Tribunal Rules Airport Services as 'Works Contract,' Grants 67% Abatement; Service Tax Demand Set Aside Due to Exemptions.

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....The Tribunal held that the services rendered by the appellant to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) were composite services involving service elements as well as the element of sale of goods, classifiable as 'Works Contract Services' and not merely 'Management, Maintenance or Repair Services'. The appellant was entitled to avail the benefit of 67% abatement under the relevant notification. The demand of service tax on the service element was wrongly confirmed as the services provided to airports are exempted. The services provided to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a non-commercial government organization, were also held to be non-taxable. The show cause notice was held barred by limitation as there was no willful misstatement or suppression by the appellant. The Tribunal set aside the impugned order confirming the service tax demand.....