The correct answer is D. None of the above.
The value of the plant on 1st January 1999 cannot be determined from the information given. The question states that the plant was depreciated at the rate of 12% P.A. by diminishing balance method, but it does not state the original cost of the plant. The depreciated value of the plant on 31st March 2001 is also given, but this information is not enough to determine the original cost of the plant.
To determine the original cost of the plant, we would need to know the following information:
- The original cost of the plant
- The rate of depreciation
- The number of years that the plant was depreciated
With this information, we could calculate the depreciated value of the plant at any point in time. However, without this information, we cannot determine the original cost of the plant.