APP writes to finance ministry on double taxation

The Association of Power Producers (APP) has written to the Ministry of Finance seeking the removal of goods and services tax (GST) on import freight for coal to provide relief from double taxation on imported coal. At present, power producers are required to pay GST on import freight for coal even after paying tax on the cost, insurance and freight value of imported coal. The issue has grown since the GST regime came into effect in mid-2017. In the past, companies such as JSW Energy, Global Coal Ventures, Victory Ventures, Sarogi Udhyog, Anmol India and Vertigo Impex have also filed petitions in different courts to get relief from double taxation. While the High Level Empowered Committee is devising means to alleviate stress in the power sector, the issue of avoidable double taxation still remains unresolved.