THE GRAMIN SEWA SAHAKARI SAMITI MARYADIT,RAIPUR (CG) vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD-1(3),RAIPUR, RAIPUR (CG)

आदेश / ORDER PER BENCH: The captioned appeals filed by the aforementioned co-operative societies are directed against the respective orders passed by the CIT (Appeals)-1, Raipur, which in turn arises from the respective orders passed by the A.O under Sec. 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (in short ‘the Act’) for assessment years 2013-14 & 2014-15. As common issues are involved in the aforementioned appeals, therefore, the same are being taken up and disposed off together by way of a consolidated order.

“1. For Rs.45,89,232, that the ld CIT(A) has erred in sustaining the additions made by the Id AO and assessing the total income at Rs.47,61,530 by not allowing deductions u/s80P. The additions are made as under:- (i) That the Id CIT(A) has erred in sustaining the disallowance of deduction u/s.80P(2) made by the ld AO at Rs.1,39,450 being net loss from banking activities done by the assessee-society by assuming that, the assessee-society has invested its surplus funds with banks while, the real facts is that, the funds invested in FDR/ saving accounts with Co-op. banks, are (i) own funds of the assessee-society, and (ii) member's funds, thereby, the interest income earned by the assessee-society from the banking activities carried out for its members only, would be Rs.1,39,450/- which is

6 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

clearly eligible for the deduction u/s.80P(2)(a)(i), by assuming that the assessee is a Primary Cooperative Bank and ignoring the fact that it is a Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society. (ii) That the Id CIT(A) has erred in sustaining the disallowance of deduction u/s. 80P(2) made by the ld AO at Rs.41,69,739 being gross profit earned from the paddy procurement business, which is very eligible for the deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(iii). (iii) That the Id CIT(A) has erred in sustaining the addition of Rs.4,15,517 on count of TDS deducted from commission received on paddy procurement business, ignoring the fact that the assessee has not claimed TDS deducted as expense. (iv) That the Ld. CIT(A) has erred in sustaining the disallowance of deduction u/s.80P(2) made by the A.O at Rs.5,54,758/- ( i.e. Rs.6,04,758 minus Rs.50,000) being gross profit from PDS business. (v) The ld. CIT(A) has erred in disallowing the deduction u/s.80P(2) of Rs.23,15,154 & Rs. 255 being miscellaneous income & entry fee, which is clearly eligible for the deduction u/s.80P(2)(d). 2. The appellant craves leave to add, urge, alter, modify and withdraw any ground/grounds before or at the time of hearing of the appeal.”

7 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

Act, dated 11.02.2016 wherein the assessee’s muti-facet claim for deduction under Sec. 80P of Rs.71,79,356/- was declined a/w. disallowance of the amount of TDS on commission received on paddy procurement business, as under:

Sl. No. Particulars Amount in Rs. 1. Disallowance of the assessee’s claim for Rs.1,39,450/- deduction of interest income u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. 2. Disallowance of the assessee’s claim for Rs.41,69,739/- deduction of profit from paddy procurement business u/s. 80P(2)(a)(iii) of the Act. 3. Disallowance on account of TDS Rs. 4,15,517/- deducted from commission received on paddy procurement business 4. Disallowance of the assessee’s claim for Rs.5,54,758/- deduction of profit from PDS u/s.80P(2)(c)(ii) of the Act. 5. Disallowance of assessee’s claim for Rs. 23,15,409/- deduction of dividend income u/s.80P(2)(d) of the Act.

After making the aforesaid disallowances, the A.O vide his order u/s. 143(3) of the Act, dated 11.02.2016 assessed the total income of the assessee society at Rs. 47,61,530/-.

8 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

contentions advanced by the assessee upheld the assessment framed by the Assessing Officer and dismissed the appeal.

9 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

AR submitted that the facts and the issue involved in the present appeal as regards its claim for deduction remains the same as were there before the Tribunal in its aforesaid order.

