GST Liability on Clinical Bio Medical Waste Disposal: Rates & Analysis

In re Instromedix Waste Management Private Limited (AAR Rajasthan)

The disposal and treatment of bio medical waste from clinical establishments have come under scrutiny for GST liability. In a recent ruling by the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) Rajasthan, the matter was thoroughly examined.

The AAR Rajasthan meticulously analyzed the statement of facts, supporting documents, oral and written submissions, and comments of the State Tax Authority. The key legal questions raised revolved around the taxability, effective date, and applicable rate of GST on these services.

Initially exempted under Entry No.75 of Notification No.12/2017-CT (Rate), the exemption was later omitted, making the service taxable under Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate). The AAR clarified that disposal and treatment of bio medical waste from clinical establishments fall under Chapter Heading 9994 and are subject to a GST rate of 12% (CGST-6% and SGST-6%) effective from 18.07.2022.

 The ruling by AAR Rajasthan provides clarity on the GST liability concerning the disposal and treatment of bio medical waste from clinical establishments. From 18.07.2022 onwards, these services are taxable at a rate of 12%. This decision not only establishes the taxability but also sets a precedent for similar cases.

Moving forward, businesses involved in such services need to ensure compliance with GST regulations and factor in the applicable rates for accurate tax assessment. The ruling emphasizes the importance of staying updated with regulatory changes and seeking clarity through legal avenues when necessary.

Overall, the analysis of GST liability on clinical bio medical waste disposal underscores the complexities within taxation laws and the need for precise interpretation to avoid ambiguities in compliance.

EXTRACT OF THE ORDER OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCE RULING , RAJASTHAN

Note 1: Under Section 100 of the CGST/RGST Act, 2017, an appeal against this ruling lies before the Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling constituted under Section 99 of CGST/RGST Act, 2017, within a period of 30 days from the date of service of this order.

Note 2: At the outset, we would like to make it clear that the provisions of both the CGST Act and the RGST Act are the same except for certain provisions. Therefore, unless a mention is specifically made to such dissimilar provisions, a reference to the CGST Act would also mean a reference to the same provision under the RGST Act. Further to the earlier, henceforth for the purposes of this Advance Ruling, a reference to such a similar provision under the CGST Act / RGST Act would be mentioned as being under the “GST Act”.

The issue raised by M/s Instromedix Waste Management Private Limited, Fourth, Plot No.1,Office No.402, Gaurav Tower, Bardiya Shopping Centre, Indra Palace, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan-302017 (hereinafter referred to as “the applicant”), which is registered with SGST, Circle-C, Jaipur-Il Zone for supplying Waste & Scrap of Plastics (HSN Code 3915), Paper & Paperboard (HSN Code 4707), and Glass (HSN Code 7001) and for providing services of Non-hazardous waste treatment and disposal services (HSN Code 999433) & Sewage and waste collection, treatment and disposal and other environmental protection services (HSN Code 9994).

The applicant is fit to pronounce advance ruling as it falls under the ambit of the Section 97(2)(b)&(e) of GST Act, 2017, given as under:-

(b) applicability of a notification issued under the provisions of this Act; and

(e) determination of the liability to pay tax on any goods or services or both.

A. SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICANT(in brief):-

The applicant seeks an Advance Ruling on:-

(i) The applicability of GST, as mentioned in the clause (X) under point (A) of the S.No.742 of Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022; and

(ii) The coverage of services covered under SAC 999432-“Non-hazardous waste treatment and disposal services” for the applicable tax rate, as defined in the S.No.742 of Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022

B. INTERPRETATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF APPLICANT ON QUESTION RAISED (in Brief)

The applicant submitted his interpretation as under

1. The applicant is engaged in disposal and treatment of B’° treatment. In this the clinical establishments at the facility allotted by the State Government in this activity, the applicant is collecting the bio medical waste from the empanelled activity establishments and disposed of or treats the same at its facility and charges the fixed contracted amount as per the state guidelines these services fall under chapter Heading 999433 of the SAC codes as defined under GST laws.

