SHRI GANESH DEVOSTHAN TRUST, MHASKE WADI,AHMEDHNAGAR vs. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, EXEMPTION, PUNE, PUNE

Shri Ganesh Devosthan Trust & Jay Malhar Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha & 1033/PUN/2023 (02 Appeals) आदेश / ORDER PER BENCH ; These two appeals of different assessees are instituted u/s 253(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 [‘the Act’] against separate orders of rejection passed vide DIN & order No. ITBA/EXM/F/EXM45/2023-24/1055662449(1) dt. 01/09/2023 & No. ITBA/EXM/F/EXM45/2023-24/1055594294(1) dt. 30/08/2023 respectively [‘Impugned orders’], by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Pune [‘CIT(E)’] u/s 12A(1)(ac)(vi)of the Act.

ITAT-Pune Page 2 of 5

Shri Ganesh Devosthan Trust & Jay Malhar Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha & 1033/PUN/2023 (02 Appeals) 3. In view of the Ld. CIT(E), the assessee failed to prove the charitable nature and genuineness of its activities for the reasons that i) the copy of the judgment placed on record in place of certified copy of trust deed did not contain the objects of the trust; ii) the copy of the trust deed remain to be filed; iii) the assessee applicant indulged in the certain financial transaction involving cash deposit and payment thereof by a bearer cheques; iv) the donation cheques deposited into bank withdrawn in cash; v) bearer cheques were issued there against remain unexplained and vi) the substantial question of trust activities consist of religious character where more than 50% of the expenditure found incurred on religious activities. In these circumstances the aforestated application by the impugned order is rejected by the registering authority Ld. CIT(E) for his failure to arrive at positive satisfaction about genuineness of activities of the assessee in the absence of evidences and compliance of discrepancies communicate.

: 4. In this case, we note that, the appellant vide Form No.10AB dt.30/03/2023made an application to the respondent under clause (iii) of section 12A(1)(ac) of the Act thereby seeking regular/final registration u/s 12AB of the Act. Vide first notice dt. 29/06/2023 the Ld. CIT(E) called up certain information from the appellant assessee, however when same remained non- complied, the assessee was put to second notice dt. 24/07/2023 which assessee replied by adducing necessary documents called for.

ITAT-Pune Page 3 of 5

Shri Ganesh Devosthan Trust & Jay Malhar Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha & 1033/PUN/2023 (02 Appeals) 5. From the submission of the appellant the Ld. CIT(E) noted certain discrepancies and shortcoming with respect to non-submission of (i) copy of permission under section 36A of Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950 (ii) details of outstanding loan liability remain unpaid (iii)details of utilisation of loan availed by the appellant and (iv) copies of ledger accounts etc. In-spite of due notice and reasonable opportunity the appellant assessee failed to adduce requisite details and furnish explanation with respect to discrepancies noted. The aforestated application by the impugned order is rejected by the registering authority Ld. CIT(E) for his failure to arrive at positive satisfaction about genuineness of activities of the assessee in the absence of evidences and compliance of discrepancies communicate.

Shri Ganesh Devosthan Trust & Jay Malhar Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha & 1033/PUN/2023 (02 Appeals) India makes every endeavour to provide welfare to one and all in the society and in view thereof the registration for public charitable trusts are given in order to ensure that through these charitable trusts benefits flows to entire society, thus the Directive Principles of State Policy are achieved. These provisions of registration u/s 12A/12AB and granting of recognition u/s 80G of the Act are to enhance socio economic welfare of the society. Furthermore, Income Tax laws are welfare legislations and not penal in nature, therefore, in larger interest of justice with forgoing observations, we are of the considered view that, both these appellants deserves one more opportunity to make good the defects/shortcomings. In view thereof, without offering our comment on merits of the case and placing on records no objection from the Revenue, we set aside the impugned order and remit the matter back to the Ld. CIT(E) for de-nova consideration, preferably in two effective hearings to both the appellant assessees.

-S/d- -S/d- SATBEER SINGH GODARA G. D. PADMAHSHALI JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER पुणे/ PUNE ; ददनाांक / Dated : 18th day of October, 2023. आदेशकीप्रतितलतपअग्रेतिि / Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1.अपीलाथी / The Appellant. 2. प्रत्यथी / The Respondent.

ITAT-Pune Page 5 of 5