AAI PRATISHTHAN SOLAPUR,SOLAPUR vs. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, EXEMPTION, PUNE, PUNE

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ITA 816/PUN/2023Status: DisposedITAT Pune30 October 20237 pages

In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.

AI SummaryAllowed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the assessee had provided sufficient evidence, including photographs and newspaper cuttings, to demonstrate its charitable activities. The objects of the trust were also found to be charitable in nature.

What were the facts?

The assessee's application for registration under section 12A(1)(ac) r.w.s 12AB of the Income Tax Act was rejected by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption). The CIT(E) found that the assessee failed to provide adequate evidence of its charitable activities as required by Rule 17A(2)(k).

What were the issues?

Whether the assessee provided sufficient evidence of its charitable activities to qualify for registration under Section 12A(1)(ac) r.w.s 12AB. Whether the objects of the trust were charitable in nature.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 12A(1)(ac),Section 12AB

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, PUNE BENCHES “A” :: PUNE

Before: SHRI S.S.GODARA & DR. DIPAK P. RIPOTE

For Respondent: Shri Keyur Patek – CIT(DR)
Hearing: 13/09/2023Pronounced: 30/10/2023

ORDER

PER DR. DIPAK P. RIPOTE, AM:

1.

This appeal filed by the Assessee is directed against the order of ld.Commissioner of Income Tax, Exemption under section 12A(1)(ac) r.w.s 12AB of the Act. The ld.CIT(E) has rejected the assessee’s application for registration. The relevant paragraph 3.2 is reproduced as under : “3.2 As per the provisions of Rule 17A(2)(k) of the Income Tax Rules, 1962, in respect of note on activities giving details of activities actually carried, the assessee has furnished only a few Aai Pratishthan Solapur [A]

photographs / newspaper cuttings in respect of note on activities . Further, the supporting evidence of the activities is also not submitted by the assessee. In absence of any such tangible material in respect of details and proof of activities being carried out, it is not possible to ascertain as to whether the activities are charitable and in line with the objects of the trust / institution.”

2. Aggrieved by the order of the ld.CIT(E), the assessee has filed appeal before this Tribunal.

Submission of ld.AR : 3. The ld.Authorised Representtive(ld.AR) of the assessee filed paper book containing 39 pages. The ld.AR submits that these details were filed before the ld.CIT(E).

3.1 The ld.AR submitted that assessee had distributed clothes to Pulli Kanya Prasthala, has also distributed medicinal help to a patient admitted in K.M.Hospital, Pune. The ld.AR invited our attention to paper book to demonstrate that assessee has carried out charitable activities.

4. The ld.AR invited our attention to the Trust Deed to demonstrate that objects of the assessee are charitable in nature. The ld.AR explained that assessee is a society which is duly registered with Assistant Registrar, Government of Maharashtra Aai Pratishthan Solapur [A] and Charity Commissioner. The ld.AR invited our attention to the page no.14 of the paper book which is a copy of the Registration Certificate. Page no.16 to 19 are the objects of the Assessee Trust, bearing stamp of the Assistant Charity Commissioner, Solapur, Maharashtra. Therefore, the ld.Authorised Representative pleaded that assessee fulfils all the conditions for registration under section 12A of the Act.

Submission of ld.DR : 5. The ld.Departmental Representative of the Revenue relied on the order of the ld.CIT(E).

Findings & Analysis : 6. We have heard both the parties and perused the records. On perusal of the objects of the Trust, it is observed that objects are charitable in nature. Some of the objects are as under : “1. Educational Starting all types of primary & secondary schools, making all types of educational activities e. g. children schools, courtyard shelters, primary schools in all languages, girls high school, colleges, computer training centre, Arts school, Teachers Arts school & stitching classes etc. Making research of ancient art, pictures, starting orphanage, Boarding schools for support less & orphan boys & girls, running boarding houses, running training classes for Aai Pratishthan Solapur [A] giving Computer knowledge, giving training of computer & typing.

