MEENAKSHI MILLS LIMITED Vs. STATE OF MADRAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE assessees in these cases are Sri Meenakshi Mills Ltd., Palanganatham, Madurai Taluk and Messrs. Thiakesar Ali, Manaparai. THE turnover in dispute relates to the sales effected by the assessees in canteens run by them for the benefit of their employees, the amounts of such sales being Rs. 28, 020-12-6 and Rs. 23, 079-10-6 respectively. THE question debated is whether the assessees are liable to pay sales tax on these amounts. THE department and the Tribunal held that the assessees were liable to pay the tax. THE learned advocate for the assessees contends that this view is erroneous. Under Section 46 of the Factories Act, which applies to these concerns, the assessees are under a duty to maintain canteens for the benefit of their employees. THE Madras Factories Rules provide for the manner in which canteens should be run by factories and for the management of such canteens by a managing committee constituted under the rules consisting of representatives of the workers and the employers. THE prices for the food-stuffs sold in the canteens are to be fixed by the managing committee and the sale of food and refreshments in the canteens must be on non-profit basis.

(2.) IN view of these provisions, it is contended by the learned counsel for the assessees that it is impossible to consider the assessees as "dealers" in respect of these turnovers, as they do not carry on business and they are not sales in the course of any trade or business of the assessees within the meaning of the Madras General Sales Tax Act. IN C.R.P. No. 2292 of 1952 (Since reported as Gannon Dunkerley & Co. (Madras) Ltd. v. The State of Madras we considered the meaning of the word "business" used in the definition of "dealer" in the Act and we reached the conclusion that the word "business" was used in the Act in the commercial sense, an integral part of which is the motive to make profits by sales or purchases, and if this is wanting, a person buying or selling would not be a "dealer".. Following that decision, we hold that in these cases the assessees were not dealers in respect of the turnovers in dispute and they cannot be validly assessed to tax under the Act.The tax revision cases are, therefore, allowed with costs, Rs. 250 in one. Petitions allowed.