G. Narayana Reddy and ors. Vs. the State of Andhra Pradesh and ors. - Court Judgment

SooperKanoon Citationsooperkanoon.com/431852
SubjectSales Tax
CourtAndhra Pradesh High Court
Decided OnMar-30-1970
Case Number W.P. Nos. 197, 590 and 316 of 1967
Judge Chinnappa Reddy and ;Madhava Reddy, JJ.
Reported in[1975]35STC319(AP)
AppellantG. Narayana Reddy and ors.
RespondentThe State of Andhra Pradesh and ors.
Appellant Advocate V.S.L. Narasimharao and ; R. Subba Rao, Advs.
Respondent Advocate The Principal Government Pleader
Excerpt:
- maximssections 2(xv) & 3(1) & (3): [v.v.s. rao, n.v. ramana & p.s. narayana, jj] ghee as a live stock product held, [per v.v.s. rao & n.v. ramana, jj - majority] since ages, milk is preserved by souring with aid of lactic cultures. the first of such resultant products developed is curd or yogurt (dahi) obtained by fermenting milk. dahi when subjected to churning yields butter (makkhan) and buttermilk as by product. the shelf life of dahi is two days whereas that of butter is a week. by simmering unsalted butter in a pot until all water is boiled, ghee is obtained which has shelf life of more than a year in controlled conditions. ghee at least as of now is most synthesized, ghee is a natural product derived ultimately from milk. so to say, milk is converted to dahi, then butter......chinnappa reddy, j.1. in exercise of the powers under sub-section (1) of section 40 of the andhra pradesh general sales tax act of 1957, the governor of andhra pradesh by g. o. ms. no. 1413 dated 1st december, 1966, altered the third schedule to the act by substituting the words 'three paise in the rupee' in column (3) of the schedule for the figures and words '2 naye paise in the rupee' and '1/2 naya paisa in the rupee' wherever they occur against the items mentioned in columns (1) and (2). this g.o. was published in the gazette bearing date 1st december, 1966. according to the petitioners, this gazette was received by them, some of whom are subscribers, only on 25th december. the petitioners therefore contend that it is not open to the commercial tax authorities to levy tax at the rate.....
Judgment:

Chinnappa Reddy, J.

1. In exercise of the powers under Sub-section (1) of Section 40 of the Andhra Pradesh General Sales Tax Act of 1957, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh by G. O. Ms. No. 1413 dated 1st December, 1966, altered the Third Schedule to the Act by substituting the words 'three paise in the rupee' in column (3) of the schedule for the figures and words '2 naye paise in the rupee' and '1/2 naya paisa in the rupee' wherever they occur against the items mentioned in columns (1) and (2). This G.O. was published in the Gazette bearing date 1st December, 1966. According to the petitioners, this Gazette was received by them, some of whom are subscribers, only on 25th December. The petitioners therefore contend that it is not open to the commercial tax authorities to levy tax at the rate of three paise in the rupee from 1st December, 1966, and that they can do so only from 25th December, 1966. As there was some dispute as to when the Gazette was printed and when it was released to the public, we issued a notice to the Director of Printing to produce the relevant records. In response to our notice the Director of Printing personally appeared before us and produced the relevant registers.

2. On perusal of the registers, it is clear that Gazette No. 328-A bearing date 1st December, 1966, was printed and released to the public on 12th December, 1966. The notification was therefore effective at least from 12th December, 1966. The learned counsel would however urge that since the notification was not in fact published on the date which it bears, it was of no effect whatever and it was as if there was no notification at all. We are not prepared to agree with this submission. As we have said the notification is effective at least from 12th December, 1966, the date on which it was released to the public.

3. The writ petitions are therefore allowed to this extent, that the respondents are restrained from giving effect to the notification between 1st December, 1966, and 11th December, 1966, both days inclusive. Otherwise the writ petitions are dismissed. There will be no order as to costs.