IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
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9.
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ITA 909/2010
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COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant
Through: Mr. N.P. Sahni, Adv.
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versus
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DELHI STATE CIVIL SUPPLIERS CORP LTD ..... Respondent
Through: None
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CORAM:
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN
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O R D E R
23.07.2010
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The present appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act,
1961 (for brevity ?the Act?) is directed against the order dated 25.3.2009
passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (for short ?the tribunal?) in ITA
No. 2778/DEL/06 pertaining to assessment year 2003-04.
The singular question that arises for consideration in this appeal is
whether the tribunal was justified in allowing the deduction that was claimed by
the assessee towards revenue expenditure on the foundation that he has spent
Rs.95.3 lacs because of a notification issued by the Government to collect
Rs.5/- on sale of bottle of country made liquor. The tribunal in paragraph 7
has held thus:
ITA 909/2010
Page 1 of 3
?7. We have duly considered the rival contentions and gone through the
record carefully. The business of assessee is not to construct the flyover and
pedestrian path. Its business is sale of country made as well as IMFL liquor in
the national capital territory of Delhi. For this purpose it is required to
take a license from the Govt. of Delhi. The Govt. has directed the assessee to
collect Rs.5/- on sale of per bottle of country made liquor. Thus its licence
is subject to the conditions imposed by the Govt. In a way collection of Rs.5/-
on each bottle of country made liquor sold by the assessee is a levy which is
direct related to its business. The amount of Rs.95.3 lac collected by the
assessee is by virtue of the Govt.?s notification and has been collected in the
shape of levy. This is altogether immaterial for the assessee as to how this
amount will be incurred by the Delhi Govt. As far as contention of the Ld. DR
that this amount will be incurred on construction of flyover and pedestrian
path. Therefore, had to be treated as a capital in nature is concerned we are
of the opinion that assessee is not required to construct such facilities.
Therefore facts are quite distinguishable on this aspect. In the case of
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DTandTDC this argument was raised but that was rejected by the Tribunal. There
also the amount collected as per the Govt. notification was carved out
separately and was claimed as a deduction for running the business of sale of
liquor. The tribunal held that expenses is of revenue in nature but it will be
allowed to the assessee as and when such expenses was actually incurred on
construction of the infrastructure facilities in the shape of flyovers and
pedestrian path. In the present case this expenses is an essential element for
running its business. The AO himself did not disallow the expenses even in a
scrutiny assessment in asstt. year 2001-02 and 2002-03. Similarly disallowance
was made in 2004-05 stands deleted by the CIT(A) and the order has been upheld
by the Tribunal. Taking into consideration all these aspects we do not find any
merit in this appeal. It is dismissed.?
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In our considered opinion, the decision of the tribunal is absolutely
impeccable in view of the fact that the concept of capital expenditure does not
attract to a case of this nature.
In the result, the appeal, being devoid of merit, stands dismissed in
limine.
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CHIEF JUSTICE
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MANMOHAN, J
JULY 23, 2010
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ITA 909/2010
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