Refund of Service Tax under Notification No. 41/2007-ST

PJ/Case Laws/2011-12/1513

Case: COMMISSIONER OF S.T., AHEMDABAD Versus RIDDHI SIDDHI GLUCO BIOLS LTD.

Citation: 2012 (25) S.T.R. 180 (Tri. - Ahmd)

Issue:- Whether refund of terminal handling charges and bill of lading charges without authorisation of the port are admissible?

Brief Facts:- Revenue is in appeal against the decision. The appeal has been made on the ground that on going through one of the invoices on the basis of which the Service Tax paid has been availed, it was found that the service provider has been registered as Service Tax provider under Business Auxiliary Service, which is not one of the services listed for the purpose of sanction of refund claim under Notification No. 41/2007. Further, Revenue has also found fault with the order in view of the fact that in the case of Ramdev Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Commissioner (Appeals) had upheld the Order-in-Original, rejecting the refund claim in respect of Terminal Handling charges and Bill of Lading charges.

Respondent’s Contention:- The Respondent submits that in the case of Ramdev Food Products Pvt. Ltd., on an appeal filed by them, the Tribunal took a view that the refund of terminal handling charges and bill of lading charges cannot be rejected on the ground that the services were rendered without authorisation by the port. As regards other grounds that invoice showed the Service Tax has been paid on Business Auxiliary Service, he submits that this was not the allegation in the Show Cause Notice and a totally new ground has been taken by the Revenue. Further, both the adjudicating authority and Commissioner (Appeals) have not found that invoices did not reflect the service as Port service.

Reasoning of Judgment:- The Tribunal found that the Show Cause Notice clearly says that "During the verification of refund claim, it is found that the assessee has not submitted any proof regarding the authorization of the port in the case of port service provider. Hence, the refund claim relating to port service is not admissible to the assessee." By taking the ground that the Service Tax was paid under Business Auxiliary Service head and therefore the credit is not admissible, Revenue is bring out a totally new ground which was not mentioned in the Show Cause Notice and therefore the respondent did not get an opportunity to contest the ground. At this stage, it will not be appropriate to consider this ground. In view of the decision taken by this Tribunal in the case of Ramdev Food Products Pvt. Ltd vide Order Nos. A/745-746/WZB/AHD/2011, dated 22-3-2011 [2011 (23) S.T.R. 475 (Tn. - Ahmd.)], that port services rendered even without authorization of port, Service Tax credit will be available, respondents are eligible for the Service "tax credit and the decision of the Commissioner (Appeals) has to be upheld. In view of the above, the appeal filed by the Revenue has no merits and accordingly is rejected.

Decision:- Appeal rejected.

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PJ/Case Laws/2011-12/1513

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