Exemption from GST—In the instant application, applicant seeks a ruling as to whether sweeping service to West Bengal Housing Board is exempt from payment of GST in terms of Notification No 12/2017-CT (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 and WB Govt Gazette Notification-1136-FT dated 28.06.2017.

The Applicant, stated to be a service provider by the deployment of personnel like a plumber, sweeper, security guard, electrician, carpenter etc. to the West Bengal Housing Board

Held that— it appears that the Housing Directorate invites quotation for deployment of personnel at the RHEs under the Directorate for several services, including ‘Sweeping Service’. The job description of a sweeper mentioned therein includes sweeping of the compound and common staircase and corridors of all floors of the buildings in the Housing Estate, cutting of jungles and bushes, cleaning and disposal of garbage, cleaning of the roof, surface drain cleaning, pit cleaning of sewerage system etc.

It is, therefore, a bundle of activities that are classifiable under SAC 99853 as ‘cleaning service’. It may be eligible for the above exemption if it also qualifies as a service for public health sanitation, being an activity under Sl No. 7 (public health sanitation, conservancy and solid waste management) of the Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution.

‘Sanitation and similar services’ are classified under SAC 99945. It includes sweeping and cleaning, but only with reference cleaning of a road or street. Sweeping of premises – public or residential – is not classified under ‘Sanitation or similar service’.

Ruling— Sweeping Service that the Applicant supplies to the Housing Directorate of the Government of West Bengal, cannot be classified as an activity in relation to any function entrusted to a Panchayat under Article 243G of the Constitution or in relation to any function entrusted to a Municipality under Article 243W of the Constitution.[M/S. NIS MANAGEMENT LTD.] [AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCE RULING, WEST BENGAL][2019] 8 TAXLOK.COM 034 (AAR-WB)