Exercise of writ jurisdiction when alternate remedy under Benami Act is efficacious.

Remedy of appeal under Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988:

Classic cases of frequent invocation of extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, even though two, inbuilt efficacious alternative remedies are provided by the Act, 1988

All contentions including that of powers conferred upon Adjudicating Authority under Section 26(1) (3) and whether such powers conferred upon Adjudicating Authority vis-a-vis jurisdiction, all can be raised before Appellate Tribunal exercising vide appellate powers under Section 46 of the Act 1988. Even after the order is passed by the Appellate Tribunal further appeal is provided before the High Court under Section 49 of the Act 1988, we are of the considered opinion in view of decision of the Apex Court in the case of Thansingh Nathmal & Ors. vs. A. Mazid reported in AIR 1964 SC 1419 and 1964 (6) SCR 654 that High Court is not to interfere with the order passed by the Adjudicating or Competent Authority when inbuilt efficacious alternative remedies are available.

[Source: Adjudicating Authority vs Kundan Trading Co. decided by HC of Gujarat on 2 April, 2019]

Determination of Turnover of Business:

Interpretation of Section 6B(1) by the Karnataka Sales Tax Act, 1957:

This Court also noticed the economic superiority principle for the purpose of levy of turnover tax while holding that the interpretation of statute would not depend upon contingency. It is trite law which the Court would ordinary take recourse to golden rule of strict interpretation while interpreting taxing statutes. In construing penal statutes and taxation statutes, the Court has to apply strict rule of interpretation.

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Value added tax: If price is reduced.

Effect of reduction of price on Value Added Tax.

A bare reading of Section 2(39) of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Act, which defines “sale price” clearly indicates that it is the price which is either paid or payable to a dealer as consideration for the sale. The definition itself makes it clear that any sum by way of any discount or rebate according to the practice normally prevailing in the trade shall be deducted and shall not be included in the sale price. Continue reading “Value added tax: If price is reduced.” →

National Litigation Policy to reduce litigation with Government

Unmindful litigation by Government Departments:

The propensity of Government Departments and public authorities to keep litigating through different tiers of judicial scrutiny is one of the reasons for docket explosion. The Income Tax Department of the Government of India is one of the major litigants. There are two departmental scrutinies at the level of the Assessing Officer and the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and thereafter an independent judicial scrutiny at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as the ‘ITAT’) level followed by the legal issue which can be inquired into by the High Courts. The last tier is, of course, the jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India before the Supreme Court.

Mindful of the phenomenon of the docket explosion and the rising litigation in the country, the Union of India in order to ensure the conduct of responsible litigation framed what is today known as the National Litigation Policy, to bring down the pendency of cases and get meaningful issues decided from the judicial forums rather than multiple tiers of scrutiny just for the sake of it. The Government, being a litigant in well over 50 per cent of the cases, has to take a lead in not being a compulsive litigant. Continue reading “National Litigation Policy to reduce litigation with Government” →

Levy of Education cess where Excise Duty is exempt.

Refund of education cess where service tax or excise duty is nil:

Circular is dated April 08, 2011 issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs, New Delhi on the subject “education cess and secondary and higher education cess-reg. is as under:

“Education Cess and Secondary and Higher Education Cess also exempted when notifications exempt whole of Service tax Circular No. 134/3/2011-S.T., dated 8-4-2011 F.No. 354/42/2011-Tru Government of India Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Central Board of Excise & Customs, New Delhi Subject : Education Cess and Secondary and Higher Education Cess – Reg.

Representations have been received from the field formations, seeking clarification regarding the applicability of service tax exemption to Education Cess (refers to both Education Cess leviable under Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 and Secondary and Higher Education Cess leviable under Finance Act, 2007), under notifications where ‘whole of service tax’ stands.exempted. Apparently the doubt arises in the context of Tribunal’s Order in the matter of MIs.

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Liability of lessor or landlord to pay service tax on rent

Liability to pay Service Tax on rent:

The Service Tax Rules, 1994 have been made in exercise of powers under the rule making Section, namely, Section 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 which came into force on 1.4.1994. Rule 2(1)(d) reads as follows:-

“2. Definitions (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, –

….

(d) “person liable for paying service tax”, –

(i) in respect of the taxable services notified under sub-section (2) of section 68 of the Act, means,- …….

(E) in relation to services provided or agreed to be provided by Government or local authority except,-

(a) renting of immovable property, and

(b) services specified sub-clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of clause (a) of section 66D of the Finance Act,1994, to any business entity located in the taxable territory, the recipient of such service; ……

(ii) in a case other than sub-clause (i), means the provider of service.”

In this deed of lease between the lessor and the lessee for a period of three years at a rent of Rs.16,34,967/- per month, it was agreed that:

“6. The lessor/lessors shall pay all rates, taxes, assessment, charges and other outgoings whatsoever of every description which under the statutes are primarily leviable upon the lessor and shall keep the premises free from all encumbrances and interference in this behalf. Rates and taxes primarily leviable upon the occupier shall be paid by the Government.”

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