2.

Sports : Arranging competitions of sports on City, District, State & National & International level and participating in the same, starting sports academy, conducting coaching camps, starting gyms. Giving training of exercise & Yogasan, giving training of exercise, swimming & of all other sports, arranging competitions, preparing sports grounds, starting training centre of Karate for self defence.

2. Social :- Arranging all types of social camps, Running - kindergarten, child rearing, children house, old age home, orphanage, apang nivasi school, widow aashram, making plantation, starting food distributing homes for poor people.

4.

Regarding Health : Arranging various types of health camps, blood donate, eye donate, human body parts donate, programs, Creating public awareness about importance of above donate camps, and encourage them to take participate in such camps, starting blood banks, Establishing charity hospital and running the same, making publicity and dissemination of Ayurved, Starting nature care hospital and running the same, making arrangements of ambulance at very low cost for patients in low income group, Establishing helping centers for giving guidance about various incurable diseases, making public awareness and disease diagnosis, giving information about incurable diseases like Aids, leprosy, heart disease, and such other incurable diseases, starting de-addiction centers, starting various schemes for deaf, slow-witted, blind, orphan etc. Starting training & guiding centers for medical research with the help of specialist Aai Pratishthan Solapur [A]

medical doctors.

5.

Environment : Arranging camps for equal environment, planting trees, discussion camps, rallies and explaining importance of environment through such camps, Collecting books giving information about environment, agriculture, animals-birds and availing such books to people, making arrangements of reducing illiteracy and giving encouragement for doing so, and starting schemes for the same.

6.

Cultural : Making arrangements of cultural programs and festivals, celebrating Shivaji Maharaj anniversary, Ganesh utsav, Navaratra utsav. Making all types of cultural programs e. g. Cultural troupes, dramas, single man drama, songs, music, katthak, Manipuri, Bharat Natyam. Conducting competitions on Taluka and district level. Arranging guidance camps for drama writing, giving training of acting, arranging camps, giving guidance &training on the subject of drama, setting actual drama and single man drama, arranging competitions, taking participation in the same.”

6.1 The ld.CIT(E) has not uttered a single word regarding the objects of the assessee. The ld.CIT(E) has not said that the objects are not charitable.

6.2 The ld.CIT(E) has himself said in the order that assessee had filed copies of newspaper cuttings and some photographs to demonstrate activities carried out by the assessee. When Aai Pratishthan Solapur [A] assessee had filed these evidences, we failed to understand what more evidence ld.CIT(E) required. The expenditure incurred by assessee on charitable purposes as on 31.03.2020 are as under : Particulars Rs. Cloths & Mithai to Pulli Kanya 71,850.00 Prashala S Medical Help 15,000.00 Needful Items 21,067.00 Donation 1,01,000.00 Total 2,08,917.00

7.

We have also seen that there are evidences enclosed of the same. In these facts and circumstances of the case, the assessee had filed necessary evidences before the ld.CIT(E) to prove genuineness of the activities. We agree with the ld.Authorised Representative(ld.AR) that assessee had carried out activities which are as per objects of the assessee and they are charitable in nature as defined in section 2(15) of the Act. Therefore, we are of the considered opinion that the ld.CIT(E) has failed to appreciate the evidence file by assessee to prove the genuineness of the activities and charitable nature of the objects and activities. In these facts and circumstances, we are convinced that assessee fulfils all the conditions mentioned in section 12A of the Act. Accordingly, we direct the ld.CIT(E) to issue Aai Pratishthan Solapur [A] certificate of registration under section 12A(1) r.w.s. 12AB of the Act. Accordingly, grounds of the appeal are allowed.

8.

There was delay in filing appeal. We have heard the reasons for delay and find it reasonable, hence the delay is condoned.

9.

In the result, appeal of the assessee is allowed. Order pronounced in the open Court on 30th October, 2023.

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