GST Exempted from supply of service of conversion of wheat into atta/ fortified atta: AAR

The West Bengal Authority of Advance Ruling(WBAAR) has ruled that GST exempted from supply of service of conversion of wheat into atta/ fortified atta.

The applicant is a flour miller. The applicant submits that he has entered into an agreement with the State of West Bengal represented by the District Controller of Food & Supplies for conversion of wheat provided by the State Government and owned by the State Government, at all times, into atta/ fortified atta, for distribution by the State Government through Public Distribution System.

Question of the Appellant:

The applicant has made this application under sub section (1) of section 97 of the GST Act and the rules made there under raising following questions vide serial number 14 of the application in FORM GST ARA-01:

(i) What is the value of supply of services provided by the applicant Company to the State Government?

(ii) What is the rate of tax applicable on the value of supply? What components are to be included in calculation of the % of value of goods in the total value of composite supply for the purpose of Notification No. 2/2018- Central Tax (Rate)?

The Authority said issue involved in the instant case, as we find, is to determine whether the instant supply shall qualify as an exempt supply vide entry no. 3A of Notification No. 12/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 (as amended vide Notification No. 2/2018- Central Tax (Rate) dated 25.01.2018) or the same shall be taxable @ 5% as clarified in para 3.2 of the Circular No. 153/09/2021-GST dated 17.06.2021 issued by the CBIC.

Authority found out that, “The agreement between the applicant and the State Government for supply of fortified Wholemeal Atta/Atta is found to be executed in terms of G.O. No. 2834-F.S. dated 6th September, 2017. The said Notification provides guidelines for the procedure of empanelment of flour mills/ attachakki to convert wheat into fortified atta/wholemeal atta in pursuance of clauses 36 and 37 of the West Bengal Public Distribution System (Maintenance & Control) Order, 2013 and clauses 33 and 34 of the West Bengal Urban Public Distribution System (Maintenance & Control) Order, 2013. In this context, we refer to Para 3.1 of the Circular No. 153/09/2021-GST dated 17.06.2021 where it is stated that “Public Distribution specifically figures at entry 28 of the 11th Schedule to the constitution, which lists the activities that may be entrusted to a Panchayat under Article 243G of the Constitution.” Hence, the instant composite supply made by the applicant is found to be in relation to any function entrusted to a Panchayat under article 243G of the Constitution.”

Appellate Authority has observed as follows:

“The WBAAR failed to appreciate that the valuation of the composite supply is the agreed upon price between the flour millers and the Food & Supplies Department. This agreed upon price includes the notional value of Rs.124/- of two gunny bags and 5 kg by-products (1 kg refractor and 5 kg bran) which are retained by the miller, irrespective of actual disposal price of those gunny bags and by-products in future. The supply value of milling of wheat in the instant case cannot be dependent on actual receipts by the miller in future from third parties in disposal of the retained goods. It is clear from Memo No. 2979(3)-FS/Sect./Food/4P02/2016 dated 08.12.2020 read with Memo No. 569(3)-FS/Sect./Food/4P-02/2016/2021 dated 18.02.2022 that the total supply price is Rs.260.48 for milling services to produce 95 kg fortified atta from 100 kg wheat. The value of goods in the composite supply is not more than Rs.60/- being cost of elements for fortification and packing materials. So the percentage of value of goods in the composite supply is established to be lesser than 25% of the total supply value.”

RULING

In the instant case, value of supply shall be the consideration in money as well as non-cash consideration, as discussed. This composite supply of services by way of milling of wheat into flour (atta) to Food & Supplies Department, Govt. of West Bengal for distribution of such flour under Public Distribution System is eligible for exemption under serial no. 3A of the Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017, as amended, since the value of goods involved in such composite supply does not exceed 25% of the value of supply.

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