Doshion Ltd. Vs. ITO (Ahmedabad HC)- Having thus heard learned counsel for the parties and having perused the documents on record, it clearly emerges that the assessment previously framed after scrutiny is sought to be reopened beyond the period of 4 years from the end of relevant assessment year. In the reasons recorded, the Assessing Officer has not suggested that such income escaped assessment for the failure on the part of the assessee to disclose truly and fully all material facts. In fact the sole ground on which such scrutiny assessment is sought to be reopened beyond 4 years is that by virtue of Explanation to Section 80IA added with retrospective effect from 1.4.2000, income derived from the works contract would not qualify for deduction under Section 80IA of the Act.
Firstly, we are of the opinion that by virtue of such retrospective amendment assessment previously framed after scrutiny could not have been reopened beyond the period of 4 years without any thing on record to suggest that the income chargeable to tax had escaped assessment for the failure on the part of the assessee to fully and truly disclose all material facts. We may notice that the Explanation in question, which was introduced in the year 2009 but with retrospective effect from 1.4.2000 reads as under:-
“ Explanation- For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that nothing contained in this section shall apply in relation to a business referred to in sub-section (4) which is in the nature of a works contract awarded by any person (including the Central or State Government) and executed by the undertaking or enterprise referred to in sub-section (1).”
