Clarification regarding rate of tax applicable on construction services provided to a Government Entity, in relation to construction such as of a Ropeway on turnkey basis - GST - States - 152/08/2021

Circular No. 152/08/2021-GST No. 12-25/2018-19-EXN-GST-(575)-18468-18486 Government of Himachal Pradesh, Excise and Taxation Department. To 1. The Additional/Jt. Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, (South Zone, North Zone, Central Zone), Shimla, Palampur, Mandi, H.P. 2. The Joint Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, Flying Squad, (Central Zone, North Zone, South Zone), Una, Palampur, Parwanoo, H.P. 3. The Dy. Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, Shimla, Solan, Una, Sirmour, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Revenue Distt. Nurpur and BBN Baddi, H.P. 4. The Asstt. Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, Incharge Distt. Kinnour, H.P. Dated Shimla-9 2nd July, 2021. Sir, Sub Clarification regarding rate of tax applicable on construction services provided to a Government Entity, in relation to construction such as of a Ropeway on turnkey basis-reg. Various doubts have arisen whether services supplied to a Government Entity by way of construction such as of a ropeway are eligible for concessional rate of 12% GST under entry No. 3 (vi) of Notification No. 11/2017-ST(R) dtd. 30.06.2017. On the recommendation of the GST Council, this issue is clarified as below. 2. According to entry No. 3(vi) of notification No. 11/2017-ST(R) dated 30.06.2017, GST rate of 12% is applicable, inter alia, on- (vi) Composite supply of works contract as defined in clause (119) of section 2 of the Himachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, (other than that covered by items (i), (ia), (ib), (ic), (id), (ie) and (if) above) provided to the Central Government, State Government, Union Territory, a local authority a Governmental Authority or a Government Entity, by way of construction, erection, commissioning, installation, completion, fitting out, repair, maintenance, renovation, or alteration of (a) a civil structure or any other original works meant predominantly for use other than for commerce, industry, or any other business or profession; . 2.1 Thus, said entry No 3 (vi) does not apply to any works contract that is meant for the purposes of commerce, industry, business of profession, even if such service is provided to the Central Government, State Government, Union Territory, a local authority a Governmental Authority or a Government Entity. The doubt seems to have arisen in the instant cases as Explanation to the said entry states, the term business shall not include any activity or transaction undertaken by the Central Government, a State Government or any local authority in which they are engaged as public authorities. However, this explanation does not apply to Governmental Authority or Government Entity, as defined in clause (ix) and (x) of the explanation to said notification. Further, civil constructions, such as rope way for tourism development shall not be covered by said entry 3(vi) not being a structure that is meant predominantly for purposes other than business. While road, bridge, terminal, or railways are covered by entry No. 3(iv) and 3(v) of said notification, structures like ropeway are not covered by these entries too. Therefore, works contract service provided by way of construction such as of rope way shall fall under entry at sl. No. 3(xii) of notification 11/2017-ST(R) and attract GST at the rate of 18%. 3. This circular shall come into force w.e.f. 17.06.2021. 4. Difficulty if any, in the implementation of this circular may be brought to the notice of this office. Yours Faithfully, Sd/ Yunus, (IAS) Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, Himachal Pradesh