Custom, Excise & Service Tax Tribunal
Ms Raiganj Computer And Information ... vs Siliguri on 15 July, 2025
IN THE CUSTOMS, EXCISE AND SERVICE TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
EASTERN ZONAL BENCH: KOLKATA
REGIONAL BENCH - COURT NO. 1
Service Tax Appeal No. 75143 of 2023
(Arising out of Order-in-Appeal No. 34/SLG-ST/2022-23 dated 27.12.2022 passed by
the Commissioner of Appeal, C.G.S.T. & C.Ex., C.R. Building, Haren Mukherjee Road,
Hakimpara, Siliguri - 734 001)
M/s. Raiganj Computer and Information Technology : Appellant
("RCIT"), MSR Building, 2nd Floor, DCR Market,
Malda, West Bengal - 732 101
VERSUS
Commissioner of C.G.S.T. and Central Excise : Respondent
Malda Division,
Under O/o. Pr. Chief Commissioner, C.G.S.T. & Central Excise,
180, Shantipally, Rajdanga Main Road, Kolkata - 700 107
APPEARANCE:
Smt. Shreya Mundhra, Advocate, for the Appellant
Shri S.K. Jha, Authorized Representative, for the Respondent
CORAM:
HON'BLE SHRI K. ANPAZHAKAN, MEMBER (TECHNICAL)
FINAL ORDER NO. 76916 / 2025
DATE OF HEARING / DECISION: 15.07.2025
ORDER:
The present appeal has been filed against the Order-in-Appeal No. 34/SLG-ST/2022-23 dated 27.12.2022 passed by the Ld. Commissioner of Appeal, C.G.S.T. & C.Ex., C.R. Building, Haren Mukherjee Road, Hakimpara, Siliguri - 734 001.
2. The facts of the case are that M/s. Raiganj Computer and Information Technology (RCIT) (hereinafter referred to as the "appellant") is a registered Vocational Training Provider (VTP) bearing Registration No. 1906009 under the Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) of Government of India, registered with the Directorate of Industrial Training, West Bengal.
Page 2 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
3. As per the registration documents dated 30th December, 2011, the appellant was registered as a Vocational Training Provider (VTP) for implementation of Govt. of India's Skill Development Initiative (SDI) under Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGE&T), Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E), Govt. of India. They provided NCVT- approved Modular Employable Skill (MES) courses. This Scheme (Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme) is now under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
4. The appellant was accorded approval to conduct training programmes under the Prime Minister's National Skill Development Mission, a new Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSD&E) initiative set up in the year 2014 to coordinate all skill development efforts across the country. Industrial training, apprenticeship and other skill development responsibilities were officially transferred from the MoL&E to MoSD&E.
5. During the material period, the appellant entered into a MOU with EdCIL (India) Ltd. dated 10.07.2012 for jointly undertaking education and human resource development projects including information technology training and skill test certification related projects in various states in India. The MOU details the scope of both the parties and states that it will be based on the respect and mutual cooperation up to the respective strengths, organization structures, mandates and capacities as well as the policies of both. The MOU was formed with the intent to enhance the momentum of the solutions provided in the education sector in India and internationally drive global efficiency effectiveness and competitiveness. The scope would be to develop Page 3 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM solutions and cater 2 social projects in the education sector, educational projects, human resource development projects, computer development, information technology training projects, information technology skill test certification projects by working together. The responsibilities of each parties were provided for in the MOU. The parties were to jointly formulate and bid for project proposals and undertake activities for execution of the same. For the said scope, the financials would be shared between the parties as stated in the MOU. As such, multiple projects for imparting vocational training were entered into and payment was shared for the same.
6. In the instant case, the activity of the appellant is to impart vocational training of NCVT Approved Modular Employable Skill courses as prescribed by the above mentioned organization. As such, the MOU involved providing inter alia, the following:
(i) Diploma in Office Automation & Networking (DOAN), Diploma in Information Technology & Networking (DITN), Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism (CHT) of Govt. of West Bengal;
(ii) PC, Monitor & Printer Repairing & Servicing, Mobile repairing & Telephone Servicing, Laptop repairing & Servicing, TV/DVD repair servicing certain vocational education/training/skill development courses (VEC) of West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC);
(iii) Enterpreneurship Development Programme (EDP) of National Safai Karmcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC);
(iv) Certificate Course in Office Automation & Internet of National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSCFDC); and Page 4 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
(v) Certificate Course in Computer Hardware Maintenance of National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSCFDC).
