Case: The Indure Ltd. &amp; Another Vs. Commercial Tax Officer &amp; Others

Appellant No. 1 is a Limited Company duly incorporated under the provisions of Companies Act, 1956, engaged in the business of Works contract. Appellant No. 2 was working for gain as Senior Manager of Appellant No. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the Company).3. Tenders were invited by N.T.P.C on 08.01.1988 for submitting bids for Ash Handling Plant Package for its Farakka Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II, by way of International Competitive Bidding, popularly known as Global Tender.4. The scope of work involved in such package included designing and engineering, manufacture, inspection and testing at suppliers works, packing, transportation to site, unloading, storage and handling at site, erection, testing and commissioning of complete Ash Handling Plant for 2 x 500 MW Steam Generating Units (for short the plant). Such type of works contract is known as On Turnkey Basis. Bids made by bidders were to cover whole of the work as abovementioned. Bid made by any person not covering the entire scope of work was liable to be treated as incomplete and could be rejected on that ground only. The bidder was required to quote a lump sum price in its proposal for the entire scope of work covered under the bid documents. It further required that bidders shall indicate the bid price in their home currency or in US dollars.5. The aforesaid project of Ash Handling Plant for 2 x 500 MW Steam Generating Units was to be partially financed by a credit/loan from International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (for short IBRD) or by International Development Association (for short IDA).6. Pursuant to issuance of notice to invite tender, the Company submitted its bid furnishing therein all the information as required by the aforesaid notice and also indicated its bid price inclusive of foreign expenditure.7. Thereafter, a meeting was convened between the officials of N.T.P.C. and authorized representatives of the Company, at N.T.P.Cs Office on 21.07.1988, wherein various terms and conditions were discussed between the parties regarding erection of plant for which the Company had submitted its bid.8. Since project was partially financed by credit/loan from IDA or IBRD and in view of the terms of Import Export Policy, Volume-I (April, 1988 to March, 1991) supplies made in such project under the procedure of International Competitive Bidding were to be treated as deemed exports. Suppliers to such project enjoyed benefit of customs duty exemption for import and unless the part of the contract involving importation of equipments and accessories for use in such project is not separately treated as a supply contract such benefit cannot be availed of at all by the importer on such importation.9. The total contract was agreed to be divided into two separate contracts, (i) Supply Contract, and (ii) Erection Contract, with a cross fall breach clause wherein breach of either of the contracts would entitle the owner/contractee (N.T.P.C) to cancel the other contract also.10. In the said meeting itself, it was agreed between the Company and N.T.P.C that separate formulae shall be applicable in respect of calculation of price adjustment for indigenous supplies and imported supplies. It was, further, agreed that if Sales Tax on imported items is leviable due to future enactment of sale/interpretation of law/interpretation of law by court, the same will be reimbursed by N.T.P.C to the Company at actuals against documentary evidence.11. By way of Letter of Award dated 16.08.1988, N.T.P.C awarded two contracts to the Company for performing the work of erection of aforesaid plant on Turnkey Basis. Even though, two contracts were entered into between the parties but in nutshell it was only one contract for the simple reason that N.T.P.C kept a right with it with regard to cross fall breach clause meaning thereby that default in one contract would tantamount to default in another and whole contract was liable to be cancelled.11. By way of Letter of Award dated 16.08.1988, N.T.P.C awarded two contracts to the Company for performing the work of erection of aforesaid plant on Turnkey Basis. Even though, two contracts were entered into between the parties but in nutshell it was only one contract for the simple reason that N.T.P.C kept a right with it with regard to cross fall breach clause meaning thereby that default in one contract would tantamount to default in another and whole contract was liable to be cancelled.In the said Letter of Award, Clause 2 deals with intent and scope of award and is reproduced hereinbelow:2.1 We confirm having accepted your proposal dated March 28, 1988 and mentioned in at para 1.1 (ii) above, read in accordance with communications/clarifications/agreements referred to at para 1.1 above and award on you the Supply Contract for the work of design, engineering, manufacture, shop testing, inspection and testing of manufacture works, inspection and testing at manufacturers works, packing and forwarding from your manufacturing works/place of despatch (both in India) and successful performance testing at NTPC site and handling over of the 2 x 500 MW Ash Handling Plant for Farakka STPP, Stage-II on F.O.R. place of despatch in India basis. The items which are not specifically mentioned in the specifications, but are needed to complete the