2. Till 17 07 2022, all the services listed under Tariff Heading 9994 were exempted from tax

3. Vide Notification No.03/2022-CE(Rate) dated 13 07.2022 (w.e.f. 18.07.2022), the disposal or treatment of bio medical waste was brought into the purview of GST taxed CGST @6% and SGST @ 6% by inserting Entry No.32(ia) in Notification No. 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate) (S.No.25), dated the 28.06.2017, as detailed below.-

TABLE

*Inserted by Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022 (w.e.f. 18.07.2022)

4. The assessee seeks advance ruling on the coverage of the services covered under SAC 999432-Non-hazardous waste treatment and disposal services under Notification No. 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate) (S.No.25), dated the 28.06.2017 as amended vide Notification NO.03/2022-CE (Rate) dated 13.07.2022.

C QUESTIONS ON WHICH THE ADVANCE RULING IS SOUGHT: –

1. Whether the services of disposal and treatment of Bio-Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishments is liable to tax under Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022

2. If yes, from which date, the registered dealer is liable to pay GST on the above services?

3. If yes, what is the rate of GST, which the registered dealer is required to pay on the services mentioned in Point 1 above?

D PERSONAL HEARING

In the matter, personal hearings were granted to the applicant on 16.11.2023 and 01.01.2024. Shri Abhay Gangwal, CA Authorized Representative of the applicant appeared for personal hearing. He reiterated the submission already made in written submission and also submitted an application regarding correction of old para for seeking advance ruling over coverage of services covered under SAC 999433-“Non-hazardous waste treatment and disposal services” to SAC 999432-“Hazardous waste treatment and disposal services”.

E COMMENTS OF THE JURISDICTIONAL OFFICER

The Jurisdictional office of Deputy Commissioner, State Tax, Circle-C Jaipur-II, Rajasthan, has given his comments vide his letter Dated- 30.11.2023

F. FINDINGS, ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION:

1) We have carefully examined the statement of facts, supporting documents filed by the Applicant along with application, oral and written submissions made at the time of personal hearing and comments of State Tax Authority. We have also considered the issues involved, on which advance ruling is sought by the applicant, and relevant facts.

2) The question of Law raised by the applicant is as under-

(i) Whether the services of disposal and treatment of Bio Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishments is liable to tax under Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022

(ii) If yes, from which date, the Registered Dealer is liable to pay GST Liability on above services?

(iii) If yes, what is the Rate of GST al which Liability of GST is to be discharged by the Registered Dealer on services mentioned in Point 1 above

3) The Services of disposal and Treatment of Bio Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishments was exempted vide Entry No.75 of Notification No.12/2017-CT (Rate) dated 28.06.2017, as detailed below:-

4) The said Entry No.75 was omitted vide Notification No.04/2022 CT (Rate) dated 13.07.2022 (effective from 18.07.2022).

5) The service of disposal and treatment of Bio Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishment (9994) was made taxable vide Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022 (effective from 18.07.2022), by amending Notification No. 11/2017 / CT (Rate) dated 28.06.2017

In view of the above, we hold that the services of disposal and treatment of Bio Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishments (9994) is taxable from 18.07.2022 and the rate leviable thereon is 12% (CGST-6% and SGST-6%).

In view of the foregoing, we rule as follows:-

RULING

(Under Section 98 of the CGST& RGST Act, 2017)

Q1. Whether the Services of disposal and Treatment of Bio Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishments is liable to tax under Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022.

Ans- Yes, the services of disposal and treatment of Bio Medical Waste obtained from clinical establishments is liable to tax under Notification No. 03/2022-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.07.2022

Q2. If yes, from which date, the registered dealer is liable to pay GST on above services?

Ans- The registered dealer is liable to pay GST on the aforesaid service from 18.07.2022.

Q3. If yes, what is the rate of GST at which GST is to be paid by the registered dealer on the services mentioned in Point 1 above?

Ans- The rate of GST on the services mentioned in Point 1 above is 12% (CGST 6% and SGST 6%).