ITO, WARD-1, BARDOLI vs. SHREE MAHUVA PRADESH SAHAKARI KHAND UDHYOG MANDLI LTD, SURAT

Assessee by Shri Mitish S.Modi,C.A Revenue by Shri H.P. Meena, – CIT-DR Date of hearing 18.01.2022 Date of pronouncement 18.01.2022 Order under section 254(1) of Income Tax Act PER BENCH: 1. This set of six appeals, out of which three appeals by assessee and three cross-appeals by Revenue are directed against the common order of ld. Commissioner of Income tax (Appeals)-1, Surat [‘CIT(A)’ for short]all dated 17.01.2020, which in turn & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. arise out of separate assessment orders passed by the Assessing Officer (‘AO' for short) under section 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) for assessment years (AYs) 2012-13 to 2014-15 dated 11.03.2015, 15.02.2016 & 23.12.2016 respectively. In all the appeals, the parties have raised certain common grounds of appeal s, except variation of disallowance on account of portion of cane price in excess of Fair Rate Price (‘FRP’ in short), the ld CIT(A) passed common order, therefore all the appeals were clubbed heard together and are decided by common order. For appreciation of fact, the facts for AY 2012-13 in assessee’s Appeal in ITA No.82/SRT/2020 as well as in ITA No. 104/SRT/2020 are treated as ‘lead’ case.

2. The assessee has raised the following grounds of appeal:- “1 On the facts and circumstances of the case as well in law, the order of the C.I.T.(Appeals)upholding 28,67,10,760/- the Assessing Officer’s action making disallowance of Rs.68,22,37,290/- from total cane price paid to the sugarcane growers/farmers for the supply of sugarcane, without appreciating the “records” past assessment/appeal of the appellant co.op. society and purely on misleading, misconceptual, arbitrary and perverse observations and hence, being without jurisdiction, bad in law, in-valid, illegal, unwarranted of facts, is liable to be quashed. -84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. 2 On the facts and in the circumstances of the case as well in law, both the lower authorities have As per Sr. No. 1 above grievously erred in holding that the portion of the cane price disallowable u/s 37(1) of the Act to the extent of Rs.68,22,37,290/- being the excess over FRP is inflated price amounting to diversion of profit, without appreciating the authentic, credible and cogent evidences/materials furnished demonstrating the fact of fixation of final/actual cane price with the approval of the State Government and hence, not justified. 3 On the facts and in the circumstances of the case as well in law, both the lower authorities have As per Sr.No. 1 above overlooked to see and appreciate that while computing profits of appellant society, the price to be allowed as a deduction for sugarcane supplied by farmers is the price fixed by its Board of Directors giving reasons for payment of competitive price, being approved/certified by the State Government authorities and hence, the action of the C.I.T.(Appeals) confirming the inferences of the AO to restrict the claim of sugarcane purchase price to the notified Statutory Minimum Price called FRP, which is a support price, is without jurisdiction, perverse, arbitrary, subjective, conjectural, illegal, invalid, bad in law and therefore, liable to be quashed. 4 On the facts and circumstances of the case as well in law, the order of the C.I.T.(Appeals) ought to As per Sr. No. 1 above. have held that the price of cane (main raw material) purchased by the appellant co.operative society from its members and other farmers (unregistered/nominal members) at the competitive price, was contractually fixed as permitted by Section 9 of the Sale of Goods Act, 1930 and hence, the AO's disallowance of portion of the cane price confirmed by the C.I.T.(Appeals) ignoring the fact of payment of cane price made for the year out of commercial expediency, being without jurisdiction, arbitrary or based on irrelevant or extraneous consideration, unfair, subjective, irrational, bad in law, invalid, void Authorities Below initio and therefore, liable to be struck down. 5 On the facts and circumstances of the case as well -84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. in law, both the lower authorities have erred in As per Sr.No.1 above ignoring the fact that comparable cane prices paid by the other co-operative sugar societies in other States are in commensurate with the cane price fixed with the approval of the State Government for the year under appeal, were allowed as business expenditure u/s 37(1) of the Act in their assessments and therefore, the action of the tax authorities to deny the final/approved cane price in excess of FRP as the actual business expenditure incurred to meet the commercial expediency by the appellant co.operative society, being without jurisdiction, in pure contravention to the “Rule of Consistency”, arbitrary, prejudicial, subjective, perverse, bad in law and hence, liable to be struck down. 6 On the facts and circumstances of the case as well in law, the order of the C.I.T.(Appeals) failed to As per Sr. No. 1 above. appreciate that the total cane price including the above amount of Rs.68,22,37,290/- was allowable both under section 28 and section 37 and the disallowance thereof results into Department taxing unreal and wrong amount of income. 7 On the facts and in the circumstances of the case as well in law, the C.I.T.(Appeals) failed to As per Sr. No. 1 above. appreciate that on identical facts, in the past in all the assessment years, such price was allowed by various Assessing Officers or the Appellate Authorities, and therefore. There was no justification on the part of the Assessing Officer to decide to the contrary, and thus, offend the law laid down by the Supreme Court in CIT Vs. Excel Industries Ltd. - (2013) 358 ITR 295 holding that Revenue must be consistent and not flip-flop on the same issue in different assessment years. 8 On the facts and in the circumstances of the case as well in law, both the lower authorities have As per Sr. No. 1 above. erred in overlooking and summarily rejecting the detailed various submissions made during the course of assessment/appeal proceedings including the Statutory Audit reports of the Govt. Auditors, the Statement of Accounts, audited Balance Sheet and Manufacturing reports, other relevant materials submitted to the State Government for approval of the final cane price, -84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. other State’s approve cane price, opportunity cost/cost of cultivation to the farmers per supplying sugarcane to the appellant co.operative society as well as strong agitations by farmers demanding higher prices much more than FRP and hence, the order passed bythe C.I.T.(Appeals) confirming the action of theAO making disallowance to the extent of Rs.68,22,37,290/- arbitrarily, capriciously and based on lopsided, imaginary and factually incorrect inferences, deserves to be annulled or nullified. 9 Your appellant further reserves its rights to add, alter, amend or modify any of the aforesaid grounds before or at the time of hearing of an appeal. Total tax effect 28,67,10,760/-

