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2021 (1) TMI 1090 - HC - Income TaxCondone delay in fling the application for exemption u/s 10(23C)(vi) - extension of the limitation period - HELD THAT:- Neither of the two i.e. the order dated 27.09.2019 and the Circular dated 03.11.2020 deal with an application for exemption under section 10(23C)(vi) of the act in Form No.56D which has a definite time line i.e., upto 30th September of the relevant assessment year, in the instant case 30th September 2019. We do not find any provision for extending the time limit beyond 30.09.2019 though such a power is available with the CBDT. There is no provision for extension of the limitation period or for condonation of delay in fling the application for grant of exemption under section 10(23C)(vi) of the act by the CIT (Exemption) To that extent respondent No.1 was justified in rejecting the application for the assessment year 2019-20. As per the version of the respondents themselves the application for exemption of the petitioner was not confined to assessment year 2019-20 only. An application for grant of exemption from the assessment year 2019-20 onwards. While respondent No.1 was correct in rejecting the application for the assessment year 2019-20 as being time-barred, it certainly fell in error in not considering the said application for subsequent assessment years i.e. for assessment year 2020-2021 and onwards. Because even if the application was fled on 31.10.2019 which was belated for the assessment year 2019-20, it was before the prescribed date for the subsequent assessment year i.e. assessment year 2020-2021 and thereafter as it had been fled much before the cut of date of 30.09.2020. We feel that even at this stage petitioner may approach CBDT under section 119(2)(b) seeking a special order to respondent No.1 to condone the delay in fling the application for exemption under section 10(23C)(vi) of the Act for the assessment year 2019-20, there being admitted delay of 31 days in fling the application for the said assessment year, and thereafter to deal with the said application/ claim on merit in accordance with law. Since we have taken the above view, it may not be necessary to deal with the contention relating to alternative remedy. Having regard to the above and upon thorough consideration of the matter, we deem it appropriate to issue the following directions :- I) Petitioner shall file an application before the CBDT under section 119(2)(b) to authorize respondent No.1 to condone the delay in fling its application dated 31.10.2019 for exemption under section 10(23C)(vi) of the act, for the assessment year 2019-20 and to deal with the same on merit in accordance with law ; II) If such application is fled by the petitioner within a period of three weeks from today, CBDT shall pass an appropriate order in accordance with law within a period of four weeks thereafter with due intimation to the petitioner; III) Respondent No.1 shall consider the application of the petitioner dated 31.10.2019 for grant of exemption under section 10(23C)(vi) of the act for the assessment year 2020-21 onwards in accordance with law within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order;
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