6.1. In view of the above, the appellant provided NCVT-approved Modular Employable Skill (MES) course under Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme of Govt. of India as per Registration orders issued by Govt. of West Bengal. The appellant had no control over selection of trainees. Such Training was provided only to trainees selected by the Govt. Undertakings. The appellant did not provide training to any other trainee. The appellant neither had any control over deciding the curriculum of the vocational course/skill development course or MES courses, which were all designed by National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India. The appellant also did not collect any fees directly from any trainee but from EdCIL. The Vocational Course/Skill Development Course or MES courses were funded by the various Govt. Department (Central Govt. or State Govt.) and entire course fees were received by the appellant through EdCIL (India) Ltd. as per the revenue sharing agreement (MOU). The Regional Director, Regional Directorate of Apprenticeship Training, Eastern Region, Govt. of India, after successful completion of training and assessment, awarded Certificates to the trainees on behalf of NCVT that bore specific headlines confirming NCVT certification.
7. The appellant had undertaken correspondences with the Department seeking clarity on the applicability of Service tax on Vocational Courses. Vide letter dated 05.08.2013, the Range Officer clarified that as per Circular No. 164/15/2012-ST, the Page 5 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM question of Service Tax does not arise when VEC is offered by Government or Local Authority. As such, under a bona fide impression that their activities were not liable to Service tax as they were exempt under Section 66D of the Finance Act, 1994, the appellant had filed Nil Service Tax Returns for the material period.
8. Based on TDS information received from Income Tax Department through inter-departmental information sharing system, it appeared to the Revenue that the appellant had earned/collected taxable income during Financial Year 2014-15 under the Income Tax Act, 1961, on which the appellant had not discharged Service Tax, by indulging in wilful suppression of facts with an intention to evade such tax. Accordingly, Show Cause Notice dated 24.09.2019 was issued to the appellant proposing to demand Service Tax of Rs. 7,52,509/- (inclusive of cesses), along with interest and penalty, inter alia alleging that the appellant had failed to pay Service Tax on vocational training services by suppressing material facts from the Department.
8.1. During adjudication, the Ld. Assistant Commissioner, Malda Division vide Order-in-Original No. 06/AC/ST/MLD/2020 dated 12.08.2020 confirmed the demand, along with interest and penalty thereon, by invocation of the extended period of limitation, holding that the appellant's activities do not qualify for exemption under Section 66D(l)(iii) of Finance Act, 1994 as claimed by the appellant.
8.2. Being aggrieved, the appellant challenged the said adjudication order before the Ld. Commissioner of C.G.S.T. and Central Excise (Appeals), Siliguri Commissionerate, who, vide the impugned order Page 6 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM dated 27.12.2022, rejected the appeal, primarily holding that the appellant failed to establish that their services fall under approved vocational education course exemption.
9. Aggrieved by the said order, the appellant has filed the present appeal.
10. During the course of hearing, the Ld. Counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant made various submissions, which can inter alia be summarized as under: -
I. The services provided by the appellant are exempt from Service tax under Notification No. 25/2012-ST dated 20.06.2012.
(i) The appellant submits that Sl. 9A of the Notification No. 25/2012-ST dated 20.06.2012 provides exemption to any services provided by: -
(i) The National Skill Development
Corporation set up by the
Government of India;
(ii) a Sector Skill Council approved by
the National Skill Development
Corporation;
(iii) an assessment agency approved
by the Sector Skill Council or the
National Skill Development
Corporation;
(iv) a training partner approved by
the National Skill Development
Corporation or the Sector Skill
Council
in relation to (a) the National Skill Development Programme implemented by the National Skill Page 7 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM Development Corporation; or (b) a vocational skill development course under the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme; or (c) any other Scheme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation.
(ii) As per Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, every State have their State Skill Development Mission. The State of West Bengal have their Skill Development Mission in the name of Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development (PBSSD) and they have tie up with Sector Skill Council (SSC).
