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TMI Blog2020 (10) TMI 1119X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... unal") read as under:- "1. For that the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) is contrary to law, facts and circumstances of the case to the extent prejudicial to the interest of the assessee and at any rate is opposed to the principles of equity, natural justice and fair play. 2. For that the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in upholding the disallowance of employees' contribution to PF & ESI amounting to Rs. 83,08,244/- u/s.36(1)(va). 3. For that the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in disallowing the employees' contribution to PF & ESI for the reason that the payments to the relevant fund were not made within the due date of the relevant statute. 4. For that Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the payment of employees' contribution to PF & ESI within the due date for filing the return of income is an allowable expenditure. 5. For that the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in upholding the addition of Rs. 18,52,300/- as unexplained credit u/s.68. 6. For that the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the provisions of section 68 are not invocable in the facts and ci ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... om its employees were deposited by assessee with the PF/ESI authorities beyond the time prescribed under PF & ESI Act , while it is an admitted position that the said employees contribution towards PF and ESI were deposited by assessee with the aforesaid authorities before the due date as is prescribed for filing of return of income u/s.139(1) of the 1961 Act. The Ld.CIT(A) vide appellate order dated 28.02.2019 has disallowed the same by holding as under: "5. I heard contentions of the AR of the Appellant and perused the grounds of appeal, assessment order, AR's submission and material available on record. My observations in respect of the grounds raised by the appellant are as follows: 6. PF&ESI: 6.1 Assessing Officer noticed that the assessee remitted employee's Contributions to ESI and PF amounting to Rs. 83,08,244/- after the due dates prescribed and hence disallowed the same u/s.36(1)(va) r.w.s 2(24)(x). 6.2 In the grounds of appeal, the appellant contested as under: "2. For that the Assessing Officer erred in disallowing employees contribution to PF & ESI amounting to Rs. 83,08,244/- u/s.36(l)(va). 3. For that the Assessing Officer erred in disallowing the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... u/s 36(1)(va) read with Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act is to be allowed if the employee contribution to PF/ESI received by the taxpayer is deposited before the due date as is prescribed for filing of return of income under the provisions of Section 139(1) of the 1961 Act, albeit the same was deposited beyond the time stipulated under the provisions of statute governing PF/ESI. The Ld.Counsel for the assessee also relied upon decision of the Co-ordinate Benches of Chennai Tribunal in the case of M/s Selva Gold Covering Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT in ITA No.693/Chny/2017 dated 25.11.2019, in which, one of us namely Accountant Member was part of the Division Bench who pronounced the said order wherein tribunal has also allowed the deduction with respect to employee contribution towards PF/ESI received by taxpayer which was deposited beyond the time prescribed under the relevant statute governing PF/ESI but was deposited before the due date of filing of return of income as is prescribed under Section 139(1) of the 1961 Act. The learned counsel for the assessee also relied upon recent decision of Co-ordinate Benches of Chennai-tribunal in the case of DCIT v. M/s.Repco Home Finance Pvt. Ltd., i ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... P No. 23727 of 2018 and the Division Bench of Hon'ble Madras High Court was pleased to grant permission to the tax-payer to withdraw the original writ petition namely WP No. 5264 of 2018 as well writ appeal no. 2854 of 2018, vide orders dated 09.01.2019. We have also observed that in the case of M/s.Repco Home Finance Pvt. Ltd.(supra) in which one of us namely Accountant Member was part of the Division Bench who pronounced the said order, the Chennai tribunal has elaborately discussed this issue including the decision of the Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of M/s.Unifac Management Services (India) Pvt. Ltd.(supra), and after considering the various decisions passed by Superior Courts have decided the issue in favour of the taxpayer. The decision of the ITAT, Chennai, in the case of Repco Home Finance Private Limited (supra) is reproduced hereunder: "10. The next effective issue, which is agitated by Revenue before tribunal , is with respect of disallowance of Rs. 6,31,788/- made under Section 36(1)(va) read with section 2(24)(x) by A.O being employee contribution to P.F. which is deposited by assessee to the credit of employee with Relevant fund beyond the time stipulated u ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... n towards employees contribution to PF can be allowed only when the employer remits the said employee contribution to the credit of employee with relevant fund on or before the due date specified in statute governing PF, which admittedly was not complied by the assessee. Before us, the Ld. D.R. submitted that Section 36(1)(va) read with Explanation 1 of the 1961 Act clearly provides that employee contribution to Provident Fund amount should have been deposited before the due date as prescribed under the statute governing Provident Fund. By relying on the provisions of section 36(1)(va) of the Act so far as employees contribution is concerned, the learned DR relied upon the decision of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of The Principal C.I.T. v. M/s.Orchid Pharma Ltd., in Tax case appeal Nos.430 & 421 of 2019 & CMP No.13978 of 2019 for ay:2013-14 and 2014-15, judgment dated 08.07.2019 and prayers were made by Ld. D.R. to restore the matter back to the file of learned CIT(A) for fresh adjudication after considering aforesaid decision of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of Orchid Pharma(cited supra). The Ld. Counsel for the assessee on the other hand submitted that this issue ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise;]" "Certain deductions to be only on actual payment. 