Where the authorities themselves had sealed the sugarcane crusher unit, it was not open to them to say that the petitioner should have given prior information of the closure, and therefore, the assessment for the entire month of closure was not sustainable.

The petitioner has sought a writ in the nature of ceniorari seeking quashing of the orders dated 6-10-90, and 7-9-1990, copies of which have beenjiled as Annexures 5 and 3 to the writ petition. The petitioner has also prayed for amandamus directing the respondents not to assess him to purchase tax for the month of May, 1990 as his Unit did not work in that month and it was closed down.

2. In crushing season 1980-90, the petitioner owned a sugarcane crusher (hereinafter referred to as "the Unit") for the period 1-10-1989 to 30-9-1990. He opted for assessment on assumed basis under the provisions of U. P. Sugarcane (Purchase Tax) Act, 1961 and the rules framed thereunder. According to the petitioner, he had to suddenly closed down his Unit on 30-4-1990 due to labour prob lem and no sugarcane was crushed mere-after as the Unit was finally closed on that date. It is also the case of the petitioner that he could not send the information about the closure of his Unit on 1-5-1990 because that day was a National Holiday and the postal department was also closed on that date. It is claimed that the intima tion was however, sent under registered post on 2-5-1990 to the concerned authorities as prescribed under the Act and the Rules. On 3-6-1990, the Area Khandsari Inspector inspected the Unit of the petitioner and he sealed the Unit on that date for the petitioner was allegedly in arrears of purchase tax. On 7-5-1990, the Deputy Sugar Commissioner, Haldwani, Namital, also inspected the Unit of the petitioner and in his report it was inter alia stated that the Unitwas completely closed. Further, no sugarcane was available on the spot (sic) Accountant Laxmi Narain Awas-tni had informed that the Unit had func tioned upto 30-4-1990 and thereafter, it was closed which has been verified by the Khandsari Inspector on 3-5 -90.

3. The assessing officer by his order dated 7-9-1990, however, assessed the petitioner to purchase tax for the entire month of May, 1990 on the footing that the petitioner give no information about the closure of his Unit which under the rules the petitioner was required to give at least one week before the close of the working of the Unit. The assessment order was upheld in appeal which was filed by the petitioner. Feeling still aggrieved, the petitioner filed this writ petition challenging the validity of the aforesaid orders.

Learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned standing counsel Sri K. N. Sahai for the respondents have been heard. The only question that falls for con sideration is, whether the petitioner could legitimately be assessed to purchase tax for the entire month of May, 1990 having regard to the provisions contained under Rule 13-A (1-A) of the U. P. Sugar Cane (Purchase Tax) Rules, 1961 (for short "the Rules" ). Sub-rule 1-A of the Rule 13-A inter alia provides that the owner of a Unit shall give an intimation in writing of the date on which he decides to close the work ing of the Unit. It shall be given under registered cover at least one week before such date, to the Sugar Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and the assessing authority. Sub-Rule (2) of the Rule 13-A states that where the owner of a Unit exer cises the option the quantity of sugar-cane on the purchase of which he shall be liable to pay the tax shall be assumed on monthly basis according to the specification laid down to Schedule-I. The second proviso to that sub-rule states that in the last month of the working of the Unit in any assess ment year, the quantity of sugarcane for the purpose of payment of tax shall be assumed upto the date which is intimated by the owner of a Unit under sub-rule (1-A) or changed under the first or the second proviso to that sub-rule, as the case may be, and further that if the owner of a Unit is found to have closed his unit after the specified or changed date under sub-rule (1-A) the quantity of sugarcane for payment of tax shall be assumed for the whole of such month. The impugn