(iii) In the present case, it is relevant to note that the appellant is registered with the Paschim Bangla Society for Skill Development (PPSSD) -
which is a government-initiated society by the Department of Technical Education, Training & Skill Development, Government of West Bengal. It operates as a state-level autonomous society, formed to implement skill training schemes (e.g., Utkarsh Bangla) within West Bengal. PBSSD ties up with SSCs to ensure nationally recognized standards in its training and certification. PBSSD must use SSC- developed QPs/NOS for NSQF-aligned training. So, SSCs are certification and curriculum partners for PBSSD.
(iv) Thus, it is submitted that PBSSD acts as SSC's state implementing agency. Approval through PBSSD would constitute SSC's approval through delegated authority. Further, SDI is an NSDC scheme implemented through state agencies. Participation in the scheme implies NSDC approval of the training partner.
Page 8 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
(v) In view of the above position, the appellant submits that they satisfy the conditions required for availing the exemption notification from payment of service tax for the activities undertaken by them. Reliance in this regard is placed on SRK Innovatives School of Information Pvt. Ltd. v. Pr. Commissioner of Central Tax, Visakhapatnam, GST [2025 (5) TMI 262 - CESTAT Hyderabad] wherein the CESTAT, Hyderabad allowed the appeal of SRK Innovatives by holding that the benefit of exemption under Entry 9A of Notification No. 25/2012-ST is available even if the assessee is not expressly listed as an approved training partner of NSDC. The Tribunal found that the appellant, though not named on NSDC's official partner list, had received soft loans from NSDC specifically for skill development programmes and had executed government- sponsored projects under schemes like NULM. The appellant's role in implementing these schemes, along with documentary proof such as loan agreements and MoUs, demonstrated that their activities were in furtherance of NSDC's objectives. Thus, even in the absence of formal approval or certification, the substance and purpose of the appellant's works are aligned with the spirit of the exemption, making them eligible.
(vi) The Tribunal also invoked the principle laid down in Mother Superior Adoration Convent (SC), distinguishing it from Dilip Kumar & Co. by emphasizing that beneficial exemption notifications must be interpreted purposively. Where an entity contributes to the policy goals behind a tax exemption--such as Page 9 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM skill development in this case--it should not be denied benefit merely due to technicalities or lack of direct documentation. The ruling affirms that where the intent and implementation of services are in line with exempted purposes, exemptions must be extended even through indirect linkages, recognizing both funded and non-funded partnerships with NSDC.
(vii) Relying on the said ruling, the appellant submits that no Service tax is payable by the Appellant who acts as a training partner in line with the notification.
II. The appellant's services fall squarely under "approved vocational education course"
exemption under Section 66D(l)(iii) of Finance Act, 1994 and are specifically excluded from the purview of Service Tax.
(i) The appellant submits that Section 66D of the Finance Act, 1994 provides the negative list of services which are specifically excluded from the levy of Service Tax. Section 66D(l)(iii) specifically excludes "education as a part of an approved vocational education course" from the definition of taxable service.
(ii) Section 65B(11) of the Finance Act, 1994 defines "approved vocational educational course" as:
"(i) a course run by an industrial training institute or an industrial training centre affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training or State Council for Vocational Training offering courses in designated trades notified under the Apprentices Act, 1961; or Page 10 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
(ii) a Modular Employable Skill Course, approved by the National Council of Vocational Training, run by a person registered with the Directorate General of Employment and Training, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment"
(iii) The appellant is a registered Vocational Training Provider (VTP) under the Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) of the Government of India. The registration has been accorded by the Directorate of Industrial Training, West Bengal, which functions under the administrative control of the Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGE&T), Ministry of Labour & Employment, as evidenced by the approval letter dated 30th December, 2011.
(iv) As stated in the SDI Operations Manual (Page
12), "DGE&T at the national level issues the guidelines and provides funding and direction to the scheme whereas the implementation is carried out by the state government and regional institutions." This establishes the appellant's registration with DGE&T through its authorized state machinery.
(v) The courses conducted by the appellant are Modular Employable Skill (MES) courses, specifically approved under the SDI Scheme. The approved courses are standardized MES courses developed and approved by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT).
