2000 (1) TMI 939 - HC - VAT and Sales Tax

Summary

Issues:
Interpretation of exemption entry for sales tax on elastic tapes under the Madhya Pradesh General Sales Tax Act, 1958.

Analysis:
The petitioner sought to quash the assessment and revisional orders under the Madhya Pradesh General Sales Tax Act, 1958, claiming exemption for the sale of elastic tapes. The key issue was whether elastic tapes were exempt from sales tax under the specified entry in the notification. The petitioner argued that all kinds of tapes, including elastic tapes, should be exempt based on a plain reading of the exemption entry. The State contended that since "elastic tapes" were not specifically mentioned in the entry, the petitioner could not claim exemption for them.

The Court emphasized well-settled principles for interpreting tax notifications, highlighting that exemptions should be understood in their common parlance and popular meaning. Analyzing the exemption entry, the Court noted that the term "tapes" was broadly worded to include tapes made of various materials, such as elastic, cotton, or synthetic fibers. Referring to previous judgments, the Court held that the common market understanding of the term "tapes" encompassed elastic tapes as well. Drawing parallels with a case before the Allahabad High Court, where products made with elastic material were considered exempt, the Court concluded that elastic tapes fell within the scope of the exemption for tapes specified in the notification.

In light of the above analysis, the Court allowed the petition, quashing the orders that denied exemption to elastic tapes. The Court directed the refund of any security amount deposited by the petitioner and did not impose any costs.