Leave granted.
Appellant is running a Paper Mill at Ahmedgarh in District Sangrur, Punjab. It is
engaged in the business activity of manufacturing paper.
During the previous year relevant to the Assessment Year 1996-1997, appellant
applied to the Pollution Control Board and the Forest Department to allow it to discharge its
effluent water from its Mill to Village Tallewal. The Department of Environment & Forest
agreed to provide forest land for open drain to be constructed by the assessee (user agency)
for carrying its effluent to Tallewal drain subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions
was that the appellant will transfer 4.063 hectare non-forest land in favour of the Forest
Department. That was done.
The main controversy which arises for determination in this Civil Appeal is
whether an amount of Rs.70,79,862/- incurred by
the appellant on construction of open drain for disposal of effluents is Revenue Expenditure, as claimed by the appellant. According to the Department the expenditure was on
Capital
Account, particularly, when the appellant has debited the building account to the extent of
Rs.70,79,862/-. It may also be noted that CIT(Appeals) as well as the Tribunal held that the
expenditure incurred was on Revenue Account. However, aggrieved by the decision of the
Tribunal the matter was carried by the Department in appeal to the High Court. Before the
High Court the Department submitted that the following substantial question of law be
framed:
“Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal
was justified in law in allowing the expenditure of Rs.70,79,862/- incurred by
the assessee under the head “Building Account”, for the construction of
drainage for disposal of effluents by treating the same as Revenue
Expenditure, while ignoring the facts that the assessee had acquired an asset
of enduring benefit in nature and enjoys exclusive rights for the usage of the
same?”
The basic question which the High Court was required to answer was whether the
assessee (appellant) had acquired assets of enduring benefit? This was the key question
which is in-built in the question quoted hereinabove. For that purpose the High Court
was required to examine the terms and conditions on which the Forest Department had
permitted the appellant to construct an open
drain. The High Court was required to consider the effect of diversion of forest land. It is
not in dispute that the open drain runs for approximately fourteen kilometers. It is not in
dispute that it cuts through the forest land. It is not in dispute that in lieu of this diversion,
non-forest land came to be surrendered by the appellant in lieu of the forest land. Further, the appellant was required to raise plantation on both sides of the open drain. Under the
terms and conditions it was stipulated that the Forest Department shall have afforestation on
both sides of drain having tree growth with an amount of Rs.1.62 lacs to be paid by the user
agency (appellant) for raising and maintenance of plantation. Further, even with regard to
open drain, the terms and conditions make it very clear that the open drain will be lined to
avoid any seepage/leakage of effluent in due course of time. None of the terms and conditions
imposed by the Forest Department have been examined the above circumstances for deciding
the question framed hereinabove.
As stated above, framing of a proper substantial question of law is a mandatory
requirement under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act. It is very similar to Section 100 of
C.P.C. Without framing or re-framing of such a question the High Court could not have
reversed the concurrent finding given by C.I.T.(Appeals) as well as by the Tribunal.
However, at the same time, we make it clear that the matter needs to be examined by the
High Court in proper perspective and for that purpose, we have given
reasons to indicate the effect of forest diversion. After noticing the facts the High Court has
to apply tests laid down by the various Judgment of this Court. We do not wish to express
any opinion on the merits of the case.
Suffice it to state that since the High Court has not formulated a correct
substantial question of law and since the High Court is required to take into account all the
above mentioned facts and circumstances of the case, we set aside the impugned order and
remit the matter to the High Court for fresh consideration in accordance with law.
Accordingly, the Income Tax Appeal No. 277 of 2004 shall stand restored to the file
of the High Court and the matter is remitted to the High Court for fresh consideration in accordance with law. The appeal is allowed with no order as to costs.
September 23, 2008 [ B. SUDERSHAN REDDY ]