Sales tax exemption for reading books does not extend to copy note-books under the modified notification.

Sales of copy note-books were not covered by the sales tax exemption notification because the exemption, as modified by the later order, extended only to sales of reading books including text-books. Copy note-books did not fall within either category, and the broader construction adopted by the Tribunal was rejected. The assessee was therefore not entitled to claim exemption on that basis.

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Issues: Whether sales of copy note-books were covered by the exemption granted under the relevant sales tax notification.

Analysis: The earlier notification relied on by the Tribunal had been upheld as valid, and the applicable exemption had therefore to be gathered from the notification as modified by the later order. On its terms, the exemption extended only to sales of reading books, including text-books. Copy note-books do not answer either description, and the wider meaning adopted by the Tribunal could not be sustained.

Conclusion: The exemption was not available for copy note-books, and the assessee was not entitled to exemption on that basis.

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