3. The Revenue in its cross-appeal raised following common grounds of appeal:- 1 Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in directing the Rs.1,16,95,085/- AO to recompute the FRP on certain formula without considering the fact that the FRT taken by the AO was as per the order dated 05.06.2012 of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Department of Food and Public Distribution, and despite the fact that the issue has been confirmed by Ld. CIT(A) on the merits on the basis of findings of the AO. 2 Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the N.A case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) Surat ought to have upheld the order of the Assessing Officer in respect of the issue raised in Ground No.(i). It is therefore, prayed that the order of the Ld. CIT(A)-1,Surat may be set-aside and that of the Assessing Officer’s order may be restored as far as the issue of FRP is concerned. 3 On the facts and circumstances of the case and in N.A law, the appellant craves its right to add, alter, amend, delete, any of the ground or grounds of appeal. Total tax effect (see note below) Rs.1,16,95,085/- ITA Nos. 82-84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. 4. At the outset of hearing, the ld. Authorized Representative (AR) for the assessee submits that the grounds of appeal raised by assessee as well as Revenue are covered in favour of assessee by the decision of the Bench of this Tribunal in Shree Khedut Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd for same assessment year (A.Y.) 2012-13 in reported viz;(2019) 108 taxmann.com 258 (Surat-Trib.). The Ld. AR for the assessee submits that same decision was followed by this combination in Shree Khedut Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd in ITA Nos.96 & 59/SRT/2020 for AYs 2011-12 and 2013-14 as well as in Shree Madhi Vibhag Sahkari Khand Udyog Mandli in ITA No. 68, 72 & 73/SRT/2020 all dated 23.12.2021. The Ld. AR of the assessee submits that the facts in present appeals are identical except variation of figure of addition / disallowances on account of alleged excess payment of sugarcane price. The Ld. AR of the assessee also furnish the copy of decision of co- ordinate Bench of this Tribunal (supra).

5. On the other hand, Ld. Commissioner of Income –tax- Departmental Representative (CIT-DR) for the Revenue submits that he supports the order of Assessing Officer. 6 ITA Nos. 82-84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd.

6. We have considered the rival contentions of both the parties and perused the materials available on record and find that Assessing Officer while passing the assessment order made addition of Rs.68,22,37,292/- on account of excess payment of sugarcane growers and Statutory Minimum Price (‘SMP’ for short) / Fair and Remunerative Price (‘FRP’ for short). Aggrieved by the action of the Assessing Officer the assessee filed appeal before Ld. CIT(A). The Ld. CIT(A) directed the Assessing Officer to recomputed the FRP on certain formula as per Circular dated 22.12.2013 issued by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Department of Food and Public Distribution. Further aggrieved both the parties have filed their respective appeals raising the above grounds of appeal. We have recorded above.