(vi) The SDI Scheme Operations Manual of 2014 explicitly establishes that all MES courses under this scheme are approved by NCVT, which issues certificates upon successful completion. The manual states that "NCVT issues certificate Page 11 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM of skills acquired through informal means/competence assessed" and emphasizes that "the essence of the scheme is in the certification on vocational training from the NCVT that is nationally and internationally recognized." This conclusively establishes NCVT approval for all courses conducted by the appellant.
(vii) That the nature of these services is further reinforced by the fact that the Government reimburses training costs to VTPs like the appellant. The approval letter confirms that "approved VTP has to submit Bank Guarantee as per prescribed format, if applicable. Reimbursement of Training Fee would be made only after receiving of Fund from DGE&T, Government of India." This demonstrates that the Government itself recognizes these as essential vocational education services deserving public funding support.
(viii) Thus, it is submitted that the appellant's courses squarely fall within the definition of "approved vocational education course" under clause (ii), which covers "a Modular Employable Skill Course, approved by the National Council of Vocational Training, run by a person registered with the Directorate General of Employment and Training."
(ix) All three essential conditions are fulfilled:
(a) the courses are Modular Employable Skill Courses,
(b) they are approved by NCVT under the SDI Scheme framework, and
(c) the appellant is registered with DGE&T through its state directorate.Page 12 of 28
Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
(x) Thus, the appellant submits that the impugned order is liable to be set aside on this ground also.
III. Extended period of limitation is not invocable.
(i) The appellant categorically submits that there is no suppression of facts or intention to evade payment of service tax. All transactions were duly recorded in their books of accounts which were open to inspection by the Department at any time.
(ii) The appellant had been in regular correspondence with the jurisdictional Range Office seeking clarification on the taxability of their activities. The Range Officer vide letter dated 05.08.2013 had specifically clarified that Service Tax is not applicable on the Appellant's activities as per CBEC Circular No. 164/15/2012-ST.
(iii) Based on the above clarification, the appellant filed NIL Service Tax Returns believing in good faith that their activities were exempt from Service Tax. The mere fact that the Department subsequently took a different view cannot be a ground for invoking extended period of limitation when the Appellant had acted based on specific clarification from the department. Reliance in this regard is placed on:
• Raychem RPG Ltd. v. Commissioner [(2022) 144 taxmann.com 99 (SC)].
• HPCL v. Commissioner [2005 (190) E.L.T. 140 (Tri. - Bang.)]
(iv) Thus, the appellant submits that extended period is not invocable in the present case.
Page 13 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM 10.1. In view of these submissions, the Ld. Counsel for the appellant prayed for setting aside the impugned order and allowing the appeal.
11. On the other hand, the Ld. Authorized Representative of the Revenue reiterated the findings in the impugned order.
12. Heard both sides and perused the appeal records.
13. I find that in this case, as per the MoU entered into with M/s. EdCIL (India) Ltd., the appellant was engaged in providing NCVT-approved Modular Employable Skill (MES) course under Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme of the Government of India. Such courses were designed by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. It is the case of the appellant that as the programme is approved by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and the appellant being registered with the Paschim Bangla Society for Skill Development (PPSSD) which acts as the state implementing agency for Sector Skill Council (SSC), the services rendered by them are specifically exempt from levy of Service Tax by virtue of Sl. No. 9A of Notification No. 25/2012-S.T. dated 20.06.2012. For ease of reference, the relevant portion of the said Notification is reproduced below: -
Page 14 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM "any services provided by,
(i) The National Skill Development Corporation set up by the Government of India;
(ii) a Sector Skill Council approved by the
National Skill Development
Corporation;
(iii) an assessment agency approved by
the Sector Skill Council or the National Skill Development Corporation;
(iv) a training partner approved by the
National Skill Development
Corporation or the Sector Skill
Council
in relation to (a) the National Skill Development Programme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation; or (b) a vocational skill development course under the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme; or (c) any other Scheme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation."
(Emphasis supplied) 13.1. From the above, it is evident that a training partner approved by the National Skill Development Corporation or the Sector Skill Council, undertaking course approved them, are eligible for the exemption from payment of service tax as provided underof Sl. No. 9A of Notification No. 25/2012-S.T. dated 20.06.2012.