10 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

“13. We shall first advert to the assessee’s grievance that the lower authorities had erred in declining its claim for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act, i.e, as regards the interest income that was earned on the surplus funds which were deposited by it with Jila Sahakari Kendriya Bank, i.e, a co-operative bank. After deliberating at length on the issue in hand, we find that the aforesaid claim of the assessee hinges around the aspect that as to whether or not the interest income earned by it on its surplus funds which were parked as deposits in the normal course of its business of providing credit facilities to its members, i.e., at the point of time when there were no takers for the said funds, was eligible for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. We have given a thoughtful consideration to the contentions advanced by the Ld. Authorized representatives for both the parties. Before proceeding any further, we deem it fit to cull out the provisions of section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act, the scope and gamut of which is the primary bone of contention before us, which reads as under :

“80P. (1) Where, in the case of an assessee being a co-operative society, the gross total income includes any income referred to in sub-section (2), there shall be deducted, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, the sums specified in sub- section (2), in computing the total income of the assessee. (2) The sums referred to in sub-section (1) shall be the following, namely :— (a) in the case of a co-operative society engaged in— (i). carrying on the business of banking or providing credit facilities to its members, or (ii) to (iii)…………………………………………………………………………” (Emphasis by underlining supplied by us) On a perusal of the aforesaid statutory provision, we find that the same, contemplates, that the income of a co-operative society from its business of banking or providing credit facilities to its members is eligible for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. Our indulgence in the present appeal is confined to the limited aspect, i.e, as to whether or not the interest income earned by the assessee-society by depositing its surplus funds with a bank can be brought within the meaning of “income from carrying on the business of banking or providing credit facilities to its members”, and thus, would fall within the realm of the deduction contemplated in Section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. At this stage, we may herein observe, that it is the claim of the assessee, that as depositing of its surplus funds, i.e, the funds for which there were no takers at the relevant point of time, in the course of its business of providing credit facilities to its members, is inextricably interlinked; or

11 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

in fact interwoven with its said stream of its business activity, therefore, the interest income received on such short-term deposits was duly eligible for deduction under the aforesaid statutory provision, i.e., Sec. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. We may herein observe, that though the assessee-society in addition to its business of providing credit facilities to its members was also engaged in other multiple activities for its members, viz. business of paddy procurement, sale of fertilizers, seeds, manures and pesticides and sale of controlled items under Public Distribution System (PDS), however, it is neither the case of the revenue nor a fact discernible from the record that the funds deposited by the assessee-society with the bank, viz. Jila Sahakari Kendriya Bank (supra) were the amounts that were payable by the society to its members, and the same having being retained were for the time being invested as a short-term deposit/security with the bank. If that would have been so, then, the interest income earned on such short-term deposit/security with the bank would not have been eligible for deduction u/s.80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. But then, as the amount deposited by the assessee-society with the bank, viz. Jila Sahakari Kendriya Bank (supra) was in the nature of simpliciter surplus or idle funds of the assessee society, for which there were no takers for the time being in course of its business of providing credit facilities to its members, therefore, depositing of the same by way of short-term deposits with the aforesaid bank, as stated by the ld. A.R, and rightly so, would clearly be inextricably interlinked, or in fact interwoven with its aforesaid primary business activity, i.e., providing of credit facilities to its members. At this stage, we may herein observe, that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s. Totgars Co-operative Sale Society Ltd. Vs. ITO, Karnataka, 322 ITR 283 (SC), had held, that in a case where the assessee-cooperative society apart from providing credit facilities to its members was also in the business of marketing of agricultural produce grown by its members, and the sale consideration of the agricultural produce due towards its members was thereafter retained and invested as a short-term deposit/security with the bank, then, the interest income therein earned to the said extent could not be said to be attributable to its activity of providing credit facilities to its members. As is discernible from the aforesaid judicial pronouncement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, we find the Hon’ble Apex Court had clarified beyond doubt that they have confined the judgment to the facts of the case before them, and the same was not to be considered as laying down of any law. Be that as it may, the aforesaid judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s. Totgars Co-operative Sale Society Ltd. (supra) had thereafter been considered by the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka in the case of Tumkur Merchants Souharda Cooperative Ltd. (supra) in ITA No.307/2014, dated 28.10.2014, wherein the Hon’ble High Court had after exhaustive deliberations held as under :

