HIGH COURT OF MADRAS
K.O. Periyakaruppan
v.
Union of India
W.A. (MD) NOS. 1579 AND 1741 OF 2011
M.P. (MD) NOS. 1 AND 2 OF 2011
DECEMBER 16, 2015
J. Anandkumar for the Appellant. R. Murugappan and R. Aravindan for the Respondent.
JUDGMENT
V. Ramasubramanian, J. – Both these Writ Appeals arise out of the dismissal of the Writ Petitions filed by the appellants herein, challenging the demand for service tax.
2. Heard Mr. J. Anandkumar and Mr. R. Sundar Srinivasan, learned counsel appearing for the appellants, Mr. R. Murugappan, learned counsel appearing for the first respondent in both the Writ Appeals and Mr. R. Aravindan, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the second respondent in W.A.(MD)No.1579 of 2011.
3. The demand for service tax made as against the appellants herein, related to the years 2005 to 2009. But, it appears that by a Notification No.24/2009-Service Tax, dated 27.07.2009, the Government exempted the taxable service referred to in Sub-Clause (zzg) of clause (105) of Section 65 of the Finance Act, 1994, provided to any person by any other person in relation to management, maintenance or repair of roads.
4. But, by a Notification bearing No.25/2012-Service Tax, dated 20.06.2012, issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the Government exempted certain taxable services listed out in the Notification. Serial No.13 of the said notification reads as follows:—
“13. Services provided by way of construction, erection, commissioning, installation, completion, fitting out, repair, maintenance, renovation, or alteration of,-
| (a) | a road, bridge, tunnel, or terminal for road transportation for use by general public; | |
| (b) | a civil structure or any other original works pertaining to a scheme under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission or Rajiv Awaas Yojana; | |
| (c) | a building owned by an entity registered under section 12 AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) and meant predominantly for religious use by general public; | |
| (d) | a pollution control or effluent treatment plant, except located as a part of a factory; or | |
| a structure meant for funeral, burial or cremation of deceased.” |
5. The question as to whether the above Notification would have retrospective effect for the period from 2005 to 2009, was also answered by Notification No.24/2009-Service Tax, dated 27.07.2009, which was issued under Section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994. The special provision for exemption in certain cases relating to service tax on repair of roads was made in Section 97 of the Finance Act, 1994. The Notification No.24/2009 states that the exemption has been extended even for the earlier period from 16.06.2005 to 26.07.2009.
6. In view of the above notifications, the Writ Appeals are allowed and the orders passed in the Writ Petitions as well as the orders impugned therein are set aside. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.