Finance Bill 2016

Extending the benefit of initial additional depreciation under section 32(1)(iia) for power sector

Under the existing provisions of section 32(1)(iia) of the Act, additional depreciation of 20% is allowed in respect of the cost of new plant or machinery acquired and installed by certain assessees engaged in the business of generation and distribution of power . This depreciation allowance is over and above the deduction allowed for general depreciation under  section 32(1)(ii) of the Act.

Under the existing provisions, the benefit of additional depreciation is not available on the new machinery or plant installed by an assessee engaged in the business of transmission of power.

In order to rationalise the incentive of power sector , it is proposed to amend this section so as to provide that an assessee engaged in the business of transmission of power shall also be allowed additional depreciation at the rate of 20% of actual cost of new machinery or plant acquired and installed in a previous year.

This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2017 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2017-18 and subsequent assessment years.