In re Puttahalagaiah G.H. (GST AAR Karnataka)
Whether Rent received from Backward Classes Welfare Department, is taxable or not?
The applicant has rented his property to the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, who in turn is using the same for providing hostel facilities to the post metric girls of backward classes. This is in relation to the function entrusted to a panchayat under article 243G of the constitution which is covered by 27th entry of 11th schedule which says Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
Since the applicant is providing to the State Government pure services by way of any activity in relation to any function entrusted to a Panchayat under article 243G of the Constitution, the same is covered under the entry number 3 of Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28-06-2017 and hence is exempted under the CGST Act, 2017. For the same reasons, the activity is also exempted under the KGST Act, 2017.
FULL TEXT OF ORDER OF AUTHORITY OF ADVANCE RULING, KARNATAKA
1. Sri Puttahalagaiah G.H., No.461/A, 10th Cross, 2nd Phase, Girinagar, Bangalore-560085 is an Unregistered person having User-ID292000000520AR9 filed an application for Advance Ruling under Section 97 of CGST Act, 2017, read with Rule 104 of the CGST Rules and Section 97 of the KGST Act, 2017 read with Rule 104 of KGST Rules 2017, in FORM GST ARA-01 discharging the fee of Rs. 5000/- each under the CGST Act and the KGST Act.
2. The applicant has applied for advance ruling as unregistered dealer under the provisions of the GST Act, 2017. The applicant is letting out his building to the Department of Backward Classes Welfare, Government of Karnataka to run post-metric Girl’s Hostel.
3. The applicant has sought advance ruling in respect of the following question:-
i. Whether Rent received from Backward Classes Welfare Department, is taxable or not?
4. Admissibility of the application:.The question is about “applicability of a notification issued under the provisions of the Act” and hence is admissible under Section of the CGST Act 2017.
5. The applicant furnishes some facts relevant to the issue:
5.1 The applicant is an individual and owner of the premises situated at No.406, I.T.I Layout, Opp. Gopalan Arcade, Mysore Road, Bengaluru-560039 and has entered into an agreement with the Extension Officer, Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka to rent out his property to run post metric Girl’s Hostel and constitute rent/ letting out of 10,441 sq.ft building consisting of seven rooms, two halls, 11 toilets, 10 bathrooms and bore well, for a rent of Rs. 1 per month.
5.2 The applicant has furnished a magazine published by the Government of Karnataka which pertains to action plan of backward classes Welfare Department 2019-20, where in it is reported that back ward Classes Welfare Department has been established for the welfare of backward classes to implement programmes of overall development of backward classes which are notified by the Government of Karnataka.
5.3 The Backward Classes Welfare Department is providing hostel facility to the students of backward classes studying in Government/ Government aided institutions after matriculation.
5.4 The applicant is of the opinion that since he is letting out his property to Backward Classes Welfare Department who in turn is using it for welfare of weaker section of the society of the backward classes students where the annual income of the family is less than threshold for the creamy layer, therefore the service provided by him to Backward Classes Welfare Department to run post metric Girl’s Hostel is exempted service as it is covered under Article 243G of the Constitution.
PERSONAL HEARING: / PROCEEDINGS HELD ON 15-10-2020
6. Sri Vishwanath Bhat, Cost Accountant and Duly Authorized Representative along with the applicant, appeared for personal hearing proceedings held on 15 th October 2020 and reiterated the facts made in the application.
FINDINGS & DISCUSSION
7. At the outset we would like to make it clear that the provisions of CGST, Act 2017 and SGST, Act 2017 are in pari-materia and have the same provisions in like matter and differ from each other only on a few specific provisions. Therefore, unless a mention is particularly made to such dissimilar provisions, a reference to the CGST Act would also mean reference to the corresponding similar provisions in the KGST Act.
8. We have considered the submissions made by the applicant in their application for advance ruling as well as the submissions made by applicant and his authorized representatives during the hearing. We also considered the issue involved on which advance ruling is sought by the applicant, relevant facts and the applicant’s interpretation of law.
9. The applicant has stated that he has let out his property to the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka who in turn is using the same for providing hostel facilities to the post metric girls of backward classes. It is observed that the applicant is not into the supply of any works contract service or other composite supplies involving supply of any goods. The applicant is only providing the services of renting an immovable property. Hence, the services provided by the applicant constitutes pure service as per entry no 3 of the Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28-06-2017. For ease of reference, relevant portion is re-produced as under:
