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Issues involved: The judgment involves three main issues: 1. Entitlement to relief under section 80J for new unit manufacturing lamp caps for assessment years 1967-68 and 1970-71. 2. Correctness of disallowance under section 40(a)(v) for benefits like rent-free quarters and bonus paid to employees. 3. Appealability of levy of interest under section 217(1A) and validity of directions given by the Appellate Assistant Commissioner.
Issue 1 - Relief under section 80J: The assessee established a new unit for manufacturing lamp-caps, separate from its existing business of manufacturing lamps. The Tribunal found the new unit to be a distinct undertaking eligible for relief under section 80J, supported by the Supreme Court's decision in Textile Machinery Corporation Ltd. v. CIT [1977] 107 ITR 195. Issue 2 - Disallowance under section 40(a)(v): The Income Tax Officer disallowed certain benefits under section 40(a)(v), including profit bonus and rent-free quarters provided to employees. The Appellate Assistant Commissioner excluded profit bonus from disallowance under section 40(a)(v) as it falls under s. 17(3)(ii) and is not considered an expenditure. Regarding rent-free quarters, the company did not incur any expenditure, and the fair annual rent calculated on a notional basis cannot be treated as an expenditure under section 40(a)(v). Issue 3 - Appealability of interest levy under section 217(1A): The Tribunal held, following a previous court decision, that no appeal lies against the levy of interest under section 217(1A). The directions issued by the Appellate Assistant Commissioner were deemed improper as the order was not appealable. In conclusion, the court answered the first two questions affirmatively in favor of the assessee and against the department, granting relief under section 80J and rejecting disallowance under section 40(a)(v). The third question was answered in favor of the department regarding the appealability of interest levy under section 217(1A. The assessee was awarded costs and counsel's fee.
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