M/S Pragati Enterprises vs. Union Of INDIA
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The petitioner, M/s Pragati Enterprises, filed a writ petition before the Patna High Court seeking to avail the statutory remedy of appeal under Section 112 of the Bihar Goods and Services Tax (B.G.S.T.) Act. However, the petitioner was unable to file the appeal due to the non-constitution of the Appellate Tribunal. This prevented the petitioner from availing the benefit of a stay on the recovery of the balance tax amount, as provided under Section 112(8) and (9) of the B.G.S.T. Act, upon depositing the stipulated amounts. The respondent State authorities acknowledged the non-constitution of the Tribunal and issued a notification (Order No. 09/2019-State Tax, S. O. 399, dated 11.12.2019) under Section 172 of the B.G.S.T. Act, stating that the period of limitation for filing an appeal would commence only after the President or State President of the Tribunal entered office.
Held
The Court held that the petitioner should be extended the statutory benefit of stay under sub-section (9) of Section 112 of the B.G.S.T. Act, subject to the deposit of a sum equal to 20 percent of the remaining amount of tax in dispute, in addition to any amount already deposited under sub-section (6) of Section 107 of the B.G.S.T. Act. The Court reasoned that the petitioner cannot be deprived of this benefit due to the non-constitution of the Tribunal by the respondents themselves. The recovery of the balance amount and any steps taken in this regard were deemed to be stayed. The Court also noted that similar relief had been granted in a previous case. However, the Court opined that the stay cannot be open-ended. Therefore, the petitioner would be required to present/file their appeal under Section 112 of the B.G.S.T. Act once the Tribunal is constituted and functional. If the petitioner fails to file an appeal within the period specified upon the Tribunal's constitution, the respondents would be at liberty to proceed in accordance with law. The Court expressly left undecided the ultimate outcome of the appeal itself, as it was yet to be filed.
Key Issues
1. Whether the petitioner is entitled to the statutory benefit of stay under Section 112(9) of the B.G.S.T. Act, despite the non-constitution of the Appellate Tribunal, and if so, upon what conditions? 2. Whether the petitioner can be deprived of the statutory remedy of appeal and the consequential benefit of stay due to the inaction of the respondents in constituting the Appellate Tribunal? Petitioner's Arguments: The petitioner argued that they are being deprived of their statutory remedy of appeal and the benefit of stay on recovery of the balance tax amount due to the non-constitution of the Appellate Tribunal by the respondents. They contended that they should not suffer due to the respondents' failure to establish the necessary statutory forum. Revenue/State's Arguments: The respondent State authorities acknowledged the non-constitution of the Tribunal and had issued a notification under Section 172 of the B.G.S.T. Act to address the removal of difficulties, indicating that the limitation period for appeals would commence after the Tribunal's constitution. No specific argument against the petitioner's claim for stay was recorded.
Sections Cited
Section 112, Section 107, Section 172, Section 109
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Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE) Date : 19-06-2023 The instant writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking multifarious reliefs. The petitioner essentially is desirous of availing 2/4 statutory remedy of appeal against the impugned order before the Appellate Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as "Tribunal") under Section 112 of the Bihar Goods and Services Tax Act (hereinafter referred to as "B.G.S.T. Act"). However, due to non-constitution of the Tribunal, the petitioner is deprived of his statutory remedy under sub-section (8) and sub-section (9) of Section 112 of the B.G.S.T. Act. Under the circumstances, the petitioner is also prevented from availing the benefit of stay of recovery of balance amount of tax in terms of Section 112 (8) and (9) of the B.G.S.T Act upon deposit of the amounts as contemplated under sub-section (8) of Section 112. The respondent State authorities have acknowledged the fact of non-constitution of the Tribunal and come out with a notification bearing Order No. 09/2019-State Tax, S. O. 399, dated 11.12.2019 for removal of difficulties, in exercise of powers under Section 172 of the B.G.S.T Act, which provides that period of limitation for the purpose of preferring an appeal before the Tribunal under Section 112 shall start only after the date on which the President, or the State President, as the case may be, of the Tribunal after its constitution under 3/4 Section 109 of the B.G.S.T Act, enters office. This Court is, therefore, inclined to dispose of the instant writ petition in the following terms:- (i) Subject to deposit of a sum equal to 20 percent of the remaining amount of tax in dispute, if not already deposited, in addition to the amount deposited earlier under sub-section (6) of Section 107 of the B.G.S.T. Act, the petitioner must be extended the statutory benefit of stay under sub-section (9) of Section 112 of the B.G.S.T. Act. The petitioner cannot be deprived of the benefit, due to non- constitution of the Tribunal by the respondents themselves. The recovery of balance amount, and any steps that may have been taken in this regard, will thus be deemed to be stayed. It is not in dispute that similar relief has been granted by this Court in the case of SAJ Food Products Pvt. Ltd. vs. The State of Bihar & Others in C.W.J.C. No. 15465 of 2022. (ii) The statutory relief of stay, on deposit of the statutory amount, however in the opinion of this Court, cannot be open ended. For balancing the equities, therefore, the Court is of the opinion that since order is being passed due to non- constitution of the Tribunal by the respondent- Authorities, the petitioner would be required to present/file his appeal under Section 112 of the B.G.S.T. Act, once the Tribunal is constituted and made functional and the President or the State President may enter office. The appeal would be required to be filed observing the statutory requirements after coming into existence of the Tribunal, for facilitating consideration of the appeal. (iii) In case the petitioner chooses not to avail the remedy of appeal by filing any appeal under 4/4 Section 112 of the B.G.S.T. Act before the Tribunal within the period which may be specified upon constitution of the Tribunal, the respondent- Authorities would be at liberty to proceed further in the matter, in accordance with law. With the above liberty, observation and directions, the writ petition stands disposed of.
Sujit/- (K. Vinod Chandran, CJ) ( Partha Sarthy, J) AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE Uploading Date 20.06.2023 Transmission Date
Reproduced from the public record of the Patna High Court. Verify against the court's own copy before relying on it. Income tax judgments are on bharattax.net.