COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S MADRAS CEMENTS LIMITED
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per Circular No. 17/2019 of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The substantial question of law framed for the appeal was left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle-I, Virudhunagar, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 07.04.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'D' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2002-2003 and concerned the assessee, M/s. Madras Cements Limited. The core dispute involved the allowability of expenditure incurred by the assessee for converting a Meter Gauge Railway siding to a Broad Gauge Railway siding. The High Court admitted the appeal on a substantial question of law.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the expenditure incurred by the assessee for conversion of Meter Gauge Railway siding to Broad Gauge Railway siding is allowable expenditure when the same is not a business expenditure but capital in nature? (Question of law turning on Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961). Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The expenditure incurred for conversion of the railway siding is capital in nature and not a business expenditure allowable under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Revenue relied on Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the CBDT regarding the increased monetary limit for appeals.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.427 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.427 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle-I, Virudhunagar. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Madras Cements Limited, C/o.Jagadisan & Co. Chartered Accountants, No.245, TTK Road, Residency Apartments, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. PAN: AABCM8375L ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 07.04.2017 made in ITA.No.1553/MDS/2006 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2002-2003. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : Mr.P.J.Rishikesh JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue and Mr.P.J.Rishikesh, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.427 of 2018 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 07.04.2017 made in ITA.No.1553/MDS/2006 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2002-2003. 3.The appeal was admitted on 21.06.2019 on the following substantial question of law : “Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the expenditure incurred by the assessee for conversion of Meter Gauge Railway siding to Broad Gauge Railway siding is allowable expenditure when the same is not a business expenditure but capital in nature?” 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in this case is less than the threshold limit. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.427 of 2018 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeal is dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial question of law framed is left open. In the event the tax effect is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 28.08.2019 cse [2/2] Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Madras Cements Limited, C/o.Jagadisan & Co. Chartered Accountants, No.245, TTK Road, Residency Apartments, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.427 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.427 of 2018 28.08.2019 [2/2] 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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