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2020 (5) TMI 583 - NAPA - GSTProfiteering - purchase of Flat No. EFP 24-0501 in “Emerald Floors Premier’ project - allegation is that the Respondent had not passed on the benefit of Input Tax Credit (ITC) by way of commensurate reduction in the price of the flat - contravention of provisions of section 171 of CGST Act - application forwarded to the DGAP to conduct detailed investigation in to the complaint according to Rule 129 (1) of the CGST Rules, 2017 - HELD THAT:- It is clear from the perusal of Sub-Section 171 (1) that both the benefits of tax reduction and ITC are required to be passed on by the suppliers to the buyers by commensurate reduction in the prices as they are the concessions which have been granted to them from the public exchequer in the interest of the consumers. Sub-Section 171 (2) provides that the Central Government may on the recommendations of the GST Council constitute an Authority to examine whether the input tax credits availed by any registered person or the reduction in the tax rate have actually resulted in a commensurate reduction in the prices of the goods or services or both supplied by him. Therefore, this Authority has jurisdiction to examine all such cases in which the above benefits are required to be passed on suo moto or to get them investigated through the DGAP and its power to do so is not circumscribed by any restriction to the effect that it cannot examine those cases in respect of which no complaint has been made - It is also apparent from the provisions of Rule 129 (1) that the DGAP shall investigate and collect necessary evidence in all such cases in which rate of tax has been reduced or the benefit of ITC has been granted which is required to be passed on to the buyers and submit his Report to this Authority under Rule 129 (6) and hence he is bound to investigate all those cases where benefit of ITC or tax rate is required to be passed on. This Authority has not replaced or substituted any function which the Courts were performing hitherto. Though it performs quasi-judicial functions but it cannot be equated with a judicial tribunal. Also, it performs its functions in a fair and reasonable manner in accordance with the Act but does not have the trappings of a Court and therefore, absence of a Judicial Member does not render the constitution of this Authority unconstitutional or legally invalid - the Chairman and the Technical Members of the Authority are being appointed by the competent authority (Appointments Committee of the Cabinet) of the Union Cabinet keeping the requirements of the above mandate of the GST law in perspective. Moreover, the orders passed by this Authority are further subject to the judicial review and therefore, the Respondent should not have any grievance on this account. The Respondent has benefited from the additional ITC to the extent of 11.90% of the turnover during the period from July, 2017 to March, 2019 and hence the provisions of Section 171 of the CGST Act, 2017 have been contravened by the Respondent as he has not passed on the above benefit to his customers and thus he has profiteered an amount of ₹ 13,35,79,636/- inclusive of GST @ 12% on the base profiteered amount of ₹ 11,92,67,532/-. Further, the Respondent has realized an additional amount of ₹ 1,04,734/- which includes both the profiteered amount @ 11.90% of the taxable amount (base price) and 12% GST on the said profiteered amount from the Applicant No. 1 - this Authority under Rule 133 (3) (a) of the CGST Rules, 2017 orders that the Respondent shall reduce the prices to be realized from the buyers of the flats of the above Project commensurate with the benefit of ITC received by him as has been detailed above. Since the present investigation is only up to 31.03.2019 any benefit of ITC which accrues subsequently shall also be passed on to the buyers by the Respondent. The concerned Commissioner CGST/SGST shall ensure that the above benefit is passed on to the eligible flat buyers. Penalty - HELD THAT:- The Respondent has denied benefit of ITC to the buyers of the flats being constructed by him in his above project in contravention of the provisions of Section 171 (1) of the CGST Act, 2017 and he has thus resorted to profiteering. Hence. he has committed an offence under Section 171 (3A) of the CGST Act, 2017 and therefore, he is apparently liable for imposition of penalty under the provisions of the above Section - Accordingly, a Show Cause Notice be issued to him directing him to explain why the penalty prescribed under Section 171 (3A) of the above Act read with Rule 133 (3) (d) of the CGST Rules, 2017 should not be imposed on him.
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