by the assessee on non-monetary perquisites provided to employees forms part of Employee Benefit cost and akin to Fringe Benefit Tax since they are certainly not 'below the line' items since the same are expressively disallowed under section 40(a)(v), the same do not constitute Income Tax for the assessee in terms of Explanation-2. Therefore, without there being any corresponding amendment in the definition of Income Tax as provided in Explanation-2 to Section 115JB, Fringe Benefit Tax was notrequired to be added back while arriving at Book Profits u/s. 115JB. In our view the ratio of the decision issquarely applicable on the facts of the present case.”

Page No.95

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 55. The Delhi ITAT in the case of DCIT v. M/s NHPC Ltd in ITA No. 2786, 3121/Del/2016 has held as under:

“56. We have heard the rival submissions and perused the orders of lower authorities and materials available on record. In the instant case, the assessee claimed deduction of income tax paid on income computed u/s 17(2) of the Act on accommodation provided to the employees of the company as the same was borne by the assessee. The Assessing Officer relying on Explanation (1) of Sub-section (2)(a) of Section 115JB of the Act held that income tax paid or payable or provision thereof is to be added to calculate the adjusted book profit u/s 115JB of the Act.

57. On appeal, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) confirmed the action of the Assessing Officer.

58. The assessee before us has placed reliance on the decision of Mumbai Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. Vs CIT (supra).

59. The ld. Departmental Representative supported the orders of the lower authorities.

60. We find that the Tribunal in the case of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. Vs CIT (supra) has held as under: “Para 8………We further find that taxes borne by the assessee on non- monetary perquisites provided to employees forms part of Employee Benefit cost and akin to Fringe Benefit Tax since they are certainly not below the line items since the same are expressively disallowed u/s 40(a)(v)and the same do not constitute Income Tax for the assessee in terms of Explanation-2. This view of ours is duly fortified by the judgment of Tribunal rendered in ITO v Vintage Distillers Ltd. [2010] 130TTJ 79 (Delhi) where the Tribunal has taken the view that the term 'tax' was much wider term than the term 'Income Tax' since the former, as per amended definition of 'tax' as provided in Section2(43) included not only Income Tax but also Super Tax & Fringe Benefit Tax. Therefore, without there being any corresponding amendment in the definition of Income Tax as provided in Explanation-2 to Section 115JB, Fringe Benefit Tax was not required to be added back while arriving at Book Profits u/s. 115JB. Similar view has been expressed in another judgment of Tribunal titled as Reliance Industries Ltd. v. ACIT [IT Appeal No. 5769 (M) of 2013, dated 16-9-2015] where the Tribunal took a view that Wealth Tax' did not form part of Income Tax and therefore, could not be added back to arrive at Book Profits since the adjustment thereof was not envisaged by the statutory provisions. Therefore, we are of the opinion that the adjustment of impugned item as suggested by Ld. CIT was not legally tenable in law which leads us to inevitable conclusion that the omission to carry out the said adjustment did not result into any loss of revenue"

61. We find that the issue is squarely covered in favour of the assessee by the above quoted decision of the Tribunal. No contrary decision was cited before us by the ld. Departmental Representative during the course of hearing. We, therefore, respectfully following the above quoted decision of the Mumbai Bench

Page No.96

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited of the Tribunal delete the addition of ₹ 95,02,478/- and allow this ground of appeal of the assessee.”

56. It is observed that on identical issue, the coordinate bench as well as Delhi ITAT has deleted the adjustment made on account of tax paid on non-monetary perquisites provided to the employees to book profit u/s 115JB of the Act. Respectfully following the decisions as discussed herein above, this ground raised by assessee is allowed.

58. We shall proceed to dispose of this appeal by adjudicating the issues ground wise.

“1. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the ld. CIT(A) erred in partly deleting the disallowance made u/s 14A rwr. 8D(2) of the IT Rules, 1962, when the assessee itself disallowed only direct expenses related to exempt income, especially when the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Maxopp Investment Ltd Vs CAT has held that the principle of apportionment of expense is engrained in section 14A of the Act.”

60. This ground of appeal is similar to Ground No. 1 of grounds of appeal raised by the assessee for the A.Y. 2013-14 and the decision taken therein shall apply mutatis- mutandis to the ground raised by the revenue. We order accordingly.

61. In the Ground No.2, Revenue has raised the following grievance:

“2. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of unutilized CENVAT Credit amounting to Rs.97,76,482/-“

Page No.97

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 62. With regard to Ground No. 2 which is in respect of deletion of differential unutilized CENVET Credit, Ld. DR relied on the order of the assessing officer.

63. On the other hand, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y. 2005-06 in dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the assesse and against the department.

64. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2005-06. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3786/MUM/2009, held as under: -

14. In the Ground No 2, Department has raised the following grievance: “On the facts and the circumstances of the case and in law the CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of different unutilised CENVAT credit of ₹.16,93,37,435/- without appreciating the fact that the Assessing Officer has rightly made the said addition by invoking the provision of Sec. 145A of the Act.”

15. The Assessing Officer has dealt with the issue at Para No. 5 to 5.3 of Assessment Order. The Assessing Officer has observed that Assessee has following exclusive method of accounting and unutilised CENVAT credit on closing stock of raw material and stores is ₹.16,93,37,435/- which is required to be added back to total income of assessee considering provisions of Section 145A of the Act. 16. In appeal Ld.CIT(A) has discussed the above issue at Para No. 6.4 and 6.5. of his order and held as under: “6.4 I have carefully considered the submissions of the Ld. AR and gone through the relevant judicial decisions cited by the Ld. AR. Under Section-145A of the Act, the element of any tax, duty, cess or fee is to be adjusted against purchase, sale, inventory etc. The Assessee is following exclusive method which means the purchase is not debited along with the excise duty paid on the same. If the credit for such unutilized modvat is added to the inventory of the closing stock, it will be necessary to make additions of the excise duty to its purchases also. Ld. AR has pointed out that in the Tax Audit Report vide Annexure-B(ii), the auditors have duly certified that the net effect of deviation from the value prescribed u/s. 145A and the claims/disallowances connected thereto, is Nil. In such a case, there is no necessity for making addition to the value of the closing stock. The decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Indo Nippon Chemicals, 261 ITR 275 supports this position. Further, the decision of the ITAT, Mumbai in the case of Hawkins Cooker Ltd. in No.98 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 505/Mum/04 dated 08.08.2008 where the decision of Supreme Court has been considered has decided this matter in support of the Assessee. This issue has also been decided in favour of the Assessee by my Ld. Predecessors in earlier assessment years. Taking into account, the facts and circumstances, there is no justification of the Assessing Officer to make an addition to the closing stock which is deleted.”

17. Aggrieved with the above observation of Ld.CIT(A), Revenue has raised the above ground in its appeal. During the course of appellate proceedings, Ld. AR of the assessee has relied upon finding of Ld.CIT(A) whereas DR has relied upon finding of Assessing Officer and contended that observation of Assessing Officer may be restored.

6. Considering the above, the amount of the unutilized Cenvat credit could not have been directly added to the closing stock. The Tribunal has not committed any error." (underlined for emphasis by us) It is evident from the above that irrespective of the method of accounting followed by the assessee, i.e. 'Inclusive method', wherein the taxes are included in the opening stock, purchases, etc. or the 'Exclusive method', the MODVAT credit does not have any impact on the profit of the assessee. Thus, following the ratio laid down by the Page No.99

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Indo Nippon Chemicals Co. Ltd. (supra) and followed by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of Diamond Dye Chem Ltd. (supra), we set-aside the order of the CIT (A) and direct the Assessing Officer to delete the addition made on account of unutilised MODVAT credit. This Ground of appeal is accordingly allowed.”

19. It is observed that on identical issue, Coordinate bench in Para No. 32 to 34 in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited in ITA No 5883/Mum/2012 & 5927/Mum/2012 (for A.Y. 2005-06) vide order dated 31/10/2022 has dismissed revenue’s appeal. Respectfully following decisions of Coordinate as discussed herein above, the ground raised in Departmental Appeal is dismissed”

65. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y. 2005-06 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

66. In Ground No. 3, Revenue has raised following grievance: -

“3. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Id. CIT(A) erred in allowing the exclusion of payment of Net Present Value of deferred sales tax liability as capital in nature, granted under the scheme of State Government of Himachal Pradesh, in respect of Gagal Unit-1, amounting to Rs. 13,69,18,040/- whereas the same is in the nature of revenue incentive.”

67. This ground of appeal is similar to Ground No. 3 of grounds of appeal raised by the assessee for the A.Y. 2013-14 and the decision taken therein shall apply mutatis- mutandis to the ground raised by the revenue. We order accordingly.

68. In Ground No. 4, Revenue has raised following grievance: -

“4. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 16,43,70,339/- being pre-operative expenses, when in its books of accounts, the assessee itself had claimed the expenses as capital expenses and added them to its capital-work-in progress/fixed assets and there is no provision in Income-tax Act permitting the allowance of such expenses.”

69. With regard to Ground No. 4 which is in respect of Ld.CIT(A) denying the disallowance of preoperative expenses. In this regard, Ld. DR relied on the order of the Assessing Officer.

Page No.100

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 70. On the other hand, Ld. AR of the assessee brought to our notice that the issue in appeal has been considered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the A.Y.2009-10 in ITA No. 3176/MUM/2019 dated 28.02.2023 and decided the issue in favour of the assesse and against the department.

67. In the Ground No.8, Department has raised the following grievance: “Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law, Id. CIT(A) erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 52,85,01,072/- being preoperative expenses, when in its books of accounts, the assessee itself had claimed the expenses as capital expenses and added them to its capital- work-in progress/fixed assets and there is no provision in Income-tax Act permitting the allowance of such expenses?

8. Nature of Expenditure: we find that the expenditure in question undisputedly is of revenue nature. The same is evident from the nature of nominal accounts they are accounted in the records of the assessee. By no stretch of imagination, the expenditure incurred on accounts of salaries, wages, marketing expenditure, professional fee, travelling etc falls in the capital fields but for the alleged preoperative nature of the claim. Therefore, we have no doubt to treat the impugned expenditure as allowable revenue but for the allegation of the AO. No expenditure incurred on acquisition of the capital assets such as plant & machinery, land and building, technical know-how etc., is included in the expenditure claimed by the assessee.

9. New product vs New business: Memorandum of Association of the assessee provides for the following main object of the business of the assessee and the same reads as under: "to produce or cause to be produced, buy, process, grade, pack, store and sell milk, milk products and ice-cream" 9.1. From the above it is evident that the assessee is engaged in the manufacture of the dairy/milk products, ice creams etc. Accordingly, the manufacture of product of the assessee does not stop with the ice-creams only. Assessee manufactures the ice-creams for the Baskin Robbins for making and marketing in India. The milk is an important raw material for the manufacture of the ice-creams. The expression „milk product" is a generic expression and in our opinion, the said expression covers all kinds of milk products. Ice creams are made up of the milk or the cream. Both the milk and the cream are the dairy products.

Page No.102 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 9.2. In the context of ice-creams, a milk-product the Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-butterfat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. Cream being of the less dense, the same is gathered on the top of the dense milk. Therefore, it is not proper for Ld DR to argue that the ice-creams of the Baskin Robbins Brands are not the milk products.

11. Interlacing of the accounts, management and control: It is a settled proposition in law that so long as there exists the interlacing of the control & management, interlacing of the accounts etc, no new business is said to have been set up. In the instant case, none of these tests are cleared. AO has not made out that the Mawa division is entirely separate from the points of the above and it is unconnected to the ice-cream divisions. Actually, both these divisions are under the same management- control and are financially interconnected. In that sense, the CIT(A) has not applied his mind to the said settled legal propositions.

12. Aborted Expenditure: Further, it is a decided issue legally that the capital expenditure incurred on the “capital assets" of an aborted project is not an allowable expenditure. However, the ‘’revenue expenditure" such as the salaries, wages, travelling, fee, rent etc of an aborted project is an allowable expenditure.

13. Therefore, the ice-cream and the Mawa fall in the genus of the dairy/milk products and they are covered by the nature of declared business of the assessee. As such, the impugned expenditure claimed by the assessee does not include any expenditure of capital nature. The control and management, accounts, CEOs for both the dairy /milk products is one and the same. AO has not made out the absence of interlacing of the above. Under the factual matrix of the case, we find the claim of the assessee is allowable. Accordingly, the AO is directed to delete the addition. The order of the CIT (A) is thus, affirmed.

no. 13.

70. The department has filed appeal against the finding of Ld.CIT(A). The Ld. AR has relied upon submissions filed before Ld.CIT(A) and contended that such expenditures are revenue in nature hence same deserves to be allowed. The Ld. AR has mainly relied upon the following decisions: (i) CIT v. Rane (Madras) Ltd. (293 ITR 459) (Madras)

Page No.103 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited (ii) CIT v. Relaxo Footwears Ltd. (293 ITR 231) (Delhi High Court) (iii) Reliance Footprint Ltd. v. ACIT [ITA NO. 5997 of 2011 (Mumbai Tribunal)] (iv) ACIT v. Gravis Foods (P.) Ltd. [ITA No. 1051 of 2013 (Mumbai Tribunal) 71. The Ld DR has relied upon finding of assessing officer and argued that order of Assessing Officer may be restored.

72. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. It is observed that identical issue was decided by coordinate bench of Mumbai ITAT in the case of holding company of the assessee being Ambuja Cement Limited vide order dated 07.11.2022 in the ITA No. 3307/Mum/2015 and 2428/Mum/2019 for A.Y. 2009-10 wherein it was held as under: “99. In ground no.8, the Assessing Officer has raised the following grievance: "Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the ld. CIT(A) erred in allowing the pre-operative expenses amounting to Rs. 39,82,07,328/- whereas the assessee itself claimed these expenses as capital expenses in the books of accounts adding it to capital work in progress/fixed assets?"

100. During the assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer noted that the assessee has made this claim only by way of a revised return and that no such claim was originally made by the assessee. It was also noted that the books maintained under the Companies Act also show these expenses as capital expenses, which in an indicative, even if not conclusive, evidence of the expenses being in the nature of capital expenses. The judicial precedents relied upon by the assessee in support of the claim were noted, and left at that, and it was observed that “the assessee is a big company assisted by a battery of lawyers and chartered accountants, but in its original return of income no deduction on account of these expenses is claimed which amounts to an admission that these expenses are not revenue expenses in nature” and that “this shows that lodging this claim is only an afterthought of the assessee, with no substantial basis”. The Assessing Officer also observed that “some of the above expenses are for setting up the business, and not the expansion of the existing ones” though he did not specifically point out any such expenses. The Assessing Office thus proceeded to disallow the entire amount of pre- operative expenses. Aggrieved, assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A) who, after taking note of the detailed submissions, held that the expenses, being in the nature of expenses incurred for the expansion of existing business, cannot be disallowed. Accordingly, the disallowance was deleted. The Assessing Officer is aggrieved of the relief so granted by the CIT(A) and is in appeal before us.

Page No.104 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited dated 21 May 2012), Hon’ble Delhi High Court has, in this context, observed, speaking through Hon’ble Justice Easwar, that “The fact that in the books of account the assessee had capitalised the expenses does not prevent the assessee from claiming them as revenue expenses since the question of allowance of expenses has to be considered in the light of the legal position and the accounting treatment cannot be conclusive”. The limited grievance raised by the Assessing Officer is thus devoid of any legally sustained merits, and we reject the same. In any event, even on merits, the well reasoned order of the learned CIT(A), in our considered view, does not merit any interference. We approve the conclusions arrived at by the learned CIT(A) on this point and decline to interfere in the matter.

103. Ground no. 8 is thus dismissed.”

72. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2009-10 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

73. In Ground No. 5, Revenue has raised following grievance:

“5. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Ld. CIT(A) erred in directing the AO. to allow deduction u/s 80IA of the I.T. Act, in respect of power-generating unit-TG3 located at Wadi.”

76. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the Page No.105

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited A.Y.2005-06. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3786/MUM/2009, held as under: - “53. In Ground No 9, Department has raised the following grievance: “On the facts and the circumstances of the case and in law the CIT(A) erred in directing the Assessing Officer to allow deduction u/s.80IA in respect of TG-3 Power Plant.

54. On identical issue in Assessee’s appeal, in the Ground No3, following issue is raised: “That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT (Appeals) erred in confirming the denial of deduction u/s 80IA in respect of Power Plant TG2 at Wadi in Karnataka.

