GST: CBIC directs Residual action by CGST Commissionerates in respect of the Adverse Orders of High Courts [Read Instructions]

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has directed the residual action by CGST Commissionerates in respect of the adverse orders of High Courts, wherein the taxpayer is assigned to respective State tax administration.

The Board notified that whenever GST related petitions are filed before respective High Court, Union of India is usually made one of the Respondents.

In such cases, even if the jurisdiction of the Petitioner lies with the State Government, Central GST Commissionerate are authorized to defend the issue before respective High Court as CGST Act and ensuing Rules are akin to respective State/Union Territory GST Acts and ensuing Rules, and also in terms of DoR Master Instructions dated August 14, 2019, as amended from time to time.

The authorization does not cease to exist at the disposal of the Petition by the High Court.

Rather, the Board informed that the remedial judicial action, for protection of the interests of Revenue, continues to rest with the authorized Commissionerate.

Infact, the Board has been processing SLP proposals and filing SLPs pertaining to the orders by the High Courts wherein the Petitioners fall under respective State Jurisdiction.

In such a case, where an appeal is proposed to be filed, it shall be desirable that the Zone concerned interacts with the officials of the State GST so that there is no divergence of views while filing the appeal.

The Board specifically stated that on the issue of TRAN-1, a number of SLPs have been filed, in terms of Board’s Instructions dated November 13, 2018 and August 1, 2019 vide file of even no, by Board, wherein the taxpayers are assigned to State Jurisdiction.

Since the order issued by the High Courts, irrespective of the jurisdictional control of the taxpayers, holds a precedence value, GST Council Secretariat has also been requested to sensitize the respective States/UTs to take necessary steps, including filing of Review Petition/Writ Appeal/ SLP, as the case may be, to safeguard the interests of Revenue.

“it has been observed that in some cases, Union of India/ Department of Revenue/ CBIC has not been made as respondents, even though some central legislation/ delegated legislation is under challenge. At the outset, such practice is against the Principles of Natural justice as Union should be made a Respondent before assailing any law enacted by Union. Nevertheless, to ensure efficacious defence pertaining to GST related petitions, Addendum to Master Instruction dated 14.08.2019 was issued vide the letter dated 17.08.2020 (copy enclosed), which makes it imperative for Commissioner (State Taxes) to request policy comments directly from CBIC Policy wings in such cases,” the Board said.