AAR holds that the quit rent paid to the State via the Forest...

AAR holds that the quit rent paid to the State via the Forest Department for leased agricultural land constitutes consideration for a leasing service and is classifiable under SAC 9986 (renting or leasing of vacant land), not under SAC 9972 (real estate services). Consequently, the lease rent collected by the Government for agricultural land through the Forest Department falls within the exemption scope of Entry No. 54 of Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate) and is exempt from GST. The ruling concludes the payment is a taxable service by classification but, as applicable, is relieved from tax liability by the specified exemption entry.