12 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

“6. From the aforesaid facts and rival contentions, the undisputed facts which emerges is, the sum of Rs.1,77,305/- represents the interest earned from short term deposits and from savings bank account. The assessee is a cooperative society providing credit facilities to its members. It is not carrying on any other business. The interest income earned by the assessee by providing credit facilities to its members is deposited in the banks for a short duration which has earned interest. Therefore, whether this interest is attributable to the business of providing credit facilities to its members, is the question. In this regard, it is necessary to notice the relevant provision of law i.e. section 80P(2)(a)(i): “Deduction in respect of income of cooperative societies: 80P. (1) Where, in the case of an assessee being a co- operative society, the gross total income includes any income referred to in sub-section (2), there shall be deducted, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, the sums specified in sub-section (2), in computing the total income of the assessee. (2) The sums referred to in sub-section (1) shall be the following, namely:— (a) in the case of a co-operative society engaged in— (i) carrying on the business of banking or providing credit facilities to its members, or (ii) xxx (iii) xxx (iv) xxx (v) xxx (vi) xxx (vii) xxx the whole of the amount of profits and gains of business attributable to any one or more of such activities.” 7. The word ‘attributable used in the said section is of great importance. The Apex Court had an occasion to consider the meaning of the word ‘attributable’ as supposed to derive from its use in various other provisions of the statute in the case of CAMBAY ELECTRIC SUPPLY INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD. VS. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, GUJARAT-II reported in ITR Vol.113 (1978) Page 842 at Page 93 as under:

13 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

As regards the aspect emerging from the expression "attributable to" occurring in the phrase "profits and gains attributable to the business of" the specified industry (here generation and distribution of electricity) on which the learned Solicitor General relied, it will be pertinent to observe that the Legislature has deliberately used the expression "attributable to" and not the expression "derived from". It cannot be disputed that the expression "attributable to" is certainly wider in import than the expression "derived from". Had the expression "derived from" been used it could have with some force been contended that a balancing charge arising from the sale of old machinery and buildings cannot be regarded as profits and gains derived from the conduct of the business of generation and distribution of electricity. In this connection it may be pointed out that whenever the Legislature wanted to give a restricted meaning in the manner suggested by the learned Solicitor General it has used the expression "derived from", as for instance in s. 80J. In our view since the expression of wider import, namely, "attributable to” has been used, the Legislature intended to cover receipts from sources other than the actual conduct of the business of generation and distribution of electricity. 8. Therefore, the word “attributable to” is certainly wider in import than the expression “derived from”. Whenever the legislature wanted to give a restricted meaning, they have used the expression “derived from”. The expression “attributable to” being of wider import, the said expression is used by the legislature whenever they intended to gather receipts from sources other than the actual conduct of the business. A cooperative society which is carrying on the business providing credit facilities to its members, earns profit and gains of business by providing credit facilities to its members. The interest income so derived or the capital, if not immediately required to be lent to the members, they cannot keep the said amount idle. If they deposit this amount in bank so as to earn interest, the said interest income is attributable to the profits and gains of the business of providing credit facilities to its members only. The society is not carrying on any separate business for earning such interest income. The income so derived is the amount of profits and gains of business attributable to the activity of carrying on the business of banking or providing credit facilities to its members by a co-operative society and is liable to be deducted from the gross total income under section 80P of the Act.

14 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

15 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

The impugned order is hereby set aside. Parties to bear their own cost.” In the backdrop of the aforesaid observations of the Hon’ble High Court, we are of a considered view, that as in the case of the assessee before us the surplus funds parked by way of short-term deposit with the co-operative bank, viz. Jila Sahakari Kendriya Bank are inextricably interlinked, or in fact interwoven with its business of providing credit facilities to its members, therefore, the same as claimed by the Ld. AR, and rightly so, would duly be eligible for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. We, thus, in terms of our aforesaid observations, direct the Assessing Officer to allow deduction of Rs.7,98,705/- u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act on the interest income earned by the assessee society on its deposits with the co-operative bank. Thus, the Ground of appeal No.1 raised before us is allowed in terms of our aforesaid observations.”

