Subodh Enterprises Vs Union of India and Others (Andhra Pradesh High Court)
Andhra Pradesh High Court held that service of appellate order u/s. 107 of the CGST Act, 2017 passed by the Commissioner (Appeals) in the state of Andhra Pradesh should be in both English and Hindi. Passing of such order in only Hindi language is not permissible.
Facts- The petitioners had approached the Commissioner (Appeals) under Section 107 of the CGST Act for redressing their grievances. The Commissioner (Appeals), after hearing the parties in these appeals, had passed hand written orders in Hindi. As the petitioners are not conversant with the said language, they had sought copies of the said order in English. However, such copies, in English, were not furnished to the petitioners. Aggrieved, by non-supply of copies of the orders in English, and on various other grounds raised by them, the petitioners have approached this Court by way of the present writ petitions.
Conclusion- Rule 3(3) of the Rules stipulates that communications from a Central Government Office to a State or Union territory in region “C” or to any office (not being a Central Government office) or person in such State shall be in English.
A reading of these provisions would make it clear that any communications of a Central Government office requires to be in both Hindi and English normally. However, any communication from a Central Government office to any person in region “C” shall be in English.
