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Issues:
- Whether rule 19A(3) is ultra vires under section 80J of the Income Tax Act. Analysis: The case involved a partnership firm engaged in the manufacture of Saria Patti, challenging the validity of rule 19A(3) under section 80J of the Income Tax Act. The petitioner initially filed a return without considering the provisions of section 80J, later revising it to include the deduction claimed under the said section. The Income Tax Officer allowed the deduction, but the petitioner was advised that rule 19A(3) might be ultra vires section 80J. The Commissioner dismissed the revision petition, leading to the current challenge. The main issue for determination was whether rule 19A(3) was ultra vires section 80J. Section 80J provides for a tax holiday for industrial undertakings based on the capital employed. The court interpreted "capital employed" to include borrowed capital, as excluding it would defeat the purpose of encouraging industrial development. The court held that the borrowed capital should not be excluded when determining the capital employed for the purpose of section 80J. The respondents argued that the rule was framed under the authority of section 295 read with section 80J, allowing the Board to prescribe the computation of capital employed. However, the court held that while rules could be framed for computation, they should align with accepted methods and not exclude borrowed capital. The court found that rule 19A(3) exceeded the rule-making authority granted under section 80J and was, therefore, ultra vires. The court relied on precedents such as Century Enka Ltd. and Madras Industrial Linings Ltd., which supported the inclusion of borrowed capital in the computation of capital employed. The court also referenced Kanga and Palkhivala's interpretation, emphasizing that excluding borrowed funds would favor affluent assessees over those who need to borrow for their businesses. The court distinguished other cases cited by the respondents and ruled in favor of the petitioners, declaring rule 19A(3) ultra vires under section 80J, quashing the Commissioner's orders, and directing the deductions to be allowed as per the court's observations.
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