ASHOK SAHAKARI SAKHAR KARKHANA LTD,,AHMEDNAGAR vs. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, AHMEDNAGAR CIRCLE,, AHMEDNAGAR

This appeal preferred by the assessee emanates from order of the ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-2, Pune, dated 12-07-2018 for the Assessment Year 2014-15 as per the grounds of appeal on record.

The only issue for adjudication is with regard to the sale of sugar at concessional rate. Similar issue has come up for consideration before co- ordinate Bench of Pune Tribunal in the case of Shree Adinath SSK Ltd. Vs. ACIT in for A.Y. 2013-14, order dated 11-05-2022, wherein it has been observed and held as under:

In all these bunch of appals, respective CIT(A) passed their orders after considering the said judgment by the Apex Court. However, while giving effect to the said directions, the CIT(A) failed to comply with the directions strictly. For example, the direction relating to income nature of the said concession in sale price and includibility of the concessional sugar price in the total income of the assessee stands unattended by the CIT(A) while passing the order. The adjudication on this crucial direction is essential. In the absence of the decision of the lower authorities on these crucial issues, it is not possible for the Tribunal to adjudicate the issues under consideration raised by the appellants/department. In the above background, both, the counsels for the assessees and the Revenue fairly submitted that there is requirement of clear finding of fact and law on the directions by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Thus, the includibility of such concessional sugar price in the total income of the assessee assumes great significance and the same is conspicuously missing in the impugned orders of the respective CIT(A).

In the light of above, the ld. AR for the assessee furnished following written submissions raising the issues for consideration of the CIT(A) in respective cases :-

Hon’ble Bombay High Court, in CIT v. Terna SSSK, 301 ITR 222, has noted that Counsel for the Dept, in view of Circular No. 117 dt. 22/8/1973 did not press this ground in appeal.

After above judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court was pronounced, in various appeals decided by different CIT(A)s, they have taken differing approaches, wherein: a) CIT(A)s have not decided the issue that was directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court as to “whether difference between market price and concessional price of sugar sold should or should not be added to total income of the assessee society”. (emphasis ours) This issue revolves round whether the income sought to be assessed in the hands of the assessee society had at all accrued to it. In of the some of the submissions to C1T(A), this issue was specifically raised and ratio of Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgement in A. Raman &CO, 67 ITR 11 (SC) was relied upon. However, the CIT(A)s have not dealt with the same. It has been submitted to the Hon’ble ITAT that assessee society has not made secret profits nor has received this difference in price back from the members and as such fictional income which is not received by the assessee cannot be taxed in its hands as held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in CIT v. Calcutta Discount Co. Ltd, 91 ITR 8 (SC). b) In some appeals before CIT(A), assessee has relied upon the CBDT Circular No. 117 for the proposition that rebate given by Co-op. Society to its members’ was not disallowable in Society’s hands and therefore the discount given to members in the price of sugar should not be taxed in the hands of the Co-op. Society. In some appeals the CIT(A), after noting the directions in Krishna SSK, has held that relying on the Circular, the said concession given by assessee is not taxable in its hands. c) In most of the appeals, CIT(A)s have held that supplying sugar at a concession price to members and cane suppliers has become a trade practice and custom of the industry. CIT(A)s have noted that State Govt. has now brought strict uniformity in this practice by issuing an order dt. 1/3/2006 u/s 79A of MCS Act, stating the eligibility for society to sell such sugar, its price and monthly quantum. d) Most CIT(A)s, having noted the aforesaid order dt. 1/3/2006, held that sugar sold at prices lower than levy sugar as provided of in the said order, would be taxable in assessee’s hands at the difference between levy price and concessional price charged for infringement of the order. e) Some CIT(A)s held that concession sugar sold in excess of quantum permitted by order dt. 1/3/2006, would be taxable in the hands of the assessee society for infringement of the order. f) Some CIT(A)s held that concession sugar sold to cane growers who were not members was not permitted by order dt. 1/3/2006 and as such was its infringement and therefore, the concession given was taxable in the hands of the assessee society. g) Some assessee societies have not sold concessional sugar every month but only during Diwali or Gudi Padwa. If such sales were less than 5 kgs per month for the year, CIT(A)s have accepted them to be within the quantum of the order dt. 1/3/2006. h) Most CIT(A)s have not considered the submission that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Krishna SSK, had specifically excluded the quantum sold during Diwali and therefore the Diwali sales of sugar at concession to members / cane growers were found acceptable by the Hon’ble Court.

In the event revenue authorities hold that the difference between market price and concessional price of sugar is not at all to be taxed in the hands of the assessee society, then the matter stands concluded and no further findings are required.

If however, revenue authorities hold that it is the difference between levy price of sugar plus excise duty (as directed in order dt. 1/3/2006) and the price charged to members / cane suppliers which is to be taxed in the hands of assessee society, they may record their findings and reasons for their decision considering assessee societies contentions that they have not received this difference and hence it is not their income.

In the event of aforesaid difference (in 6 or in 7 above) is taxed as income in the hands of the assessee society, the quantity of sugar sold to members / cane growers which is being taxed be specified by the revenue authorities with their findings and reasons for the same. In arriving at the above findings and reasons, as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Krishna SSK, the authorities would be required to consider: (a) impact of custom and trade practice; (b) the State’s policy; (c) basis for monthly sales; and (d) sales during Diwali”

In the result, the appeal of assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.