equipment package shall also be furnished by you unless otherwise specifically excluded in our bid documents read with Agreed Amendments.In Clause 4.5, the exchange rate of currencies of the various countries had been indicated.In Clause 4.5.1 and 4.5.2, Price Adjustment is indicated but relevant portion thereof, is reproduced hereinbelow:4.5.1. ...For equipment of Non-Indian origin, you shall submit the details of the indices and co-efficient in line with the provisions of Bid Documents within three months of the date of this Award Letter.4.5.2 The list of components/material/equipment to be imported by you, for which the adjustment on exchange rate variation is to be made under US$, DM and J Yen will be furnished by you within three months of the date of this Award Letter. The items as declared as per these lists shall only be eligible for exchange rate variation claims.13. It, further, contemplated that ownership of equipment supplied by the Company, under the supply portion of the contract shall vest exclusively with N.T.P.C upon despatch in India and negotiation of despatch document with N.T.P.C. Term of Contract Agreement contemplated that the Company guaranteed to the N.T.P.C that the equipment package under the contract shall meet the ratings and performance parameters, as stipulated in the Technical Specifications (Volume-II) and in the event of any deficiencies found in the requisite performance figures, N.T.P.C. may at its option reject the equipment package and recover the payment already made or alternatively accept it on the terms and conditions and subject to levy of the liquidated damages in terms of contract.14. Since during the course of the discussion it was decided that project would need certain imported items to be used exclusively for the plant, the Company had written a letter to N.T.P.C on 02.11.1988 inviting its attention, with regard to Clause 4.5.2 of the Letter of Award, giving details of the items to be imported for the said project. As many as twelve different type of components were sought to be imported for completion of the project.15. MS Pipe to be imported from M/s. Daewoo Corporation, South Korea, was one of the items shown in the list prepared by the Company which was subsequently presented to N.T.P.C.16. The Company, thereafter, submitted an application before DGTD, Import Export Directorate, New Delhi on 23.02.1989 for Special Imprest Import License against Turnkey contract for supply of complete Ash Handling System to N.T.P.Cs Farakka Super Thermal Power Project (2 x 500 MW).17. Alongwith the Annexures submitted by the Company full specifications of the MS Pipes were also given. It also contained details of other items required to be imported by the Company in accordance with the list presented to N.T.P.C., for completion of the project.18. Necessary declaration required to be furnished by the Company was complied with, the Licensing Authority clearly mentioning therein that all components sought to be imported were to be exclusively used by it for the aforesaid project of N.T.P.C. Accordingly, Special Import License was granted to the Company for importing MS Pipes of various diameters upto 500 MB with different wall thickness together with other components to be imported for usage in the said plant.20. It is worth mentioning here that M/s. Daewoo Corporation Limited, South Korea was specifically directed by the Company to emboss on each pipe the following marking:21. The special marking on each pipe would go to show that it was to be exclusively used as an integral component of the said project. The Special Imprest Import License was granted to the Company on 21.08.1989 by Controller of Imports and Exports with specific condition that the goods supplied therein shall be used exclusively for the plant of N.T.P.C. only.22. After the pipes were received at Calcutta port the same were transported to Farakka in the month of December, 1989 and End Use Certificate was issued on 03.06.1991 by N.T.P.C., Farakka Super Thermal Power Project certifying that MS Pipes imported from M/s. Daewoo Corporation of South Korea had been supplied fully to N.T.P.C. in terms of their Letter of Award/purchase order.23. The Company, thereafter, filed its Return claiming benefit under Section 5(2) of the Act as sale in the course of import. The Commercial Tax Officer, Durgapur Charge, in assessment proceedings disallowed the claim of the Company and raised a demand of Rs. 12,60,795.00/- as Sales Tax. Company preferred an appeal under Section 11(1) of the BFST Act before Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) but the same also came to be dismissed and the order of the Commercial Tax Officer was confirmed. The Revision Application was moved against the said order before West Bengal Commercial Taxes Appellate and Revisional Board, but after contest the said Revision Application was also dismissed against the Company. It, thereafter, preferred an application under Section 8 of the West Bengal Taxation Tribunal Act, 1987 before the West Bengal Taxation Tribunal, challenging the orders passed by the authorities below but the same was also rejected. The Appellants were then constrained to file a Writ Petition before Division Bench of the High Court of Calcutta, challenging the said orders. However, the Appellants Writ Petition also came to be dismissed by the Division Bench of the said Court on 19.10.2001, giving rise to this appeal.