55. The relevant facts relating to above grounds are, Assessing Officer observed that assessee has purchased two old Captive Power Plant being TG- and TG-3 at Wadi Karnataka from Tata Power. The assessee has claimed deduction u/s 80IA at ₹.26,70,88,579/- and ₹.23,46,09,784/- respectively in two units. The Assessing Officer observed that benefit of deduction u/s 80IA is available for setting up new plant and Assessee has not set up plant but purchased such plant hence deduction u/s 80IA is not available. On this ground, Assessing Officer has denied deduction u/s 80IA on both the units.

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited power generation which is one of the eligible activities under this section. So the Assessee had the option of claiming the deduction u/s. 80IA for any ten consecutive assessment years within 15 years from AY: 1995-96. The Assessee claimed deduction in the year 1999-2000, so the claim should have continued for the next nine years in order to maintain the eligibility for such deduction. However in the Assessee's case deduction has not been claimed after 1999-2000 and is claimed again this year ie. 2005-06. As mentioned earlier, the Ld.AR of the Assessee has argued before me that the deduction u/s. 80IA is not given to the assessee but to a specific unit. He has cited the Board's Circular no. 13.12.1963 in this regard. Once this proposition is accepted that the deduction is allowed on income from a specific unit, whether such unit was in the possession of the original founder or with somebody else, will not be material. But it is imperative that deduction u/s. 80IA must be claimed in respect of the income from this unit consecutively for a period of 10 yrs from any point out of the span of 15 yrs from commencement of the business. It is admitted that when the unit was sold to M/s. Tata power and during the period when it was under their possession, no deduction u/s. 80IA has been claimed or allowed on the profits of this unit. The Assessee admits that such a claim was not made during the period after having claimed deduction u/s. 80IA in 1999-2000 such claim has been made again in AY: 2005-06, which to my mind, will not qualify as '10 consecutive assessment years' as mentioned u/s. 80IA(2). Under the circumstances, the claim of deduction u/s. 80IA does not appear to be allowable in respect of TG-2. 15.12 So far as TG-3 is concerned, the facts are different. In fact in his order the AO has not given any specific reason for disallowing the deduction against the unit TG-3. It appears that he has considered it to be an undertaking formed by previously used plant and machinery which is not eligible for deduction u/s. 80IA. However, the Assessee has not purchased or installed old machinery. It has purchased an entire unit as a going concern. This unit was constructed by M/s. Tata Power and sold to the Assessee during this year. As per Board's Circular dtd. 13.12.68 which has been referred to by the Assessee, the benefit of sec. 84 attaches to the undertaking and not the owner thereof. The successor will be entitled to the benefit of the unexpired period provided that the undertaking is taken over as a running concern. Admittedly this circular was issued on sec.84 which was replaced by sec. 80J later. The Calcutta High Court in the case of P.K. Engg and Forging Pvt Ltd (supra) have held that both these sections are similar and sec. 84 was since omitted and replaced by 80J. Since the fields covered by both the sections are the same, the circular was applicable to sec. 80J also. The provisions of sec. 80IA is also applicable to profits and gains derived by an undertaking or an enterprise. So the spirit of the Board's circular will also be applicable to this section. If an undertaking is transferred as a going concern, the new owner can claim the deduction u/s. 80IA, if the claim otherwise comes under the provision of this section. Further, in the light of the judicial pronouncements cited earlier, the Assessee's case is not a case of splitting of an industrial undertaking. The generation unit as a whole has been sold to the Assessee. Since the deduction u/s. 80IA is allowable on the profits of this unit, the Assessee who has purchased the unit can claim such deduction, as the other conditions prescribed u/s. 80IA are fulfilled. In view of this, the AO is directed to allow deduction u/s.80IA in respect of TG-3. As has already been held

Page No.107 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited earlier, no such deduction is allowable in case of TG-2. the AO is directed accordingly.

57. Against the observation of Ld.CIT(A), Revenue has filed further appeal for allowing the deduction u/s 80IA claimed for TG-3 whereas Assessee has filed further appeal for denying the deduction u/s 80IA claimed for TG-2. During the course of appellate proceedings, the Ld. AR of the Assessee has contended that entire business is purchased as a going concern on slump sale basis, deduction under Section 80IA is available to it. The Ld. AR of the assessee has referred to provisions of Section 80-IA which states that if new undertaking is not setup by splitting up, or the reconstruction of a business already in existence and it is not formed by transfer to a new business or machinery or plant previously used for any purpose, deduction would be allowable. The Ld.AR has argued that assessee has acquired entire unit as a whole which means that company has not split any existing business for forming the said unit and purchase of power unit from the TPC doesn’t amount to reconstruction as undertaking has been purchased from TPC which is altogether a distinct and separate entity. He has also referred to CBDT Circular F No 15/5/63-IT(A-1) dated 13th December 1963 which was in the context of Section 80J wherein it is stated that Section 84 attaches to the undertaking and not to the owner thereof and successor will be entitled to benefit for the unexpired period. In support of such contention Ld. AR has lied upon following decisions: (i). CIT vs Sonata Software Ltd 343 ITR 397 Bombay High Court (ii). CIT vs Heartland KG Information Limited 359 ITR 1, Madras High court (iii). ITO vs Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd 25 TJ28.

58. Thus, Ld.AR has claimed that assessee is entitled for deduction u/s.80IA on both the units. So far as observation of Ld.CIT(A) that assessee is not entitled to deduction u/s 80IA for TG-2 as deduction u/s.80IA was first claimed in notes forming part of return of income for A.Y. 1999-2000 and same was not claimed in subsequent years and directly claimed in A.Y.2005-06. Ld AR of the assessee stated that assessee is entitled for deduction u/s 80IA for ten consecutive years out of block of fifteen years which does not mean that if assessee has not claimed deduction u/s 80IA in intervening period after claim made in initial year, it is not entitled for remaining period covered in block of ten years.

59. On the other hand, Ld. DR has relied upon the observation of assessing officer wherein it is stated that assessee has not set up any industrial undertaking but same has been formed by transfer of previously used plant and machinery on which deduction under Section 80IA is not available. She also submitted that TCS has not claimed the deduction and the same cannot be claimed in the hands of the assessee as it is not the new assets but used assets, as per the provisions the assessee cannot claim deduction in the second hand machineries. She prayed that the order of Assessing Officer may be sustained.

60. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. The Assessee has claimed deduction u/s 80IA on two units purchased from Tata Power Limited and such deduction is denied on the ground that assessee has not set up any undertaking and same has been formed by transfer of previously used plant Page No.108 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited & machinery. It is relevant to refer to provisions of Section 80IA which reads as under: “3) This section applies to an undertaking referred to in [clause (ii) or] clause (iv) of sub-section (4)] which fulfils all the following conditions, namely: (i) it is not formed by splitting up, or the reconstruction, of a business already in existence : Provided that this condition shall not apply in respect of an 52[undertaking] which is formed as a result of the re-establishment, reconstruction or revival by the assessee of the business of any such 52[undertaking] as is referred to in section 33B, in the circumstances and within the period specified in that section; (ii) it is not formed by the transfer to a new business of machinery or plant previously used for any purpose:”

61. It is relevant to refer to Oxford dictionary, the term “split up” means to separate of end relationship. It is undisputed fact in present case that assessee has acquired both the units as a whole. It is not the case that assessee has set up two different power plant by purchasing only partial assets which were used by another assessee but entire undertaking itself is purchased as it is in year under consideration which clearly prove that assessee has not split any of its existing business for forming both the units. Hon’ble Bombay High court in CIT v. Gaekwar Foam & Rubber Co. Ltd. [1959] 35 ITR 662 explains that the concept of a reconstruction of a business implies that the original business is not to cease functioning and its identity is not lost. Reconstruction is of a business already in existence implies that there must be a continuation of the activities of business of the same industrial undertaking where the ownership of a business or undertaking changes hands that would not be regarded as reconstruction. This judgment has specifically been approved by the Supreme Court in Textile Machinery Corpn. Ltd. v. CIT [1997] 107 ITR 195. As regards the splitting up of a business, the relevant test is whether an undertaking is formed by splitting up of a business already in existence. Unless the formation of the undertaking takes place by the splitting up of a business already in existence, the negative prohibition would not be attracted. In the present case, the entire business of TG-2 and TG-3 power plant was transferred to the assessee. The undertaking of the assessee was not formed by the splitting up of the business. On this issue, Hon’ble Bombay High court in the case of CIT v. Sonata Software Ltd[2012] 21 taxmann.com 23 has held as under:- “Section 10A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 - Free trade zone - IOCL set up a software division in 1980s - IOCL made an application for setting up an undertaking in a Software Technology Park (STP) for which an approval was obtained on 30-9-1993 - Plant and machinery for said undertaking was imported in July, 1994 and first export was effected in October, 1994 - Thus, manufacturing activities, commenced in STP undertaking after stipulated date of 1-4-1994 as provided in section 10A - Subsequently, in October 1994 itself, IOCL transferred entire software division as a going concern on slump sale basis to assessee - It was apparent from records that ownership of business or undertaking changed Page No.109

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited hands and, thus, it could not be regarded as a case of reconstruction - It was also undisputed that entire business of software was transferred to assessee, and, thus, assessee- undertaking could not be said to be one formed by splitting up of business - Whether on facts, assessee had fulfilled conditions mentioned in section 10A(2) and, thus, its claim for exemption under section 10A was to be allowed - Held, yes [In favour of assessee] 62. Further, in CIT v. Silical Metallurgic Ltd (324 ITR 29), the facts before Hon’ble Madras High Court were as follows: there were three units at different places being new industrial undertakings eligible for deduction under the applicable provisions. They belonged to different companies assessed separately. The companies were amalgamated into one and the amalgamated company continued to carry on the business of the undertakings. It claimed the deduction of tax holiday for all the eligible undertakings. The Assessing Officer disallowed the deduction on the ground that it did not set up the aforesaid units and there was no provision in the Act for granting the benefit of deduction to the amalgamated company. The Ld.CIT(A) and the Tribunal upheld the claim of the taxpayer. The Hon’ble Madras High Court confirmed the decision of the Tribunal and observed as follows: “A reading of the provision of sections 80HH and 80-I of the Act, it is clear that the same has been incorporated to encourage the new industrial undertaking on fulfilment of certain conditions mentioned therein. If the conditions mentioned in the sections are complied with by the assessee, the benefit extended by the provisions has to be granted to the assessee. The amalgamation of one company with the other company cannot be regarded as a splitting up or reconstruction or by a transfer of a new business of the plant and machinery of the old business. With reference to the Companies Act, the amalgamation was also for the benefit of the two companies, i.e., amalgamating and amalgamated company and in the public interest and also in the interest of the shareholders. Viewed from any angle amalgamation cannot be regarded as a splitting up of the company for the purpose of negativing the claim under the Income-tax Act, which has been statutorily conferred on the company, if such companies fulfil the conditions stipulated therein. Hence, we are of the view that the order of the Tribunal granting the benefit of sections 80HH and 80-I to the assessee-company cannot be stated to be illegal or against the statutory provisions. A similar view has been taken by the Bombay High Court in the case of CIT v. Dandeli Ferro Alloys P. Ltd. [1995] ITR 1, in which the Bombay High Court held that the facts on record clearly established that the amalgamated company was already incorporated and formed and had come into existence on March, 1973 and had become an industrial undertaking carrying on industrial and commercial activities on and from June 20, 1973, i.e., prior to the amalgamation of the amalgamating company with the Page No.110 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited amalgamated company, which had become effective from October 31, 1973. The amalgamated company was not formed by the splitting up, or the reconstruction, of a business already in existence. Therefore, the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee company was entitled to relief under sections 80J and 80HH of the Act”.

12. The same principle is applicable in the instant case. Admittedly, the undertaking was in existence since 2002. The proprietorship concern changed into a partnership firm. The benefit under Section 80-IB of the Act is available to the partnership firm and the conditions imposed under Section 80-IB(2)(i) does not come in the way.”

65. Thus, the sanctity of the CBDT Circular has been upheld in the context of section 80IB, confirming that the tax holiday moves along with the undertaking and the ownership has no relevance. Similar decision is also rendered by Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court in the case of Mega Packages [2011] 203 Taxman 236 while considering the eligibility of deduction under section 80-IC on conversion

Page No.111 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited of proprietorship concern into a partnership firm and Hon’ble Madras High court in the case of Heartland KG Information Ltd 359 ITR 1.

67. It is emanating from assessment order and order of Ld.CIT(A) that TG-2 started commercial production from 1st April 1995 and no deduction was claimed till A.Y. 1998-99 as such unit was incurring losses. The assessee was eligible for deduction u/s 80IA for such unit in A.Y. 1999-2000 but no deduction was claimed as there was no positive Gross Total Income of assessee but it is fact that assessee was eligible for deduction was mentioned in notes forming part of return of income. It is undisputed fact that Assessing Officer has not disputed such claim in assessment proceedings. Subsequently, such unit was transferred to Tata Power Company and was again re-purchased by assessee in current year and assessee has claimed deduction u/s 80IA. So far as observation of Ld.CIT(A) that assessee is not entitled for such deduction as 80IA was not claimed by undertaking during the period A.Y.2000-2001 to AY 2004-05, it is observed that Ld.CIT(A) himself has accepted that assessee can claim deduction u/s 80IA for consecutive 10 years out of block of 15 years from commencement of business which does not mean that if in block of 10 years, deduction u/s 80IA was not claimed for one or more reasons, such claim is lapsed for subsequent years. Further it is also a settled position that the deduction u/s 80IA is qua undertaking and not qua entity. Every undertaking will be entitled to avail deduction u/s 80IA for a period of 10 consecutive years from 15 years from the commencement of business. There is substance in the argument of Ld. AR of the assessee that Tata Power Company Limited might not have claimed for deduction u/s 80IA for various reasons and there is nothing on record to prove that said company was not entitled for deduction in respect of 80IA on such power plant. On the other hand, claim of deduction u/s 80IA made by assessee is emanating from notes forming part of return of income for A.Y. 1999-2000 and not disputed by Assessing Officer in assessment proceedings hence there is no reason for not allowing deduction u/s 80IA for TG-2 Wadi. The Hon’ble Bombay High court in the case of Simple Food Products (P.) Ltd. [2017] 84 taxmann.com 239 has held that if deduction u/s. 80-IB was granted for an initial assessment year, same could not be rejected for subsequent assessment years unless relief for initial year was withdrawn.

68. In view of holistic discussion made herein above, assessee is entitled to deduction u/s 80IA on TG-2 and TG-3, Wadi unit. Thus, related ground of appeal in departmental appeal is dismissed and ground of appeal in assessee’s appeal is allowed.”

77. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

Page No.112

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 78. In Ground No. 6, Revenue has raised following grievance:

“6. Whether on the fact and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld.CIT-A is justified in allowing the internal CUP adopted by the assessee for benchmarking of Specified Domestic Transactions of inter unit transfer of power and rejecting external CUP adopted by TPO ignoring following facts. a) The assessee had adopted internal CUP as the price charged by the power distributing company to an end consumer in the respective states. The margin earned by the power distributor for functions performed, assets employed and risks assumed by it are embedded in the said price. As against the same, the assessee does not perform any function relating to distribution, nor does it assume any risk connected with distribution. b) TPO called the information under Section 133(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and adopted external CUP by using the rates at which state power distribution companies had purchased power from the generating companies which is appropriate comparable as per FAR analysis.”

79. With regard to Ground No. 6 which is in respect of Ld.CIT(A) allowing the internal CUP adopted by the assessee for benchmarking of Specified Domestic Transactions of Inter-unit transfer of power and rejecting external CUP adopted by TPO, in this regard, Ld.DR relied on the order of the Assessing Officer.

81. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2011-12. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3139 & 3178/MUM/2019, held as under: -

53. In the Ground No.5, Assessee has raised the following grievance: “Ground No. 5: Reduction in deduction u/s 80-IA on power generatingundertakings due tomodification in"Market Value" of electricity generated (Rs. 97,77,77,609/-): a. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) erred in confirming the action of AO in reducing the claim for Page No.113 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited deduction u/s 80-IA on captive power generating units by an amount of Rs. 97,77,77,609/- by modifying the basis adopted by the Appellant for determining the 'market value' of power captively consumed. b. The CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in not following the binding judicial precedents without providing any cogent reasons; c. The Appellant prays that the AO be directed to allow deduction u/s. 80IA as claimed by the Appellant.”

