Cenvat credit on NPCI e-statements upheld where relaxed invoice rules and required particulars supported admissibility.

Cenvat credit on NPCI e-statements/documents was treated as admissible where NPCI acted as an intermediary network service provider for banking transactions and the document contained the particulars needed for credit. The Tribunal relied on its earlier decision in the same assessee's case, which the Department had accepted in a similar matter, and held that the banking company proviso to Rule 4A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994 relaxed the ordinary invoice requirements. On that basis, the documentary objection for alleged non-compliance did not justify disallowance of the credit, and the Revenue's challenge failed.

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Issues: Whether cenvat credit availed on NPCI e-statements/documents was admissible, and whether the Revenue could disallow the credit for alleged non-compliance with the prescribed documentary requirements.

Analysis: The Tribunal noted that the same issue had already been decided in the respondent's own case in its favour and that the Department had accepted the earlier decision in a similar matter. It relied on the earlier reasoning that NPCI functions as an intermediary network service provider for banking transactions, that the banking company proviso to Rule 4A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994 relaxes the normal invoice requirements, and that the NPCI document contained the necessary particulars for availment of credit. The Tribunal found no basis to depart from the earlier view and accepted the settled position on admissibility of credit.

Conclusion: The cenvat credit on NPCI e-statements/documents was held admissible, and the Revenue's challenge failed.

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