43B. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, a deduction otherwise allowable under this Act in respect of- *** (b) any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees, *** *** shall be allowed (irrespective of the previous year in which the liability to pay such sum was incurred by the assessee according to the method of accounting regularly employed by him) only in computing the income referred to in section 28 of that previous year in which such sum is actually paid by him : [Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply in relation to any sum which is actually paid by the assessee on or before the due date applicable in his case for furnishing the return of income under sub-section (1) of section 139 in respect of the previous year in which the liability to pay such sum ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... *** Thus, Section 43B of the 1961 Act as it stood vide amendment made by Finance Act, 1987 w.e.f. 01.04.1988 , inter-alia, provided that notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of the 1961 Act, a deduction which is otherwise allowable under the 1961 Act shall be allowed of any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees provided the said sum is actually paid during the previous year on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36 viz. the date prescribed under the relevant statute governing PF/ESI and other employee welfare funds for deposit of the contribution payable by assessee as an employer to an provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for welfare of employees. 10.3.3. Then came the amendment by Finance Act, 2003 w.e.f 01.04.2004, wherein the second proviso to Section 43B stood deleted and first poviso to Section 43B was amended so that now even any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fun ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... able in his case for furnishing the return of income under subsection (1) of section 139 in respect of the previous year in which the liability to pay such sum was incurred as aforesaid and the evidence of such payment is furnished by the assessee along with such return : Provided further that no deduction shall, in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b) , be allowed unless such sum has actually been paid in cash or by issue of a cheque or draft or by any other mode on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36, and where such payment has been made otherwise than in cash, the sum has been realized within fifteen days from the due date." 7. By Finance Act, 2003, the second proviso to section 43B of the Act not only got deleted but the said Finance Act, 2003, also amended the first proviso with effect from assessment year 2004-05. We quote hereinbelow the first proviso to section 43B of the Act after its amendment by Finance Act, 2003, which reads as under: "Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply in relation to any sum which is actually paid by the assessee on or before the due date applicab ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e accounting year but before the date of filing of the Return of income under section 139(1) of the Act, the assessee(s) would be entitled to deduction under section 43B on actual payment basis and such deduction would be admissible for the accounting year. This proviso, however, did not apply to the contribution made by the assessee(s) to the labour welfare funds. To this effect, first proviso stood introduced with effect from 1-4-1988. Vide Finance Act, 1988, the second proviso came to be inserted. It reads as follows: "Provided further that no deduction shall, in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b) , be allowed unless such sum has actually been paid during the previous year on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36." At this stage, we also quote hereinbelow the Explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36: "Explanation.-For the purposes of this clause, 'due date' means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunde ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... epartment that even between 1-4-1988 and 1-4-2004, Parliament had maintained a clear dichotomy between payment of tax, duty, cess or fee on one hand and payment of contributions to the welfare funds on the other. According to the Department, that dichotomy continued up to 1-4-2004, hence, looking to this aspect, the Parliament consciously kept that dichotomy alive up to 1-4-2004, by making Finance Act, 2003, come into force only with effect from 1-4-2004. Hence, according to the Department, Finance Act, 2003 should be read as amendatory and not as curative [retrospective] with effect from 1-4-1988. 