CIT, ROHTAK vs. SEWA BHARTI HARYANA PRADESH ROHTAK

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ITA/707/2009HC Punjab & HaryanaPHHC01084844200930 March 2010Author: MR. JUSTICE M.M. KUMAR,MR. JUSTICE JITENDRA CHAUHAN3 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court held that the Tribunal was justified in renewing the exemption under Section 80G(5)(vi) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Court found that the activities of the respondent-society were devoted to charity and social welfare. It noted that similar activities had been accepted by the Revenue in earlier years. The Court concluded that no violation of any provision of the Act was pointed out by the Revenue that would warrant admitting the appeal. Therefore, the Tribunal had rightly continued the benefits to the assessee. The appeal filed by the Revenue was dismissed as wholly without merit. No issue was expressly left undecided.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Rohtak, appealed to the High Court under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, challenging an order dated 8.4.2009 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The ITAT had granted renewal of exemption under Section 80G of the Act to the assessee, Sewa Bharti Haryana Pradesh, up to 31.3.2007. The ITAT found that the assessee was a purely social organization engaged in various charitable activities, including education, healthcare, and social welfare, operating 295 centers. The ITAT noted that no payments were made to members as salary or wages and that the assessee had submitted all necessary documentation, including registration certificates, memorandum of association, rules, prior exemption certificates, renewal applications, audited financial statements, and income computations for relevant assessment years. The ITAT concluded that the Commissioner was unjustified in declining the renewal.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the Tribunal was justified in renewing the exemption under Section 80G(5)(vi) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for the assessee, Sewa Bharti Haryana Pradesh, when the Commissioner had declined it. Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee before the High Court. However, the ITAT's findings, as narrated in the facts, indicate that the assessee presented evidence of its charitable activities and compliance with statutory requirements. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue contended that the Tribunal erred in granting the renewal of exemption under Section 80G(5)(vi) of the Act. The judgment states that the Revenue approached the High Court challenging the ITAT's order. The High Court heard the learned counsel for the revenue at considerable length but found no violation of any provision pointed out by the revenue.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 80G,Section 80G(5)(vi)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. ITA No.707 of 2009 Date of decision 30 .3.2010 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Rohtak ..Appellant Versus Sewa Bharti Haryana Pradesh ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.M. KUMAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JITENDRA CHAUHAN Present: Mr. Aman Bansal ,Advocate for the appellant 1.To be referred to the Reporter or not ? 2.Whether the judgement should be reported in the Digest ? M.M.KUMAR, J. The Revenue has approached this Court by filing the instant appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for brevity 'the Act') challenging order dated 8.4.2009 (A.2) passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Delhi Bench “G”, Delhi (for brevity 'the Tribunal') in ITA No. 4272(Del) 2007 granting renewal of exemption under Section 80G of the Act upto 31.3.2007. The Tribunal has examined the different activities of the assessee- respondent showing imparting of education, running of Mahila Prashikshana Kendra (Female Education Centre) etc.. The other activities include health care and social welfare. There is a categorical finding that no payment was made by the assessee- respondent to any of its member on account of salary or wages and that the assessee is purely a social organisation carrying out social activities. The assessee has been found to running 295 centers which are devoted to various activities as is evident from the following table:

“ 1. Bal Sanskar Kendra

2.

Mahila Sewing Centre 92

3.

Balwari and Aganwari 3

4.

Coaching Centre 10

5.

Jhola Pustkalaya 16

6.

Watchnalya 2

7.

Primary Std.School 11

8.

Adult Education Center 1

9.

Day Care Centre 3 10.Dispensary 12 11.Free Milk Distributor Centre 3

12.

Mahila Satsang Kendra 31

13.

Medical Campus at different places 22

295 The Tribunal has also found that the assessee- respondent has filed certificate of registration, memorandum of association, its rules and regulations, initial certificate granting exemption under Section 80G of the Act, the renewals of exemption granted earlier, notes on activities annexed with Form 10G, consolidated audited balance sheet, receipts of payments etc. It has also filed income and expenditure account for the year ending 31.3.2001 and consolidated audited report for the years ending 31.3.2002, 31.3.2003, 31.3.2004, 31.3.2005 and 31.3.2006 alongwith computation of income for the assessment years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07. It has also filed notes on activities for the financial year 2003-04 and number of other things. The Tribunal after noticing all the activities and the documents, had concluded that the CIT was not justified in declining the renewal granted to the assessee under Section 80 G(5)(vi) of the Act and accordingly the Tribunal found that the assessee- respondent was entitled for continuation of entitlement under Section 80(G)(5)(vi) of the Act.

We have heard learned counsel for the revenue at a considerable length and find that no violation of any provision has been pointed out warranting admission of the appeal. The activities of the respondent- society are devoted to charity and social welfare activities. Even in the earlier years similar activities have been accepted by the Revenue. Therefore, the Tribunal has rightly continued the benefits to the assessee- respondent under Section 80 G(5)(vi) of the Act. The appeal is wholly without merit and the same is accordingly dismissed. (M.M.Kumar) Judge (Jitendra Chauhan) 30.3.2010 Judge okg

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