As stated by the Ld. AR, as the facts and the issue involved in the present appeal i.e, allowability of the assessee’s claim for deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(a)(i) on the interest on bank deposits remains the same as were there in the aforesaid case i.e, ITA No.114/RPR/2016 & Ors (supra.), therefore, we respectfully follow the same. We, thus, in terms of our aforesaid observations direct the AO to allow the assessee’s claim for deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(a)(i) of Rs.1,39,450/-. The Ground of appeal No.1 (i) raised by the assessee is allowed in terms of our aforesaid observations.

16 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

17 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

“16. Admittedly, the assessee as an ‘agent’ of Chhattisgarh Marketing Federation (CMF) had facilitated the procurement of paddy from the agriculturists, and for the said service was paid a fixed commission as per the rates prescribed by the Government. The gross profit of Rs.16,21,218/- that was earned by the assessee from its aforesaid stream of business activity, i.e., paddy procurement business was claimed by it as a deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(iii) of the Act. However, as per the mandate of Sec. 80P(2)(a)(iii) the deduction therein contemplated was only available qua the marketing of the agricultural produce grown by members of the society, therefore, the Assessing Officer in the course of assessment proceedings had called upon the assessee society to produce the register maintained in respect of its paddy procurement for the year under consideration. As the register produced by the assessee society did not reveal the requisite details which were required to identify the members and non-members, therefore, the Assessing Officer in the backdrop of the said fact had restricted the assessee’s claim for deduction u/s.80P(2)(a)(iii) of the Act on an ad- hoc basis to 35% (i.e. nearly 1/3rd of the aforesaid gross profit) of the profit that was earned by it from paddy procurement business, and had disallowed assessee’s claim for deduction as regards the balance amount of profit. Assailing the restriction of the assessee’s claim for deduction u/s 80P(2)(a)(iii) to 35% of its income of Rs. 16,21,218/-, it is the claim of the ld. A.R before us that the same is highly exorbitant, for the reason, that the assessee had mainly procured paddy from its members only. It was submitted by the Ld. AR that though as per the policy of the Government the assessee-

18 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

society is obligated to purchase paddy from each and every farmer, whether member or non-member, i.e whosoever approaches it, but transactions with the non-members during the year under consideration was minimal and by no means exceeded 25% of the total transactions. In order to buttress his aforesaid claim the Ld. AR had taken us through the compilation of paddy purchase by the assessee-society, Page 1 to 55 of additional documentary evidence that was placed on our record. By drawing support from compilation of paddy purchase from its members, i.e. Page 1A to 255 of the additional documentary evidences filed before us, it was submitted by the ld. A.R that only a small fraction of the paddy procurement was carried out by the assessee society from non-members. In the backdrop of his aforesaid contentions, the Ld. AR had claimed that the restriction of its claim for deduction u/s 80P(2)(a)(iii) to 35% of the profit from paddy procurement business so made by the Assessing Officer was not only on the higher side, but in fact exorbitant and unrealistic. 17. After giving a thoughtful consideration to the aforesaid issue, we find substantial force in the claim of the Ld. AR that now when only a small fraction of the procurement of paddy was made by the assessee-society in the course of its paddy procurement business from non-members, therefore, restricting of its claim for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(iii) of the Act to 35% of the profits earned from the said business activity was not justified. Be that as it may, we are of the considered view that as the compilation of the paddy procurement by the assessee-society has been filed before us as additional documentary evidence, and the same was not there before the lower authorities, therefore, the matter in all fairness requires to be re-visited by the Assessing Officer. We, thus, in terms of the aforesaid observation set-aside the matter to the file of the Assessing Officer, with a direction to re-adjudicate the same after considering the additional documentary evidence that had been filed by the asssessee before us. The A.O shall after determining as to what extent the assessee society had facilitated the marketing of the agricultural produce grown by non-members, therein, restrict the assessee’s claim for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(iii) of the Act only to the extent of the profit relatable thereto. Needless to say, the assessee shall in the course of the set-aside proceedings furnish the requisite details/documents that are called for by the A.O. The Ground of appeal No.2 is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of our aforesaid observations.”