Page 15 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM 13.2. In support of their contention that the programme undertaken by them is approved by the Government, the appellant has produced the letter dated 30.12.2011 issued by the Director of Industrial Training, West Bengal to the appellant regarding Registration of VTP in the State of West Bengal under SDI Scheme. For the sake of ready reference, the said letter is reproduced below: -
Page 16 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM 13.3. From the above, I find that the programme undertaken by the appellant is approved by the Government and hence the activity undertaken by them is eligible for the exemption from payment of Service tax, as the said activity are covered under Sl. No. 9A of Notification No. 25/2012-S.T. dated 20.06.2012.
14. The appellant has also referred to the salient features of the "Operations Manual for Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) based on Modular Employable Skills" issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, which are reproduced below: -
"4.1 Vocational Training System in India Vocational Training is a concurrent subject under the Constitution. The Central and State Governments share responsibility for effective implementation of vocational training system in the country.
As per the National Skill Development Policy, India has target of creating 500 million skilled workers by 2022 and all the ministries have devised skill development plans and set the targets/milestones for skill development and employment.
Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGE&T), Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE), is the nodal body for formulating policies, laying down norms, standards, conducting trade test and certification of vocational training under the aegis of training advisory body National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT).
.......
4.5 Skill Development Initiative on Modular Employable Skill (MES) Skill Development Initiative on Modular Employable Skill (MES) has been developed in close consultancy with Industry, State Governments & Experts in pursuance of excellence Page 17 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM in vocational training. MES is 'Minimum Skill Set which is sufficient to get an employment in the world of work. MES allows skills upgradation/formation, multi entry and exist, vertical and horizontal mobility and lifelong learning opportunities in a flexible manner and allows recognition of prior learning. The skill is to be assessed by the Assessing Body mainly from the Industry organizations. NCVT issues certificate of skills acquired through informal means/competence assessed.
.....
5. Introduction to Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) Hon'ble Minister of Finance during the budget speech in 2005-06 made the following announcement:
"To meet the demand for specific skills of a high order, a Public Private Partnership between Government and Industry is proposed to promote skills development program under the name 'Skill Development Initiative....."
Accordingly, Ministry of Labour & Employment undertook development of a new strategic framework for skill development for early school leavers and existing workers, especially in the un- organized sector in close consultation with industry. micro enterprises in the un-organized sector, State Governments, experts and academia which were essential considering their educational, social and economic background.
5.1 Progress of Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) Ministry of Labour and Employment launched Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) in May 2007. DGE&T at the national level issues the guidelines and provides funding and direction to the scheme whereas the implementation is carried out by the state government and regional institutions under Ministry of Labour and Employment in partnership with VTP and Assessing Bodies.
The online implementation of the SDI scheme through web-portal was launched since 1st January 2012. During XI plan period (2007-12), against an approved outlay of Rs 500 crore, an amount of Rs Page 18 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM 407 crore was spent and 13.67 lakh persons were trained or directly tested under the scheme.
Till date 27.31 lakh of youth have been training / tested under SDIS. At present SDIS is being implemented by 9807 Vocational Training Providers and 104 Assessing Bodies.
Cabinet committee on Skill Development has approved the continuation of this scheme for XII plan period with certain changes. An outlay of Rs 2000 crore has been kept for the scheme for 12th plan period. Total, 25 lakh people would be skilled & certified during 12th plan period.
........
5.3 Key Features of the Scheme Key features of the scheme are:
i. Demand driven short term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) identified and decided in consultation with Industry. MES is the 'Minimum Skills Set which is sufficient for gainful employment or self employment in the world of work.
ii. Central government facilitates, funds and promotes training while industry, private sector and state governments provide training to the persons iii. Optimum utilization of available existing infrastructure to make training cost effective.
iv. Flexible delivery mechanism (part time, weekends, full time, and onsite) to suit needs of various target groups.
v. Testing of skills of an individual acquired informally in competency and issue of NCVT certification on qualifying it successfully.
vi. Testing of skills of trainees by independent assessing bodies which do not involve in training delivery, to ensure an impartial assessment by the employer itself.
vii. Essence of the scheme is in the certification on vocational training from the NCVT that is nationally and internationally recognized in world of work in the Government (Center and State) as well as private sector."Page 19 of 28
Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
15. From the above, it is evident that the programme of Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) based on Modular Employable Skills" is approved by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The appellant has undertaken this programme asa training partner approved by the National Skill Development Corporation and therefore, I find that the appellant are eligible for the exemption from payment of service tax as provided underof Sl.