7. We have considered the contention of both the parties and find that the grounds of appeals raised by assessee are covered by the decision of this Bench of this in Shree Khedut Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd reported viz; (2019) 108 taxmann.com 258 (Surat-Trib.). We further find that while passing the order our predecessor followed the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs. Tasgaon Taluka 7 -84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. S.S.K. Ltd., (2019) 103 taxmann.com 57/262 Taxman 176/412 ITR 420 (SC). In Shree Khedut Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandi Ltd. Vs. ITO, our predecessor passed the following order which is reproduced below:- 8.We have heard both the sides and gone through the relevant material on record. It is an agreed position between the rival parties that the issue of payment of excessive price on purchase of sugarcane by the assesses is no more res integra in view of the recent judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in CIT Vs. Tasgaon Taluka S.S.K. Ltd. [2019] 103 taxmann.com 57 (SC). The Hon’ble Apex Court, vide its judgment dated 05-03- 2019, has elaborately dealt with this issue. It has recorded the factual matrix that the assessee in that case purchased and crushed sugarcane and paid price for the purchase during crushing seasons, firstly, at the time of purchase of sugarcane and then, later, as per the Mantri Committee advice. It further noted that the production of sugar is covered by the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Government issued Sugar Cane (Control) Order, 1966, which deals with all aspects of production of sugarcane and sales thereof including the price to be paid to the cane growers. Clause 3 of the Sugar Cane (Control) Order, 1966 authorizes the Government to fix minimum sugarcane price. In addition, the additional sugarcane price is also payable as per clause 5A of the Control Order, 1966. The AO in that case concluded that the difference between the price paid as per clause 3 of the Control Order, 1966 determined by the Central Government and the price determined by the State Government under clause 5A of the Control Order,1966, was in the nature of `distribution of profits’ and hence not deductible as -84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. expenditure. He, therefore, made an addition for such sum paid to members as well as non members. When the matter finally came up before the Hon’ble Apex Court, it noted that clause 5A was inserted in the year 1974 on the basis of the recommendations made by the Bhargava Commission, which recommended payment of additional price at the end of the season on 50:50 profit sharing basis between the growers and factories, to be worked out in accordance with the Second Schedule to the Control Order, 1966. Their Lordships noted that at the time when additional purchase price is determined/fixed under clause 5A, the accounts are settled and the particulars are provided by the concerned Co-operative Society as to what will be the expenditure and what will be the profit etc. Considering the fact that Statutory Minimum Price (SMP), determined under clause 3 of the Control Order, 1966, which is paid at the beginning of the season, is deductible in the entirety and the difference between SMP determined under clause 3 and SAP/additional purchase price determined under clause 5A, has an element of distribution of profit which cannot be allowed as deduction, the Hon’ble Supreme Court remitted the matter to the file of the AO for considering the modalities and manner in which SAP/additional purchase price/final price is decided. The Hon`ble Supreme Court has been directed to carry out an exercise of considering accounts/balance sheet and the material supplied to the State Government for the purpose of deciding/fixing the final price/additional purchase price/SAP under clause 5A of the Control Order, 1966 and thereafter determine as to what amount would form part of the distribution of profit and the other as deductible expenditure. The relevant findings of the Hon’ble Apex Court are reproduced as under:- -84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. “9.4. ..... Therefore, to the extent of the component of profit which will be a part of the final determination of SAP and/or the final price/additional purchase price fixed under Clause 5A would certainly be and/or said to be an appropriation of profit. However, at the same time, the entire/whole amount of difference between the SMP and the SAP per se cannot be said to be an appropriation of profit. As observed hereinabove, only that part/component of profit, while determining the final price worked out/SAP/additional purchase price would be and/or can be said to be an appropriation of profit and for that an exercise is to be done by the assessing officer by calling upon the assessee to produce the statement of accounts, balance sheet and the material supplied to the State Government for the purpose of deciding/fixing the final price/additional purchase price/SAP under Clause 5A of the Control Order, 1966. Merely because the higher price is paid to both, members and non-members, qua the members, still the question would remain with respect to the distribution of profit/sharing of the profit. So far as the non-members are concerned, the same can be dealt with and/or considered applying Section 40A(2) of the Act, i.e., the assessing officer on the material on record has to determine whether the amount paid is excessive or unreasonable or not.

9.5 Therefore, the assessing officer will have to take into account the manner in which the business works, the modalities and manner in which SAP/additional purchase price/final price are decided and to determine what amount would form part of the profit and after undertaking such an exercise whatever is the profit component is to be considered 10 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. as sharing of profit/distribution of profit and the rest of the amount is to be considered as deductible as expenditure.”

ITA Nos. 82-84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd.

s raised by assessee are restored to the file of Assessing Officer to decide the issue afresh in accordance with law by following the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Tasgaon Taluka S.S.K.Ltd., (supra).Needless to say that before passing the order afresh, the Assessing Officer shall grant fair and reasonable opportunities of hearing to the assessee. In the result, appeal of assessee is allowed for statistical purposes in above terms. & 84/SRT/2020 A.Ys. 2013-14& 2014-15

9. As noted above, the assessee have raised appeals in identical grounds of appeal except variation of figure which we have restored back to the file of Assessing Officer on following the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Tasgaon Taluka ITA Nos. 82-84 & 104-106/SRT/2020 (A.Ys. 12-13 to 14-15) Shree Mahuva Pradesh Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandli Ltd. S.S.K.Ltd., (supra). Therefore both appeals are also restored to the file of Assessing Officer with similar direction. These two appeals of assessee’s appeal are allowed for statistical purposes in above terms. ITA Nos.104 to106/SRT/2020 A.Ys. 2012-13 to 2014-15

10. Considering the fact that we have restored the assessee’s main issue to the file of Assessing Officer for afresh adjudication, therefore, the grounds of appeal raised by Revenue in its cross- appeals in ITA No.s 104 to 106/SRT/2020 have become infructuous and dismissed as such. In the result, Revenue’s cross-appeals are dismissed as infructuous.

11. In the result, appeals of assessee are allowed for statistical purposes as well as Revenue’s appeals are dismissed as infructuous. A copy of the instant common order be placed in the respective case file(s). Order pronounced in open Court on 18/01/2022 in the open court at the time of virtual hearing.