Document Fragment View
Fragment Information
Showing contexts for: charitable trust objects in Jan Sewa Jagriti Munch Society, Sonepat vs Assessee on 17 November, 2015Matching Fragments
ITA Nos.4613 & 4614/Del/2014 [Para 40] Therefore, the objects of the trust exhibit the dual tenor of religious and charitable purposes and activities. Section 11 shelters such trust with composite objects to claim exemption from tax as a religious and charitable trust subject to provisions of section 13. The activities of the trust under such objects would therefore be entitled to exemption accordingly. [Para 41] Further, one has to examine the objects under the provisions of section 13(1)(b) of the Act. It becomes amply clear from the language employed in the provisions that section 13 is in the nature of an exemption from applicability of sections 11 or 12 and the examination of its applicability would only arise at the stage of claim under sections 11 or 12. Thus, where the income of a trust is eligible for exemption under section 11, the eligibility for claiming exemption ought to be tested on the touchstone of the provisions of section 13. In the instant case, it being established that the respondent-trust is a public charitable and religious trust eligible for claiming exemption under section 11, it becomes relevant to test it on the anvil of section 13. [Para 42] Thus, the second issue which arises for consideration, whether the respondent-trust is a charitable and religious trust only for the purposes of a particular community and therefore, not eligible for exemption under section 11 in view of provisions of section 13(1)(b). [Para 43] In the instant case, the Tribunal has found on facts after analysing the objects of the trust that the respondent trust is a public religious trust and its objects are solely religious in nature and being of the opinion that section 13(1)(b) is solely meant for charitable trust for particular community, negated the possibility of applicability of section 13(1)(b) at the outset. The High Court has also confirmed the aforesaid view in appeal and observed that section 13(1)(b) would only be applicable in case of income of the trust for charitable purpose established for benefit of a particular religious community. The said view may not be the correct interpretation of the provision. [Para 44] From the phraseology in clause (b) of section 13(1), it could be inferred that the Legislature intended to include only the trusts established for charitable purposes. That however does not mean that if a trust is a composite one, that is one for both religious and charitable purposes, ITA Nos.4613 & 4614/Del/2014 then it would not be covered by clause (b). What is intended to be excluded from being eligible for exemption under section 11 is a trust for charitable purpose which is established for the benefit of any particular religious community or caste. [Para 45] The trusts with composite objects would not be expelled out of the purview of section 13(1)(b) per se. The Section requires it to be established that such charitable purpose is not for the benefit of a particular religious community or caste. That is to say, it needs to be examined whether such religious-charitable activity carried on by the trust only benefits a certain particular religious community or class or serves across the communities and for society at large. The section of community sought to be benefited must be either sufficiently defined or identifiable by a common quality of a public or impersonal nature. [Para 46] In the present case, the objects of the respondent trust are based on religious tenets under Quran according to religious faith of Islam. As already noticed that the perusal of the objects and purposes of the respondent-trust would clearly demonstrate that the activities of the trust though both charitable and religious are not exclusively meant for a particular religious community. The objects, as explained in the preceding paragraphs, do not channel the benefits to any community if not the Dawoodi Bohra Community and thus, would not fall under the provisions of section 13(1)(b). [Para 49] In that view of the matter, it is held that the respondent-trust is a charitable and religious trust which does not benefit any specific religious community and therefore, it cannot be held that section 13(1)(b) of the Act would be attracted to the respondent-trust and thereby, it would be eligible to claim exemption under section 11. [Para 50] In the result, the appeals are dismissed. [Para 51]"
13. Coming to the observation that a major amount is spent for religious purposes, we find that the Nagpur Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Shiv Mandir Devsttan Panch Committee Sanstan vs. CIT-1, Nagpur, 27 Taxmann.com 100 (Nagpur - Trib.), has held as follows:-
"HELD Objects of assessee was charitable in nature • The definition of charitable purpose is inclusive one. It includes relief of the poor, education, medical relief, and the advancement of any other object of general public utility. The objects held on by the ITA Nos.4613 & 4614/Del/2014 assessee-trust are charitable within the meaning of section 2 sub- section (15). Some of the objects fall within the 'advancement of any other object to general public utility'. Proviso to section 2 sub-section (15) restricts the meaning 'advancement of any other objects of general public utility'. But the Commissioner has not stated that proviso to section 2 sub-section (15) is applicable in the case of the assessee. [Para 9] Assessee had not violated conditions laid down in clause (iii) of section 80G(5) • The objects as has been pointed out by Commissioner, nowhere talks of advancement, support or propagation of particular religion, worshipping of Lord Shiva, Hanumanji, Goddess Durga and maintaining of temple cannot be regarded for the advancement support or propagation of a particular religion.
"We find that at the time of granting the registration under Section 12AA, the Commissioner has limited power only to examine objects of the Trust and genuineness of the activities. The law requires that he should pass a speaking order. In the case under consideration, we notice that the assessee has furnished all the required details before the CIT. As regards the objects of the trust; we notice that these are charitable objects in accordance with Section 2 (15) of the Act. To carry sewa puja of Sri Girdhari Ji and carry Akhand Naam Sankirtan uninterruptedly in Aashram is one type of meditation and yoga. The trust carries such meditation and yoga since its inception, more than last 50 years. Such types of meditation accepted not only in India but ITA Nos.4613 & 4614/Del/2014 are accepted in western country also as a great source for physical and mental health and spiritual attainment. When a large number of people feel that meditation is a great source for physical, mental and spiritual well being, it must be held that these activities are for the advancement of general public utility. Maintaining Samadhi of Guru is also charitable purpose in accordance with Section 2 (15) o the Act and Pooja of such Samadhi reminds people of ideology of Guru, in whose memory pooja is carried out. Organizing bhandara is an activity of providing foods to persons irrespective of any cost or religious. Such bhandara activities are like day meal food scheme of the government. When the government is running such scheme, under those circumstances, it cannot be said that objects of the trust are not charitable. Running gaushala, Piaau and providing dana to birds is also charitable activities. The assessee discharged the burden in this regard by furnishing all necessary details of copy of trust deed pointing out various charitable objects of the trust and expenditures incurred on charitable activities."