Goods and Services Tax

West Bengal seeks 100pc foodgrain, 40pc sugar jute packaging quota at SAC meeting
GST
Dated:- 6-8-2026
PTI
Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) The West Bengal government has urged the Centre to retain mandatory 100 per cent jute packaging for foodgrains and raise the reservation for sugar packaging to 40 per cent from the existing 20 per cent.

Labour Minister Arjun Singh on Thursday said the state government made the requests at the 34th Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting held in New Delhi on August 5.

In a post on X, Singh said the state mounted a “power-packed defence” of the jute sector under the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987.

The committee, convened by the Ministry of Textiles, r

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ighted that West Bengal had harvested a bumper jute crop this season and stressed that uninterrupted operation of jute mills was crucial for safeguarding the interests of both farmers and workers.

It also informed the committee that all jute mills in the state are currently operational following initiatives taken by the state government.

The state further argued that jute bags are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, unlike HDPE and polypropylene woven sacks, and said any dilution of mandatory jute packaging would run counter to efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

The presentation also underscored the sector's socio-economic significance, stating that jute connects the rural economy with industry by supporting millions of f

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GST arrest safeguards require recorded necessity and credible material; alleged online gaming tax evasion arrest was upheld.
Case-Laws
GST
Arrest for cognizable and non-bailable GST offences requires credible material, recorded reasons to believe, and consideration of necessity rather than mechanical exercise of power. In alleged online gaming tax evasion involving dummy entities, suppression of taxable value and fund layering, the recorded grounds identified the petitioner's alleged role, risk of evidence tampering, and need for custodial investigation. The notes state that arrest may be justified, including for offences punishable up to five years' imprisonment, to support investigation and prevent further offence, disappearance or tampering of evidence, or witness influence. The High Court found the arrest compliant with the applicable departmental circular, dismissed the habeas corpus petition, and declined release.
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GST search procedures require de-sealing in the taxpayer's presence and any further search to follow statutory rules.
Case-Laws
GST
Sealing of business premises during GST search proceedings was addressed through directions to de-seal the premises in the taxpayer's presence. Any further search must be conducted in accordance with the CGST Act and the CGST Rules, 2017. The writ petition was disposed of by consent without examination of the merits.
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Pre-trial detention in fraudulent input tax credit prosecutions is not punitive; delayed trials may justify conditional bail.
Case-Laws
GST
Pre-conviction detention in GST prosecutions for alleged fraudulent input tax credit is not punitive and should secure attendance at trial rather than operate as punishment. The notes state that bail was granted where the maximum sentence was five years, the matter was triable by a Magistrate, investigation and complaint filing were complete, charges remained unframed, and trial completion was unlikely within a reasonable time. In the absence of criminal antecedents, exceptional circumstances, or material suggesting absconding, witness intimidation, or evidence tampering, continued custody was unjustified. Bail remained subject to conditions protecting the trial and preventing interference with evidence or witnesses.
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Anticipatory bail in alleged input tax credit fraud was rejected as custodial interrogation remained necessary during investigation.
Case-Laws
GST
Anticipatory bail was considered in an investigation into alleged wrongful availment and utilisation of input tax credit through invoices issued by non-existent entities. The note states that a co-director had been arrested, the investigation remained ongoing, and the alleged tax evasion required the investigating agency to ascertain the applicant's role and that of other persons involved in the transactions. On that basis, custodial interrogation could not be ruled out, and anticipatory bail was rejected without addressing the merits of the allegations.
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GST proceedings against a deceased proprietor are invalid, but lawful demand recovery may proceed against the legal heir.
Case-Laws
GST
GST proceedings initiated against a deceased taxable person are invalid where the proprietor died before initiation. The notice and demand order issued in the deceased proprietor's name were quashed because they could not be sustained against a dead person. The legal position does not prevent lawful recovery action: proper proceedings may be initiated against the legal heir for any outstanding demand in accordance with law.