9. We find no merit in these civil appeals filed by the Department for the following reasons: firstly, as stated above, section 43B [main section], which stood inserted by Finance Act, 1983, with effect from 1-4-1984, expressly commences with a non obstante clause, the underlying object being to disallow deductions claimed merely by making a Book entry based on Mercantile System of Accounting. At the same time, section 43B [main section] made it mandatory for the Department to grant deduction in computing the income under section 28 in the year in which tax, duty, cess, etc., is actual ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 1-4-1984. It is also relevant to note that the first proviso which came into force with effect from 1-4-1988 was not on the statute book when the assessments were made in the case of Allied Motors (P.) Ltd. (supra). However, the assessee contended that even though the first proviso came to be inserted with effect from 1-4-1988, it was entitled to the benefit of that proviso because it operated retrospectively from 1-4- 1984, when section 43B stood inserted. This is how the question of retrospectivity arose in Allied Motors (P.) Ltd.'s case (supra). This Court, in Allied Motors (P.) Ltd.'s case (supra) held that, when a proviso is inserted to remedy unintended consequences and to make the section workable, a proviso which supplies an obvious omission in the section and which proviso is required to be read into the section to give the section a reasonable interpretation, it could be read retrospective in operation, particularly to give effect to the section as a whole. Accordingly, this Court, in Allied Motors (P.) Ltd.'s case (supra), held that the first proviso was curative in nature, hence, retrospective in operation with effect from 1-4- 1988. It is important to note ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... anguage used by the Legislature and if strict literal construction leads to an absurd result, i.e., a result not intended to be subserved by the object of the legislation found in the manner indicated before, then if another construction is possible apart from strict literal construction, then that construction should be preferred to the strict literal construction. Though equity and taxation are often strangers, attempts should be made that these do not remain always so and if a construction results in equity rather than in injustice, then such construction should be preferred to the literal construction...." (p. 339) For the afore-stated reasons, we hold that Finance Act, 2003, to the extent indicated above, is curative in nature, hence, it is retrospective and it would operate with effect from 1-4-1988 [when the first proviso came to be inserted]. For the above reasons, we find no merit in this batch of civil appeals filed by the Department which are hereby dismissed with no order as to costs. Civil Appeal No. 7755/2009 @ S.L.P. (C) No. 20581/2008 and Civil Appeal No. 7757/2009 @ S.L.P. (C) No. 18380/2009: 11. Leave granted. 12. In view of our judgment in the case of CIT ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... vant fund or funds on or before the due date. Explanation - For the purposes of this clause, 'due date' means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract or service or otherwise." 6. It would also be appropriate to take note of section 43B of the Act primarily for the reason that in Vinay Cement Ltd.'s case (supra) it was this provision which came up for discussion before the Supreme Court and also keeping in view the contention of learned counsel for the Revenue that this judgment would be of no avail to the assessee while discussing the matter under section 36(1)(va) of the Act. Section 43B stipulates that certain deductions are to be given only on actual payment. Clause (b) thereof talks about contribution by the assessee as employer to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of the employees. Since we are concerned only with clause (b), we reproduce the same for clearer understanding :- "43B. Certain ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 9. What is sought to be argued is that distinction is to be made while treating the case related to employers' contribution on the one hand and employees' contribution on the other hand. It was submitted that when employees' contribution is recovered from their salaries/wages, that is trust money in the hands of the assessee. For this reason, rigours of law are provided by treating it as income when the assessee receives the employees' contribution and enabling the assessee to claim deduction only on actual payment by due date specified under the provisions. 10. Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, learned counsel for the Revenue, thus, argued that the second proviso to section 43B, as it stood at the relevant time, clearly mentioned that deduction in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b) shall not be allowed unless such sum has actually been paid in cash or by issuance of cheque or draft or by any other mode on or before the due date, as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of subsection (1) of section 36. Thus, the assessee would earn the entitlement only if the actual payment is made before the due date specified in Explanation below clause (va) of sub-secti ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... h in respect of EPF, Family Pension, PF inspection charges and ESI deposits and what were the due dates for these deposits and on which date these deposits were made. The dates of deposits are mentioned between 23rd May, 2001 to 23rd April, 2002. The latest payment is made on 23rd April, 2002 and assessee being limited company had filed its return on 20th October, 2002 which is a date not beyond the due date of filing of the return. Thus, it is clear beyond doubt that all the payments which have been disallowed were made much earlier to the due date of filing of the return. The disallowance is not made by the Assessing Officer on the ground that there is no proof of making such payment but disallowance is made only on the ground that these payments have been made beyond the due dates of making these payments under the respective statute. Thus, it was not an issue that the payments were not made by the assessee on the dates which have been stated to be the dates of deposits in the assessment order. If such is a factual aspect then according to latest position of law clarified by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT v. Vinay Cement Ltd. that no disallowance could be made if t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... w taken by the Tribunal deserves to be sustained as it is no longer res integra in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of CIT v. Vinay Cement Ltd. 213 ITR 268 which has been followed by a Division Bench of this Court in the case of CIT v. Dharmendra Sharma [2008] 297 ITR 320. 