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Interpretation of the expression "mineral oil" in the context of priority industry benefits under sections 80E/80-1 and development rebate under section 33(1)(b)(B)(i) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. Detailed Analysis: The judgment pertains to a reference under section 256(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, initiated by the Revenue regarding the eligibility of an assessee engaged in the distribution and blending of petroleum products for benefits under sections 80E/80-1 and section 33(1)(b)(B)(i). The dispute revolves around whether the assessee's blending activity qualifies as a priority industry for the specified deductions. The Income-tax Officer initially denied the benefits, but the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal later ruled in favor of the assessee, leading to this reference (para. 2). The crux of the matter lies in the interpretation of the term "mineral oil" within the context of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Income-tax Act. The assessee contended that its blending process, resulting in lubricating oil, falls under the definition of mineral oil as per the relevant schedules. However, the Revenue argued that mineral oil should be construed narrowly to exclude products derived from raw materials listed in the schedules (para. 7). The court referred to a circular by the Central Board of Direct Taxes and a previous case law to support the limited interpretation of "mineral oil." The circular clarified that mineral oil includes products derived from crude petroleum, while the court's previous view suggested that mineral oil encompasses refined products obtained from crude oil. These interpretations did not align with the assessee's position (para. 8). The court emphasized the principle of noscitur a sociis, stating that the term "mineral oil" should be restricted to substances extracted from the earth, not products manufactured using those substances. The blending process undertaken by the assessee did not result in mineral oil as defined in the schedules, leading to the denial of benefits under the specified sections (para. 9). Furthermore, the court highlighted that the assessee did not present evidence to establish that its lubricating oil could be classified as a petrochemical under a different schedule item. As such, the court could only rule based on the contention that the product fell under the mineral oil category, refraining from expressing an opinion on its potential classification as a petrochemical (para. 10). In conclusion, the court answered the reference question negatively, favoring the Revenue, as the blending activity did not qualify for the specified deductions under sections 80E/80-1 and section 33(1)(b)(B)(i) due to the interpretation of "mineral oil" within the relevant schedules (para. 11).
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