South Eastern Coalfields Limited Vs Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax (CESTAT Delhi)
The case of South Eastern Coalfields Limited versus the Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax, adjudicated by the CESTAT Delhi, revolves around a service tax demand imposed on the appellant without sufficient proof. The dispute arose from a comparison between ST-3 returns filed by the appellant from April 2015 to June 2017 and specific ledger account balances in the Trial Balance for the same period. The Revenue authorities alleged that the differences between these figures represented taxable services on which due service tax had not been paid, proposing a demand of Rs. 11,36,80,999.
However, the appellant contested this demand, arguing that it was proposed solely based on the differences between figures in the Trial Balance and ST-3 returns, without examining the nature of the entries in the ledger accounts or establishing whether these amounts were for taxable services. The appellant emphasized that the burden of proof lies with the Revenue, especially since the allegations of non-payment or short payment of service tax were made based purely on differential figures.
The appellant further argued that the differences between the figures in the Trial Balance and ST-3 returns were inherent and well within the knowledge of the Department, as no demand had been raised on similar differentials in previous periods. Additionally, the appellant highlighted the applicability of Rule 6(4A) of the Service Tax Rules for the Financial Year 2015-16, emphasizing that excess service tax paid in one service category could be adjusted against short payment in another, which the Adjudicating Authority failed to allow.