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Suppression of material facts undermined coercion claim over GST payments, prompting costs and an explanatory affidavit.
Case-Laws
GST
Suppression of material facts in writ proceedings arose from the petitioner's failure to disclose an anticipatory bail application and its withdrawal while alleging that GST dues and penalty were paid under coercion. The withdrawal record stated that a reasonable amount had been deposited under protest and that, after appearing before authorities and giving a statement, the petitioner did not apprehend arrest. The HC found prima facie that the non-disclosure was material and that the payment was voluntary. It directed the petitioner to deposit costs and file an affidavit explaining the suppression, while keeping further orders open.
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Portal communication of GST notices failed statutory requirements, requiring fresh adjudication after a meaningful opportunity to reply and be heard.
Case-Laws
GST
Uploading GST notices and the adjudication order under the portal's 'Additional Notices and Orders' tab was treated as insufficient statutory communication. Fixing a personal hearing before expiry of the period allowed for a reply deprived the taxpayer of an effective opportunity to respond and constituted a breach of natural justice in ex parte adjudication. The ex parte order was set aside, with permission to file a reply and a direction for fresh reasoned adjudication after hearing. A time-barred appeal against a separate DRC-OIA intimation did not affect the maintainability of a writ petition challenging the adjudication order.
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Independent ballast loading is cargo handling, not composite supply or works contract, and attracts the applicable service tax rate.
Case-Laws
GST
Loading railway-owned ballast into wagons using a JCB loader is treated as an independent cargo-handling service, not as part of the ballast supply. The ballast supply and subsequent loading were separately contracted, priced and invoiced, and title had passed to the Railways before loading; therefore, the activities were not naturally bundled as a composite supply. The service also does not constitute a works contract because it does not relate to immovable property. As the activity involved handling and loading only, without transportation or operation of railway rolling stock, it is classifiable as other cargo and baggage handling service under SAC 996719 and taxable at 18%.
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Mining-law intelligence sharing must support GST scrutiny, enforcement action, inter-agency dissemination, and periodic operational coordination across CGST Zones.
Circulars
GST
CGST Zones must establish structured coordination with State Mining Authorities to obtain periodic information on illegal mining, mineral transportation, seizures, lease violations and excess extraction. Each Zone must designate a nodal officer, analyse received intelligence for possible suppression of taxable supplies, non-registration, undervaluation, tax short payment, wrongful input tax credit and other GST violations, and initiate action where warranted under the CGST Act and rules. Relevant intelligence must be shared with jurisdictional Commissionerates or DGGI formations, and periodic meetings must review the mechanism and resolve operational issues. Field formations must circulate and strictly implement these directions.
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Reasoned GST registration cancellation and effective hearing are mandatory; unreasoned cancellation orders require fresh adjudication.
Case-Laws
GST
Cancellation of GST registration requires reasons demonstrating application of mind and an effective opportunity to respond to the show-cause notice. The High Court stated that an unreasoned cancellation order fails the test under Article 14. As the taxpayer had not effectively responded, it was permitted to submit a reply, which must be considered after a hearing. The cancellation order and appellate order were quashed, and the matter was remitted for fresh adjudication.
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Pre-trial detention in alleged fraudulent input tax credit cases must not become punitive where trial delay and risk factors favour bail.
Case-Laws
GST
Pre-trial detention in alleged fraudulent input tax credit offences is not punitive and should secure the accused's presence at trial. Bail was considered appropriate where the offence was triable by a Magistrate with a maximum five-year sentence, investigation was complete, no charge had been framed, trial was unlikely to conclude promptly, and the accused had no criminal antecedents. In the absence of exceptional circumstances or material indicating absconding, repeat offending, witness intimidation, or evidence tampering, bail was granted subject to conditions requiring cooperation with trial and non-interference with evidence or witnesses.
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Effective communication of GST orders justified condoning appeal delay and requiring merits adjudication within the court-directed period.
Case-Laws
GST
