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Interpretation of section 80P(2)(a)(ii) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for exemption eligibility based on cottage industry activities. Analysis: The case involved an application under section 256(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, where the Tribunal referred a question regarding the eligibility of a co-operative society for exemption under section 80P(2)(a)(ii) of the Act. The society acted as an apex society for primary societies of weavers, supplying raw materials and machinery to them and selling the manufactured goods in the market. The Income-tax Officer initially disallowed the deductions under section 80P(2)(a)(ii), leading to appeals and subsequent affirmations by the Appellate Assistant Commissioner and the Tribunal in favor of the assessee. The High Court analyzed the facts and determined that the primary co-operative societies engaged in cottage industry activities, as the goods were prepared at the grass roots level. Referring to precedents like Addl. CIT v. Chichli Brass Metal Workers Co-operative Society Ltd., the court emphasized that even if activities were conducted in a factory, they could still qualify as cottage industry. The court also cited CIT v. Tamil Nadu Co-operative Marketing Federation Ltd., where the Tribunal's decision to grant exemption under section 80P was upheld. The court distinguished the present case from District Co-operative Development Federation Ltd. v. CIT, emphasizing the direct link between the primary societies and the apex society in the present scenario, justifying the exemption eligibility. In conclusion, the court upheld the Tribunal's decision, ruling in favor of the assessee and against the Revenue. The judgment highlighted the unique nature of the cooperative activities involved, emphasizing the grassroots level production and the direct connection between the primary societies and the apex society, which qualified the activities as cottage industry under section 80P(2)(a)(ii) of the Act.
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