K. M. Joseph, C.J. - (1.) Since common substantial questions of law have been raised in both the Appeals, we dispose of the Appeals by the following common judgment.
(2.) Substantially, the questions of law, which arise, relate to the provision, under which, the respondent assessee is obliged to deduct tax on the payment made by it to the Carrier under the contracts for transporting the petroleum products in the business in which the respondent assessee is engaged. On the one hand, it is the case of the appellant Department that the case of the respondent assessee falls under Section 194-I of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the Act). On the other hand, the case of the respondent assessee is that its case falls under Section 194C of the Act.
(3.) The Assessing officer, on a conspectus of the terms of the contract as he understood it, came to the conclusion that the respondent assessee is obliged to deduct tax under Section 194-I of the Act. This view of the Assessing Officer did not find favour with the first Appellate Authority, who came to the conclusion, on his understanding of the contract, that the tax must be deductible under Section 194C and not under Section 194-I. The decision of the first Appellate Authority has found favour with the Appellate Tribunal and hence, the present Appeals.;