Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Tax Research Unit
Circular No. 131/ 13/ 2010 – ST
North Block, New Delhi
7th December 2010
To
Chief Commissioners of Central Excise and Service Tax (All),
Director General (Service Tax),
Director General (Central Excise Intelligence),
Director General (Audit),
Commissioners of Service Tax (All),
Commissioners of Central Excise and Service Tax (All).
Madam/Sir,
Subject: - Electricity meter installed in consumers’ premises and hire charges
collected – whether covered under exemption for transmission and distribution of
electricity – reg.
A doubt has been raised whether renting of electricity meter by a service
provider rendering the service of transmission or distribution of electricity,
is covered by the exemption available under
Notification No. 11/2010-ST dated
27.02.2010 and/ or
32/2010-ST dated 22.06.2010.
2. The matter has been examined. It is a general practice among electricity
transmission(TRANSCO) / distribution companies (DISCOM) to install electricity
meters at the premises of the consumers, to measure the amount of electricity
consumed by them and ‘hire charges’ are collected periodically. Supply of
electricity meters for hire to the consumers being an essential activity having
direct and close nexus with transmission and distribution of electricity, the
same is covered by the exemption for transmission and distribution of
electricity, extended under the relevant notifications.
3. Trade Notice/Public Notice may be issued to the field formations accordingly.
4. Please acknowledge the receipt of this circular. Hindi version to follow.
(J. M. Kennedy)
Director, TRU
Tel: 011-23092634
F.No.356/13/2010-TRU