No. 9A of Notification No. 25/2012-S.T. dated 20.06.2012.
16. I find that a similar issue has already been dealt with by the Tribunal at Hyderabad in the case of SRK Innovatives School of Information Pvt. Ltd. v. Pr. Commissioner of Central Tax, Visakhapatnam, G.S.T. [2025 (5) TMI 262 - CESTAT, Hyderabad]. The relevant observations of the Tribunal in the above case are reproduced below: -
"11. Even though, the impugned order is not sustainable on the ground as discussed, supra, we have also examined the claim for eligibility under Notification No. 25/2012-ST dated 20.06.2012 (entry no. 9A).
12. We find that the Adjudicating Authority has gone through a great deal of effort in analysing the scope and the factual matrix before coming to the conclusion that the said exemption would not be admissible to the appellant. Before, we proceed further, the entry at Serial No. 9A of the Notification No. 25/2012-ST is reproduced below for ease of reference:
9A. Any services provided by;-
(i) the National Skill Development Corporation set up by the Government of India;
(ii) a Sector Skill Council approved by the National Skill Development Corporation;Page 20 of 28
Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
(iii) an assessment agency approved by the Sector Skill Council or the National Skill development Corporation:
(iv) a training partner approved by the National Skill Development Corporation or the Sector Skill Council; in relation to
(a) the National Skill Development programme implemented by the National Skill Development corporation; or
(b) a vocational skill development course under the National Skill certification and Monetary Reward Scheme; or
(c) any other scheme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation.
13. We note that the Adjudicating Authority has referred to certain information available on-line on the website of NSDC as also on website of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and interalia, observed that NSDC has 574 Training Partners (TPs) and complete list of sector wise training partners approved by NSDC and SSC is available on the website of All India Counsel for Technical Education (AICTE). He also noted that NSDC issues Partnership Certificates to all it's affiliate le funded and non-funded as Training Partners (TPs) as a proof of affiliation with NSDC and that only TPs with valid Partnership Certificate and/or Agreement shall have the right to use NSDC branding and can claim benefit of NSDC affiliation, He noted that the assessee has not submitted any document or claim that they are NSDC/SSC approved training partner. He has also relied on the fact that the reliance placed on the Tripartite agreement, which he considered as loan agreement, is only to provide assistance to implement the project "Yuvamitra", which was imparting skill training programme for rural and urban youth and that no where it is mentioned that it was an approved training programme of NMDC. He has also proceeded to examine the list of 21 projects/schemes, as claimed to have been executed by them, in relation to imparting skill training programme under NSDC and though he admitted that apparently these projects/schemes were in relation to skill development programme Page 21 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM implemented by different Central Government/State Government and other agencies, no evidence/documents/information was provided to show that these projects were covered under the eligible category of the exemption i.e. projects/schemes in relation to any of the services specified viz. National Skill Development Programme implemented by NSDC, or a vocational skill development course under the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme besides any other scheme implemented by NSDC.
14. The Adjudicating Authority also doubted the credential of the appellant for claiming the benefit of the notification on the ground that all the work orders for skill development are in the name of M/s Datapro Computers Pvt Ltd., and not in their name and both being two different legal entities, it cannot be said that appellant has provided computer training under the said project/scheme.
15. We have perused the Tripartite Agreement between NSDC on one hand and M/s Datapro Computers Pvt Ltd., (Datapro) and SRK Innovatives School of Information Pvt Ltd., (SRKISI) as other party, who have been jointly termed as borrowers. This is essentially a loan agreement for providing assistance on certain concessional terms in terms of interest, repayment etc., and for specific purpose. The assistance being provided by NSDC to these co- borrowers is essentially an amount advanced by NSDC to the borrowers as a soft loan and is linked to certain skill development programme and milestones based on number of trainees trained or employed. The scope of project for which this soft loan has been extended, interalia, is as under:
"To uplift unemployed rural and urban youth pertains to BPL category viz. school/college dropouts, current students imparting skill training programs in retail & banking sectors and place them suitably so as to main their livelihood".