8. Despite the aforesaid judgments, the learned counsel for the Tribunal has contended that in view of the judgment of the Division Bench of the Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Synergy Financial Exchange Ltd. [2007] 288 ITR 366 and that of the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in the case of CIT v. Pamwi Tissues Ltd. [2008] Taxindiaonline.com 104 (TIOL) the issue requires consideration. According to us, in view of the dismissal of the Special Leave Petition in the case of Vinay Cement Ltd. (supra) by the Supreme Court by a speaking order, the submission of the learned counsel for the revenue has to be rejected at the very threshold. The reason for the same is as follows:- 9. The Gauhati High Court in the case of CIT v. George Williamson (Assam) Ltd. [2006] 284 ITR 619 dealt with the very same issue. In the said judgment the Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court noted a ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ;s case (supra) a Division Bench of this Court dismissed the appeals of the revenue. In the passing we may also note that a Division Bench of the Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Nexus Computer (P.) Ltd. by a judgment dated 18-8- 2008 passed in Tax Case (A) No. 1192/2008 discussed the impact of both the dismissal of the special leave petition in the case of George Williamson (Assam) Ltd. (supra) and Vinay Cement Ltd.'s case (supra) as well as a contrary view of the Division Bench of its own Court in Synergy Financial Exchange's case (supra). The Division Bench of the Madras High Court has explained the effect of the dismissal of a special leave petition by a speaking order by relying upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Kunhayammed v. State of Kerala 119 STC 505 at page 526 in paragraph 40 and noted the following observations:- 'If the order refusing leave to appeal is a speaking order, i.e., gives reasons for refusing the grant of leave, then the order has two implications. Firstly, the statement of law contained in the order is a declaration of law by the Supreme Court within the meaning of article 141 of the Constitution. Secondly, other tha ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... essee can get the benefit if the actual payment is made before the return is filed, as per the principle laid down by the Supreme Court in Vinay Cement Ltd.'s case (supra). 18. We, thus, answer the question in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue. As a consequence, the appeals filed by the assessees stand allowed and those filed by the Revenue are dismissed. No costs." 10.3.6 We have also observed that Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. M/s.Industrial Security and Intelligence India Pvt. Ltd.(cited supra), has decided this issue in favour of the tax-payer and deduction towards employees contribution to PF/ESI was allowed provided the same is deposited to the credit of employees with respective PF/ESI funds before the due date prescribed u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act, albeit the same was deposited after the due date as prescribed for payment under statute governing PF/ESI. The Hon'ble Madras High Court while adjudicating the aforesaid appeal in the case of Industrial Security(supra) in favour of taxpayer referred to the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT v. Alom Extrusions Limited reported in 319 ITR 306(SC) and decision of Hon'ble Del ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e of belated deposit of employee contribution towards PF/ESI and other employees welfare funds beyond the date prescribed under statute governing PF/ESI and other employee welfare funds bur deposited prior to due date for filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act, in favour of the tax-payer , while we have also observed that Hon'ble Kerala High Court and Hon'ble Gujarat High Court has taken a view on this issue favorable to Revenue. Our Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court has taken a view in favour of the tax-payer and judicial discipline demands that we follow the judgment of Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court viz. in the case of CIT v. M/s.Industrial Security and Intelligence India Pvt. Ltd.(supra), which judgment is binding on us. At this stage we would like to refer to order in writ petition passed by Single Judge of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of Unifac Management Services (India) Private Limited v. DCIT in WP no. 5264 of 2020, WMP No. 6461 of 2018, vide order dated 23.10.2018 (reported in (2018) 409 ITR 225(Mad.), wherein Single Judge of Hon'ble Madras High Court decided this issue in favour of Revenue. However, subsequently, the said decision of Single J ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ITR 677(SC) to hold amendment made by Finance Act, 2003 to be retrospective. While holding the same to be retrospective, the Hon'ble Supreme Court referred to its decision in the case of CIT v. J.H.Gotla reported in (1985) 156 ITR 323(SC) wherein it held that if strict interpretation leads to absurd results which are not intended by the object of the legislation, and if other construction is possible , then that construction should be preferred to the strict legal construction. The Hon'ble Supreme Court observed that though equity and taxation are often strangers, attempts should be made that these do not remain always so and if a construction results in equity rather than in injustice, then such