M.R.Sharma, J.

1. The evergreen contest between the revenue and the assessees under the East Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948 (hereinafter called the Act), has lent an aura of complexity to the issues involved therein. But this aura soon fades away if we approach the problem in the background of the historical development Of this branch of law.

2. There are in all ten writ petitions and two general sales tax references which have been placed for decision before this Full Bench pursuant to an order of reference passed by the Division Bench on 11th January, 1979, in C.W. No. 3297 of 1978.

3. In Civil Writ Petitions Nos. 5944, 6465 and 6760 of 1976, the petitioners purchase raw cotton, gin it and crush the oil-seeds into oil which in turn is sent for sale out of the State of Punjab on consignment basis. The petitioner in C.W. No. 169 of 1977 is a partnership concern which is engaged in the business of crushing oil from oil-seeds and the manufacture of oilcakes. The finished products are sold in the State of Punjab and also sent out of this State for sale on consignment basis. The petitioners in C.W. Nos. 1941 and 3297 of 1978 and C.W. Nos. 304, 1374 and 1376 of 1979 purchase