Revisional powers cannot reopen final assessments on changed opinion; non-imported certified sowing seeds remain purchase-tax exempt.

Revisional jurisdiction cannot reopen a concluded assessment merely because the authority prefers a different applicable determination order; where the appellate authority considered the relevant exemption notifications and its order attained finality, such revision is an impermissible change of opinion. The analysis further states that processed and quality-tested certified seeds developed under a supervised research and development programme for farmers' sowing qualify for exemption where they are non-imported and intended for sowing. On these stated grounds, the Tribunal's deletion of additional tax, interest and penalty was sustained.

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Issues: (i) Whether the revisional authority could reopen the assessment for levy of purchase tax after the appellate order had attained finality; (ii) Whether certified seeds developed through the respondent's research and development programme were exempt seeds used for sowing and not liable to purchase tax.

Issue (i): Whether the revisional authority could reopen the assessment for levy of purchase tax after the appellate order had attained finality.

Analysis: The original assessment had been subjected to statutory appeal, in which the appellate authority, aware of the relevant exemption notifications, modified the demand. That order was accepted and attained finality. The revisional action subsequently sought to revive the original assessment merely by preferring one determination order over another applicable determination order. Such exercise amounted to an impermissible change of opinion.

Conclusion: The revision of the assessment for levying purchase tax was unjustified and was in favour of the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether certified seeds developed through the respondent's research and development programme were exempt seeds used for sowing and not liable to purchase tax.

Analysis: The material established that the seeds were processed, quality-tested and produced through a supervised research and development programme for sowing by farmers. The Department did not establish that the seeds were imported or were not intended for sowing. The applicable notification exempted seeds of all types, other than imported seeds, used for sowing; the contrary determination order was distinguishable.

Conclusion: The seeds were exempt seeds used for sowing, and no purchase tax was leviable on them, in favour of the assessee.

Final Conclusion: The Tribunal's deletion of the additional tax, interest and penalty was sustained.

Ratio Decidendi: Revisional jurisdiction cannot be used to reopen a concluded assessment on a mere change of opinion, and an exemption for non-imported seeds used for sowing applies where the factual use of the seeds for sowing is established.

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