construction should be preferred to literal construction. We have observed that Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of CIT v. Ghatge Patil Transports Limited reported in (2014) 368 ITR 749(Bom.) held that decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alom Extrusion(cited supra) shall apply both to employees as well employers contribution to various employees welfare funds , and if the amount towards employee's contribution to employees welfare funds is deposited before the due date pr ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e adjudicating in the case of Bharat Hotels(supra). The Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court has decided this issue in favour of the tax-payer in the case of CIT v. Rai Agro Industries Limited reported in (2011) 334 ITR 122( Punj & Har.) ;CIT v. Hemla Embroidery Mills Private Limited reported in (2014) 366 ITR 167( Punj. & Har.). Hon'ble Rajasthan High Court in the case(s) of CIT v. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur reported in (2014) 43 taxmann.com 411(Raj.) and in CIT v. Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited reported in (2014) 49 taxmann.com 540(Raj) has decided this issue in favour of the tax-payer. Similarly, Hon'ble Karnataka High Court and Hon'ble Himachal Pradesh High Court has decided this issue in favour of the tax-payer. However, Hon'ble Gujarat High Court has decided this issue in favour of Revenue in CIT v. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation reported in (2014) 366 ITR 170(Guj.) ; Checkmate Facility & Electronic Solutions (P.) Ltd. v. Dy. CIT [Tax Appeal No. 1256 of 2018, dated 15-10-2018 and PCIT v. Suzlon Energy Limited reported in (2020) 115 taxmann.com 340(Guj). Thus, Hon'ble Gujarat High Court held that to get deduction towards employees contribution towards PF ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... owards an approved gratuity fund created by him for the exclusive benefit of his employees under an irrevocable trust; (va) any sum received by the assessee from any of his employees to which the provisions of sub-clause (x) of clause (24) of section 2 apply, if such sum is credited by the assessee to the employee's account in the relevant fund or funds on or before the due date. Explanation.- for the purposes of this clause, "due date" means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise". "S.43B. Certain deductions to be only on actual payment Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, a deduction otherwise allowable under this Act in respect of - ** ** ** (b) any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees". 8. Looking at the provisions we are definite that the Act treats empl ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... #39;, payable by the employer without deduction from the salary of the employee. Employees contribution though remitted to the fund by the employer, it is deducted from the employees salary, which deduction is statutorily enabled. Deduction from the salary of the employee, of course, is the liability of the employer and so is the remittance to the fund but it does not change the essential nature of the contribution; which is of the employee. A contribution deducted from the employee's salary and paid by the employer cannot, for a moment, be termed as the employer's contribution. There is a clear distinction insofar as the contributions payable under the EPF&MP Act as also the ESI Act. The employer's contribution has to be paid by the employer himself and there is possible no deduction from the salary of the employee, whereas with respect to the employee's contribution, it has to be deducted from the salary of the employee and paid to the relevant fund. 11. The Supreme Court in Alom Extrusions Ltd.'s case (supra) as was noticed, was specifically considering the issue with respect to the employer's contribution. The Hon'ble Supreme Court noticed that pri ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ents over the years and look at the sequence in which they were brought in. Only on introduction of Section 43B with effect from 01.04.1984, there was an insistence that there should be actual payment of amounts claimed as deductions, enumerated under the provision. Section 43B (b) spoke of sum payable by the employer by way of contribution to a welfare fund. At that point it could be understood that the sub-clause took in both employee's and employer's contribution. The legislature then took note of the circumstance that many claim the deduction on the ground of maintaining accounts on mercantile or accrual basis and fail to discharge the liability. Hence by Finance Act 1987, clause (x) under Section 2 (24) , sub-clause (va) of Section 36 (1) and the 2nd proviso to Section 43B were brought in. From that date the statute treats the employee's and employer's contribution differently. 13. Otherwise there was no requirement for bringing in a sub-clause under the definition clause of 'income' including the employee's contribution received by the employer and providing a deduction by sub-clause (va) and permitting the deduction only if that contribution ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... isions of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948) or any other fund for the welfare of such employees. According to us, on a reading of Sec. 36(1)(va) along with Sec. 2(24)(x), it is categoric and clear that the contribution received by the assessee from the employee alone was treated as income for the purpose of Sec. 36(1)(va) of the Act and therefore we are of the considered opinion that the assessee was entitled to get deduction for the sum received by the assessee from his employees towards contribution to the fund or funds so mentioned only if, the said amount was credited by the assessee on or before the due date to the employees account in the relevant fund as provided under Explanation 1 to Sec.36(1)(va) of the Act. According to us, so far as Sec. 43B(b) is concerned, it takes care of only the contribution payable by the employer/assessee to the respective fund. Therefore, in that circumstances, Sec. 36(1)(va) and Sec. 43B(b) operate in different fields i.e. the former takes care of employee's contribution and the latter employer's contribution. The assessee was entitled to get the benefit of deduction under Sec. 43B(b) as provided under the provis ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... (supra)in the negative, against the assessee and in favour of the Revenue. 