Court's reasoning:
We have already mentioned hereinabove that alongwith MS Pipes, the disputed goods in this Appeal, the Company had also imported 11 other components/items to be used in the plant for its erection and commissioning. Other 11 imported goods, utilised by the Company in the erection of the plant have been held to be sales in the course of import made by Company to N.T.P.C and accordingly benefit under Section 5(2) of the Act has been granted by the concerned State Government. It was only this particular component MS Pipes, which has been denied this benefit.35. Sales Tax Assessment Order passed by Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax), Ghaziabad, State Of Uttar Pradesh has been filed before us to show that such benefit has been accrued to the Company for remaining 11 items. Since MS Pipes were shipped at Calcutta Port, thus it was Respondents who treated them exigible for Sales Tax. If the benefit of the Sales Tax exemption has been given to the Company for 11 components/items there is no reason why it is to be denied in respect of MS Pipes. This we are quoting so that the facts may be put on record correctly.37. In the case in hand, it is to be noted that import had occasioned only on account of the covenant entered into between the Company and N.T.P.C. and the imported pipes were used exclusively for erection and commissioning of the plant. Respondents have failed to establish that these pipes were not used in the plant of N.T.P.C. Similar question had again come up for consideration before two learned Judges of this Court reported in (1997) 7 SCC 190 State of Maharashtra v. Embee Corporation, Bombay wherein it has been held as under:9. In this case (K.G. Khosla and Co.(P) Ltd. v. Dy. Commissioner of Commercial Taxes), the Constitution Bench specifically held that sale need not precede the import and this decision is a complete answer to the argument advanced by the learned Counsel for the appellant.10. Learned Counsel then tried to argue that the decision of the Constitution Bench in Khosla case is not applicable to the present case as in the said case, the materials were to be inspected at Belgium and London and thereafter the goods were to enter into India. This argument is not correct. In Khosla case the inspection of goods was to be carried out in Belgium as well as on arrival into India. In the present case, the inspection was to be done on arrival of goods into India and as such, there is no distinction on facts between the present case and that of Khosla. Learned Counsel then urged that the decision of the Constitution Bench in Khosla case has not been correctly decided and as such this case be referred to a larger Bench. We have considered the matter and found that Khosla case has held the field nearly more than three decades and its correctness has not been doubted so far. We, therefore, reject the prayer of learned Counsel for the appellant.11. Learned Counsel then urged that this case is covered by decisions of this Court in the cases of Binani Bros. (P) Ltd. Union of India; Mohd. Serajuddin v. State of Orissa and K. Gopinathan Nair v. State of Kerala. The decision of this Court in the case of Binani Bros. is distinguishable as in that case no obligation was imposed on the appellant to supply the imported goods to DGS&D after they had been imported and the same could be directed to other channels. Similarly, the decision of this Court in the case of Mohd. Serajuddin is not applicable to the present case as in that case it was found that the appellant in the said case sold the goods directly to the Corporation which entered into a contract with a foreign buyer and it was found that the immediate cause of export was the contract between the foreign buyer who was the importer and the Corporation who was the exporter. Such sales were described as back-to-back contract. This decision rested on the peculiar facts of that case. We are, therefore, of the view that the appellant cannot derive any assistance from the said decision. The last case which was brought to our notice was K. Gopinathan Nair v. State of Kerala. In the said case, on facts it was found that on account of the sale to CCI by foreign exporters raw cashewnuts were imported into India. The importer being the CCI and not the local user, this Court held that principles evolved by it in para 12 of the judgment were not applicable to that case. We do not, therefore, find that this decision is helpful to the appellants. The result of the aforesaid discussion is that while interpreting the expression sale occasions import occurring in Sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Act, it is not necessary that a completed sale should precede the import.41. However, we are of the considered opinion that it has not been the Respondents case that the MS Pipes imported by the Company were not used for the erection and commissioning of the plant for N.T.P.C. Thus, from the facts of Binani Bros. supra, it is clearly spelt out that the facts of the case in hand are different. Thus, the ratio of the said case would not be applicable to it.42. In fact, the ground, sought to be raised for the first time before this Court that MS Pipes were put to manufacturing process and