https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=801095 Deduction for provisions for bad and doubtful debts under the first proviso to section 36(1)(viia)(a) operates as a separate optional benefit from the main-clause deduction. The phrase "at its option" gives the assessee the choice to claim the special deduction for assets classified under RBI guidelines as doubtful or loss assets; it cannot be treated as redundant or made conditional on the Assessing Officer's discretion. Allowance of deduction under the main clause does not, by itself, exhaust or bar the first-proviso deduction, provided the RBI classification, prescribed conditions and statutory ceiling are satisfied. en-us Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:44:08 +0530 TaxTMI RSS Generator https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=801095 Deduction for provisions for bad and doubtful debts under the first proviso to section 36(1)(viia)(a) operates as a separate optional benefit from the main-clause deduction. The phrase "at its option" gives the assessee the choice to claim the special deduction for assets classified under RBI guidelines as doubtful or loss assets; it cannot be treated as redundant or made conditional on the Assessing Officer's discretion. Allowance of deduction under the main clause does not, by itself, exhaust or bar the first-proviso deduction, provided the RBI classification, prescribed conditions and statutory ceiling are satisfied. Case-Laws Income Tax Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0530 https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=801095