Effective communication of a GST adjudication order is examined in relation to delay in filing a statutory appeal where the order was uploaded only on the GST portal. The notes state that, although the Appellate Authority is bound by the limitation period under Section 107 of the RGST/CGST Act, delay may be condoned where circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control prevented timely filing and denial of merits adjudication would cause grave prejudice. The appeal was directed to be entertained and decided on merits if filed within the period specified by the Court.
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Reasoned GST registration cancellation orders and a hearing are mandatory; unreasoned ex parte action requires fresh adjudication.
Case-Laws
GST
GST registration cancellation requires a reasoned quasi-judicial order that shows application of mind and complies with Article 14 where it adversely affects the right to carry on business. An unreasoned ex parte cancellation order issued without an opportunity of hearing is unsustainable. The High Court quashed the cancellation and appellate orders, permitted a reply to the show-cause notice, and directed fresh adjudication after hearing the parties and considering the defence.
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GST return rectification for wrong GSTIN reporting may preserve input tax credit where correction causes no revenue loss.
Case-Laws
GST
Bona fide GST return errors involving invoices reported under a GST TDS GSTIN rather than the regular GSTIN may be rectified where the correction causes no revenue loss and is necessary to enable input tax credit consideration. The text states that portal limitations on altering filed entries do not, by themselves, justify refusal of rectification. It also notes that retrospective relaxation of the input tax credit time limit for the relevant financial year supported the request. Amendment or rectification of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B was directed through online or manual means within four weeks.
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Refund rejection requires prior notice of the decisive objection, despite authority to examine consequential relief impediments.
Case-Laws
GST
A refund claim for excess service tax cannot be rejected on an objection not disclosed to the assessee through a show cause notice. Although a Tribunal finding of refund eligibility with consequential relief does not require automatic disbursement and permits examination of legal impediments, including notification conditions and unjust enrichment, the adjudicating authority must give the assessee an opportunity to respond to any objection concerning tax paid on an abated value while CENVAT credit was availed. The High Court quashed the rejection and required fresh adjudication after notice, hearing and a reasoned order.
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Deemed withdrawal of best-judgment assessments follows delayed GSTR-3B filing when required returns and late fees are furnished.
Case-Laws
GST
Section 62(2) of the GST law provides for deemed withdrawal of a best-judgment assessment when the registered person files the required returns within the prescribed framework; delayed filing requires payment of the applicable late fee. The note records that, following amendment of the provision, delay in filing GSTR-3B may be condoned where the relevant returns and late fee have been furnished. In the described matter, the assessments were treated as deemed withdrawn, and consequential recovery proceedings and attachments of immovable property were rendered ineffective.
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Deemed withdrawal of best-judgment assessment follows timely valid return filing, while late fee and interest liabilities continue.
Case-Laws
GST
Section 62(2) of the CGST Act provides that a best-judgment assessment for non-filing of a return is deemed withdrawn where the registered person furnishes a valid return within the prescribed period after service of the assessment order, although interest and late-fee liability continues. The notes state that the dealer filed the return for the disputed period with applicable interest and late fee after the assessment order, which the revenue did not dispute. Applying the statutory provision and cited High Court decisions, the January 2024 assessment was treated as withdrawn and set aside.
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Interest and penalty on delayed GST payment remain stayed pending verification of payment through input tax credit adjustment.
Case-Laws
GST
Interest and penalty for delayed payment of CGST and SGST were made subject to verification of the taxpayer's claim that tax dues had already been discharged through adjustment of input tax credit within the permissible period. The High Court directed the competent authority to examine that claim and determine whether any interest or penalty remained payable. The taxpayer may submit a representation for expeditious decision, and recovery under the challenged order and notice remains stayed until the representation is disposed of.
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Govt to adopt appropriate measures to mitigate fuel price volatility: MoS Finance
GST
Dated:- 4-8-2026
PTI
New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) The government will continue to adopt appropriate fiscal and administrative measures to mitigate the impact of future fuel price volatility while maintaining fiscal sustainability, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Tuesday.