Considering the parity of the facts involved in the present case as against those which were involved in ITA No.114/RPR/2016 & Ors., dated

19 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

23.02.2022, we are of the considered view that as stated by the Ld. AR, and rightly so, the assessee society in the present case was principally entitled for deduction of its income from the business of paddy procurement u/s.80P(2)(a)(iii) of the Act. However, as observed by us while disposing off the appeals in ITA Nos.114/RPR/2016 & Ors (supra), the claim of deduction of the assessee society would be limited to the extent it had facilitated the marketing of the agricultural produce of its members. We, though concur with the claim of the Ld. AR that the assessee society is entitled for deduction of its income from paddy procurement business u/s.80P(2)(a)(iii), but restore the matter to the file of the A.O for the limited purpose of restricting the said claim of deduction to the extent of the profit relatable to the marketing of the agricultural produce of the members of the assessee society. In the course of the set-aside proceedings the AO shall re-adjudicate the assessee’s claim for deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(a)(iii) i.e. after determining as to what extent the assessee society had facilitated the marketing of the agricultural produce grown by its members, and thus, restrict it’s claim for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(iii) only to the extent of the profit relatable thereto. Needless to say, the assessee shall in the course of the set-aside proceedings furnish the requisite details/documents that are called for by the A.O. Thus, the Ground of appeal No.1 (ii) raised by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of our aforesaid observations.

20 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

21 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

price shop, it was submitted by the Ld. AR that the said issue had already been adjudicated upon by the Tribunal in the case of Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit & Ors Vs. ITO, Ward-1(3), Raipur in ITA No.114/RPR/2016 & Ors, dated 23.02.2022 and the matter was remanded to the file of the A.O with a direction to restrict the assessee’s claim for deduction as regards its profit from PDS only to the extent of its net profit i.e., after considering the proportionate expenses. The Ld. AR in this case also had prayed for remanding of the issue to the file of the A.O with a similar direction.

22 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

“19. Before us, it is the claim of the assessee that as the profit from PDS activities after considering the proportionate expenses amounted to Rs.3,08,338/-, therefore, its claim for deduction u/s.80P(2)(c)(i) of the Act was liable to be restricted only to the said extent. After having given a thoughtful consideration to the claim of the Ld. AR, we though principally concur with his aforesaid claim, but then, the same cannot be accepted on the very face of it and would require factual verification. Therefore, for the said limited purpose, we restore the matter to the file of the Assessing Officer for doing the needful. During the course of the set-aside proceedings, the Assessing Officer is directed to restrict the assessee’s claim for deduction as regards its profit from PDS only to the extent of its net profit, i.e., after considering the proportionate expenses. Needless to say, the assessee shall in the course of set-aside proceedings furnish the requisite details/documents as would be called for by the Assessing Officer. The Ground of appeal No.3 is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of our aforesaid observations.”

Considering our aforesaid observations in the order passed in ITA No.114/RPR/2016 & Ors, dated 23.02.2022, we on the same terms restore the matter to the file of the AO, with a direction to restrict the assessee’s claim for deduction as regards its profit from PDS only to the extent of its net profit i.e., after considering the proportionate expenses. Thus, the Ground of appeal No.1 (iv) is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of our aforesaid observations.

23 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

claim of the Ld. AR that the aforesaid issue is squarely covered by the order of the Tribunal in the case of Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit & Ors. Vs. the ITO, Ward-1(3), Raipur in ITA No.114/RPR/2016 & Ors, dated 23.02.2022. It was submitted by the ld. AR that the Tribunal in its aforesaid order, had observed, that the dividend income received by a co- operative society on the shares of a co-operative bank held by it would be eligible for deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) of the Act.

“22. After having given a thoughtful consideration to the aforesaid issue in hand, we are unable to concur with the view taken by the lower authorities. In our considered view, as a Co-operative bank falls within the realm of the definition of “Co-operative Society” as contemplated in Section 2(19) of the Act, therefore, the view taken by the lower authorities that dividend income received by the assessee from Jila Sahakari Kendriya Bank, Raipur, i.e a Co- operative Bank, would not eligible for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(d) of the Act cannot be sustained. Our aforesaid view is fortified by the order

