ORDER

1. M/s. Bharti Airtel Limited, 1-8-437, 438,445,1-5, Splendid Towers, Huda Road, Opp Begumpet Police Station, Begumpet, Hyderabad – 500 016, Telangana State(36AAACB2894G1ZO) has filed an application in FORM GST ARA-01 under Section 97(1) of TGST Act, 2017 read with Rule 104 of CGST/TGST Rules.

2. At the outset, it is made clear that the provisions of both the CGST Act and the TGST Act are the same except for certain provisions. Therefore, unless a mention is specifically made to any dissimilar provisions, a reference to the CGST Act would also mean a reference to the same provision under the TGST Act. Further, for the purposes of this Advance Ruling, the expression ‘GST Act’ would be a common reference to both CGST Act and TGST Act.

3. It is observed that the queries raised by the applicant fall within the ambit of Section 97 of the GST ACT. The Applicant enclosed copies of challans as proof of payment of ₹ 5,000/- for SGST and ₹ 5,000/- for CGST towards the fee for Advance Ruling. The concerned jurisdictional officer also raised no objection to the admission of the application. The application is therefore, admitted

4. Brief facts of the case:

M/s. Bharti Airtel Limited is engaged in providing telecommunication services and in the course of its business it is also providing these services to GHMC by way of data/voice telecommunication services SAC 9984. According to their submissions, these services provided to GHMC are not related to any specific project or specific scheme of Government and are provided to GHMC to be used by employees for general office and administrative purposes. Further under serial no.3 of Notification No. 12/2017 dated: 28.06.2017 their services qualify to be pure services rendered in relation to functions entrusted to a municipality under Article 243W of constitution of India. In light of the said notification the applicant finds that such services are exempt from tax under GST and hence this application.

5. Questions raised:

1. Whether telecom services provided by Airtel to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) are Nil rated under GST as per the S. No. 3 of Notification No. 12/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 by considering the service as a pure service as they are in relation to functions entrusted under article 243W?

2. Invoices for telecommunication services are to be issued with (or) without GST?

6. Personal Hearing:

The Authorized representatives of the unit namely Sri R G. Ramesh Babu, authorized representative and Sri. Mayur Dayama, AR attended the personal hearing held on 05-10-2021. The authorized representatives reiterated their averments in the application submitted.

7. Discussion & Findings:

Under the Article 243W of Constitution of India, municipalities may be entrusted with the responsibilities for:

i. Preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.

ii. Performance of functions and implementation of schemes in relation to matters listed in 12th schedule.

Under the schedule 12 to Constitution of India, the functions and schemes are as follows:

a) Urban planning including town planning.

b) Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings.

c) Planning for economic and social development.

d) Roads and bridges.

e) Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes.

f) Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management.

g) Fire services.

h) Urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects.

i) Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded.

j) Slum improvement and up gradation.

k) Urban poverty alleviation.

l) Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks gardens, playgrounds.

m) Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects.

n) Burials and burial grounds; cremations, cremation grounds and electric crematoriums.

o) Cattle ponds; prevention of cruelty to animals.

p) Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths.

q) Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences.

r) Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries.

Now under serial no. 3 of Notification No. 12/2017 pure services provided “in relation to any function” entrusted to a municipality under Article 243W of the Constitution of India is eligible for exemption from GST. Clearly the exemption should be directly related to the functions enumerated under Article 243W of the Constitution of India i.e., Responsibilities specified at Sl No.(1) or those functions listed under 12th schedule. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Doypack Systems Pvt. Ltd. vs. Union of India (UOI) and Ors. (12.02.1988 – SC) AIR 1988 SC 782 clarified the meaning of the expression “in relation to” as follows:

“In this connection reference may be made to 76 Corpus Juris Secundum at pages 620 and 521 where it is stated that the term ‘relate” is also defined as meaning to ring into association or connection with. It has been clearly mentioned that “relating to” has been held to be equivalent to or synonymous with as to “concerning with” and “pertaining to”.

Similarly the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Madhav Rao Jivaji Rao Scindia Vs Union of India AIR 1971 SC 530 observed that the expression “relating to” means to bring into relation or establish a relation. It was further clarified that there should be a direct and immediate link with a covenant and that there cannot be any independent existence outside such covenant.

By his own admission in the application, the applicant is providing data and voice services to GHMC and to the employees of the municipalities and general purpose for office and administrative purposes. Thus there is no direct relation between the services provided by the applicant and the functions discharged by the GHMC under Article 243W read with schedule 12 to the Constitution of India. Therefore these services do not qualify for exemption under Notification No. 12/2017.

8. In view of the observations stated above, the following ruling is issued :

Advance Ruling

1. Whether telecom services provided by Airtel to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) are Nil rated under GST as per the S. No. 3 of Notification No. 12/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 by considering the service as a pure service as they are in relation to functions entrusted under article 243W?	No. The service to GHMC is not exempt for the reasons discussed above.
2. Invoices for telecommunication services are to be issued with (or) without GST?	Yes, invoices shall be issued with GST.