This loan was for providing certain skills in relation to retail sector /banking/insurance and finance sector. Thus, it is clear that assistance /funding is intended for vocational training/skill development program in a specific sector and for specific purpose. The bonafide of the terms of the Tripartite Agreement has not been doubted by the Adjudicating Authority. Therefore, it can be concluded that the funding was intended for Page 22 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM enabling the appellant to impart/upgrade certain skills enabling the targeted persons suitable for employment. On the issue that it was Datapro who are the actual recipient of job order concerning various skill development programmes and not the appellant, we find that there is a back to back MoU between Datapro and appellant which clearly provides for the appellant for the execution of skill training programmes component wherever the orders have been obtained by the Datapro from the central, state governments and other agencies from time to time. Therefore, there is a link between the skill training programmes provided and the training programme awarded by various central, state governments and other agencies under various schemes. On going through further documents, we find that some of these work orders have been issued by state governments in terms of various skill training component of programmes in terms of National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM). which is administered by Ministry of Urban Development and Employment (MoUD). We have also seen that some of the work order is from certain state government corporation under SDT and said programme for SC and ST sponsored by OSFDC. The claim of appellant that they have provided skill training in terms of over 21 projects/schemes can also not be brushed aside as these schemes also have skill development component.
16. We find that it is on record that the appellants have provided certain skill training including computer literacy etc., to upgrade the skill of the students and making them ready for employment. This is not being disputed that they were not running a training organisation and they had never provided any skill upgradation training to student making them adaptable and ready for employment. It is also not in dispute that though M/s Datapro and the appellant have jointly taken concessional loan/funds and assistance from the NSDL, it is the appellant who has actually provided the service of skill development. As already pointed out that Datapro had a back-to-back MoU with the appellant to provide certain skill upgradation training in terms of various orders placed on them by various state governments under different schemes. For example, in the case of order provided to Datapro by Government of Bihar's Urban Development Housing Department, we find that this work is in the nature of EST and P component of National Urban Page 23 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM Livelihood Mission (NULM). NULM is a scheme under the Ministry of central government (MOUD), where the execution is done through state governments. In addition to this, even the soft loan agreement with NSDC, jointly with Datapro and the appellant, also shows that the soft loan agreement is only for providing skill upgradation training which is adaptable to future employability of the candidates. It is not alleged that after taking the loan, the appellant had not carried out the activities as covered in the said loan agreement.
17. M/s NSDC is under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), who collaborates with State Governments and offer organisations to catalyse and accelerate the skill training course in the country. It's objective is to actualise capacity creation for vocational training by providing funding to support to the organisations that provide skill training. NSDC has developed al robust network of training programmes which includes funded, non-funded and innovation partners as well as sector skill council and assessment agency. One of the categories is fee based training partners, which is required to provide not only training but also help in placement of the trained candidates. Therefore, NSDC is primarily a public private partnership organisation dedicated to skill development and it has been envisaged as financing and administrative organisation to support creation of skillable and profitable vocational training institutions. As a part of their core functions they are also engaged in lending business also whereby they help build training capacity through private sector participation. They are also engaged in implementation and facilitation of Central and State Government Schemes including the schemes of other institutions, Central Government and State Government, including Ministry of Urban Development and Improvement (MUDI).
