Association of Power Producers appeals for abolition of double taxation on imported coal

Recently, Association of Power Producers urged India's Ministry of Finance to abolish the double taxation on imported coal used by coal-fired power companies.

The association has written to Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Tax Secretary, appealing for the abolition of GST levied on sea freight charges for imported coal.

Since India's GST came into force in 2017, the pressure on power producers has doubled. They have to pay additional GST after having paid CIF of imported coal.

Ashok Khurana, Chairman of the association, said, "It is understood that some importers have applied to various courts for exemption of GST, on the grounds that once the IGST is paid on the basis of the imported coal price including sea freight, the GST on the basis of sea freight will bring double taxes. However, up to now, no precise notification has been issued on this issue."

He pointed out that although the High Level Empowered Committee is trying to ease the pressure on the power industry, the avoidable double taxation problem remained unresolved.

Dozens of companies using imported coal have filed double tax exemption with the high courts in Mumbai, New Delhi and Gujarat.

.Asian Metal Copyright Ashok Khurana, Chairman of the association, said, "It is understood that some importers have applied to various courts for exemption of GST, on the grounds that once the IGST is paid on the basis of the imported coal price including sea freight, the GST on the basis of sea freight will bring double taxesAsian Metal Copyright