24 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

of the ITAT, Mumbai in the case of M/s Solitaire CHS Ltd Vs. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-26, ITA No. 3155/Mum/2019, dated 29.11.2019 (wherein one of us, i.e, the JM was a party), had after exhaustive deliberations held as under: “6. We have heard the authorised representatives for both the parties, perused the orders of the lower authorities and the material available on record, as well as the judicial pronouncements relied upon by them. Our indulgence in the present appeal has been sought, for adjudicating, as to whether the claim of the assessee for deduction under section 80P(2)(d) in respect of interest income earned from the investments/deposits made with the co-operative banks is in order, or not. In our considered view, the issue involved in the present appeal revolves around the adjudication of the scope and gamut of sub-section (4) of Sec. 80P as had been made available on the statute, vide the Finance Act 2006, with effect from 01.04.2007. On a perusal of the order passed by the Pr. CIT under Sec. 263 of the Act, we find, that he was of the view that pursuant to insertion of sub-section (4) of Sec. 80P, the assessee would no more be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) in respect of the interest income that was earned on the amounts which were parked as investments/deposits with co-operative banks, other than a Primary Agricultural Credit Society or a Primary Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank. Observing, that the co-operative banks from where the assessee was in receipt of interest income were not co-operative societies, the Pr. CIT was of the view that the interest income earned on such investments/deposits would not be eligible for deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) of the Act. 7. After necessary deliberations, we are unable to persuade ourselves to be in agreement with the view taken by the Pr. CIT. Before proceeding any further, we may herein reproduce the relevant extract of the aforesaid statutory provision, viz. Sec. 80P(2)(d), as the same would have a strong bearing on the adjudication of the issue before us. “80P(2)(d) (1). Where in the case of an assessee being a co-operative society, the gross total income includes any income referred to in sub-section (2), there shall be deducted, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, the sums specified in sub-section (2), in computing the total income of the assessee. (2). The sums referred to in sub-section (1) shall be the following, namely :-

25 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

(a)............................................................................................ (b)............................................................................................ (c)............................................................................................ (d) in respect of any income by way of interest or dividends derived by the co-operative society from its investments with any other co-operative society, the whole of such income;” On a perusal of Sec. 80P(2)(d), it can safely be gathered that interest income derived by an assessee co-operative society from its investments held with any other co-operative society shall be deducted in computing its total income. We may herein observe, that what is relevant for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) is that the interest income should have been derived from the investments made by the assessee co-operative society with any other co-operative society. We are in agreement with the view taken by the Pr. CIT, that with the insertion of sub-section (4) of Sec. 80P, vide the Finance Act, 2006, with effect from 01.04.2007, the provisions of Sec. 80P would no more be applicable in relation to any co- operative bank, other than a primary agricultural credit society or a primary co-operative agricultural and rural development bank. However, at the same time, we are unable to subscribe to his view that the aforesaid amendment would jeopardise the claim of deduction of a co-operative society under Sec. 80P(2)(d) in respect of its interest income on investments/deposits parked with a co-operative bank. In our considered view, as long as it is proved that the interest income is being derived by a co-operative society from its investments made with any other co- operative society, the claim of deduction under the aforesaid statutory provision, viz. Sec. 80P(2)(d) would be duly available. We find that the term „cooperative society‟ had been defined under Sec. 2(19) of the Act, as under:- “(19) “Co-operative society” means a cooperative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force in any state for the registration of co-operative societies;” We are of the considered view, that though the co-operative banks pursuant to the insertion of subsection (4) to Sec. 80P would no more be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P of the Act, but as a co- operative bank continues to be a co-operative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force in any State for the registration of co-operative societies, therefore, the interest income derived by a co-operative society from its investments held with a co-operative bank would be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec.80P(2)(d) of the Act.

