M/S. Nataraj Unemployed Engineers Co-Operative Society Limited v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

WPA 25157 OF 2023 22.11.2023 Sl no. 20 Ct no. 2 P.M.

M/s. Nataraj Unemployed Engineer's Co-operative Society Limited.

VS.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. P. K. Das, Mr. Subrata Mukherjee, Ms. Ankita Mitra ... for the petitioner Mr. Anirban Ray, Ld. G.P., Md. T.M. Siddiqui, Mr. T. Chakraborty ... for the State Heard learned Counsel appearing for the parties.

This writ petition has been filed for the relief by way of direction upon the respondents authority concerned to bear the additional tax liability for execution of subsisting Government contracts either awarded in the pre-GST regime or in the post GST regime without updating the Schedule of Rates (SOR) incorporating the applicable GST while preparing Bill of Quantities (BOQ) for inviting the bids. The petitioner has also prayed for relief of issuance of direction upon the respondents authority concerned to neutralize the impact of unforeseen additional tax burden on Government contracts since

introduction of GST w.e.f. 1st July, 2017 for ongoing contract awarded before the said date and to update the State SOR incorporating applicable GST in lieu of inapplicable West Bengal VAT henceforth.

Considering the submissions of the parties these writ petitions are disposed of by giving liberty to the petitioner to file appropriate representations in the aforesaid regard as referred in preceding paragraph of this order, before the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Government of West Bengal within four weeks from date. On receipt of such representations the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department shall take a final decision within four months from the date of receipt of such representation after consulting with all other relevant departments concerned.

Needless to mention that such representations shall be considered and final decision will be taken up by Additional Secretary, after giving opportunity of hearing to the petitioner or its authorized representatives. Till the final decision is taken by the Additional Chief Secretary, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner. In case of default in making representations within the time stipulated herein this order will not have any force.

It is also recorded that the Additional Chief Secretary, while taking decision on representations to be filed by the petitioner shall act in accordance with law and pass a reasoned and speaking order on merit and after considering all the judgements of different High Courts upon which petitioner intend to rely.

With this observation and direction the writ petition being WPA 25157 of 2023 stands disposed of.

(Md. Nizamuddin, J.)