Timely filing of GST Tran-1 crucial for credit entitlement. Court orders portal reopening and manual processing.

The court granted the respondents one month to file a counter affidavit and directed them to reopen the portal within two weeks. If the portal is not reopened, the respondents were instructed to entertain the petitioner's application manually and verify the claimed credits promptly. Additionally, the petitioner was allowed to pay taxes using the regular electronic system maintained for credit consideration. The judgment emphasizes the importance of timely filing of GST Tran-1 and addresses technical failures in the electronic system to safeguard the petitioner's entitlement to credit.

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Issues involved:
- Petitioner seeking writ of mandamus to extend time period for filing GST Tran-1
- Allegation of electronic system failure on last date for filing application
- Respondents' notice of forming a new committee to address individual cases
- Respondents granted one month to file counter affidavit
- Direction to reopen portal within two weeks or entertain application manually

Analysis:
The petitioner approached the court seeking a writ of mandamus to direct the GST council to recommend to the State Government an extension of the time period for filing GST Tran-1. The petitioner claimed that despite efforts on the last filing date, the electronic system did not respond, potentially causing a loss of entitled credit. The respondents informed the court about the possibility of forming a new committee to address such cases, but could not provide a specific timeline. The court granted the respondents one month to file a counter affidavit and directed them to reopen the portal within two weeks. If the portal is not reopened, the respondents were instructed to entertain the petitioner's application manually and verify the claimed credits promptly. Additionally, the petitioner was to be allowed to pay taxes using the regular electronic system maintained for credit consideration.

This judgment highlights the importance of timely filing of GST Tran-1 and the consequences of technical failures in the electronic system. The court's intervention aimed to ensure that the petitioner's entitlement to credit is not jeopardized due to system issues. By granting time for the respondents to respond and directing them to take necessary actions promptly, the court sought to address the petitioner's concerns effectively. The decision to reopen the portal or entertain applications manually demonstrates the court's commitment to upholding the rights of taxpayers in the face of administrative challenges. The case underscores the significance of procedural fairness and the court's role in safeguarding the interests of individuals in matters concerning tax compliance and credit entitlement.

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