17. The other question of law framed refer to the 'amounts payable', the reference obviously is to "any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other funds for the welfare of employees" as found in sub-clause (b) of Section 43B, which refers only to the employer's contribution and not the employee's contribution. Employee's contribution, as has been already held by us, is covered by clause (va) of Section 36(1) and the deduction is restricted by the Explanation below it. With respect to employer's contribution, the deduction is allowable only on actual payment, as per Section 43B restricted only by the proviso as is now available in the Act, which requires payment before the filing of return. Any sum paid as employer's contribution, which is actually paid by the assessee on or before the due date applicable in his case for furnishing the return of income, under sub-section (1) of Section 139, then the same would be enabled deduction. Hence, in the present case if the employer's con ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ing the parties to suffer their respective costs." 10.3.10 Thus, it can be clearly seen that the Hon'ble High Courts in India have taken a different views so far as to allowability of employee contribution to PF/ESI and other welfare funds which is deposited to the credit of employee with revenant funds beyond the time stipulated under the relevant statute applicable to PF/ESI and other funds for welfare of employees, but deposited prior to due date of filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act. If we apply strict interpretation as is normally applied as there is no equity in tax laws, we have observed that the employee contribution received by an employer is treated as income under the provisions of Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act , while deduction is allowed u/s 36(1)(va) read with Explanation of the amount received by an employer from employees as their contribution which stood deposited by employer to the credit of employee with relevant fund on or before the due date as is prescribed under relevant statute governing PF/ESI and other employees welfare funds. The provisions of Section 43B of the 1961 Act has a heading that certain deductions to be allowed only on a ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ction 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act , infringement took place viz. the employer fail to deposit the employee contribution towards PF/ESI and other employees welfare funds to the credit of employee with relevant fund before due date as prescribed under relevant statute governing PF/ESI and other employees welfare fund, then at threshold itself no deduction u/s 36(1)(va) read with Explanation 1 and Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act can be allowed and consequently there cannot be any question of entering further into Section 43B of the 1961 Act as the deduction at threshold level of Section 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act is itself not available. This are the literal and strict interpretation of provisions of Section 2(24)(x) read with Section 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act. The deduction provisions are to be strictly construed and onus is on the assessee to prove that it is entitled for deduction/ exemption as it falls within four corners of the statute. There is no equity in tax laws and exemption/deduction provisions are to be strictly construed. The decision of Constitution Bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Commissioner of Customs (Imports) v. Dilip Kumar & Co. reported in (2018) 9 SCC ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... rt in the case of Sun Export Corpn. v. Collector of Customs: [1997] 6 SCC 564, the proposition came to be stated that any ambiguity in a tax provision/notification must be interpreted in favour of the assessee who is claiming benefit thereunder.14 17.1. In Dilip Kumar & Co., the Constitution Bench of this Court examined several of the past decisions including that by another Constitution Bench in CCE v. Hari Chand Shri Gopal: [2011] 1 SCC 236 as also that by a Division Bench of this Court in the case of UOI v. Wood Papers Ltd.: [1990] 4 SCC 256 wherein, the principles were stated in clear terms that the question as to whether a subject falls in the notification or in the exemption clause has to be strictly construed; and once the ambiguity or doubt is resolved by interpreting the applicability of exemption clause strictly, the Court may construe the exemption clause liberally. This Court found that in Wood Papers Ltd. (supra), some of the observations in an earlier decision in the case of CCE v. Parle Exports (P) Ltd.: [1989] 1 SCC 345 were also explained with all clarity. This Court noted the enunciations in Wood Paper Ltd. with total approval as could be noticed in the followin ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... erpreted to benefit the subject/assessee. A careful reading of the entire para, as extracted hereinabove would, however, suggest that an exception to the general rule of tax has to be construed strictly against those who invoke for their benefit. This was explained in a subsequent decision in Wood Papers Ltd. case. In para 6, it was observed as follows: (SCC p. 262) "6.... In CCE v. Parle Exports (P) Ltd., this Court while accepting that exemption clause should be construed liberally applied rigorous test for determining if expensive items like Gold Spot base or Limca base or Thums Up base were covered in the expression food products and food preparations used in Item No. 68 of First Schedule of Central Excises and Salt Act and held 'that it should not be in consonance with spirit and the reason of law to give exemption for non-alcoholic beverage basis under the notification in question'. Rationale or ratio is same. Do not extend or widen the ambit at stage of applicability. But once that hurdle is crossed construe it liberally. Since the respondent did not fall in the first clause of the notification there was no question of giving the clause a liberal construction and h ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ption and therefore is not exempt or absolved from following the statutory requirements as contained in the Rules. The Constitution Bench then considered and reiterated the settled principles qua the test of construction of exemption clause, the mandatory requirements to be complied with and the distinction between the eligibility criteria with reference to the conditions which need to be strictly complied with and the conditions which need to be substantially complied with. The Constitution Bench followed the ratio in Hansraj Gordhandas case, to reiterate the law on the aspect of interpretation of exemption clause in para 29 as follows: (Hari Chand case, SCC p. 247)"29. The law is well settled that a person who claims exemption or concession has to establish that he is entitled to that exemption or concession. A provision providing for an exemption, concession or exception, as the case may be, has to be construed strictly with certain exceptions depending upon the settings on which the provision has been placed in the statute and the object and purpose to be achieved. If exemption is available on complying with certain conditions, the conditions have to be complied with. The m ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s in the Act of 1961 dealing with incentive; and even as regards the incentive for earning or saving foreign exchange, there are other provisions in the Act, including Section 80HHC, whereunder the appellant was indeed taking benefit before the assessment year 1993-94. 19. Without expanding unnecessarily on variegated provisions dealing with different incentives, suffice would be to notice that the proposition that incentive provisions must receive "liberal interpretation" or to say, leaning in favour of grant of relief to the assessee is not an approach countenanced by this Court. The law declared by the Constitution Bench in relation to exemption notification, proprio vigore, would apply to the interpretation and application of any akin proposition in the taxing statutes for exemption, deduction, rebate et al., which all are essentially the form of tax incentives given by the Government to incite or encourage or support any particular activity16. 20. The principles laid down by the Constitution Bench, when applied to incentive provisions like those for deduction, would also be that the burden lies on the assessee to prove its applicability to his case; and if there be any amb ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... lation found in the manner indicated before, then if another construction is possible apart from strict literal construction, then that construction should be preferred to the strict literal construction. Though equity and taxation are often strangers, attempts should be made that these do not remain always so and if a construction results in equity rather than in injustice, then such construction should be preferred to the literal construction. The Hon'ble Delhi High Court and Hon'ble Bombay High Court after considering, analyzing and interpreting the decision in the case of Alom Extrusion (supra) has held that it will apply both to employers and employee contribution and if the same is deposited before the due date of filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act, the deduction shall be allowed , even if the same is deposited beyond the time stipulated as due date as prescribed under the provisions of Statute governing PF/ESI Act. Thus, the applicable provision as is contained in Section 36(1)(va) is read down by most of the Constitutional Courts including our Jurisdictional High Court (barring Hon'ble Gujarat High Court and Hon'ble Kerala High Court) to make it workabl ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... decision of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of Industrial Security and Intelligence(supra) , we allow the claim of the assessee for deduction of Rs. 6,31,788/- towards employees contribution to PF which was deposited late beyond due date as prescribed under relevant statute governing PF , but the same stood deposited to the credit of employees with relevant fund before the due date for filing of return of income as prescribed u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act. The Revenue fails on this issue for the reasons cited above. We order accordingly." Thus, Respectfully following the above decision(s), we decide the issue in favour of the assessee by holding that the employee contribution towards PF/ESI received by assessee from its employees which was deposited beyond the due date as prescribed under the relevant statute governing PF/ESI but were deposited within the due date prescribed for filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act shall be allowed as deduction while computing income of the assesse under Chapter IV-D of the 1961 Act under the head 'Profits and Gains from Business or Profession'. Thus assessee succeeds on this issue raised by assessee vide ground number 2 to 4 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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