55. In appeal Ld.CIT (A) has discussed the above issue at Para No 15.3 of his order and held as under: “15.3 I have considered the rival submissions. I find that the provisions of sec. 80A(6) recognises existence of different market value from the point of view of a producer of goods and services and from the point of view of consumer of goods and services. Sec. 80IA(8) did not recognise the existence of more than one market value. Therefore, the appellant's claim that (i) the provisions of section 80A(6) and Sec. 80IA(8) are pari -materia in respect of determination of market value of electricity transferred from eligible unit to other units & (ii) the method of determination of transfer price on the basis of cost at which CMU procured power from SEB still holds good even after insertion of Sec. 80A(6) are not correct. Section 80A(6) reads as under:

Page No.114

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited “80A(6) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 10A or section 10AA or section 10B or section 10BA or in any provisions of this Chapter under the heading “C—Deductions in respect of certain incomes”, where any goods or services held for the purposes of the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business are transferred to any other business carried on by the assessee or where any goods or services held for the purposes of any other business carried on by the assessee are transferred to the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business and, the consideration, if any, for such transfer as recorded in the accounts of the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business does not correspond to the market value of such goods or services as on the date of the transfer, then, for the purposes of any deduction under this Chapter, the profits and gains of such undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business shall be computed as if the transfer, in either case, had been made at the market value of such goods or services as on that date. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression “market value”, — in relation to any goods or services sold or supplied, means the price that such goods or services would fetch if these were sold by the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business in the open market, subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, if any; in relation to any goods or services acquired, means the price that such goods or services would cost if these were acquired by the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business from the open market, subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, if any. The dispute is whether the market value means the market value at which the power grid purchases power or the market value at which a consumer purchases power. The answer to this question is provided by explanation to section 80A(6). Where the goods or services are sold by the eligible unit, the market price would mean the value at which such goods or services can be sold in the open market. Normally, cost of electricity consumed by the end user has three components they are generation costs, transmission costs and distribution costs. The rate (R1) at which the electricity is sold by the power Plant (generator of power) to the transmission company is lower than the rate(R2) at which the transmission company sells the power to the distribution company. Again, R2 is lower than the rate (R3) at which the distribution company sells the power to the consumer. Therefore, there are three market rates, viz, R1, R2&R3 where R1 is lowest and R3 is highest. The question arises is which of the three rates is to be adopted in this case. One possible view is that since the seller (CPU) is a generator power, the market value is to be taken as R1. In case the seller is a transmission company, the market rate for power sold would be R2. For a distribution company, the market rate for power sold would be R3. Therefore, for determining the profit from the CPU, which generates power, the market value of power would be R1, i.e., the rate at which power plant filled power to the transmission companies.

Page No.115

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited It may be emphasised here that the market value in this case is to be determined with reference to the CPU and not with reference to the rate at which actual consumer buys power from the electricity board or any other supplier. Further, the sub¬section (6) of section 80IA starts with a non- obstante clause by virtue of which overrides section 80IA(8). I also find that for AY 2012-13, CIT(A)-3, Mumbai has decided the similar issue in appellant’s own case. I am in agreement with the view of my predecessor and followed the same. Therefore, I dismiss ground of appeal number 11.”

56. The Assessee has filed appeal against the above order. During the course of appellate hearing, Ld AR has mainly relied upon submissions filed before lower authorities and relied upon following decisions: (i) Ambuja Cements Ltd [ITA No. 3475/Mum/2019 and ors.] (AY 2011-12) (Para 80- 85; internal page 47-50) (ii) CIT v. Reliance Industries Ltd [2020] 421 ITR 686 (Bombay) (iii) CIT v. Godawari Power &Ispat Ltd. [(2014) 223 Taxman 234 (Chattisgarh HC)] (iv) PCIT v. Gujarat Alkalies& Chemicals Ltd. [(2017) 395 ITR 247 (Gujarat HC)] (v) West Coast Paper Mills Ltd. v. JCIT (2006) 100 TTJ 833 (Mumbai Trib.) – (vi) Eveready Spinning Mills (P.) Ltd. v. ACIT (50 SOT 8) (Chennai) (URO) (vi) ACIT vs. Godavari Power &Ispat LTD (2011) 133 ITD 502 (Bilaspur) (vii) BalrampurChini Mills Ltd (ITA 1672/Kol/2019) (Kolkata ITAT)

57. During the course of appellate hearing, Ld AR has filed revised working of the turnover of the eligible CPP units by adopting rate which the assessee’s Cement Manufacturing Unit (CMM) would have paid to purchase the power from the State Electricity Board (SEB) which means Average Annual Landed Cost (AALC) of power purchased from SEB at each location. This method has been followed by assessee while claiming deduction u/s 80IA in return of income for A.Y. 2011-12 hence there was no need for submitting revised working in such year.

58. The Ld DR has mainly relied upon observations made by lower authorities. She has mainly relied upon provision of Section 80IA(6) of the Act and contended that since the CPP of the assessee have supplied power to the assessee’s CMU, the market value to be adopted for quantification of the turnover of the CPP should be in relating to goods or service sold or supplied. The Ld.DR has thus stated that ratio laid down by various courts as relied upon by assessee cannot be made applicable and distinguishable to the facts of this case.

59. Ld.DR with regard to Reduction in deduction u/s 80-IA on power generating undertakings due to modification in "Market Value" of electricity generated, submitted as under: - The issue is discussed in para 10.23 to para 10.34 of the assessment order and para 15 (Page 42 to 47) of the CIT(A)'s order. The same may kindly be referred to. It is pertinent to mention that the facts of the case and the reasoning given by the AO as well as the CIT(A) for Page No.116

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited making / upholding the disallowance was discussed in quite length by the undersigned during the course of hearing on 09.01.2023. Briefly stated, the point of dispute between the assessee and the department is regarding the market value to be adopted for quantifying the turnover of the assessee's captive power plants (henceforth referred to as CPPs) spread across India for computing the eligible deduction u/ s 80IA of the Act. The assessee after placing reliance on various decisions including that of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of CIT vs Reliance Industries Ltd.[2020] 421 ITR 686 (Bombay) contended that the issue regarding which rate is to be adopted as the market value — i.e. whether the rate at which the CPPs sell the power generated by them to the SEBs / Power Trading Corporations (PTCs) or the rate which the assessee's Cement Manufacturing Units( henceforth referred to as CMUs) would have paid to purchase the power from the SEBs, is no more res judicata and that the latter rate is to be taken as the market value for the purpose of quantifying the turnover of the assessee's CPPs. Furthermore, the assessee also filed before the Bench a revised working of the turnover of the eligible CPPs units by adopting the latter rate as against the original working adopted by the assessee wherein it has adopted the rate at which power was sold by one of its CPPs to the SEBs/ PICS. However, it is to be noted that no underlying details are filed by the assessee as to how the rate at which SEB sells the electricity to its CMUs is arrived at by the assessee. The copy of the alternative working for market values of electricity generated filed by the Ld.DR on 9.01.2023 is also enclosed herewith for ready reference as Enclosure-I Perusal of the assessment order shows that for computing the turnover of the CPPs, the AO adopted the rate at which the CPP sold the power generated by them to the SEBs/ PTCs. The same was considered to be the market value in view of the explanation to subsection 6 of section 80A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The sub section (6) of 80A was brought on statute by the Finance Act of 2009 'With retrospective effect from 01.04.2009 and hence is applicable to the AN. under consideration. It is pertinent to mention that section 80A(6) is a non-obstante clause. For the sake of ready reference, sub section 6 of section 80A along with its explanation is reproduced hereunder: (6) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 10A or section 10AA or section 10B or section 10BA or in any provisions of this Chapter under the heading "C. —Deductions in respect of certain incomes", where any goods or services held for the purposes of the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business are transferred to any other business carried on by the assessee or where any goods or services held for the purposes of any other business carried on by the assessee are transferred to the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business and, the consideration, if any, for such transfer as recorded in the accounts of the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business does not correspond to the market value of such goods or services as on the date of the transfer, then, for the purposes

Page No.117

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited of any deduction under this Chapter, the profits and gains of such undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business shall be computed as if the transfer, in either case, had been made at the market value of such goods or services as on that date. Explanation. —For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "market value", (i). in relation to any goods or services sold or supplied, means the price that such goods or services wouldfetch if these were sold by the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business in the open market, subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, if any; (ii). in relation to any goods or services acquired, means the price that such goods or services would cost if these were acquired by the undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business from the open market, subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, if any;] (iii). in relation to any goods or services sold, supplied or acquired means the arm's length price as defined in clause (ii) of section 92F of such goods or services, if it is a specified domestic transaction referred to in section 92BA. As can be seen, the Act provides for three meaning of the expression “market value". The first meaning of market value is in relation to goods or services sold or supplied. The second meaning of the expression market value is in relation to any goods or services acquired. The third meaning was inserted by the Finance Act, 2012 w.e.f.01.04.2013 and hence does not merit any discussion for the year under consideration. Since the CPPs of the assessee have supplied power to the assessee's CMUs. the market value to be adopted for quantifying the turnover of the CPPs should be. as per clause (i) of the -Explanation. Interestingly, the Assessee itself has adopted the first meaning for computing its turnover i.e. the rate of Rs 6.30 per unit at which the units generated by it were sold to Tata Power Trading Company Limited. The AO had however, after giving his reasons in detail as to why the rate adopted by the Assessee cannot be applied for the entire output of the CPPs, which are spread across various states and further after considering the small sample size of the sales made by the assessee to Tata Power Trading Company Limited. by one of its units at Kymore in Madhya Pradesh, that too only over a short period of three months, worked out the turnover of the CPPs after adopting the average rate at which the power was purchased by the two players in the power sector, the Tata Power Trading Company Limited and the Tata Power Trading Corporation Limited, the working is available on page 40 the assessment order. while computing the net output of the CPPs, the AO has excluded the transmission loss which was considered by the assessee. It is pertinent to mention that during the course of hearing before the Bench, the Ld. AR of the assessee

Page No.118

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited conceded the ground on the exclusion of the units lost in transmission for the purpose of computing the turnover of the CPPS. However, to support its revised working, filed for the first time only during the course of hearing on 09.01 2023, the AR relied on various case laws, mentioned in the summary chart mentioned by him. During the course of hearing, reliance was predominantly placed on the Bombay High Court's decision in the case of CIT vs Reliance Industries Ltd. [2020] 421 ITR 686 (Bombay) The list of the cases relied upon by the AR is as under: Reference to the Index of the Legal Paper book filed by Citation CIT(DR’s) Remarks CIT(DR) on 09.01.2023 a) CIT vsReliance Industries The A.Y. is not Serial No. 1 and 2 of the Paper Ltd. 120201 ITR 686 ascertainable form the Book. (Bombay) High Court’s order. However, the decision places reliance on the decision at Sr.No. (b) and (c). Moreover, SLP filed against the High Court order by the Revenue is granted by the Supreme Court of India CIT vs Godawari Power b) Pertains to A.Y. 2004-05 to Serial No. 3 of the Paper Book. &Ispat Ltd. 2006-07 [(2014) 223 Taxmann 234 (Chattisgarh HC) c) PCITvs Gujarat Alkalies & A.Y. is not ascertainable. Serial No. 4 of the Paper Book. Chemicals Ltd. (2017) 395 However, it is observed ITR 247 (Gujarat HIC) that there is no discussion regarding sub section (6) of section 80A of the I.T.Act. d) West Coast Paper Mills Ltd. Pertains to Asst.Year Sr.No. 5 of the Paper book v JCIT (2006) 1999-2000 100 TTJ 833 (Mumbai Trib. Eveready Spinning Mills (P) e) Pertains to AN. 2007-08 Sr.No.7 of the Paper book Ltd. v. ACIT (50 SOT8 Chennai URO f) BalrarnpurChini Mills Ltd. Pertains to A.Y. 2016-17 (ITA.No. 1672/KOL/2019) and deals with the (Kolkata ITAT) amendment brought to section 80IA (8) w.e.f. 1.04.2013, hence not applicable to AY 2011-12. g) Ambuja Cements Ltd. [ITA.No. The issue is discussed in The Relevant pages of the order No. 3475/Mum/:2019 and ors.] Para 80-85, internal page are enclosed herewith for ready (A.Y. 2011-12) 47-50. Perusal of the order reference.(Enclosure) shows that the issue is decided in favour of the assessee by placing reliance on Bombay High Court's decisions mentioned at Sr.No. a . Page No.119 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited All the case laws are perused and it is observed that all the cases relied upon by the AR are pertaining to A.Ys prior to A.Y. 2009-10, ie. when the provisions of sub-section 6 of section 80 A was not on statute. Even in cases, wherein the AY involved happens to be post 2009-10,for example Mumbai ITAT's decision dated 29/11/2022 passed in the case of ACIT v. Century Textiles and Industries Ltd. [ITA No. 1886/Mum/2022 for AY 2010-11 (copy of the decision was filed by the Ld. AR on 09.01.2023during the course of hearing), the issue is decided in favour of the assessee by placing reliance on such decisions, wherein the Court had no opportunity to consider the provisions of section 80A(6) of the Act and its explanation. Reference is also made to para 6 of the ITAT's order passed in the case of ACIT Century Textiles and Industries Ltd, which is reproduced hereunder for ready reference, which mentions that the Ld.DR could not point out any change in facts or law is a sis that of the earlier years “6. We note that on this issue the LCIT(A) has decided in favour of the assesses by following the decision of the Tribunal in A.Y 2006-0) by order dt.14.06.2017and deleted Rs 292,15,38/- which was disallowed by AO. We note that the Tribunal in A.Y. 2007-08 to AY. 2009-10 (supra) has allowed assessee appeal regarding this issue. Since the Ld.DR could not point out any change in facts or law vis a vis that of the earlier years as decided by the Tribunal in assessee’s case as noted (supra), we are inclined to uphold the impugned action of the LA CIT(A)" (emphasis supplied) Unfortunately, the Ld.AR in the said case, also failed in his duty to bring to the notion of the Hon'ble Bench the change in law. For identical reasons, the reliance placed by the Ld. AR on the ITAT's decision in the case of its holding company, Ambuja Cements is also not applicable to the facts of the case and is not a good reliance. Hence, the case laws do not act as precedent for deciding the issue for the year under consideration. It is therefore, requested that the issue may be decided by the Hon'ble Bench after taking into consideration the amendment brought into the Act w.e.f. 01.04.2009 as considered by the Assessing Officer as well as the CITIA) for computing the turnover of the CPPs, by adopting the rate as worked out by the AO in the Assessment order.”

Page No.120 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 12/04/2017), which was later approved by the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court [2020] 421 ITR 686 (Bombay).

