2019 (12) TMI 165 - AAR - GST

Applicant must pay GST on bonus payments to security personnel per Authority ruling.

In Re: M/s. Ex-servicemen Resettlement Society

The Authority ruled that the Applicant must pay GST on the portion of payment related to bonus payments to deployed security personnel. The ruling was ... Classification of services - security and scavenging services to the Government hospitals - whether classified under SAC 998525 or not - applicant makes separate bill for claiming the Bonus amount - levy of GST on such bonus amount - HELD THAT:- The security personnel engaged are at no point employees of the State Government. The Applicant can recruit, deploy, withdraw or replace any security personnel, provided the recipient is kept informed. It is not a manpower recruitment agency. The State Government is not recruiting any security personnel through the Applicant. The latter is the employer of the security personnel deployed and is responsible for paying all statutory dues, including employer's contribution to EPF, ESI etc. Employer's contribution to EPF, ESI etc. and payment of Bonus at the Government approved rate are, therefore, components of the Applicant's expenditure. It is entitled to pass this liability to the recipient, who, in terms of the Agreement, is apparently ready to bear that liability. Such an agreement, however, does not create a master and servant relationship between the recipient of the service and the security personnel. Payment received from the recipient on account of the bonus paid or payable to the persons deployed as security personnel is not, therefore, guided by Para 1 of Schedule III - Applicant is, therefore, liable to pay GST on the portion of the payment received on account of the bonus paid or payable to the persons it deploys as security personnel. Issues:1. Admissibility of the Application2. Submissions of the Applicant3. Observations & Findings of the AuthorityAdmissibility of the Application:The Applicant, a registered society providing security and scavenging services to government hospitals, sought a ruling on the GST liability for bonus payments to security personnel. The application was deemed admissible under Section 97(2)(c) & (e) of the GST Act as the question was not decided by any authority. The officer raised no objection, leading to the admission of the application.Submissions of the Applicant:The Applicant supplied services to government hospitals, classifying them under SAC 998525. The service charges included minimum wages, EPF, ESI, and bonus, with separate bills for bonus payments. The Applicant claimed GST on the total amount, excluding bonus bills. The agreement with a hospital clarified the service and payment structure, supporting the Applicant's submissions.Observations & Findings of the Authority:The Authority noted that the Applicant provided security personnel, not employees of the State Government, under SAC 998525. The Applicant was responsible for recruitment, deployment, and statutory dues of the personnel. The agreement did not establish an employer-employee relationship between the hospital and security personnel. Therefore, the Applicant was liable to pay GST on bonus payments to security personnel, as they were not guided by Schedule III.Ruling:The Authority ruled that the Applicant must pay GST on the portion of payment related to bonus payments to deployed security personnel. The ruling was subject to the provisions of the GST Act unless declared void under Section 104(1).