thereby converted into distinct end product had not been raised before any of the Authorities earlier. It was not the Respondents case that pipes so imported were not necessary components for the erection and commissioning of the plant. Admittedly, the said pipes were used as components in the Ash Handling Plant in the same condition as they were imported without altering its originality. Thus, the ground which was sought to be raised before us for the first time has not been considered by any of the Authorities and in our opinion rightly so. Thus, we also do not deem it fit and proper to consider the same at this belated stage.43. Apart from the aforesaid reasons, we are also of the considered opinion that such import would fall within the Constitutional umbrella. It is also to be noted that Company had admittedly imported the goods into India for completion of the Project on Turnkey Basis of N.T.P.C. Thus, by virtue of Article 286(1)(b) of the Constitution, it would not be taxable38. Test to determine if the sales were in the course of import has been elaborately considered in a judgment of learned three Judges Bench of this Court reported in (1985) 4 SCC 119 Deputy Commissioner of Agricultural Income Tax And Sales Tax, Ernakulam v. Indian Explosives Ltd.39. Para 4 thereof dealing with the issue is reproduced hereinbelow and finally in para 6 while distinguishing (1974) 1 SCC 459 in the matter of Binani Bros. (P) Ltd. v. Union of India and Ors. it has been held as under:4. The test of integral connection or inextricable link between the sale and the actual import or export in order that the sale could become a sale in the course of import or export has been clearly enunciated by this Court in Ben Gorm Nilgiri Plantations Company case. There the question related to sale of tea which was claimed to be in the course of export out of the territory of India and though by majority it was held that the sales in question were not in the course of export, the Court at p. 711 of the Report laid down the testA sale in the course of export predicates a connection between the sale and export, the two activities being so integrated that the connection between the two cannot be voluntarily interrupted, without a breach of the contract or the compulsion arising from the nature of the transaction. In this sense to constitute a sale in the course of export it may be said that there must be an intention on the part of both the buyer and the seller to export, there must be obligation to export, and there must be an actual export. The obligation may arise by reason of statute, contract between the parties, or from mutual understanding or agreement between them, or even from the nature of the transaction which links the sale to export. A transaction of sale which is a preliminary to export of the commodity sold may be regarded as a sale for export, but is not necessarily to be regarded as one in the course of export, unless the sale occasions export. And to occasion export there must exist such a bond between the contract of sale and the actual exportation, that each link is inextricably connected with the one immediately preceding it. Without such a bond, a transaction of sale cannot be called a sale in the course of export of goods out of the territory of India.Conversely, in order that the sale should be one in the course of import it must occasion the import and to occasion the import there must be integral connection or inextricable link between the first sale following the import and the actual import provided by an obligation to import arising from statute, contract or mutual understanding or nature of the transaction which links the sale to import which cannot, without committing a breach of statute or contract or mutual understanding, be sapped (sic. Counsel for the appellant fairly conceded that the facts in K.G. Khosla & Co. case were on all fours with the facts obtaining in the instant appeals and that the ratio of that decision would appear to govern the question arising in these appeals, but he contended that a different view has been taken by this Court in Binani Bros. (P) Ltd. v. Union of India and in view of this later decision the High Court ought not to have applied the ratio of K.G. Khosla & Co. decision to this case. It is not possible to accept this contention as in our view Binani Bros. case is clearly distinguishable on two material aspects. In that case the assessee itself held the import licence and the goods were imported on the strength of such import licence and not on the strength of any Actual Users Licence as is the case here. Secondly, unlike in the present case there was no term or condition prohibiting diversion of the goods after the import. In fact, it is these two factors obtaining in the instant case which establish the integral connection or inextricable link between the transactions of sale and the actual import making the sales in the course of import. In fact as pointed out earlier, the movement of the goods from the foreign country to India was in pursuance of the requirements flowing from the contract of sale between the respondent- assessee and the local purchaser and as such the sales in question must be held to be in the course of import.