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2024 (12) TMI 1345 - HC - Income TaxProfit from the sale of jaggery - Agricultural income of not? - distinction between 'gur' and 'jaggery' - HELD THAT - After a detailed discussion and relying on various judgments CIT v H.G. Date 1970 (2) TMI 41 - BOMBAY HIGH COURT , Commissioner of Income-Tax v Kirloskar Bros. Ltd 1989 (9) TMI 91 - BOMBAY HIGH COURT , Krishi Utapadan Mandi Samiti and another v M/s. Shankar Industries and Others 1993 (2) TMI 332 - SUPREME COURT , Banarsi Das Gupta v Commissioner of Income Tax 1972 (5) TMI 26 - ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT , this Court has come to the conclusion that the essential characteristic of sugarcane in its original form, stands converted after processing, into jagerry and both the commodities are different and distinct from one another. Decided in favour of the revenue.
Issues:
1. Taxability of profit from the sale of jaggery as agricultural income. 2. Consideration of a contrary decision by the Bombay High Court. 3. Interpretation of the Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act regarding jaggery and gur. Analysis: Issue 1: The primary issue in this case was whether the profit from the sale of jaggery could be considered as agricultural income. The Tribunal held that such profits would be taxable as they lacked a nexus with agricultural operations. The appellant argued that the product sold was sugarcane, an agricultural commodity, not jaggery. However, the lower authorities had already ruled against the appellant on this matter during assessment, noting that the sales were of jaggery, not sugarcane. Issue 2: The appellant also raised the issue of a contrary decision by the Bombay High Court, questioning whether the Tribunal was right in ignoring it. However, the Court found that the appellant failed to raise this argument before the lower authorities and that the point raised regarding the sales being of sugarcane had already been conclusively decided against the appellant during assessment. Issue 3: The interpretation of the Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act regarding the distinction between jaggery and gur was also a point of contention. The Court, after considering various judgments, concluded that sugarcane, when processed into jaggery, becomes a different commodity, distinct from its original form. Therefore, the Court held that the profits from the sale of jaggery were taxable, dismissing the appeal in favor of the revenue. In summary, the Court upheld the Tribunal's decision that the profits from the sale of jaggery were taxable and not considered as agricultural income. The Court also rejected the appellant's arguments regarding the nature of the product sold and the interpretation of the relevant tax laws. The appeal was dismissed, and no costs were awarded.
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