18. By the impugned Order CIT(A) allowed assessee's claim of deduction u/s.80IA after having its observation at pages 6.3 of its appellate order. Precise observation is as under:- "6.3 I have considered the facts of the case and submissions of the appellant as against the observation / findings of the AO in his order. The contentions raised by the appellant in respect of the ground of appeal are being discussed and decided as under:- i. This issue also appeared in the assessee's reopened assessment for the A.Y.2006-07. On the identical set of facts, the Ld. CIT(A) in the office while deciding the appellant's case for A.Y.2006-07 has reached the decision as under: "I have considered the facts of the case, the reasons given by the Assessing 'Officer for restricting 'the deduction claimed by the assessee u/s 80IA in respect of its power generating undertakings and the' submissions of the assessee, in my opinion the question which is required, to be answered in respect of the ground of appeal taken by the assessee is whether the action of the AO of restricting the deduction is correct in the present facts and circumstances of the case. To answer the question, it would be pertinent to refer to Sec. 80IA(8) of the Act since the said section is relevant in the present case Sec. 80IA(8)reads as follows: "Where any goods (or services) held for the 'purposes of the eligible business are transferred to any other business carried on by the assessee, or where any goods (or services) held for the purpose of any other business carried on by the assessee or where any goods (or services) held for the purpose of any other business carried on by the assessee are transferred to the eligible business and, in either case the consideration, if any, for such transfer as recorded in the accounts of the eligible business does not correspond to the market value of such goods (or services) as on' the date of the transfer, then for the purposes of the deduction under this' section, the Page No.121

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited profits and gains of such eligible business shall be computed as if the transfer, in either case had been made at the market value of such goods (or services) as on that date. Provided that where, in the opinion of the Assessing Officer, the computation of the profits and gains of the eligible business in the manner hereinbefore specified presents. exceptional difficulties, the Assessing Officer may compute such profits and gains on such reasonable basis as he may deem fit. (Explanation - For the purposes of this sub-section; "market value ", in relation: to any goods 'or services, 'means the price that such goods or services would ordinarily fetch in the open market.) A perusal of the said section reveals that where transfer of any goods or services by the eligible business to any other business carried on by the assessee is not recorded in the books of accounts of the eligible business at the market value of such goods or services as on date of the transfer, then for "the purposes of the deduction, the profits and gains of such business is required to be computed as if the transfer has been made at the market value of such goods or services as on that date. As per the Explanation,' 'market value' in relation to the goods would mean the price that such-goods would ordinarily fetch in the open market. The proviso to sub- section(8) of section 80IA would come into operation only' when in the opinion of the Assessing Officer; the computation of profits and gains of the eligible business in the manner provided in the main· sub-section presents exceptional difficulty. It is, therefore, clear that the Assessing Officer, in order to invoke the proviso, must form an opinion based on the material on record that the computation in the manner provided presented exceptional difficulties. If he does not form an opinion, he cannot invoke the proviso to determine the profits & gains of the eligible business. It would, therefore, berequired to be seen whether the AO has found based on any material on record, and has brought any evidence or material on record, that the transfer of the goods by the eligible business, i.e. the power generating units, has not been recorded at the market value of such goods. It will also be required to be seen whether the AO has formed any opinion which would justify the invoking of the proviso to Sec, 80lA(B), because it is the proviso that the AO has invoked to work out the deduction available to the assessee u/s. 80lA. Perusal of the facts on record show that the assessee had disclosed that it has sold/transferred electricity to related concerns and, that the said transfer had been done at the fair market value of the goods. In the earlier 'assessment years in the regular assessments, the basis of taking the market value of the goods had been accepted by the Assessing Officer. I find that the Assessing Officer has assumed the power u/s. 80IA(B) without bringing any material on record to show that the price recorded in the books by the eligible business did not correspond to the market value of the goods as on the Page No.122

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited date of the transfer. It is important to note that for giving a finding that a particular value did not correspond to the market value, the market value has to be found out. Hence, the section pre-supposes that there is another value attached to the said goods which would represent the market value of the goods. I find that there is nothing brought on record to show as to how the price recorded in the Books does not correspond to the market value of goods, when sold in the open market, especially in the light of the reasons given by the 'assessee that such price corresponded to the market value of the goods. I find that the Assessing Officer has rejected the value recorded by the eligible business by merely holding that the market value cannot be the purchase value of electricity but the price of the electricity which the assessee can fetch in the open market. There being no open market for electricity during the period under review, the regulatory bodies fixed the price of electricity. He has further held that the tariff fixed for sale by the State. Power Distribution Agency for industrial consumers could not be called as market price as the regulatory fixes the tariff considering the wheeling charges, transmission loss due to leakage, past losses of the distribution agency, etc. In my opinion, the findings of the AO cannot be taken to be correct. Even though there may be 110 open market for the goods, an open market has to be presumed in respect of the goods in question in view of the categorical condition laid down in the provisions itself and the law laid down in this regard by the different Hon'ble Courts of the land and which have/been relied" upon by the assessee in its submissions. The Assessing Officer has not brought any material to show that the price charged was not in consonance with the market value. The AO has also not suggested, leave alone computed as to what the market value of the goods should be. While the assessee has given detailed reasons as to why the price of the goods recorded by it corresponds to till! market value, the Assessing Officer has not given any specific findings to hold as to why such price does not correspond to the market value of the goods and as to what was the market value of such goods. The assessee has contended that the 'rate 'charged to the end user by the State Electricity Board would provide the 'most appropriate basis to arrive at the market value. Since, the eligible unit is, in effect, transferring the goods to another business which is the end consumer, the cost to the end consumer, is required to be considered and not the tariff at which the 'Independent Power Producers' sell to the: 'State Distribution Agency', which in turn sells to the State Electricity Board for further sale to the end users i.e. consumers, at a rate higher than the rate at which the 'State Distribution Agency had procured the electricity, at. 'Another important aspect which is required to be considered is' that the: rate at which the 'Independent Power Producers' sell to the; State -Distribution Agency' under the Electricity Act, 1948 is a regulated rate which is determined, on the basis' of the normative parameters 'determined by the Government of India under its Notification No, 251 (E) 'dated 30.03.1992. The normative parameters

Page No.123

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited have been fixed by the Government, which is required to be followed by all, and no deviation in fixing the tariff is allowed Hence, even here, the rate cannot be taken to be the "price that such goods would ordinarily fetch in the open 'market" as this is the regulated rate fixed by the Government. It is also seen that the Assessing Officer has taken 16% return on capital base to work out the profits of the eligible business of the. assessee eligible for deduction u/s, 80IA of the IT. Act, 1961. 16% return on capital base in Notification No. 251(E) dt .. 30/3/1992 is only an exercise for fixation, of tariff. It is 'one 'of the parameters 'out of many which is required to be taken into consideration for fixing the tariff in relation' to the' rate at which the Independent Power 'Producers sell their power to the - State Distribution Agency. Hence, 16% return on capital base 'alone' would not be relevant while computing the profits of the eligible business under the Act. To sum up under Sec. 80IA(8), the following conditions are required to be satisfied:- a) Any goods or services held for the purposes of the eligible business are transferred to any other business carried on by the assessee. b) The' consideration if any for such transfer as recorded in the accounts of the eligible business does not correspond to the market value of such goods or services as on the. date of transfer, c) It is only when condition (b).is satisfied then the Revenue gets a right to determine profits and gains of such eligible business at the market value of such-goods or services. as on the date of its transfer. The Assessing Officer had considered the rate' charged by the State Distribution Agency as the market value of the goods 'transferred by the eligible business in the original assessment of the assessee, There is nothing on record to show as to how the value of the goods adopted/taken by the assessee do not correspond to the market value of such goods especially in light of the reasons given by the assessee. The Assessing Officer has also not expressed any opinion as to how the computation of profits and gains of the business tn. The manner provided in the main sub-section' presented exceptional difficulties. Hence, proviso to Sec. 80lA could not have been invoked by him. It is also clear that the parameter 'relating to 16% of capital base is only an exercise for fixation of tariff and is only one of the many parameters taken into consideration for fixing the tariff under' the Old Electricity Act of 1948, This parameter is for working 'out the' tariff for sale to Distribution agencies and not for sale to the end' consumers and not for computing the profits and gains of the eligible business. In' view of the aforesaid reasons, the order of the AO of working out the profits eligible for deduction on the basis of 16% return on 'capital base cannot be upheld.

Page No.124

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited As regards the submission relating to Sec, 80A(6), I find that same submissions were made by the assessee before the Assessing Officer during the course of the re-assessment proceedings. I find that the AO has not controverted the submissions of the assessee. I am also of the opinion that since the said Sec, 80(6) has been specifically made retrospective from a specific date i.e. w.e.f.01.04.2009, the same would apply only with respect to the A.Y. 2009-10 onwards and would not apply to the A.Y. 2006-07 in question. This is also clear from the fact that the Explanation 10 Sec. 80IB(10) was inserted by the Finance (No.2) ct, 2009 and was made operational w.r.e.f 01/04/2001 while sec. 80A(6) was also inserted by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2009 and was made operational w.r.e.f 01/04/2009. Further, as per the explanation to Sec. 80IA(6), the market value means the price that such goods or services would fetch if these were sold by the undertaking or unit or 'enterprise or eligible business in the open market, subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, if any. In the present case, the AO has not brought any material on record to show that the goods supplied by the undertaking were at a price higher than what it was required to supply as a result of any statutory or regulatory restrictions or as to what should have been the rate at which it was required to supply the goods as a result of any statutory or regulatory restrictions. In the case of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (Supra) Hon'ble jurisdictional Mumbai, Tribunal has held that the price that the unit paid to TPC for purchase of power would be the best basis for working out the profits of the business of generation of power even after the order MERC. In this case, the assessee, other than using power generated from its own captive generating units, was also purchasing power from TPC. In the case of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. reported in 16 SOT 509 (Del), Hon 'ble Tribunal has held as follows "Sec: 43A of the Electricity (Supply)Act,1948, lays down rules and conditions for determining the tariff for sale of electricity by a generating company to the State Electricity Boards. A perusal of the same reveals that the tariff is determined on the basis of various parameters contained therein: From the aforesaid, it is evident that on one hand it is only upon granting of specific' consent that a private person call set up a power generating unit having 'restrictions on the use of power generated and at the same time the tariff at which a power generating unit can supply power to the Electricity Board is also liable to 'be determined in accordance with the statutory requirements. In this context it can be safely deduced that determination of tariff between the assessee and the Board can be said to be an exercise between a buyer and seller neither in a competitive environment and nor in the ordinary course of trade and business. It is an environment where one of the players has the compulsive legislative mandate not only in the realm of enforcing buying but also to set the' buying tariff in terms of scenario cannot be, equated with a situation where the price is determined in the normal

Page No.125

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited course of trade and competition. Therefore, the price determined as per the Power Purchase Agreement cannot be equated with market value as understood in common parlance. There is no reason for not holding so for the purposes of. Section 80IA-(8) also, The price at which the power is supplied by the assessee to the Board is determined entirely by the Board in terms of the statutory regulations. Such a price cannot be equated with the market value as understood for the purposes of s.80-IA(8) The price recorded by the assessee Rs. 3.72 per unit can be considered to be the market value-for the purposes of s. 80- IA(8). This is for the reason that the assessee as an industrial consumer is also buying power from the Board and the Board supplies such power at the rate of Rs.3.72 per unit to its- consumers. This is the price at which the consumers are able to procure the power. Thus, under the given circumstances, it would be in the fitness of things to hold that the consideration recorded by the assessee's undertaking generating electric power for transfer power for captive "consumption at' the rate of Rs. 3.72 per unit corresponds to the market value of power. The AO is directed to allow relief to the assessee under s.'80IA as claimed:" It is pertinent to note that the assessee is not supplying electricity to the State Electricity Board or to any other power distribution agency. In the case of West Coast Paper Mills Ltd. reported in 1000 TTJ 833 (Mum), the Hon'ble Tribunal has held as follows: "Having held that the assessee is entitled for the deduction available under s. 80-IA,· the next question is what should be the price attributable to the power generated and consumed by the assesses, The answer to the question is readily available in sub.s(8) of s.80-IA, which reads as below: 80-IA(8) Where any goods held for the purpose of eligible profits are' transferred to any other business carried on by the assessee, or where any goods held for the purposes of any 'other business'. carried on by the assessee are transferred to the eligible business and, in either case, the consideration, if any for such transfer as recorded in the accounts of the eligible business does not correspond to the market value of such goods as on the date of transfer, then for the purposes of the deduction under this section, the profits and gains of such eligible business shall be computed as if the transfer in either case, had been made at the market value of such goods as'on that date". The above concept of transfer pricing is also apparent in r. 7 of I T Rules, 1962 provided for determining the income from agricultural produces consumed by the agriculturist-assessee in his business as raw material. The rule provides that in the case' of income which is partially agricultural income and partially income chargeable as business income in determining that part which is chargeable to income-tax, the market value of any agricultural produce which has been raised by the assessee and utilized as a raw material in such business hall be deducted at the prevalent market value. This principle Page No.126

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited has been considered and upheld by the Supreme Court in the case of ThiruArooran Sugars Ltd. Vs. ClT (1997) -142 CTR (SC) 9; (1997) 227 ITR 432 (SC). Therefore, we direct the assessing authority to work out the profits on the basis of the price of the power generated' by the assessee' at the average of the annual landed cost of electricity 'purchased by the assessee from Karnataka State Electricity Board during the impugned previous year. It may be determined on the basis of 'payment details available from the bills issued by the Karnataka state Electriciiy Board, during the year under consideration.” During the course of the appellate proceedings, the assessee has submitted that the sale price of electricity by the captive generating units varies from Rs. 4.55 per KWH to,Rs. 4.52 per KWH and for the sake of uniformity, the same had been taken at the average rate of Rs. 4.54 per KWH for computing the claim u/s. 80IA for the power generating units. The working had been done based on the price of electricity charges by Dakshin 'Gujarat .Vij company, a state owned company which was the only supplier of electricity other than the captive power plants. In views of the decisions of Hon'ble Tribunals as. discussed above, the Assessing. Officer will examine whether the submission of the assessee with respect to the rate taken is correct. If it is found that the rate charged by the suppliers is lower than the role adopted for sale by the captive power generating units of the assessee, such rate would be taken by the Assessing Officer for computing the profits of 'the' eligible-business, eligible for deduction u/s. 80IA. However, if the' rate charged. by the suppliers is the same as the rate adopted for sale' by the 'captive power generating units of the assessee, such rate' adopted should be accepted for' the purpose of working out the deduction u/s. 80IA. Subject to the above, this ground of appeal filed by the assessee is allowed. The facts of the case are similar and issue involved is identical. Accordingly, in view of the facts of the case and keeping in view the principles of judicial consistency, it - Is directed that. the Assessing Officer will examine correctness of the-rate taken (Rs. 4.799 per unit) and if it is found that the rate charged by the suppliers is lower than the rate adopted for sale by the captive power generating units of the assessee, such rate would be taken by the Assessing Officer for computing the profits of the eligible business, eligible for deduction u/s. 80IA. However, if the rate charged by the suppliers is the same as the rate adopted for sale by the captive power generating units of the assessee, such rate adopted should be accepted for the purpose of working out the deduction u/s.80-lA.Subject to the above, this ground or-appeal filed by the assessee is allowed.

19. We found that exactly similar issue has been considered by the Tribunal in assessee's own case for the assessment year 2006-07 therein issue has been decided in favour of the assessee. As the facts and circumstances during the year under consideration are same, respectfully following the order of the Tribunal in assessee's own case, we do not find any infirmity in the order of CIT(A) for allowing assessee's claim of deduction u/s. 80IA with reference to power generating undertaking and the power so generated being used mainly for captive consumption.

20. Learned DR has relied on the decision of Calcutta High Court in the case of ITC Ltd., (2015) 64 Taxman.com 214 and contended that distributing expenditure not actually incurred by the assessee increases its profits. Such profit Page No.127 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited cannot be said to be derived from industrial undertaking, therefore, to this extent deduction u/s.80IA cannot be allowed.

21. In the course of the hearing, the Revenue has relied on the decision of Calcutta High Court in Commissioner of Income tax, Kolkata-III v. M/s. ITC Ltd. (ITA 426 of 2006) for the proposition that the market price determined u/s 80lA of the Act ought not to be determined at the rate at which electricity was supplied to the assesses for its consumption other than for Captive Power plant. According to the Revenue, this decision was therefore in favour of the Revenue and ought to be followed in preference to the decision of the Tribunal referred to earlier in the assessee's own case.

22. We had gone through the decision of the Calcutta High court in M/s.ITC Ltd. and found that it has no connection to the facts of the assessee's case for following reasons: 23. First, the judgement of the Calcutta High Court was considering the provisions relating to the Electricity Act as they stood prior to the Electricity Act, 2003 as it was dealing with A Y 2002-03. No doubt, the Calcutta High Court has referred to Section 61&62 of the Electricity Act, 2003, but that is only in context of discussion relating to the rates fixed by Tariff Regulation Commission for sale of electricity by generating companies. The decision therefore cannot hold the field for A Y 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 as these Assessment years are years after the Electricity Act came into force on 10.06.2003.

24. It is therefore necessary to see what is the effect of the Electricity Act 2003 and its impact on and regulation of tariffs. The Preamble to The Electricity Act 2003 states as follows: "An Act to consolidate the laws relating to generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and generally for taking measures conducive to development of electricity industry, promoting competition therein, protecting interest of consumers and supply of electricity to all areas, rationalization of electricity tariff, ensuring transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of efficient and environmentally benign policies, constitution of Central Electricity Authority, Regulatory Commissions and establishment of Appellate Tribunal and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto".

25. A look at the Statement of Objects and Reasons annexed to the bill, para 4 would indicate that the Act seeks to encourage private sector participation in generating, transmission and distribution of electricity and promoting competition and providing for newer concepts like power trading and open access. A copy of the statement of Objects and reasons is annexed herewith. Para 4(i) of the Objects and Reasons is particularly important and it reads as under: "Generation is being delicensed and captive generation is being freely permitted. Hydro projects would, however, need approval of the State Government and clearance from the Central Electricity Authority which would go into the issues of dam safety and optimal utilisation of water resources. (Emphasis supplied).

