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Before: Shri C.N.PRASAD & Shri G MANJUNATHA
O R D E R Per G MANJUNATHA, AM:
These two appeals filed by the revenue are directed against separate, but identical orders of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) -57, Mumbai, for the Assessment Year (AY) 2008-09, dated 07/08/2018 and for the Assessment Year (AY) 2015-16, dated 29/08/2018. Since, the facts are identical and issues are common, for the sake of convenience, these appeals were heard together and are disposed-off by this consolidated order.
We have heard both the parties and perused materials available on record. During course of hearing, the ld. AR for the assessee submitted that tax effect involved in these appeals filed by the revenue is less than Rs. 50 lacs and in view of latest CBDT circular No. 3/2018 dated 11-7- 2018, and also modified circular No. 17/2019 dated 08/08/2019, appeals filed by the revenue are not maintainable and needs to be dismissed.
The Ld. DR, submitted that no doubt tax effect involved in these appeals of the revenue is less than Rs. 50 lacs and it is covered by CBDT circular No. 17/2019 dated 08/08/2019, however it appears that issue involved in these appeals are covered by exception as provided under clause (e) of subsequent circular and therefore, if required the revenue shall be allowed to file miscellaneous application to recall the order. We, find that, the CBDT, recently had issued a circular no. 3/2018 dated 11- 7-2018, superseding its earlier circular no. 21/2015 and enhanced monetary limit for filing appeal before various appellate authorities and accordingly, enhanced monetary limit to Rs. 20,00,000/- for filing appeal before the Tribunal. Further, the board has issued one more circular vide circular no.17/2019 dated 08/08/2019 and enhanced monetary limit for filing appeal before appellate Tribunal to Rs. 50,00,000/-. Further, in the said circular, the CBDT had instructed its officer’s to file application for withdrawal of appeal already filed or not to pursue pending appeals. We, therefore, by taking into account the CBDT circular No. 3/2018 dated 11- 7-2018 and circular no.17/2019 dated 08/08/2019 and also considering the fact that tax effect involved in the present appeals are less than the amount of monetary limit fixed by the CBDT for not filing appeal, dismissed appeal filed by the revenue as not maintainable. We, further noted that the Co-ordinate bench of ITAT, Ahmadabad ‘A’ Bench in ITA.No. 1398/Ahd/2004, vide order dated 14/08/2019 has passed detailed order considering new circular issued by the CBDT and held that except amendment to Para 3 of the circular No.3/2018 dated 11/07/2018, all other provisions of the circular No.03/2018 (supra) have remain intact, therefore, this circular is applicable even for pending appeals and accordingly, rejected the arguments of the revenue that the effect of the circular shall come into force from the date of issue of this circular. Therefore, considering the facts and circumstances of these cases and also taken note of circulars issued by the CBDT including circular No. 17/2019 dated 08/08/2019, and also by following the decision of Co-ordinate Bench, we dismissed appeals filed by the revenue as not maintainable. However, we keep open option to the revenue to file a miscellaneous application, if necessary, in case the issues involved in the present appeals comes within 3 exceptions as provided in Para 10 of said circular and clause (e) of subsequent circular.
In the result, both appeals filed by the Revenue are dismissed.
Order pronounced in the open court on 25th November, 2019