Tvl. Dd 527 Veerachinnampatti Primary Agricultural Co-Operative Credit Society v. The Commissioner of Commercial Taxes

ORDER This writ petition challenges the impugned order dated 20.12.2025 which is an assessment order passed under Section 73 of the TNGST Act, 2017.

¶2I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Standing Counsel for the respondents.

¶3By the impugned order, the assessment was made ex-parte because the petitioner did not utilise the opportunities provided. The discrepancies and grounds on which the assessment order was issued, the dealer's explanation on merits, and the reasons for not participating in the assessment proceedings are summarised briefly and presented in a table below: Discrepancies found/Grounds on which the assessment is passed Explanation offered by the Assessee on merits Explanation for not availing the opportunity Claim of exemption disallowed for the reason that

documents

not produced in support of claim of exemption The claim of exemption on outward supply is exempted-Fair

price shop under Public Distribution

System

(PDS) All notices and impugned order

tendered

only through

portal

-left unnoticed.

¶4Considering the nature of the discrepancies noted, the explanation provided by the assessee and the reason given before this Court for not availing the opportunity, I believe that an opportunity can be granted to the assessee to present their submissions and produce the relevant supporting documents in support of their claim of exemption before the second respondent assessing officer. This Court has been extending such opportunities on equitable grounds; however, under appropriate conditions. Therefore, an opportunity is granted to the petitioner assessee.

¶5Though normally the condition to deposit 25% is imposed, in this case, since it is pleaded that the petitioner's goods are exempted as they are for a fair price shop under the PDS scheme, no additional condition is imposed. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is allowed on the following terms:

(i) The impugned order dated 20.12.2025 shall stand set aside, and the matter shall stand remanded back to the file of the second respondent;

(ii) The assessee shall appear before the second respondent without fail and submit their reply and documents in support of their claim, and it is for the second respondent to consider the matter afresh and pass orders in accordance with law;

(iii) Since the impugned order of assessment is set aside, any attachment of the bank account made pursuant to the impugned order shall stand raised;

(iv) No costs. Consequently the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

09.06.2026 sji NCC: Yes/No To

1.The Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, O/o The Principal and Special Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

2.The Assistant Commissioner (ST), Dindigul (Rural) Assessment Circle, Commercial Taxes Building, Sub-Collector Office Road, Dindigul-624 007.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. sji

09.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.06.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)No.11459 of 2026 Tvl. DD527 Veerachinnampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society, Rep. by its Secretary M.R.Kalimuthu, S/o. Rajagopal, 1, Main Road, Veerachinnampatti, Dindigul District-624 304. .. Petitioner – Vs. - – 1.The Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, O/o The Principal and Special Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005. 2.The Assistant Commissioner (ST), Dindigul (Rural) Assessment Circle, Commercial Taxes Building, Sub-Collector Office Road, Dindigul-624 007. .. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order of the second respondent in Reference No.ZD331225322285Q/2021-22 dated 20.12.2025 and quash the same and consequently, direct the second respondent to redo the assessment after providing adequate opportunity to the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Rooban For Respondents : Mr.P.Rajagopalan Government Standing Counsel