2022 (2) TMI 777 - AAR - GST

Exemption from GST - seeds received, processed, packed and returned by the Applicant, as job worker, as seeds for sowing are 'agricultural produce' - exemption under N/N. 12/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28-06-2017 and 11/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28-06-2017 - storage of the seeds in the storage facility/godowns, loading, unloading and packing of the seeds (heading No.9986) by the applicant, job worker on job work basis - Applicability of Sl. No. 54(e) of the Notification No. 12/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28-06-2017 and Sl.No.24(1)(e) of the Notification No. 11/2017- Central Tax (Rate)dated 28-06 2017 - rocesses, namely, cleaning, drying, grading and treatment with chemicals (heading No.9986), carried out by the applicant, job worker on job work basis - exemption under Sl.No.54(c) and (h) of the Notification No. 12/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28-06-2017 read with the definition of agricultural produce thereunder and Sl.No.24(1)(c), (h) and (iii) of the Notification No. 11/2017- Central Tax (Rate)dated 28-06-2017. HELD THAT - The applicant is supplying goods which are produce of cultivation of plants. However they are of seed quality and not grain, therefore further they are not meant for food, fibre, fuel or raw material for further processing. In the definition of agricultural produce, the word raw material is used which is a general word and is in the company of specific words i.e., food, fibre and fuel. These specific words indicate direct consumption by human or in industry but not in cultivation. Supply of seed does not fall under the definition of agricultural produce as the seed does not fulfill the utilities prescribed therein - Similarly the said definition restricts the agricultural produce to unprocessed goods. Further even if processing is done it should be such processing as done by a cultivator for primary market . Essentially processed agricultural products do not fall under this definition. If any processing is done it should be on an equal footing to that done by a cultivator for primary market i.e., processing made by a farmer for agricultural mandi. Even if the farmer does any different processing such produce will not fall under this definition. The seeds produced by them do not qualify as agricultural produce and hence 1. Storage of seeds in the storage facility/godown, loading/unloading and packaging by job worker are not exempt under a. Serial No. 54E of Notification No. 12/2017 as this entry pertains to Services relating to cultivation of plants and rearing of all life forms of animals, except the rearing of horses, for food, fibre, fuel, raw material or other similar products or agricultural produce. This entry relates to exemption of services engaged by a cultivator or an agriculturalist and not to services engaged by Seed Company; and b. Serial No. 24(i)(e) of Notification No. 11/2017 as this entry pertains to support services to agriculture, forestry, fishing, animal husbandry engaged by a cultivator and not to services engaged by a seed company. 2. Cleaning, drying, grading and treatment with chemicals carried out by a job worker or on job work basis are not exempt under a. Serial No. 54(c)(h) of Notification No. 12/2017 as this entry pertains to Services relating to cultivation of plants and rearing of all life forms of animals, except the rearing of horses, for food, fibre, fuel, raw material or other similar products or agricultural produce. This entry relates to exemption of services engaged by a cultivator or an agriculturalist and not to services engaged by Seed Company; b. Serial No. 24(i)(c) (h) of Notification No. 11/2017 as this entry pertains to support services to agriculture, forestry, fishing, animal husbandry engaged by a cultivator and not to services engaged by a seed company.

Summary

Issues involved:
1. Determination of whether the seeds processed by the applicant qualify as 'agricultural produce.'
2. Exemption eligibility for storage, loading, unloading, and packing of seeds by the job worker.
3. Exemption eligibility for cleaning, drying, grading, and treatment with chemicals by the job worker.

Issue 1: Determination of 'agricultural produce':
The applicant sought clarification on whether the seeds processed by them qualify as 'agricultural produce' under specific GST notifications. The Authority analyzed the definition of 'seed' under the Seed Act, 1966, distinguishing it from 'grain.' It emphasized that the law treats seeds separately and exempts goods of seed quality. The ruling highlighted the criteria for an item to be classified as 'agricultural produce,' emphasizing no further processing and marketability for the primary market. Applying legal principles, the Authority concluded that the seeds in question did not meet the criteria to be classified as 'agricultural produce.'

Issue 2: Exemption for storage and related activities:
Regarding the exemption eligibility for storage, loading, unloading, and packing of seeds by the job worker, the ruling clarified that the services provided did not qualify for exemption under the relevant notifications. The Authority pointed out that the exemptions were specific to services related to cultivation by a cultivator or agriculturalist, not services provided by a Seed Company. Therefore, the activities in question were not exempt from GST.

Issue 3: Exemption for cleaning, drying, grading, and treatment:
The ruling also addressed the exemption eligibility for cleaning, drying, grading, and treatment with chemicals carried out by the job worker. Similar to the previous issue, the Authority determined that these services did not qualify for exemption under the applicable notifications. The exemptions were specific to support services for agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry provided by cultivators, not services provided by a seed company. Therefore, the activities in question were not exempt from GST.

Conclusion:
The Authority, after detailed analysis, ruled that the seeds processed by the applicant did not qualify as 'agricultural produce' as per the defined criteria. Additionally, the storage, loading, unloading, packing, and processing activities carried out by the job worker were not exempt from GST under the relevant notifications. The ruling provided a comprehensive clarification on each issue raised by the applicant, ensuring a thorough understanding of the tax implications related to the production and processing of agricultural seeds.