26 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

27 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

Hon'ble High Court of Bombay in the case of K. Subramanian and Anr. Vs. Siemens India Ltd. and Anr (1985) 156 ITR 11 (Bom), where there is a conflict between the decisions of non-jurisdictional High Court‟s, then a view which is in favour of the assessee is to be preferred as against that taken against him. Accordingly, taking support from the aforesaid judicial pronouncement of the Hon‟ble High Court of jurisdiction, we respectfully follow the view taken by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in the case of Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax and Anr. Vs. Totagars Cooperative Sale Society (2017) 392 ITR 74 (Karn) and Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat in the case of State Bank Of India Vs. CIT (2016) 389 ITR 578 (Guj), wherein it was observed that the interest income earned by a cooperative society on its investments held with a co-operative bank would be eligible for claim of deduction under Sec.80P(2)(d) of the Act. 9. Be that as it may, in our considered view, as the A.O while framing the assessment had taken a possible view, and therein concluded that the assessee would be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) on the interest income earned on its investments/deposits with co-operative banks, therefore, the Pr. CIT was in error in exercising his revisional jurisdiction u/s 263 for dislodging the same. In fact, as observed by us hereinabove, the aforesaid view taken by the A.O at the time of framing of the assessment was clearly supported by the order of the jurisdictional Tribunal in the case of Land and Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. Vs. ITO (2017) 46 CCH 52 (Mum). Accordingly, finding no justification on the part of the Pr. CIT, who in exercise of his powers under Sec. 263, had dislodged the view that was taken by the A.O as regards the eligibility of the assessee towards claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d), we „set aside‟ his order and restore the order passed by the A.O under Sec. 143(3), date 14.09.2016. 10. Resultantly, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed.”

Backed by our aforesaid observations, we not being able to persuade ourselves to subscribe to the view taken by the lower authorities, therein vacate the disallowance of the assessee’s claim for deduction of Rs.1,16,224/- u/s. 80P(2)(d) of the Act. The Ground of appeal No.4 is allowed in terms of the aforesaid observations.” We find that as stated by the Ld. AR, and rightly so, as the aforesaid issue in hand i.e, entitlement of a co-operative society for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) qua the dividend received on shares of a co-operative

28 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

bank is squarely covered by the aforesaid decision of the Tribunal in ITA No.114/RPR/2016 & Ors (supra), dated 23.02.2022, therefore, principally concurring with the claim of the ld. AR we herein vacate the disallowance of the assessee’s claim for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) qua the dividend received on shares of a co-operative bank, viz. Jila Sahakari Bank. Thus, the Ground of appeal No.1(v) raised in appeal by the assessee is allowed in terms of our aforesaid observations.

ITA No.(s) 104/RPR/2017, 119 to 125/RPR/2017, ITA No.(s) 128 to 134/RPR/2017, 137/RPR/2017 ITA No.(s) 150/RPR/2017 & 150/RPR/2019 & ITA No.(s) 153, 154 & 157/RPR/2019 A.Ys. 2013-14 & 2014-15 24. As the facts and issues involved in the captioned appeals remains the same as were there before us in the appeal of Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit in ITA No.126/RPR/2017 for assessment year 2014-15, therefore, our order therein passed while disposing off the said appeal

29 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

shall apply mutatis-mutandis for disposing off the captioned appeals i.e., ITA No.(s) ITA No.(s) 104/RPR/2017, 119 to 125/RPR/2017, ITA No.(s) 128 to 134/RPR/2017, 137/RPR/2017, ITA No.(s) 150/RPR/2017 & 150/RPR/2019 & ITA No.(s) 153, 154 & 157/RPR/2019 for assessment year 2012-13 & 2013-14.

Sd/- Sd/- ARUN KHODPIA RAVISH SOOD (ACCOUNTANT MEMBER) (JUDICIAL MEMBER) रायपुर/ RAIPUR ; �दनांक / Dated : 04th August, 2022 SB आदेश क� ��त�ल�प अ�े�षत / Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. अपीलाथ� / The Appellant. 2. ��यथ� / The Respondent. 3. The concerned CIT(Appeals), Raipur (C.G) 4. The concerned CIT, Raipur (C.G) 5. �वभागीय ��त�न�ध, आयकर अपील�य अ�धकरण,रायपुर ब�च, रायपुर / DR, ITAT, Raipur Bench, Raipur. गाड� फ़ाइल / Guard File. 6.

30 Gramin Sewa Sahakari Samiti Maryadit ( a group of 22 cases)

आदेशानुसार / BY ORDER, // True Copy // �नजी स�चव / Private Secretary आयकर अपील�य अ�धकरण, रायपुर / ITAT, Raipur.