Satyam Steels and Alloys v. The Union of India and 2 Ors

ORDER

16.09.2024 (Kardak Ete, J) Heard Dr. A. Saraf, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Ms. T. Y. Bhutia, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. M. Kato, learned DSGI appearing for the respondent No.1 and Mr. M. K. Boro, learned Standing Counsel, CGST & CX/respondent Nos. 2, 3 & 4.

¶2By filing this writ petition, the petitioner has put to challenge the vires of Section 16(4) of the GST Act, 2017 and the Order-in-Original dated 15.02.2022, passed by the Assistant Commissioner, CGST & CX, Itanagar Division/respondent No. 3, whereby, ITC refund claimed by the petitioner for a period from January, 2020 to March, 2020, has been rejected on the ground that the petitioner availed the Input Tax Credit (ITC) wrongly in contravention to Section 16(4) of the CGST Act, 2017, read with Section 20 of the IGST Act, 2017, and the applicable Arunachal Pradesh GST Act, 2017.

¶3During the pendency of the writ petition, vide Gazette Notification dated

16.08.2024, an amendment in Section 16 of the Central Goods and Services Tax, has been brought in with retrospective effect from 01.07.2017 by inserting Sub-Section (5) in Section 16 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. Page No.# 4/5

¶4Section 16(5) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 reads as under:

"(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), in respect of an invoice or debit note for supply of goods or services or both pertaining to the Financial Years 2017-18, 2019-20 and 2020-21, the registered person shall be entitled to take input tax credit in any return under Section 39 which is filed up to the thirtieth day of November, 2021."

¶5The learned counsels appearing for the respondents are in agreement that in view of the insertion of Sub-Section (5) in Section 16 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, the grievance raised by the petitioner has been redressed.

¶6Dr. A. Saraf, learned Senior Advocate for the petitioner, submits that in view of the amendment brought in Section 16 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 by inserting Sub-Section (5), the impugned Order-in-Original dated 15.02.2022 passed by the respondent authorities may be set aside and matter be remanded back and direction may be issued to pass an appropriate order in view of insertion of Sub-Section (5) of Section 16 of Central Good and Services Tax Act, 2017.

¶7In view of the submissions made by the learned counsels for the parties and also considering the amendment brought in Section 16 of the Central Goods Page No.# 5/5 and Services Tax Act, 2017, by inserting Sub-Section (5), the impugned order in original dated 15.02.2022 is hereby set aside without adjudicating the said orders on merit.

¶8The respondent authorities are directed to consider and pass an appropriate order taking into consideration of the provision of Sub-Section (5) of Section 16 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, vide Amendment (Finance Act, 2024) dated 16.08.2024.

¶9This writ petition stands disposed of, in terms of the above observation and direction.

JUDGE JUDGE Comparing Assistant

Page No.# 1/5 GAHC040007672024 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) (ITANAGAR BENCH) Case No. : WP(C)/470/2022 Satyam Steels and Alloys Age: 0 Occupation : Address:A Partnership firm registered under the Indian Partnership Act 1932 having its principal place of business at NH 52 Banderdewa Papum Pare Arunachal Pradesh 791123 and in the present proceedings represented by one of its partners Mr. Harsh Sharma. VERSUS The Union of India and 2 Ors. Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Represented by its Secretary to the Govt. of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue New Delhi 110001 2:The Commissioner Age: 0 Occupation : Address:CGST and CX Itanagar Commissonerate Sector A Naharlagun 791110 3:Assistant Commissioner Page No.# 2/5 Age: 0 Occupation : Address:CGST and CX Itanagar Commissionerate Sector A Naharlagun 791110 ------------ Advocate for : P Baruah Advocate for : Marto Kato appearing for The Union of India and 2 Ors. Advocate for the Petitioner : Dr. A. Saraf, T. Y. Bhutia Advocate for the Respondent : Marto Kato, (Election commission),DSGI M. K. Boro, SC (CGST & CX) Page No.# 3/5 BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KALYAN RAI SURANA HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KARDAK ETE