Page No.128 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 26. Reference is invited to this para to show that captive generation is being freely promoted. With this background, it is necessary to see what is the scope and impact of the Electricity Act 2003.

27. Section 12 provides that no person shall transmit electricity or distribute electricity or undertake trading in electricity unless he is authorised to do so by a licence issued u/s 14 or he is exempt under section 13.

Page No.129 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited facility shall be determined by the Central Transmission Utility or the State Transmission Utility, as the case may be: Provided further that any dispute regarding the availability of transmission facility shall be adjudicated upon by the Appropriate Commission." (Emphasis Supplied) 30. Section 9 is a non-obstante clause and permits any person to construct, maintain or operate a Captive Generation plant and dedicated transmissions lines. A bare perusal of section 9(1) would indicate that there is no restriction whatsoever on a person in respect of Captive Generation plant. It is neither required to obtain a licence under section 7 or under section 12 as a generating company if it consumes power within itself. In other words, a Captive Generation Plant does not need to apply for licence under this Act if it complies with the technical standards relating to connectivity with the grid referred to in clause (b) of section 73.

34. This fact makes it clear that the provisions of section 42(2) apply only to a Captive Generation plant in respect of sales made or electricity consumed by a third party. This distinction is very significant in as much as there is no regulation of intra department consumption by any person generating electricity. In other words, for a person generating electricity and consuming it there is no obligation and no duty to either obtain a licence to set up a plant or transmit electricity which is self-consumed.

Page No.130

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 35. The Calcutta High Court in page 11 has held "the rate at which electricity was purchased from Andhra State Electricity Board by the paper unit of the assessee can by no means be the market rate at which the power plant of the assessee could have sold its production in the open market. In the open market the buyer would obviously be a distribution company or a company engaged in generation and distribution. Therefore, the rate which is sold to any such company can only be the market rate contemplated by the section". In other words, according to the Calcutta High Court, the regulated selling price by a third party to the assessee annot form the selling price by a Captive Generation plant. Whilst this is the absolutely correct and true, it is wholly irrelevant in context of Electricity Act, 2003. In a much as under the Electricity Act 2003, when the Captive Generation plant notionally sells electricity to itself, there is no regulation in respect of market price. In this connection, the decision of Supreme Court in the case of Thiru Arooran Sugars Ltd. v. CIT (1997) 227 ITR 432 is material. In that case, the assessee company was a manufacturer of sugar which purchased sugarcane from the market for crushing. It also had its own cane fields where it cultivated sugarcane, which was entirely consumed by its factory. Since the profit made by the assessee from the sale of sugar arose out of agricultural activities as well as manufacturing activities, the income earned by the assessee was required to be divided into two parts. No tax was leviable on agricultural income, but the profit generated from non-agricultural activities was leviable to be taxed under the Act. Therefore the agricultural income had to be determined and for that market value of the sugarcane consumed in its factory had to be determined. The relevant rule 7 of the Income- tax Rules, 1962 read as follows: "Income which is partially agricultural and partially from business - (1) In the case of income which is partially agricultural income as defined in section 2 and partially income chargeable to income-tax under the head 'profits and gains of business', in determining that part which is chargeable to income-tax the market value of any agricultural produce which has been raised by the assessee or received by him as rent-in-kind and which has been utilised as a raw material in such business or the sale receipts of which are included in the accounts of the business shall be deducted, and no further deduction shall be made in respect of any expenditure incurred by the assessee as a cultivator or receiver of rent- in-kind. "(2) For the purpose of sub-rule (1) 'market value' shall be deemed to be (a) where agricultural produce is ordinarily sold in the market in its raw state, or after application to it of any process ordinarily employed by a cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind to render it fit to be taken to market, the value calculated according to the average price at which it has been so sold during the relevant previous year; (b) where agricultural produce is not ordinarily sold in the market in its raw state or after application to it of any process aforesaid, the aggregate of- (i) the expenses of cultivation; (ii) the land revenue or rent paid for the area in which it was grown; and Page No.131 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited (iii) such amount as the Assessing Officer finds, having regard to all the circumstances in each case, to represent a reasonable profit. "

40. The Supreme Court at page 441 has stated as under: "These are the principles universally applied to find out the price at which the goods are ordinarily sold in the open market. For determination of market value, there is no pre-requisite that an open market where buyers and sellers congregate to buy and sell goods must exist. In the instant case, the assessee-company actually bought sugarcane from a large number of growers year after year in the ordinary course of business. The price at which it buys sugarcane must/be taken to be the market price. If the price is controlled by Sugarcane Control Order, the controlled price will be taken as the market price because it is at this price that a willing buyer and a willing seller are expected to transact business. As Lord Denning pointed out, it does not make any difference to this position that the assessee was the only buyer in the region where its factory was located".

41. The Calcutta High Court has however stated at page 11: “But in the case before us the electricity generated by the assessee could not be sold to anyone other than a distribution company or a company which is engaged both in generation and distribution."

43. Therefore, the decision of the Calcutta High Court is distinguishable as in that case in the .period before the introduction of the Electricity Act, 2003 a captive

Page No.133 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited generating plant would sell electricity only to a generating or distribution and generating company whereas in the case of the assessee after the enactment of the Electricity Act, 2003 the Assessee would sell to "any licencee" and is not restricted to selling electricity only to a distribution company or a generating and distribution company.

44. It was in these circumstances and for these reasons that the Calcutta High Court concluded that the purchase price would be different from the selling price of electricity on account of wheeling and distribution of losses. The Calcutta High Court concluded at page 12 as under: "The rate at which electricity can be supplied to a consumer by the distribution licensee and the rate at which the generating companies can sell electricity to the distribution licensee are governed respectively by Sections 61 and 62 of the Electricity Act 2003. There is tariff regulatory commission which fixes both the rates for sale and purchase of electricity by the distribution licensee. There are provisions in Section 62 so that the generating companies can recover expected revenue on the basis of the tariff fixed by the commission. There are similarly provisions in Section 61 so that the distribution licensee can derive reasonable return. There is thus an in-built mechanism to ensure permissible profit both to the generating companies and the distribution licensees ..... "

Page No.134 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 62 (1) The Appropriate Commission shall determine the tariff in accordance with provisions of this Act for – (a) Supply of electricity by a generating company to a distribution licensee: Provided that the Appropriate Commission may, in case of shortage of supply of electricity, fix the minimum and maximum ceiling of tariff for sale or purchase of electricity in pursuance of an agreement, entered into between a generating company and a licensee or between licensees, for a period not exceeding one year to ensure reasonable prices of electricity; (b) Transmission of electricity; (c) Wheeling of electricity; (d) Retail sale of electricity Provided that in case of distribution of electricity in the same area by two or more distribution licensees, the Appropriate commission may, for promoting competition among distribution licensees, fix only maximum ceiling of tariff for retail sale of electricity.

47. On perusal of the above, it can be observed that section 62 of the Electricity Act 2003 authorizes commission to determine tariff for (1) Generating company supplying to distribution licensee, (2) Transmission of Electricity (3) Wheeling of electricity (4) Retail sales of electricity.

50. The Calcutta High Court has dissented from the decision of three different High Court as follows: 1. The decision of Chattisgarh High Court Bilaspur Bench in the case ofACIT v. Godavari Power &Ispat Ltd. - 223 Taxman 234.

Page No.135 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 2. CIT v. Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Ltd 35 taxmann.com (Cal).

3. CIT v. Graphite India Ltd ITA No ITA No 733 of 2008 (Cal).

4. Madras High Court decision referred to in page 12 (Citation notavailable).

51. Under these circumstances following two principles involved here.

1. Where there is a conflict of views between High Court, Tribunal may choose to follow what in its opinion is the correct view.

52. If neither of the above two principles are followed, there is a decision of assessee in its own case for the earlier year on identical fats and that ought to be followed.

1. ACIT, Raipur v. Godavari Power &Ispat Ltd - 133 ITD 502 (Dilaspur ITAT) 2. Eveready Spinning Mills (P) Ltd v. ACIT, Circle-1, Tirupur - 17 Taxmann 254 (AY 2007-08) Chennai ITAT.

6. Shree Cement Ltd v. The Addl. CIT Jaipur-ITA NO.503/JP/2012 (Jaipur ITAT) 54. In any view of the matter, several decision of the Tribunal listed below have taken a view consistent with a view taken by Tribunal in assessee's own case for A Y 2006-07. In the circumstances, except in the case of Calcutta High Court in M/s. ITC Ltd, there are four judgements of other High Court in assessee's favour and six judgements of Tribunal in assessee favour and no contrary decision of Tribunal. In the circumstance, the appropriate course of action to follow would be the decision of Supreme Court in the case of ThiruAroovan Sugar Mills and the decisions of Calcutta High Court which are earlier in point of time and decision of Chattisgarh and Madras High Court and various benches of Tribunals and assessee's own case for the earlier year.

55. Furthermore the Supreme Court has endorsed the view that where there is a conflict between two High Courts the view in favour of the assessee must be adopted. There are several decision which have taken the same view, in cases with similar facts viz:-.

1. CIT v. Vegetable Products Ltd - 88 ITR 192 (SC)

Page No.136 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 2. Pradeep J Mehta v. CIT Ahmedabad - 169 Taxman 454 (SC) 3. CIT v. Naga Hills Tea Co. Ltd - 89 ITR 236 (SC) In view of the above discussion, the Calcutta High Court can have no application to the assessee's case.

56. In view of the above, we respectfully follow the order of the Tribunal in assessee's own case and confirm the order of CIT(A).”

6. The Tribunal in the impugned judgment extracted extensively from the order of CIT (Appeals) and independent reasons for confirming the same. In such order CIT (Appeals) had placed reliance on an earlier judgment of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. v. Addl. CIT [2011] 9 taxmann.com 186 (Mum. - Trib.). Learned counsel for the assessee had placed on record a copy of the judgment of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Infrastructure limited. In such judgment an identical issue came up for consideration. The Tribunal by detailed judgment had held and observed as under:— "44. In the given facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that the profits of the business of generation of power worked out by the Assessee on the basis of the price that it paid to TPC for purchase of power continues to be the best basis even after the order of MERC and therefore the same has to be accepted as was done in the past and as approved by the ITAT in Assesssee's case. We therefore dismiss ground No.4 of the revenue."

7. Counsel for the assessee pointed out that the judgment of the Tribunal in case of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. (supra) was carried in appeal by the revenue before the High Court in Income Tax Appeal No.2180 of 2011, such appeal was dismissed making following observations:—

Page No.137 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited "6. As far as question (d), namely, the claim relating to purchase price from Tata Power Company is concerned and that was for the deduction under Section 80IA, the ITAT in paragraph 21 onwards has noted the factual findings and also referred to the order of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Authority (for short "MERC"). Paragraph 36 set outs as to how the claim arose. The claim has been considered in the light of Section 80IA and particularly proviso and explanation thereto. The Tribunal eventually held that till the Assessment Year 2005-2006, the Revenue considered the rate at which the power was purchased by the Assessee from Tata Power Company as market value. There is nothing brought on record as to how the rate determined by the MERC is the true market value. The Assessee gave explanation that the rates determined by the MERC do not reflect the correct market rate. The finding is that the mode of computation and deduction under Section 80IA requires no deviation from the past. The findings of fact and to be found in paragraphs 42 to 50 also reflect that the very issue came up for consideration for the Assessment Year 2003-2004. For the reasons assigned by the ITAT and finding that the attempt is to seek reappreciation and reappraisal of the factual data that we come to a conclusion that even question (d) as framed is not a substantial question of law."

8. Thus, the issue at hand had been examined by this Court on earlier occasion and the view of the Tribunal under similar circumstances was approved.

9. Additionally, we also notice that similar issue came up for consideration before Chhattisgarh High Court in case of CIT v. Godawari Power &Ispat Ltd. [2014] 42 taxmann.com 551/223 Taxman 234, in which the Court held and observed as under: "31. The market value of the power supplied to the Steel-Division should be computed considering the rate of power to a consumer in the open market and it should not be compared with the rate of power when it is sold to a supplier as this is not the rate for which a consumer or the Steel-Division could have purchased power in the open market. The rate of power to a supplier is not the market rate to a consumer in the open market.

32. In our opinion, the AO committed an illegality in computing the market value by taking into account the rate charged to a supplier: it should have been compared with the market value of power supplied to a consumer."

10. Gujarat High Court in case of Pr. CIT v. Gujarat Alkalies& Chemicals Ltd. [2017] 395 ITR 247/88 taxmann.com 722 also had occasion to examine such an issue. It referred to earlier order in case of Asstt. CIT v. Pragati Glass Works (P.) Ltd. [Tax Appeal No. 1646 of 2010, dated 30-1-2012] in which following observations were made:— "7. To our mind, Tribunal has committed no error. Assessing Officer and CIT (Appeals) while adopting Rs. 4.51 per unit as the value of electricity generated by eligible unit of assessee and supplied through its non eligible unit only worked out cost of such electricity generation. In fact CIT (Appeals) in terms recorded that Rs. 4.51 was computed as the reasonable value of the electricity generated by eligible unit of assessee. This amount included Rs. 4.17 per unit which was the cost

Page No.138 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited of electricity generation and Rs. 0.34 per unit which was duty paid by the assessee to GEB for such power generation. Thus the sum of Rs. 4.51 per unit only represented the cost of electricity generation to the assessee. In Section 80IA(8) of the Act what is required to be ascertained is the market value of the goods transferred by the eligible business, when such transfer is by eligible business to another non eligible business of the same assessee and the consideration recorded in the accounts of the eligible business does not correspond to market value of such goods. Term "Market Value" is further explained in explanation to said sub-section to mean in relation to any goods or services, price that such goods or services will ordinarily fetch in the open market. To our mind sum of Rs. 4.51 per unit of electricity only represented cost of electricity generation to the assessee and not the market value thereof. It is not in dispute that the GEB charged Rs. 5 per unit for supplying electricity to other industries including non eligible unit of the assessee itself. Tribunal therefore, while adopting the said base figure and excluding excise duty therefrom to work out Rs. 4.90 as the market value of the electricity generated by the assessee, to our mind, committed no error. It can be easily seen that if the assessee were to supply such electricity or was allowed to do so in the open market, surely it would not fetch Rs. 4.51 per unit but Rs. 5 per unit as was being charged by GEB. Since the excise duty component thereof would not be retained by the assessee, Tribunal reduced the said figure by the nature of excise duty and came to the figure of Rs. 4.90 to ascertain the market value of electricity generated by the eligible unit and supplied to non eligible business of the assessee. No error was committed by the Tribunal. No question of law therefore, arises. Tax Appeal is dismissed."

11. Judgment of Calcutta High Court in case of CIT v. ITC Ltd. [2016] 236 Taxman 612/[2015] 64 taxmann.com 214 was also brought to our notice in which the said High Court has taken a different stand. However, since the issue has already been examined by this Court earlier and in view of the decisions of the Chhattisgarh and Gujarat High Court, we see no reason to entertain this question.”

63. Further, coordinate bench in the case of Reliance Industries Ltd v. ACIT has allowed the case for AY 2016-17 [2022] 143 taxmann.com 194has allowed similar case by relying on coordinate bench of the Tribunal vide order dated 08/03/2022 in AY 2014-15 and 2015-16, and has held that the view of the authorities below that the definition of the market value shall change for the purpose of domestic transfer pricing regimen is not at all sustainable. Thus, coordinate bench of ITAT as well as Jurisdictional High court has considered all relevant aspects of 80IA and allowed the similar claim of assessee by holding that market value of electricity needs to be taken at rate which manufacturing unit of assessee is buying electricity at different state.

Page No.140

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited under consideration (in A.Y. 2011-12, assessee itself has considered such rates while claiming deduction hence no separate working was filed). This contention was also raised before Assessing Officer in assessment proceedings as discussed herein above hence such working cannot be held to be new working as observed by Ld DR when such working is based upon finding of Coordinate Bench referred supra. It is observed that while computing the output of the CPP, the Assessing Officer has excluded the transmission loss which was considered by assessee in their calculations but during the course of hearing before bench, the Ld AR of the assessee conceded the ground on the exclusion of the units lost in transmission for the purpose of computing the turnover of CPP. It is observed that Ld AR has filed details regarding rate to be taken based upon decisions referred supra, such working was not available with the file of Assessing Officer hence on this limited purpose of verification for the year under consideration, the Assessing Officer is directed to verify the working as submitted by Ld AR before us and directed to consider the market value of power sold by CPP units at the Electricity rate at which CMM units at different location is purchasing electricity from SEBs as held/discussed by various courts including decision of coordinate bench in the case of Reliance Industries Limited and Ambuja Cement Limited referred supra. Accordingly, this ground of appeal is allowed for statistical purpose.”

82. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2011-12 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

83. In Ground No. 7, Revenue has raised the following grievance: -

“7. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the ld. CIT(A) erred in directing the assessing officer that auditor's fee and director's remuneration (indirect expenses) should not be apportioned for computing deduction u/s 80IA of the Act.

85. In Ground No. 8, the department has raised the following grievance:

8. (a) Whether on the fact and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld.CIT-A is justified in rejecting the benchmarking of TPO for international transactions of fees paid for intra group serviceson the basis of reasonable estimation ignoring the fact that assessee failed to establish that the payments

Page No.141

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited made were commensurate to the volume and quality of services received, benefits derived and that such costs are comparable. (b) Whether on the fact and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT-A is justified in rejecting the benchmarking of TPO taking ALP as Nil for international transactions of fees paid for other intra group services ignoring the fact that assessee failed to establish the need of services, services rendered and received actually, the quantification of such services and any tangible benefit derived from them. (c) Whether on the fact and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT-A is justified in rejecting the benchmarking of TPO for international transactions of fees paid for Management Consultancy Technical Support, Knowledge Transfer and Information Technology services on the basis of reasonable estimation ignoring the fact that assessee failed to establish that the payments made were commensurate to the volume and quality of services received, benefits derived and that such costs are comparable.

86. The department in this ground of appeal has contested three different adjustments made by TPO:

(a) Technical services availed from HGRS ₹.23,21,01,267 (b) Service availed from other AEs ₹.3,43,51,848 (c) ITeS and Technical Service availed from ₹.26,69,20,374 HSSA

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited AE for the year 2012 which reflected a meagre margin of 3.25% earned by the AE on its total cost as against an average of 12.84% margin earned by comparable companies on their total cost. The TPO has rejected such working of Assessee and observed that 8,000 man hours would be considered reasonable for providing these services referred in the invoices furnished, and a cost of ₹. 10,000/- per man hour was determined at arm’s length man hour cost. Thus, TPO has worked out cost of service rendered by AE to assessee at ₹.8,00,00,000/- and made adjustment of ₹.23,21,01,267/- (₹.31,21,01,267 less ₹.8,00,00,000).

88. This upward adjustment made by TPO is deleted by CIT(A) as under:

“20.4 Decision: I find from the order that the TPO has examined every evidence furnished by the appellant and has concluded on the adequacy or otherwise of such evidence in a detailed manner. The role of the TPO is to examine the documents submitted from the point of view of transfer pricing provisions and applicable rules and not merely to accept the evidences and not decide on the same. In my view, the Ld TPO has a duty to examine the documents and test it with the method applied by the appellant. However, what is important in examining the evidence is whether the TPO is exercising his power within the framework of transfer pricing law and rules and based on established judicial precedents. 20.4.1 Based on the Judicial precedents relied upon by the apellant and relating it to the facts of the appellant’s ground, it clear that the TPO has gone into the qualitative aspects of the benefits received by the appellant from the services rendered by the AE. I find merit in the appellant’s submission that the tax authorities cannot step into the shoes of the business man and decide whether an expenditure results in benefit to the appellant – what is required to be examined is whether the expenditure is at arm’s length. I also find that the decision of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court relied upon the appellant [Pr CIT (4) Pune Vs Vishay Components India Pvt ltd] is clearly applicable to the appellant’s case. Further, even if the TPO comes to the conclusion that based on established transfer pricing provisions, the expenditure incurred by the appellant requires adjustment, the correct process to follow is to provide alternative benchmarking and provide an opportunity to the appellant to challenge the same through a show-cause notice. As stated by the appellant, the TPO did not offer any alternative benchmarking but proceeded to determine the estimated man-hours and the estimated man-hour rate per hour to determine, what in the TPO’s view should be the arm’s length price. This method is clearly without any basis and definitely notacceptable as per the provisions of law. 20.4.2 The appellant has relied on the decision of the Hon’ble ITAT in Firemenich Aromatics India P Ltd - TS-758-ITAT-2018(Mum)-TP] on the benefit quantification aspect which is today well recognized in transfer pricing jurisprudence.

Page No.143

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 20.4.3 Further, since on similar facts, there has been no disallowance of the claim in the past five assessment years, based on the decision of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, respectfully following judicial discipline, the ground is allowed and the adjustment is deleted.”

89. The department has filed appeal against above finding of Ld.CIT(A). During the course of hearing, Ld.DR has mainly relied upon TPO’s order and on the other hand, Ld.AR has relied upon decision of Ld.CIT(A) as referred supra and argued that arbitrary addition should be deleted more particularly when no such adjustment is made in earlier years on similar facts.

“8. We have considered rival submissions. We note that the Revenue has been accepting the TNM method as most proper method for benchmarking the aggregated international transactions with AE's over the period of time. The same has been accepted by the Revenue on examination of the issue. It is found that the TPO had for the other years on same facts has accepted the fact that there was no difference in two segments involved for transfer pricing. Thus, consistently accepting the TNM method as the most appropriate method to determine the ALP of the respondent's aggregated International Transaction till Assessment Year 2015-16. The Revenue has not been able to show any material difference in the subject assessment year which would justify a change in the most appropriate method (TNM method) adopted while benchmarking the international transactions. So far as the order dated 1 st August, 2018 of this Court in case of John Deere India (P) Ltd. (supra) admitting the appeal of the Revenue is correct, we find that it has not been admitted on the question which arises in the present petition, i.e. the effect of the Revenue consistently accepting TNM Method as the most appropriate method for benchmarking international transactions with AE's in the absence of any material change of the facts or law. This is not the issue on which the appeal of the revenue Page No.144

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited has been admitted by the Court in the case of John Deere India (P) Ltd. (supra). Therefore, it will have no application to the present facts. The objection to rejection of comparables taken by the Revenue before us, does not address the issue of the most appropriate method for benchmarking its international transaction. We are also unable to understand the contention on behalf of the Revenue that it is for the respondent to prove that there is no change/ difference in facts in the subject Assessment Year from the subsequent Assessment Years. Where TNM method is accepted to determine the ALP of international transaction. Infact, no change in facts has been asserted by the respondent. Therefore, it would be for the Revenue to show the difference in facts warranting a different view in this Assessment Year to that taken in the subsequent Assessment Years. We have herein above extracted paragraph 18 of the impugned order of the Tribunal and on its reading we are of the view that the same is a finding of fact based on appreciation of evidence. Thus, no interference is warranted.”

“5. We have heard the rival submissions and perused the relevant materials on record. The reasons for our decisions are given below. In the instant case, the assessee has consistently been benchmarking all of its transactions with the AE under TNMM from the beginning, for now over seven years. In all three previous assessment years i.e. from AY 2009-10 to 2011-12, wherein its international transactions with AEs were in the scrutiny, the assessments have been completed by accepting the transactions with AE being at arm‟s length holding TNMM as the most appropriate method. The assessee had submitted before the TPO that its operating revenue is Rs.168.88 crores and the operating profit is Rs.21.78 crores; the profit level indicator i.e. OP/OR works out to 12.90% for the year under consideration. The assessee submitted working of it before the TPO. Also it submitted the arithmetic mean of the profit level indicator of the comparables Page No.145 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited which worked out to 4.86% for the year under consideration. We find that in respect of management fees paid/payable during the year under consideration, the assessee had submitted before the TPO its working, calculation, allocation, method, rational and business expediency. In such a situation, the TPO should not have summarily rejected the TNMM in respect of management fees paid/payable by the assessee to its AE and proposed an adjustment of Rs.3,83,75,622/- under the CUP method, without benchmarking with comparable on a separate basis. It is further stated that the assessee has failed to show that specific and distinct services were rendered by uncontrolled transactions. In the instant case, the TPO has resorted to an ad-hoc unilateral pricing of management fees, disregarding the facts and circumstances of the case. In the case of Kellogg India Pvt. Ltd. (supra), the Tribunal has rightly held that: “Even assuming that the benchmarking done by the assessee was not correct, the Transfer Pricing Officer should have benchmarked the royalty payment by applying any of the prescribed methods. However, without applying any prescribed method he has simply determined the arm‟slength price of royalty payment at Nil. The aforesaid approach of the Transfer Pricing Officer is not in accordance with statutory provisions, hence, unsustainable.” Similar view has been taken by the Tribunal in M/s CLSA India Pvt. Ltd. (supra) and Firmenich Aromatics India P. Ltd. (supra). 5.1 To sum up, in the instant case, the TPO has summarily rejected the TNMM followed by the assessee in respect of management fees paid/payable by it to its AE and proposing an adjustment under CUP without benchmarking with comparable uncontrolled transactions. Also the TPO has resorted to an ad-hoc unilateral pricing of management fees, disregarding the facts of the case. In view of the above factual scenario and position of law, we delete the addition of Rs.3,83,75,622/- made by the AO as adjustment on account of transfer pricing.

7. We note that in the case of CLSA vs. DCIT [ITA No. 1182/Mum/2017, pronounced on 16.01.2019], relied upon by the Ld. Authorised Representative for the Appellant, the Co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal has held as under:

Page No.146 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited “22. Section 92C(1) of the Act, contemplates that the arms length price in relation to an international transaction shall be determined by comparable uncontrolled price method; resale price method; cost plus method; profit split method; transactional net margin method or such other method as may be prescribed by the Board. Hence, the TPO is bound to determine the ALP by following one of the prescribed methods, however, we notice that in the present case the Ld. TPO has not followed any prescribed methods and made the transfer pricing adjustment by estimating the man hours and the cost of service per hour. We therefore, find merit in the contention of the Ld. counsel that any ad-hoc determination of arms length price by the Ld TPO u/s section 92 de-hors section 92C(1) of the Act cannot be sustained. The contention of the Ld. counsel is further supported by thejudgment of the Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Merck Ltd. 389 ITR 70 (Mum). In the said case the Hon’ble HighCourt decline to interfere with the findings of the Mumbai Bench of the Tribunal that the transfer pricing adjustment made by the TPO without following one of the prescribed methods makes the entire transfer pricing adjustment unsustainable in law. The grievance of the revenue was that the considerationpaid to the AE is only attributable to the services received / availed.

23. In the light of the facts of the case, provisions of the Law and the cases – discussed in the foregoing paras, we are of the considered view that the transfer pricing adjustment made by the Ld. TPO on ad hoc basis is not sustainable in law. Since, the order passed by the TPO u/s 92 CA(3) of the Act is not sustainable, the Ld. DRP ought to allowed the objection filed by the assessee. Hence, we decide both the questions mentioned in para No 17 (supra) in negative and further hold that the assessment order passed by the AO pursuant to the directions passed by the Ld DRP u/s 144(5) of the Act, is not sustainable in law.” (Emphasis Supplied) 8. In the case before us pertaining to Assessment Year 2013-14, the TPO has determined the ALP of the transaction without following any of the prescribed methods. The transfer pricing adjustment has been made by estimating the man hours (at 750 hours) and the cost of service per hour (at INR 3000/- per hour). Identical approach adopted by the TPO stands rejected by the Tribunal in the above said decisions including in the case of the Appellant for the Assessment Year 2012-13. Thus, respectfully following the above decisions of the Tribunal, we delete the transfer pricing addition of INR 7,83,82,267/-. Ground No. I (1. to 3.) is allowed, whereas all the other grounds are disposed off as being infructuous.

93. It is relevant to refer to decision of coordinate bench in the case of CLSA India Private Limited in dated 16/01/2019 wherein it is held as under:

Page No.147 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited “7. Before us, the Ld. counsel for the assessee submitted that the TP analysis submitted by the assessee is at arm’s length based on TNMM by considering the assessee as the tested party. The Ld. counsel invited our attention to the profit and loss account of the assessee in which two major costs have been mentioned as employee cost and management fees recharge (intra group services). The intra group services are closely linked to the business of the assessee and the assessee’s benchmarking approach based on TNMM by considering the assessee as the tested party may be upheld. The Ld. counsel further contended that without prejudice to the above, the assessee has also carried out a benchmarking on the transaction by considering the AEs as the tested party. Based on this approach also the assessee’s transaction is arms length whereas the conclusion of Ld. TPO that the AEs have rendered 10000 hours of service and the assessee has paid @ Rs 3000/- per hour is not based on any comparable uncontrolled transaction. The Ld. counsel further contended that in fact the Ld. TPO has not followed any of the prescribed methods to benchmark the transaction and as per the settled law any additionmade under chapter X of the Act has to be based on the method prescribed under it, failing which such additions are liable to deleted. ………… …………….

20. From the observations of the Ld. TPO, it is clear that TPO has made the transfer pricing adjustment purely on estimation basis without any supporting material. Though the Ld. TPO has mentioned that arms length price has determined by applying CUP method but in fact the Ld. TPO has not come up with any comparables to justify the application of cup method. The Ld. TPO has not brought on record any material to substantiate that the AE provided the similar services to an independent enterprise in comparable circumstances. The Ld. TPO has also not brought on record any instance where comparable services were provided to an independent enterprise in the recipient market. So in view of the fact that the Ld. TPO has, in fact, not applied the CUP method to determine the arm’s length price of the transaction, there is no reason to reject the TNMM method applied by the assessee. The Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of Johnson & Johnson Ltd. (supra) while dealing with the issue of determination of arm’s length price of royalty on estimation basis by the TPO held as under:- “(d) We find that the impugned order of the Tribunal upholding the order of the CIT (A) in the present facts cannot be found fault with. The TPO is mandated by law to determine the ALP by following one of the methods prescribed in section 92C of the Act read with Rule 10B of the Income Tax Rules. However, the aforesaid exercise of determining the ALP in respect of the royalty payable for technical knowhow has not been carried out as required under the Act. Further, as held by the CIT (A) and upheld by the impugned order of the Tribunal, the TPO has given no reasons justifying the technical knowhow royalty paid by the Assessing Officer to its Associated Enterprise being restricted to 1% instead of 2%as as claimed by the respondent assessee. This determination of ALP of technical knowhow royalty by the TPO was ad-hoc and arbitrary as held by the CIT (A) and the Tribunal”.

22. Section 92C(1) of the Act, contemplates that the arms length price in relation to an international transaction shall be determined by comparable uncontrolled price method; resale price method; cost plus method; profit split method; transactional net margin method or such other method as may be prescribed by the Board. Hence, the TPO is bound to determine the ALP by following one of the prescribed methods, however, we notice that in the present case the Ld. TPO has not followed any prescribed methods and made the transfer pricing adjustment by estimating the man hours and the cost of service per hour. We therefore, find merit in the contention of the Ld. counsel that any ad-hoc determination of arms length price by the Ld TPO u/s section 92 de-hors section 92C(1) of the Act cannot be sustained. The contention of the Ld. counsel is further supported by the judgment of the Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Merck Ltd. 389 ITR 70 (Mum). In the said case the Hon’ble High Court decline to interfere with the findings of the Mumbai Bench of the Tribunal that the transfer pricing adjustment made by the TPO without following one of the prescribed methods makes the entire transfer pricing adjustment unsustainable in law. The grievance of the revenue was that the consideration paid to the AE is only attributable to the services received / availed.

Page No.149 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 23. In the light of the facts of the case, provisions of the Law and the cases discussed in the foregoing paras, we are of the considered view that the transfer pricing adjustment made by the Ld. TPO on ad hoc basis is not sustainable in law. Since, the order passed by the TPO u/s 92 CA(3) of the Act is not sustainable, the Ld. DRP ought to allowed the objection filed by the assessee. Hence, we decide both the questions mentioned in para No 17 (supra) in negative and further hold that the assessment order passed by the AO pursuant to the directions passed by the Ld DRP u/s 144(5) of the Act, is not sustainable in law.

11. In view of the fact that the Revenue has accepted the order of the Tribunal on its findings on facts on the two issues as pointed out hereinabove as well as the refusal of the Tribunal to restore the issue of determination of ALP to the TPO by following one of the methods prescribed under the issue of determination of ALP to the TPO by following one of the methods prescribed under Section 92C of the Act. Thus, the question as formulated for our consideration even if answered in favour of the Revenue would become academic in the present facts. Thus, we see no reason to entertain this appeal. However, we make it clear that the issues of law which has been raised in the present appeal are left open for consideration in an appropriate case.”

