Levy of service tax on cash calls in joint venture oil and gas projects rejected where contributions are expense-sharing investments

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....Levy of service tax on cash calls in joint ventures for oil and gas exploration is addressed by characterising inter-participant cash calls as expense-sharing contributions/investments rather than consideration for taxable service. The analysis treats Public-Private Partnership arrangements as joint ventures operating on a revenue-sharing model, distinguishes the appointed operators expenditure role from non-operators contributions, and treats exploration and development costs as contingent investments (sunk if no discovery). Consequently, cash calls representing a participants share of exploration costs are not service tax-able as consideration for service, with reference to relevant contractual allocation and existing circular guidance.....