Mr.K.Venkatesh, learned Government Advocate accepts notice for the respondents. Heard both. By consent, the writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal.
2. The petitioner is aggrieved by an order passed by the first respondent, rejecting the petitioner's request for issuance of a supplementary VAT input certificate.
3. The petitioner made an application before the first respondent seeking such a certificate for the relevant assessment year. The petitioner relied upon a judgment of this Court in the case of Everest Industries Limited Vs. State of Tamil Nadu [reported in (2017) 100 VST 158]. However, the first respondent, without taking into consideration as to what is the legal principle laid down in the said decision and as to whether it can be applied to the case of the petitioner, on a misconception of the legal position, rejected the petitioner's application on the ground that the petitioner is not a party to the said judgment.
4. The view taken by the first respondent is erroneous, since this Court, in the said decision, laid down the legal position and every dealer is entitled to rely upon the said judgment, if it is applicable to the facts and circumstances of their case. Thus, the reason assigned by the first respondent in the impugned order is wholly untenable. In fact, an identical reason was given by an Assessing Officer namely the Assistant Commissioner (CT), Pattravakkam Assessment Circle in respect of an assessee namely M/s.ESAB India Limited. That order was challenged by filing W.P.No. 13744 of 2017, which was allowed by this Court by order dated 05.6.2017. In the light of the above, the impugned order calls for interference.
5. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed, the impugned order is set aside and the matter is remanded to the first respondent for a fresh consideration. The first respondent shall consider the decision in Everest Industries Limited and ascertain as to whether it applies to the petitioner's case on facts and if so, issue necessary tax paid certificate within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.
25.7.2017 Internet : Yes To
1.The Joint Commissioner (CT), SIPCOT - MoU Cell, No.19A, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road, Chennai-8.
2.The Deputy Commissioner (CT-II), Office of the Joint Commissioner, Large Tax Payer's Unit, 5th Floor, Dugar Towers, Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai-8.
RS T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J RS WP.No.18970 of 2017 25.7.2017