26. Hence, in the light of the facts and circumstances of the case and the ratio laid down by the courts of law discussed above, we hold that since the TPO has not made the transfer pricing adjustment by following the mandatory provisions of the law and determined the same on estimation basis, action of the Ld. DRP in upholding the TP adjustment so made by the Ld. TPO is bad in law. So far as the cases relied upon by the Ld. DR is concerned, we are of the considered view that the facts of the said cases are different from the facts of the present case. Since, the Ld. TPO has not determined the arm’s length price in accordance with the provisions of law, there is no reason to hold that the TNMM method applied by the assessee is not the most appropriate method within the meaning of section 92C of the Act.

94. Considering the discussion made herein above, it is held that Ld.CIT(A) has correctly deleted adjustment made by TPO for ₹.23,21,01,267/-. Thus, this part of ground of appeal raised by the revenue is dismissed.

95. So far as TP adjustment for Rs 3,43,51,848/- being services availed from various AEs is concerned, it is found that the Assessee had received technical services/ support in the area of aggregates and construction material management and participated in various global group events and conferences. It has also used certain resources, being software procured directly at the group level. The assessee had made payment amounting to ₹.3,43,51,848/- towards these transactions. The details of such services and the benefits derived there from were explained in detail in the TPSR. The Ld. TPO considered that ALP of above transactions as NIL on the ground that the assessee has merely described various services and that by itself does not justify the price charged. The TPO also contended that the Assessee has not proved whether the services have actually been rendered and if it is based on the arm’s length principle.

96. The above referred adjustment made by TPO was deleted by Ld CIT(A) as under:

Page No.151

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited “I have gone through the detailed written submission by the appellant and the relevant paragraphs of the TPSR. I find that the payment to AE mainly relate to the following: Technical services in respect of aggregate and construction business under an agreement dated 01.01.2011 Participation costs in seminars Licence fee for Ariba Software – a procurement software Reimbursement of travel expenses, training charges, hotel expenses The TPSR gives details of services received and also the benefits expected therefrom. The scope of services is also laid out in the agreement. The Ld TPO has considered the ALP to be NIL on the ground that no evidence of rendering of service has been produced. I find that the TPSR produces enough detail of the nature of the service and the benefits. In case of reimbursement of participation costs and license fees, these are merely in the nature of reimbursement of costs. I therefore do not find merit in the conclusion arrived at by the Ld TPO that the ALP is NIL. The Ld TPO has not provided any alternative benchmarking. No record is available of any show cause notice issued to the appellant proposing to consider the ALP of this transaction at NIL. I have also considered the fact that in respect of similar transactions, no adjustments have been made in the preceding years. Hence based on the judicial precedents submitted by the appellant and following the rule of consistency and based on the details submitted by the appellant in the written submissions, I allow this ground of appeal in favour of the appellant.”

97. The department has filed appeal against above finding of Ld.CIT(A). During the course of hearing, Ld DR has mainly relied upon TPO’s order and Ld AR has relied upon decision of Ld.CIT(A) as referred supra and argued that arbitrary addition should be deleted more particularly when no such adjustment is made in earlier years on similar facts. The Ld AR has further stated that (a) Payment of ₹.2,39,51,772 to Holcim Services (Asia) Ltd was towards actual support in a key business area (RMX or Concrete) of the Assessee and were rendered and charged in terms of an agreement signed between the parties and further that invoices and documents furnished clearly demonstrate that these services were rendered / received and that there was no finding that no services were actually received; and (b) Payment of ₹.1,04,00,076 to various AEs represented business expenses incurred by the various AEs on behalf of the Assessee, in the nature of reimbursement of actual expenses without any margin, incurred in the normal course of business. Further, there was no finding to the effect that such expenses were not business expenses of the Assessee or that they were not incurred on behalf of the Assessee, by the AEs.

Page No.152

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 98. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. It is observed that assessee has incurred similar cost in earlier years and while passing TP assessment orders for earlier years, the arm’s length price was not disturbed by TPO. The decision of PCIT v. Vishay Components India Pvt. Ltd (referred supra), Supreme Court in Radhasoami Satsang v. CIT 193 ITR 321(SC), Mumbai ITAT in Temasek Holdings Advisors (I)(P) Ltd v. DCIT (2013) 38 Taxmann.com 80 are squarely applicable to facts of the case.

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited information technology services (hereinafter collectively known as ITeS and technical services) amounting to ₹.35,19,20,374 from its AE, Holcim Services (South Asia) Ltd (HSSA). This transaction was reported as a Specified Domestic Transaction and benchmarked using TNMM. Holcim Services (South Asia) Ltd is a company incorporated in India and its income is taxable in India. For these services, HSSA charged on actual basis for outsourced services and cost plus margin of 10% for other services. The Assessee adopted TNMM as the MAM selecting HSSA as the tested party to determine the ALP of this transaction. Based on the search process adopted in the TPSR, the Assessee arrived at a set of nine comparable companies engaged in information technology enabled services, management consultancy and business support services having an arithmetic operating margin (Operating Profit/ Sales) of 10.28%. As against this, the operating margin of the AE was 10.02%. Accordingly, this transaction was considered to be at arm’s length. The Ld. TPO rejected the method selected by the Assessee and went ahead to make material adjustments by estimating the man hours that can be considered to be relevant for such services and held the same to be 8,500 man hours. Further, he applied an hourly rate of ₹.10,000/- on an adhoc basis. Thus, the Ld. TPO determined ₹.8,50,00,000/- as the ALP for these services, which resulted into an adjustment of ₹.26,69,20,374/-

101. The above referred TP adjustment was deleted by Ld CIT(A) as under:

“I have carefully examined the submissions made by the appellant and the Transfer Pricing Study Report (TPSR). The TPSR provides details of the nature of the transaction and also deals with in detail the benchmarking relied on by the assessee. The TP order does not provide any alternative benchmarking or comparables but only states that the appellant has not produced enough evidence to justify rendering of the service in a third party situation. I find merit in the contention of the appellant any adhoc adjustment without any analysis of methods or benchmarking is not acceptable as per law. I also find that the TPSR provides in detail the nature of service provided by the AE, that are in the nature of IT support and management support. The submissions of the appellant also give in detail the nature of IT support provided by the AE. On a perusal of the Financial statements of the AE, the operating margin earned by the AE is 10.02% as against 10.28% of comparable companies as per the benchmarking process. I find no reason why the benchmarking should be rejected. I therefore allow this ground of appeal in favour of the appellant “

102. The department has filed appeal against above finding of Ld.CIT(A). During the course of hearing, Ld.DR has mainly relied upon TPO’s order and Ld.AR has relied Page No.154

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited upon decision of CIT(A) as referred supra and argued that arbitrary addition should be deleted .

104. In Ground No. 9, Revenue has raised following grievance: -

“9. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Id. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of provision for normal gratuity in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB (Rs. 7,28,75,743/-)”

Page No.155

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 107. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2005-06. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3786/MUM/2009, held as under: -

83. The Assessing Office has dealt with this issue at Para No. 23 of his order and observed that as assessee has not established that Gratuity provisions are made towards ascertained liabilities, same are added back while computing total income. This issue is dealt by Ld.CIT(A) at Para No. 22.6 of his order as under: “22.6 As the Ld.AR has brought to my notice that this issue has been decided by the ITAT, Mumbai in the case of the Assessee in AY: 1990-91 following the decision of the Bombay High Court in the case of Echjay Forgings P Ltd (surpa). Further my predecessors have decided the issue in favour of the Assessee in AYs: 1998-99, 2003-04 and 2004-05. Since the issue is the same, I follow these decisions and allow the appeal.” 84. Against the observation of Ld.CIT(A), department has filed this ground in this appeal. Before us, Ld. AR has relied upon appellate order passed in its own case for A.Y. 2002-03 to 2004-05 and contended that no such adjustment is required to be made. On the other hand, Ld. DR has relied upon finding given by Assessing Officer and argued that order of Assessing Officer may be restored. 85. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. On this issue, coordinate bench in assessee’s own case for A.Y. 2004-05 in dated 27/05/2022 has decided this issue in its favour. The relevant finding is reproduced herein below: “14.3.3. Revenue is in appeal, challenging the decision of CIT(A) of deletion of INR 5,86,82,751/-. We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record. While the Departmental Representative relied upon the assessment order, the Authorised Representative of the Assessee reiterated the submissions made before the lower authorities and relied upon the decision of the Tribunal in Assessee’s own case for the Assessment Year 1990-91, 2002-03 and 2003-04 wherein the tribunal had granted relief to the Assessee. 14.3.4. We note that in the immediately preceding assessment year (AY 2003-04), identical issue has been decided in favour of the Assessee. The relevant extract of the common order, dated 13.03.2019, passed by the Tribunal in 4242&4988/MUM/2007 for the Assessment Year 2003-04 reads as under: "46. Under this issue the revenue has challenged the allowance of claim of provision for additional gratuity in computing book profit u/s Page No.156 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 115JB of the Act amounting to ₹.1,21,90,817/-. The proposition is the same which has been discussed above while deciding the issue no.

15. The finding of the CIT(A) in this regard is hereby reproduced as under.: "38.2 I have considered the submission made on behalf of the appellant. Respectfully following the order of Hon’ble Tribunal for the A.Y. 1990-91 as well as my own orders for AY 1998-99 in appeal no. CIT(A)- I/IT/232/04-05 the addition made by the Assessing Officer is deleted and the ground stands allowed in favour of the appellant."

47. On appraisal of the said finding, we noticed that this issue has been covered by decision of Hon’ble ITAT in the assesee’s own case for the A.Y. 1990-91 in ITA. No.2361/M/1995 & in the A.Y. 2002-03 in ITA. No.4987/M/2007. There is nothing on record to which it can be assumed that the order has been varied or changed in appellate proceeding. Since this issue has been duly adjudicated in favour of the assessee by above mentioned decision of the Hon’ble ITAT, we are of the view that the CIT(A) has decided the matter of controversy judiciously and correctly which is not liable to be interfere with at this appellate stage. Accordingly, this issue is being decided in favour of the assessee against the revenue." 14.3.5. Respectfully following the decision of the co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the case of the Assessee for the Assessment Year 1990- 91 (ITA No. 2361/Mum/1995), Assessment Year 2002-03 (ITA No. 4987/Mum/2007 & others) and Assessment Year 2003-04 (ITA No. ITA. No. 5259 & 4895/Mum/2007 Assessment Year: 2004-05 4242/Mum/2007), we confirm the order of CIT(A), and hold that provision for Normal/Additional Gratuity of INR 5,86,82,751/- is in the nature of provision for an ascertained liability and is, therefore, not required to be added back while computing Book Profits in terms of Clause (c) of Explanation 1 to Section 115JB(2) of the Act. Accordingly, Ground No. 9 raised by the Revenue is dismissed.”

86. Respectfully following decision of coordinate bench referred supra, addition of provision for gratuity made while computing book profit u/s 115JB is deleted. Accordingly, this ground of appeal in Departmental Appeal is dismissed.”

108. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

109. In Ground No. 10, Revenue has raised following grievance:

“10. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of wealth tax provision in computing Book Profit u/s.115JB of the Act (Rs.10,50,000/-).”

Page No.157

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 110. With regard to Ground No. 10 which is in respect of Ld.CIT(A) deleting the addition of provision for wealth tax while computing book profit U/s. 115JB, Ld.DR relied on the order of the Assessing Officer.

77. In the Ground No 11, Department has raised the following grievance: “On the facts and the circumstances of the case and in law the CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition for provisions for wealth tax while computing the book profit u/s.115JB of the Act.

78. The Assessing Office has dealt with this issue at Para No. 20 and 21 of his order and made addition for provisions for wealth tax while computing the book profit u/s.115JB of the Act relying upon reasons given in A.Y. 2003-04 and 2004- 05. This issue is dealt with by Ld.CIT(A) at Para No. 20.7 of his order as under: “20.7 I have carefully considered the submissions. As the Ld.AR has brought to my notice, this issue has been decided by my predecessor in AYs: 1990-2000, 2003-04 and 2004-05 in favour of the Assessee, my Ld.predecessor has decided the issue in favour of the Assessee following the decision of the Bombay High Court in the case of Echjay Forgings P Ltd and the Special Bench of ITAT in the case of CIT Vs Usha Martin Industries. Since the facts are the same I follow the decisions, and allow the ground of appeal

. The recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of CIT Vs HCL Comnet Systems & Services Ltd, 305 ITR 409 will also support the issue. My decision in the earlier ground also will be relevant in this regard.”

79. Against the observation of Ld.CIT(A), department has filed this ground in this appeal. Before us, Ld. AR has relied upon appellate order passed in its own case for A.Y. 2002-03 to 2004-05 and contended that no such adjustment is required to be made. On the other hand, Ld. DR has relied upon finding given by Assessing Officer and argued that order of Assessing Officer may be restored.

80. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. On this issue, coordinate bench in assessee’s own case for A.Y. 2004-05 in No.158 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 5259/MUM/2007 dated 27/05/2022 has decided issue in its favour. The relevant finding is reproduced herein below: 14.2.3. Revenue is in appeal, challenging the relief granted by CIT(A). We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record. While the Departmental Representative relied upon the assessment order, the Authorised Representative of the Assessee reiterated the submissions made before the lower authorities and relied upon the decision of the Tribunal in Assessee’s own case for the Assessment Year 2002-03 and 2003-04 wherein the Tribunal had granted relief to the Assessee. 14.2.4. We note that the Hon’ble Bombay High Court has, in the case of CIT vs. Echjay Forgings (P) Ltd. (2001) 251 ITR 15 has held as under: "4. The short point which arises for consideration in this appeal is, whether the Assessing Officer was right in disallowing claims for deduction in respect of the five items and ordering addition thereof to the net profit for the purposes of section 115J.

5. The addition of the five items to the net profit is, accordingly, discussed hereinbelow: (I) Addition of wealth-tax paid by the assessee to the net profit 6. Mr. Desai, the learned senior counsel for the department, fairly concedes that the net profit, as shown in the profit and loss account, will not be increased by the amount of wealth- tax paid because under clause (a) of the Explanation to section 115J(1A), what is contemplated is the amount of income-tax paid. Under the said clause, payment of wealth- tax is not contemplated. Therefore, the net profit shall not be increased by the amount of wealth-tax paid by the assessee." (Emphasis Supplied) 14.2.5. In the immediately preceding assessment year (AY 2003-04), identical issue has been decided in favour of the Assessee. The relevant extract of the common order, dated 13.03.2019, passed in ITA No. 4242&4988/MUM/2007 for the Assessment Year 2003- 04 reads as under: "44. Issue no. 15 is in connection with the deletion of addition in respect of provision of Wealth Tax in computing book profit u/s 115JB of the Act in sum of ₹.80,00,000/-. Before going further, we deemed it necessary to advert the finding of the CIT(A) on record.: - "37.3 I have considered the submissions made on behalf of the appellant. Respectfully following the decision of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Echjyay Forgings Ltd. (supra) and the Hon’ble Special Bench of Kolkata Tribunal in the case of Usha Martin Industries Ltd. (supra) as well as my own order in appeal no. CIT(A)-I/IT/232/04- 05 for AY 1998-99 stated herein above, the addition made by the Assessing Officer is deleted and this ground of appeal is allowed." . On appraisal of the said finding, we noticed that the claim of the assessee has been allowed in view of the decision of Bombay High Court in the case of CIT Vs. Echjay

Page No.159 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Forgings (P) Ltd. (2001) 251 ITR 15 (Bom) and JCIT Vs. Usha Martin Industries Ltd. (2007) 104 ITD 249 (Kolkata Tribunal) SB. We also noticed that the matter of controversy has been adjudicated by CIT(A) for the A.Y. 1998-99 also and against the said decision, the revenue is not in appeal. It is reiterated that the adjustment can only be made in view of Section 115JB of the Act which has been specified in Explanation to Section 115JB of the Act. In view of the said circumstances, we are of the view that the CIT(A) has decided the matter of controversy judiciously and correctly which is not liable to be interfere with at this appellate stage. Accordingly, this issue is being decided in favour of the assessee against the revenue." (Emphasis Supplied) 14.2.6. In view of the above, we confirm the order of CIT(A) and hold that provision for Wealth-Tax of INR 70,00,000/- is not required to be added back while computing Book Profits under Section 115JB of the Act. Accordingly, Ground No 8 raised by the Revenue is dismissed.”

113. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

114. In Ground No. 11, Revenue has raised following grievance:

“11. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of provision for leave encashment of Rs.26,50,98,398/- in computing Book Profit u/s. 115JB of the Act”

Page No.160

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 117. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record, we observe from the record that identical issue is decided in favour of the assessee in the A.Y.2005-06. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 3786/MUM/2009, held as under: -

87. In the Ground No 13, Department has raised the following grievance: “On the facts and the circumstances of the case and in law the CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of provision for leave encashment while computing the book profit u/s.115JB of the Act.”

88. The Assessing Officer has dealt with this issue at Para No. 24 of his order and observed that provision for leave encashment made by assessee while computing book profit u/s 115JB was not allowed in assessment order of A.Y. 2004-05 hence such amount is added back while computing total income. This issue is dealt by Ld.CIT(A) at Para No. 23.6 of his order as under: “23.6 I have carefully considered the submissions. The provision for leave encashment on the basis of actual valuation report cannot be treated as unascertained liability in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Bharat Earth Movers reported at 244 ITR 428. Further the Ld.AR has brought to my notice that the addition of provision for additional gratuity in computing book profit has been deleted by the IT AT, in the Assessee’s own case for 1990-91, relying on the decision of the Bombay High Court in the case of Echjay Forgings Pvt Ltd, (supra). Further this issue has been decided by my predecessor in AYs:2003-04 and 2004-05 in favour of the Assessee. Following these decision the appeal is allowed. “ 89. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. On this issue, coordinate bench in assessee’s own case for A.Y. 2004-05 in dated 27/05/2022 has decided this issue in its favour. The relevant finding is reproduced herein below: “14.4.4. We have considered the rival contentions and perused the material on record. We note that the CIT(A) has granted relief to the Assessee by following the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Bharat Earth Movers (245 ITR 528), and the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of CIT v. EchjayForgins (P) Ltd. (2001) 251 ITR 15. We do not find any infirmity in the order passed by the CIT(A) to the extent it holds that provision for Leave Encashment of INR 3,26,00,238/- is in the nature of provision for ascertained liability created on the basis of actuarial valuation and is, therefore, not required to be added back while computing Book Profits in terms of Clause (c) of Explanation 1 to Section 115JB(2) of the Act. Accordingly, order of CIT(A) on this issue is confirmed and Ground No. 10 raised by the Revenue is dismissed.” 90. Respectfully following decision of coordinate bench referred supra, addition of provision for leave encashment made while computing book profit u/s Page No.161

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 115JB is deleted. Accordingly, this ground of appeal in Departmental Appeal is dismissed.”

118. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

119. In Ground No. 12, Revenue has raised following grievance:

“12. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Id. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Sales Tax Incentive, Excise Duty Exemption benefits and Royalty Refund Benefits accrued /availed during the year under consideration amounting to Rs. 99,17,41,517/-, Rs. 254,44,56,144/- and ₹.25,17,62,233/- respectively, being capital in nature, in computing Book Profit u/s.115JB.”

“97. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. On this issue, coordinate bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited in & 2366/Mum/2013(A.Y.2006-07) dated 31/10/2022 has held as under: “17.So far as this grievance of the assessee is concerned, the relevant material facts are like this. During the course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer noticed that the assessee has Page No.162 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited availed excise duty exemption, amounting to Rs 46,83,11,376, in respect of their Darlaghat Unit, HP, and it was claimed as a capital receipt in nature. It was also noted that in terms of general Exemption No, 51 (Notification No. 50/2003 dated 10th June 2003) the assessee is entitled to 100% excise duty exemption for a period of ten years in respect of its cement manufacturing plant at Darlaaghat. The assessee’s submission was that this exemption was in response to the announcement made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the effect that tax and central excise concession are made to attract investments in the industrial sector for special category states, including Uttarakhand. The Assessing Officer noted that “though it is apparent from the excise notification that exemption is granted for only those units which are located in the backward areas and which have undertaken substantial expansion, however incentives are available only post production” and therefore he “finds no difference in sales tax and excise exemption claimed”. Following the stand taken for sales tax exemption etc, he held that the excise exemption receipts are also revenue in nature. Aggrieved, assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A). Learned CIT(A) also confirmed the stand of the Assessing Officer on the short ground that the exemption notification does not specifically state the object and purpose of the concession to be promotion of industry in the specified areas etc. The assessee is aggrieved, and is in appeal before us.

18. We have heard the rival contentions, perused the material on record and duly considered facts of the case in the light of the applicable legal position.

will apply mutatis mutandis here as well. That apart, once the Assessing Officer himself also accepts that the object and purpose of the excise exemption scheme are to promote the industry is set up, or being subjected to substantial expansion, in the backward areas, it cannot be open to the revenue even to suggest that the object and purpose of the scheme are to promote industries in backward areas. The Assessing Officer had declined the relief on a technical ground about at what stage the receipts materialize, whether post-production or pre-production. That test, as is the settled legal position now, is no longer a relevant test. What is material is as to what is the purpose of the scheme in question, and a call about the object and purpose of the scheme is to be taken in a holistic manner and on the basis of the scheme on an overall basis. The approach adopted by the learned CIT(A) was not only legally incorrect but wholly superficial. The following observations by Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court, in the case of PCIT Vs Welspun Steel Limited [(2019) 103 taxmann.com 436 (Bom)] are relevant in this regard

6. Having heard the learned Counsel for the parties on this question, we notice that, the Government of Gujarat Sales Tax

Page No.163 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited Incentive Scheme was envisaged to promote large scale investments in the Kutch District since on account of devastating earth-quake, development of the district had suffered. The Scheme envisaged that, the same was confined only with the Kutch District. Similar, being the purpose and philosophy of the Government of India, while granting excise duty exemption, we may not separately take note of the back- ground thereof. In view of these facts, the question arises is - whether the Tribunal was justified in holding that Sales Tax and Excise duty exemption enjoyed by the assessee under the said subsidy scheme, was not taxable as revenue receipt. Such and similar issue has came up before different High Courts and Supreme Court on the numerous occasions. Reference to all those judgments would be un-necessary. However, the principle that has evolved is that, not the nomenclature of the subsidy or the fact that, the computation of the subsidy benefit is in terms of tax payable, would not be conclusive. What is to be examined in each case is the purpose for granting such subsidy. We may refer to the decision of the Supreme Court in case of CIT v. Chaphalkar Bro. [2017] 88 taxmann.com 178/[2018] 252 Taxman 360/400 ITR 279. It was a case arising out of judgment of this Court in which, the dispute between assessee and the Revenue was with respect to subsidy granted to the multiplex cinema operators in the form of entertainment tax waiver. The subsidy was granted in view of the fact that, industry was highly capital intensive. The Revenue argued that, the subsidy was revenue in nature. This Court after referring to several decisions of the Supreme Court including the case of CIT v. Ponni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd. [2008] 306 ITR 392/174 Taxman 87 and Sahney Steel and Press Works Ltd. v. CIT [1997] 94 Taxman 368/228 ITR 253 (SC) held that, subsidy had not been granted for construction but only after setting up of a new industry which was in the nature of assistance given for the purpose of carrying on business.

Page No.164 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited gestation period is quite long and therefore, they need Government support in the form of incentives qua entertainment duty. It was also added that Government with a view to commemorate the birth centenary of late Shri V. Shantaram decided to grant concession in entertainment duty to multiplex theatre complexes to promote construction of new cinema houses in the State. The aforesaid object is clear and unequivocal. The object of the grant of the subsidy was in order that persons come forward to construct multiplex theatre complexes, the idea being that exemption from entertainment duty for a period of three years and partial remission for a period of two years should go towards helping the industry to set up such highly capital intensive entertainment centres. This being the case, it is difficult to accept Mr. Narasimha's argument that it is only the immediate object and not the larger object which must be kept in mind in that the subsidy scheme kicks in only post construction, that is when cinema tickets are actually sold. We hasten to add that the object of the scheme is only one - there is no larger or immediate object. That the object is carried out in a particular manner is irrelevant, as has been held in both Ponni Sugars and Sahney Steel."

9. The second question raised by the Revenue is consequent of the first question, in which, the Revenue argues that, if the subsidy is treated as a capital in nature, the same must bring down assessee's costs of acquisition of plant and machinery. The assessee's claim of depreciation to that extent must shrink. Assessee argues that, the Tribunal correctly held that, the subsidy had not been given in relation to acquisition of plant or machinery and that, therefore, same cannot be adjusted towards cost of acquisition.

10. It is undoubted that, the subsidy had no relation to the assessee's acquisition of plant or machinery. It was to be granted to an industry which had set up the new industrial unit in the District of Kutch. In such back- ground, question - arises whether such subsidy would be adjustable towards assessee's costs of acquisition of capital assets. We may notice that, a similar question was considered by Division Bench of Gujarat High Court in case of CIT v. Grace Paper Industries (P.) Ltd. [1990] 183 ITR 591/52 Taxman 18. The Court noted that, the subsidy was granted by the Government for development of industries in back- ward areas. It was not part of the actual cost of plant or machinery. The Court, therefore, held that it could not have been deducted towards costs of acquisition. The Court held as under:—

Page No.165

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited "We have carefully considered the provisions relating to the grant of cash subsidy under the schemes framed by the Central Government and the State Government. The Central Government as well as the State Government noticed that areas specified as backward areas and tribal areas were undeveloped or under-developed. Entrepreneurs were not willing to set up industries in such undeveloped or under- developed areas. The industries were concentrating only in urban areas. In other words, rapid urbanization was taking place. So far as the State of Gujarat is concerned, there was rapid industrial growth in cities like Baroda, Ahmedabad and Surat resulting in strain on municipal services. Urbanization created several problems such as pollution, growth of slums etc. It was also necessary to have balanced growth of industry in different regions. However, as pointed out above, entrepreneurs were reluctant to set up industries in backward areas. These areas were identified as backward because there was un-development or underdevelopment of industries in these areas. It was, therefore, that the Government decided to give financial incentives to encourage and induce entrepreneurs to move to backward areas and establish industries there so that the region may develop and promote the welfare of the people living in that region. One of the incentives which the Government decided to grant was cash subsidy so that entrepreneurs could utilize such cash subsidy for any purpose connected with the establishment of industries in the backward areas. Once the decision to give cash subsidy was taken, the Government had to work out some method to determine the quantum of such subsidy. In other words, the question as to how the amount of cash subsidy should be determined had to be considered by the Government. The Government, in order to determine the amount of cash subsidy, decided to follow one of the recognized methods of working it out on the basis of the amount invested by an entrepreneurs in acquiring capital assets as cash subsidy. The scheme does not say as to in what manner the subsidy was granted is to be utilized. In other words, the entrepreneur to whom the subsidy was granted was free to utilize it in any manner he liked. It would, therefore, appear that quantification of subsidy on the basis of investment was a measure adopted by the Government for convenience to work out the subsidy. If subsidy could be utilized by the entrepreneur in any manner he liked, could it be said that it was granted for meeting the cost of the capital assets? In our opinion, taking an overall view of the various provisions of the scheme, it is difficult to hold that cash subsidy was granted to entrepreneur to meet the cost of the fixed assets or part thereof The cost of the fixed assets was merely adopted as a measure for working out subsidy. In fact, a careful examination of the scheme reveals that it is the value of the fixed assets and not its cost which is adopted as the basis for computing the amount of the subsidy. Emphasis on value and not the cost is evident from the fact that land and building already owned by an industrial unit, cost of tools, jigs, dies and moulds, transport charges, insurance premium, erection cost, value of second-hand machinery purchased by an industrial unit etc. were to be taken into account while

Page No.166 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited computing the value of fixed assets for the purposes of subsidy. In other words, it was the value of the fixed assets which formed the basis for computation of subsidy to be granted under the scheme. Subsidy, in our opinion, did not meet the cost of the fixed assets directly or indirectly. Under the scheme of the Central Government or the scheme of the State Government, cash subsidy was quantified by determining the same at a specified percentage of the value/ cost of the fixed assets. Therefore, as observed above, the basis adopted for determining the cash subsidy with reference to the cost or value of fixed assets was only a measure for quantifying the subsidy and it could not be said that the subsidy was given for the specific purpose of meeting any portion of the cost of the fixed assets. The subsidy was granted to compensate the entrepreneur for the hardship and inconvenience which he might encounter while setting up industries in backward areas."

11. Similar issue came up for consideration again before the Gujarat High Court in CIT v. Swastik Sanitary Works Ltd. [2006] 286 ITR 544. It was a case in which, the Government subsidy was intended as an incentive to encourage entrepreneurs to move to backward areas and establish industries. In such a case, specified percentage of the fixed capital cost, which was the basis for determining the subsidy, would be granted. The Court held that, such basis for determining the subsidy was only a measure adopted under the scheme to quantify the financial aid and it was not a payment, directly or indirectly to meet any portion of the actual cost of acquisition of capital asset. It was held and observed as under:— ' In so far as question No.2 is concerned, this court finds that the same is squarely covered by the decision of the Supreme Court in CIT v. P. J. Chemicals Ltd., [1994] 210 ITR 830. In the said case, after review of the law on the point, the Supreme Court has held as under (head note): "Where Government subsidy is intended as an incentive to encourage entrepreneurs to move to backward areas and establish industries, the specified percentage of the fixed capital cost, which is the basis for determining the subsidy, being only a measure adopted under the scheme to quantify the financial aid, is not a payment, directly or indirectly, to meet any portion of the 'actual cost The expression 'actual cost' in section 43(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, needs to be interpreted liberally. Such a subsidy does not partake of the incidents which attract the conditions for its deductibility from 'actual cost'. The amount of subsidy is not to be deducted from the 'actual cost' under section 43(1) for the purpose of calculation of depreciation etc."

20. In view of these discussions, as also bearing in mind the entirety of the case, we uphold the plea of the assessee. The Assessing Office is, accordingly, directed to delete the impugned addition….

43. In view of the above discussions, as also bearing in mind the entirety of the case, we see no legally sustainable merits in the Page No.167 (A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited grievance of the Assessing Officer. The views expressed by the learned CIT(A), being in conformity with our decisions for the preceding assessment years, meet our approval. We, therefore, confirm and approve the relief granted by the CIT(A) and decline to interfere in the matter.

44. Ground no. 3 is thus dismissed.”

“13. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of interest expenses to earn dividend income in computing Book Profit u/s. 115JB of the Act (Rs.1,16,00,000/-)..”

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited A.Y.2008-09. While deciding the issue, the Coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA.No. 6638/MUM/2018, held as under: -

51. In the Ground No.13, Department has raised the following grievance: “Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case & in law the Id. CIT(A) was right in deleting the disallowance of interest made under rule 8D(ii) u/s 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

52. On identical issue in Assessee’s appeal, in the Ground No.17, following issue is raised: Ground No. 17: Addition of Rs. 1,94,00,000/- being notional expenditure incurred to earn exempt income while computing book profits u/s. 115JB: On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was not justified and grossly erred in confirming the action of AO in adding Rs. 1,94,00,000/- being notionally allocated expenditure allegedly incurred to earn dividend income in computing Book Profit u/s 115JB.

53. Similar issue was considered by us in the Department Appeal in Ground No 21 in AY 2005-06 and held as under: “135. Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. The Assessing Officer has made disallowance u/s 14A while computing income as per normal provisions of the Act as well as book profit u/s 115JB of the Act. The disallowance made by Assessing Officer u/s 14A is already deleted in proceeding paras hence consequential adjustment made while computing book profit u/s 115JB cannot be made. On this issue, coordinate bench in the case of Ambuja Cement Limited in Nos. 1889 and 1241/Mum/2018, 2384, 2958, 3475 and 3843/Mum/2019 (AY 2010- 11, 2011-12 and 2012-13) vide order dated 07/11/2022 held as under: “25. Having heard the rival contentions and having perused the material on record, we are of the considered view that the assessee deserves to succeed in this plea for the reason that, eventually, there is no disallowance under section 14A on the facts of this case, and, in any event, the issue is covered, as regards the question of adjustment of book profits under section 15JB for the 14A disallowance, in favour of the assessee, by a special bench decision in the case of ACIT Vs Vireet Investments Pvt Ltd [(2017) 82 taxmann.com 415 (Del SB)]. The assessee gets relief on this point as well.”

in departmental appeal is dismissed.” 54. In the result, appeal filed by department is dismissed.” Page No.169

(A.Y: 2013-14) (A.Y: 2013-14) M/s. ACC Limited 128. Respectfully following the above decision and following the principle of consistency, the view taken by the Tribunal in A.Y.2008-09 is respectfully followed, accordingly, ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

Order pronounced in the open court on 30th June, 2023