1997 (3) TMI 584 - AT - VAT and Sales Tax

Summary

Issues:
1. Interpretation of provisions of section 12 of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Act, 1954.
2. Imposition of penalty under section 16(1)(j) of the Act for collecting tax on sales not exigible to tax.
3. Validity of assessment orders and appeals in light of subsequent legislative amendments.
4. Jurisdiction and decisions of the Board of Revenue, Ajmer, and the Rajasthan High Court.
5. Application of the Rajasthan Sales Tax (Amendment and Validation) Act, 1969 on the taxation of bardana sales.

Detailed Analysis:
1. The judgment pertains to a reference moved by the petitioner under section 15(2) of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Act, 1954, which was later treated as an application for revision upon the enactment of the Rajasthan Sales Tax (Amendment) Act, 1984. The revision was transferred to the Appellate Tribunal under the Rajasthan Taxation Tribunal Act, 1995. The issue revolved around the interpretation of section 12 of the Act concerning the imposition of tax on the sale of bardana.

2. The case involved the imposition of a penalty under section 16(1)(j) of the Act for collecting tax on the sale of bardana, which was later deemed taxable following a legislative amendment. The assessing authority had imposed a penalty on the assessee for collecting tax without authority of law. The Deputy Commissioner Appeals and the Board of Revenue had differing opinions on the validity of the penalty, leading to multiple appeals and revisions.

3. The validity of assessment orders and appeals was challenged by both parties. The department contended that the provisions of section 12 were erroneously interpreted by the Board of Revenue, Ajmer, while the assessee argued that the penalty was unjustified as tax had been collected and deposited in accordance with the law prevailing at the time of the bardana sales.

4. The jurisdiction and decisions of the Board of Revenue, Ajmer, and the Rajasthan High Court were crucial aspects of the case. The Board of Revenue's decisions on appeals and references, along with the subsequent actions of the Rajasthan High Court, played a significant role in the legal proceedings and the ultimate dismissal of the revision by the Appellate Tribunal.

5. The impact of the Rajasthan Sales Tax (Amendment and Validation) Act, 1969 on the taxation of bardana sales was a central issue. The validating Act overturned previous judicial decisions and made the sale of bardana taxable, leading to disputes regarding the imposition of tax and penalties on the assessee. The Tribunal ultimately dismissed the revision, finding no grounds for revisiting the assessment orders and upholding the penalty imposed under section 16(1)(j) of the Act.