In wake of the recent petitions being filed in high courts challenging various aspects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) on Monday directed its officials to appeal all high court orders, where the levy of GST has been questioned or stayed, through Special Leave Petitions in the Supreme Court. The CBEC has also asked its officers to “efficaciously defend” all matters in interest of government. The CBEC in an instruction issued to all principal chief commissioners and chief commissioners of Customs and GST said that principally, all orders/judgments, whether interim or final, are appealable. “Where the levy of GST has been questioned or stayed, irrespective of the fact that matter is still pending before the High Court, the same needs to be challenged by way of filing of a SLP (Special Leave Petition) before the Supreme Court,” it said. It has asked officials to expeditiously send self-contained proposals after thoroughly examining the “impugned High Court” orders to CBEC Commissioner (Legal). The CBEC in its instruction said that the Supreme Court allows SLP only when there is a substantial question of law of general or public importance or there is manifest injustice resulting from the impugned order or judgment. The instruction also said, “After the implementation of GST with effect from July 1, 2017 a number of writ petitions/PILs have been filed in various High Courts challenging or seeking clarification on various aspects of GST law and rate of tax on some products. Recently, a High Court in few cases relating to GST, has granted interim relief by directing that no coercive steps would be taken to recover tax or credit, pending the outcome of the petition filed. As GST is at its inception stage, it is important to defend the issues effectively to defend the interest of government.” The instruction, which has been issued with the approval of CBEC Chairman, further said that all Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners and Principal Director Generals/ Director Generals have been told to take all measures necessary to efficaciously defend all matters and in particular, GST-related petitions in High Courts under their respective jurisdictions.