Since the beginning of the West Asia conflict, PSU OMCs have marginally increased the retail prices of petrol and diesel despite sharp increases in international crude oil prices, he said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He said despite severe disruptions in global energy markets, the measures taken by the government helped cushion the impact on con

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h as elevated international crude oil prices, while continuing to meet budgetary commitments, support macroeconomic stability and adhere to the fiscal consolidation path, he added.

Brent crude oil prices peaked at USD 138.2 per barrel in April 2026, exerting upward pressure on global energy prices and domestic producer prices. However, to protect consumers, the government limited the increase in domestic retail prices of petrol and diesel to a marginal level, he said.

“The Government will continue to adopt appropriate fiscal and administrative measures to mitigate the impact of future fuel price volatility while maintaining fiscal sustainability,” Chaudhary said.

He said ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation,

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Doctrine of merger does not arise from SLP dismissal, while challenges remain premature until remanded issues are decided.
Case-Laws
GST
Dismissal of a special leave petition does not, by itself, merge the High Court decision into the Supreme Court order or create a binding Supreme Court adjudication on exemption of affiliation fees. Applying the doctrine stated in Kunhayammed, the note records that the earlier dismissal did not establish the claimed exemption. It further explains that a challenge to a Division Bench reference order is premature where residual issues have been remanded to a Single Judge. The petitioner may challenge any prejudicial subsequent order together with the reference decision, while a favourable intervening Supreme Court ruling may be placed before the Single Judge and would prevail over the reference finding.
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Jurisdictional challenges to GST adjudication may bypass alternative remedies, requiring the adjudicating authority to decide its competence first.
Case-Laws
GST
A writ petition raising a pure jurisdictional challenge, without disputed factual issues, may be entertained despite an available statutory appeal. Where the competence of the GST investigation officer to issue a show-cause notice and adjudicate input tax credit proceedings is questioned, the adjudicating authority must first determine its own jurisdiction. Because the jurisdictional grounds had not been raised before that authority, the High Court did not decide them on merits. It quashed the adjudication and appellate orders, including consequential steps, and remanded the matter for fresh reasoned adjudication after allowing all grounds to be raised, with jurisdiction to be decided first.
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Correction of export shipping bill errors permits consequential GST return rectification, subject to lawful assessment and verification.
Case-Laws
GST
Inadvertent errors in taxable value and IGST declarations in export shipping bills may be corrected through consequential rectification of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for FY 2017-18 after amendment of the shipping bills. In the stated peculiar facts and by consent of the parties, rectification of the specified GST returns was permitted, subject to assessment, verification or scrutiny in accordance with law.
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Portal-only upload is not valid service, so ex parte proceedings require restoration and appellate limitation remains untriggered.
Case-Laws
GST
Uploading a show-cause notice or adjudication order solely in the Common Portal's 'View Additional Notices and Orders' tab is not valid service where the assessee neither acknowledges it nor responds. The notes state that the retrospective amendment permitting CGST Rules functions through the portal does not prescribe the portal as a service mode and cannot replace formal service where civil consequences follow. An ex parte order based on portal-only upload should result in restoration of proceedings to the show-cause-notice stage. For an order passed after contest but uploaded only on the portal, the limitation period for appeal does not begin.
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Input tax credit pass-through in ongoing housing projects covers all eligible buyers, with recipient-specific refunds and interest payable.
Case-Laws
GST
Input tax credit benefits in ongoing real estate projects must be passed to all eligible purchasers, including those booking flats after GST where construction continued beyond its introduction. The benefit is project-specific, and renegotiated prices do not establish a commensurate reduction without transparent evidence. Unpassed amounts must be refunded to identified homebuyers rather than deposited in the Consumer Welfare Fund; excess benefit given to some purchasers cannot be set off against amounts due to others. Profiteering includes GST charged on an inflated base price. Interest accrues from each purchaser's last instalment payment until refund. Anti-profiteering penalties do not apply where the completed contravention predated the penalty provision's commencement.
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