THE DY. CIT, CIRCLE- 5(3),, AHMEDABAD vs. THE SAURASHTRA CO. OP. BANK LTD.,, AHMEDABAD

This bunch of ten appeals by the Revenue, in respect of different assessees, has been filed against separate orders of the learned Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) for the respective assessment years mentioned in the cause-title.

At the time of hearing before us, we find prima-facie that all these appeals of the Revenue are hit by CBDT instruction no.3 of 2018 dated 11.08.2018 whereby the Board has prohibited its subordinate authorities from filing of the appeal before the Tribunal against the order of the CIT(A) where the tax effect by virtue of the relief given by the CIT(A) is less than Rs.20 lakhs. The instructions have been made applicable with retrospective effect, meaning thereby, these instructions are applicable on pending appeals also. In the present case, the tax effect on the quantum disputed by the Revenue does not exceed Rs.20 lakhs. Therefore, the present appeals of the Revenue are hit by the CBDT Circular and hence not maintainable. Further, learned Departmental Representative has not pointed out whether the case of the Revenue fall within the ambit of exceptions provided in the Circular or not. Thus, keeping in view the above CBDT circular and provisions of section 268A of the Income Tax Act, we are of the view that the present appeals of the Revenue deserve to be dismissed. They are accordingly dismissed.

However, it is observed that, in case on re-verification at the end of the Assessing Officer it comes to the notice that the tax effect is more or Revenue’s case falls within the ambit of exceptions provided in the Circular, then the Department will