RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
M.L.Jishi, J.
Parekh Automobiles and Ors. - Appellants
Versus
Municipal Council, Jodhpur and another - Respondents
S.B. Civil Miscellaneous Writ petition Nos. 17 and 82 of 1976.
Decided On : 28-01-1977
OCTROI - Levy of octroi on petroleum products by Municipal Council - Validity - Goods re-exported by Indian Oil Corporation from its depot to its retail outlets for use or consumption of ultimate consumer outside Municipal limits - Whether Municipal Council has jurisdiction to levy octroi - Whether taxable event has taken place within Municipal limits - Interpretation of Section 104 of Rajasthan Municipalities Act and Rule 13 of Rajasthan Municipalities (Octroi) Rules, 1962.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioners, Parekh Automobiles and Shri Sukhsampat Raj, challenged the validity of the levy of octroi on petroleum products by the Municipal Council Jodhpur. The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), which had a depot near Raikabagh Station at Jodhpur, supplied petroleum products to various retail outlets situated within and outside the limits of Jodhpur Municipal Council, including the petitioner's retail outlet at Dangiawas. The Municipal Council suspended the transport passes facility to IOC and took the stand that octroi would be charged on the goods brought within the Municipal limits even if they were exported outside the Municipal limits if they were sold within the limits of Municipal Council, although such goods were meant for use and consumption of the consumers outside the Municipal limits.
Finding of the Court:
The Court held that the Municipal Council had no jurisdiction to levy octroi on the goods re-exported by IOC to its retail outlets for the use of the ultimate consumer outside the Municipal limits. The Court interpreted Section 104 of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act and Rule 13 of the Rajasthan Municipalities (Octroi) Rules, 1962, and held that the taxable event for the purpose of levy of octroi duty takes place only if the entry of the goods in the limits of Municipal Council is meant for the use of ultimate consumer or user. The Court further held that the goods supplied at retail outlets situated outside the limits of Municipal Council Jodhpur are sold at the retail outlets where the deliveries are made and not at Jodhpur, although the dealers are required to deposit the price of the petroleum products in IOC's account in the bank unless they are allowed credit facilities.
Issues: 1. Whether the Municipal Council has jurisdiction to levy octroi on the goods re-exported by IOC to its retail outlets for the use of the ultimate consumer outside the Municipal limits? 2. Whether the taxable event has taken place within Municipal limits?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The taxable event for the purpose of levy of octroi duty takes place only if the entry of the goods in the limits of Municipal Council is meant for the use of ultimate consumer or user. 2. The goods supplied at retail outlets situated outside the limits of Municipal Council Jodhpur are sold at the retail outlets where the deliveries are made and not at Jodhpur, although the dealers are required to deposit the price of the petroleum products in IOC's account in the bank unless they are allowed credit facilities.
Final Decision: The Court partly allowed the writ petition and restrained the Municipal Council from charging or realizing the octroi on the goods brought within the Municipal Council by IOC but re-exported by it outside the Municipal limits to its retail outlets for the use and consumption of the ultimate consumer outside the limits of the Municipal Council. However, the Court disallowed the prayer for the refund of the octroi made by the petitioners.
Abdul Quader & Co v. S.T. Officer and Rallis India Ltd. v. Commercial Tax Officer 1970 (26) STC 254
British I.S.N. Co. v. Jajit Singh AIR 1964 SC 1451
Burmah Shell v. Belgam Borough Municipality AIR 1963 SC 906
Champalal v. I.T. Commr. W.B. AIR 1970 SC 645
Hira Lal Thakurlal v. Broach Municipality 1976 (3) SCC 398
J.M. & Co. v. Agrl. I.T. Officer Assam AIR 1970 SC 1980
M.A. Khadtr v. Deputy Commercial Taxes Officer 1970 (25) STC 104
S. Sinha v. S. Lal & Co. AIR 1973 SC 2720
Thansingh v. Superintendent of Taxes AIR 1964 SC 1419
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