1989 Supreme(Raj) 875
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
S.C.Agrawal, I.S.Israni, JJ.
Commissioner of Wealth - Appellant
Versus
Ugar Singh and others - Respondent
D. B. Wealth-Tax Reference Application No. 136 of 1988.
Decided On : 17-10-1989
The significance of tax liability and the relevance of the question in light of its consideration in other cases influenced the court's decision.
Headnote:
Wealth-tax Act - Reference of questions to the court - The court declined to consider a question regarding a small tax liability but directed the Tribunal to refer a question regarding the status of an industrial undertaking for consideration.
Fact of the Case:
The Revenue moved the court to direct the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal to refer two questions for consideration. The first question involved a small tax liability, and the second question related to the status of an industrial undertaking.
Finding of the Court:
The court declined to consider the first question due to the insignificant tax liability and the fact that it was already under consideration in other cases. However, the court directed the Tribunal to refer the second question for consideration.
Issues: The issues involved the consideration of two questions raised by the Revenue for reference to the court.
Ratio Decidendi: The court considered the significance of the tax liability and the relevance of the question in light of its consideration in other cases. It also took into account the principles laid down in previous decisions of the court.
Final Decision: The court directed the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal to refer the question regarding the status of the firm as an industrial undertaking for consideration.
JUDGMENT
1. This application has been moved under section 27(3) of the Wealth- tax Act, 1957, whereby the Revenue has prayed for directing the Income- tax Appellate Tribunal to refer the two questions mentioned in para 6 of the application for consideration of this court. Mr. Singhal, learned counsel for the Revenue, has submitted that the questions which have been raised are already under consideration in other matters in which this court has directed the Tribunal to make a reference and, therefore, in the present case also, reference should be called for in respect of these questions.
2. Mr. Ranka, learned counsel for the assessee has, on the other hand, pointed out that, as regards the first question, the total amount which was added by the Wealth-tax Officer under rule 2B(2) of the Wealth-tax Rules was Rs. 1,11,813 and the tax liability in respect of the above is only to the extent of Rs. 1,100. The submission of Mr. Ranka is that the amount of tax is too insignificant to require consideration by this court. Having considered the aforesaid submissions of learned counsel, we are of the view that taking into consideration that the amount of tax liability, which would be affected by a decision of question No. 1 is to the tune of Rs. 1,100 only, we do not consider the said question is such as to require consideration by this court in the present case specially when the said question is already under consideration before this court in other Gases and the principles laid down by this court in that regard would, govern other similar cases including the assessment of the assessee.
3. As regards question No. 2, Shri Singhal has invited our attention to the decision of this court in CWT v. Smt. Kanchan Devi Golecha 1987 (163) ITR 550 (Raj) , wherein this court has directed the Tribunal to refer a similar question for consideration to this court. Shri Singhal has also placed reliance on the decision of this court in CWT v. Vimal Chand Daga (HUF) 1988 (172) ITR 264 (Raj) , wherein this court has considered the provisions of section 5(1)(xxxii) of the Wealth-tax Act and has remanded the case for reconsideration to the Tribunal in the light of the principles laid down in the said decision. The submission of Shri Singhal is that, in the present case, the Tribunal has not considered the matter in the light of the principles laid down by this court in the aforesaid decision. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that question No. 2 does require consideration by this court. The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal is, therefore, directed to draw up the statement of the case and refer the following question for consideration of this court :
"Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in holding that the firm, Gumanmal Umraomal, is an industrial undertaking within the meaning of section 5(1)(xxxii) and, consequently, in holding that the value of the assessee's interest in that firm is exempt under section 5(1)(xxxii) of the Wealth-tax Act, 1957 ?"
4. No order as to costs.
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