In Brief
Eveready Industries (formerly BPL Soft Energy Systems) manufactured dry batteries in Karnataka and sought exemption from entry tax on raw materials. The State granted a conditional exemption in 1997 requiring Rs. 111 crore investment, which the company failed to make. The company then claimed exemption under a general 1993 notification for new industrial units but lacked proper certification. The Court held that exemption notifications require strict interpretation; the company did not satisfy all conditions and was therefore not entitled to tax exemption.
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