Tribunal Decision: Appeal grounds allowed/dismissed on various tax matters

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. Versus Addl. CIT, Range - I, Dehradun And Vice-Versa

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. Versus Addl. CIT, Range - I, Dehradun And Vice-Versa - TMI Issues Involved:
1. Admission of additional ground of appeal regarding prior period expenditure.
2. Disallowance of interest paid on borrowings related to tax-free bonds.
3. Disallowance of payments made to various clubs.
4. Taxability of interest received on income tax refunds.
5. Addition in respect of oil bonds.
6. Change in accounting method for project overheads.
7. Allowability of foreign currency loss on capital and revenue accounts.
8. Disallowance of royalty and cess paid in respect of production sharing contracts.
9. Disallowance of dry docking expenses, furnishing of hired accommodation, and construction of boundary wall.
10. Disallowance of prior period expenses.
11. Deduction under section 80-IA for power generation undertaking.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Admission of Additional Ground of Appeal Regarding Prior Period Expenditure:
The assessee sought to raise an additional ground for deduction of prior period expenditure of Rs. 7,76,23,975/-. The revenue objected, citing no point of law involved. The Tribunal admitted the additional ground, referencing the Delhi High Court's decision in DCM Benetton India Limited, and remitted the matter back to the AO for determination on merits.

2. Disallowance of Interest Paid on Borrowings Related to Tax-Free Bonds:
The AO disallowed interest expenditure under section 14A, attributing borrowed funds to investments in tax-free bonds. The CIT(A) restricted the disallowance to the differential interest expenditure. The Tribunal found no fresh investments during the year and no nexus between borrowed funds and investments in tax-free bonds, thus deleting the disallowance.

3. Disallowance of Payments Made to Various Clubs:
The AO disallowed Rs. 17,27,225/- spent on club memberships, questioning the business purpose. The CIT(A) upheld the disallowance. The Tribunal, referencing past decisions and consistent deletion of similar disallowances in previous years, directed the AO to delete the addition.

4. Taxability of Interest Received on Income Tax Refunds:
The AO taxed interest on refunds at rates applicable to non-resident companies. The CIT(A) confirmed this. The Tribunal found the interest should be taxed at rates applicable to the assessee, directing the AO to delete the addition.

5. Addition in Respect of Oil Bonds:
Grounds related to oil bonds were dismissed as not pressed by the assessee.

6. Change in Accounting Method for Project Overheads:
Grounds related to the change in accounting method were dismissed as not pressed by the assessee.

7. Allowability of Foreign Currency Loss on Capital and Revenue Accounts:
The AO disallowed foreign currency loss on an accrual basis. The CIT(A) deleted the disallowance, following the Tribunal's order. The Tribunal upheld this, referencing the Supreme Court's decision in Woodward Governor India Pvt Ltd and the assessee's own case.

8. Disallowance of Royalty and Cess Paid in Respect of Production Sharing Contracts:
The AO disallowed 60% of royalty and cess payments, limiting the assessee's share to 40%. The CIT(A) deleted the disallowance. The Tribunal upheld this, citing the commercial expediency and consistent past decisions.

9. Disallowance of Dry Docking Expenses, Furnishing of Hired Accommodation, and Construction of Boundary Wall:
The AO disallowed these expenses as capital in nature. The Tribunal, referencing the Uttarakhand High Court's decision, allowed dry docking expenses as revenue expenditure. For furnishing of hired accommodation, the Tribunal allowed it as revenue expenditure based on business necessity. However, the construction of the boundary wall was considered capital expenditure, allowing depreciation instead.

10. Disallowance of Prior Period Expenses:
The AO disallowed prior period expenses of Rs. 10,18,84,612/-. The CIT(A) confirmed this. The Tribunal remanded the matter to the AO for consideration on merits, similar to the additional ground in ITA No. 357/DEL/2005.

11. Deduction Under Section 80-IA for Power Generation Undertaking:
The AO denied deduction u/s 80IA for captive power generation. The CIT(A) upheld this. The Tribunal, referencing the Delhi High Court's decision in DCM Sriram Consolidated Ltd, directed the AO to allow the deduction, affirming the eligibility of profits derived from captive power generation.

Conclusion:
- ITA No. 357/DEL/2005: Partly allowed for statistical purposes.
- ITA No. 374/DEL/2005: Dismissed.
- ITA No. 358/DEL/2005: Partly allowed for statistical purposes.
- ITA No. 375/DEL/2005: Dismissed.

The order was pronounced in the open court on 17.08.2018.