18. The Adjudicating Authority has denied this exemption on the basic ground that they have not been able to produce any certificate of their being an approved training partner of NSDC and that their name is not appearing in the list of approved partners, therefore, a plain reading of notification would debar them from the benefit of said notification at serial no. 9A. We find that, it is not in dispute that NSDC is providing, interalia, soft loans at concessional rate of interest only for the purpose Page 24 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM of skill development or building training capacity consistent with their objective to partner with Central and State Governments for creating and developing favourable eco system for skill development. In the present appeal, from the loan agreement itself it is apparent that the soft loan has been extended, for specific skill development programmes to be conducted by the appellant. Various other documents submitted, including the one where the order is from the State Government of Bihar, show that they were imparting skill upgradation training as a part of NULM. It is also observed that NSDC is engaged in implementing the skill development component of various schemes run by different ministries. Thus, holistically considering the objective for creation of NSDC and it's role, it would be obvious that the loan was provided for skill development programme only and was in relation to schemes being implemented by other Central Government Ministries and State Governments. Further, skill being imparted i.e. computer training etc., is definitely a vocational training also. Therefore, we find that plain reading of the notification would show that the intention is to exempt all the services provided by NSDC or by sector skill council approved by NSDC or by a training partner approved by the NSDC, in relation to, inter alia, any scheme implemented by NSDC. The rationale adopted by the Adjudicating Authority that since they do not have a certificate and that their name is not figuring in the list of partner shown on the website of the NSDC, it would in itself be a sufficient to treat them as not being an approved training partner is not correct when there is a provision for both types of partners, funded and non-funded. In this case, we find that the funding has been done by the NSDC by way of concessional loan for specified end purpose and therefore they would be in the nature of funded partner. Even if it is presumed that concessional loan is not actually a funding or assistance, it can be covered under the non-funded category. Incidentally, the term 'partner' has not been defined anywhere in the notification. The second question would be whether it is in relation to any scheme being implemented by NSDC, we find that it is an admitted fact that NSDC is not only implementing training programme on it's own but is also funding and supporting the skill development component of other programmes run by other central government ministries and state governments as long as it is consistent with their Page 25 of 28 Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM objective for which the said specialised agency has been created. NSDC is associated with skill development component of NULM being implemented by various state governments. Therefore, we find that the activity being undertaken by the appellant would be covered within the scope of Serial No. 9A of Notification No. 25/2012-ST."
16.1. In the present case, the appellant have undertaken the programmes as designed by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and therefore, I find that the ratio laid down in the above case is squarely applicable to the case on hand.
16.2. Accordingly, in view of the above discussion and by following the decision cited supra, I hold that the appellant is entitled to the exemption from Service Tax on the services rendered by them in terms of Notification No. 25/2012-S.T. dated 20.06.2012 [Sl. No 9A].
17. The appellant also raised the ground that the services rendered by them fall squarely within the ambit of "approved vocational education course" and exempted under Section 66D(l)(iii) of Finance Act, 1994 and hence the said services are specifically excluded from the purview of Service Tax. As the services rendered by the appellant are exempted in terms of Notification No. 25/2012-S.T. dated 20.06.2012 [Sl. No 9A], I am not discussing this ground raised by the appellant.
Page 26 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
18. I also observe that the appellant has contested the demand on account of limitation. It is the appellant's submission in this regard that they have not suppressed any information from the Department and all transactions were duly recorded in their books of accounts, which were open to inspection by the Departmental authorities at all times. The appellant also pointed out that they had been in correspondence with the jurisdictional Range Office seeking clarification on the issue. In this regard, the appellant has referred to the letter dated 05.08.2013 addressed to the Superintendent, Malda Range seeking clarification as to the liability to Service Tax on the said services and the reply thereto, which are extracted below for the sake of ready reference: -
Page 27 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM 18.1. From the above, I find that the appellant had sought clarification on the issue vide their letter dated 05.08.2013 and to that letter, the Superintendent, Malda Range had replied that Service Tax is not leviable when a VEC is offered by the Government or local authority. Thus, it is evident from the above that the Department was well aware of the activity undertaken by the appellant. As the activity undertaken by the appellant was well within the knowledge of the Departmental authorities, I find that there is no suppression of facts involved in this case.
Thus, I hold that the invocation of extended period of limitation is not sustainable. Consequently, I set aside the demand confirmed against the appellant by invoking the extended period of limitation. Consequently, no Service Tax is liable to be confirmed against the appellant, being barred by limitation.
Page 28 of 28Appeal No.: ST/75143/2023-SM
19. Hence, the appellant succeeds on merits as well as on limitation.
20. The appeal is therefore allowed, with consequential relief, if any, as per law.
(Operative part of the order pronounced in the open court) Sd/-
(K. ANPAZHAKAN) MEMBER (TECHNICAL) Sdd