In a recent regulatory filing on Thursday, Vodafone Idea disclosed that the GST additional commissioner's office in Chandigarh has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs. 13.16 crore on the telecom giant. The order, issued on January 10, accuses the debt-ridden company of the "wrongful transition of CENVAT credit to Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime."
The regulatory filing stated, "Order passed u/s 74 of Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, inter-alia, levying a penalty of Rs. 13,16,53,661." Vodafone Idea (VIL) acknowledged that the maximum financial impact encompasses the tax demand, interest, and penalty levied.
Expressing disagreement with the order, VIL asserted, "The Company does not agree with the Order and will take appropriate legal action(s) for rectification/reversal of the same."
The order, emanating from the Office of the Additional Commissioner, Central Goods & Service Tax in Chandigarh, sheds light on the increasing scrutiny faced by businesses in ensuring compliance with the intricate GST regulations. As Vodafone Idea navigates this regulatory challenge, the telecom giant remains resolute in its intent to seek legal recourse for what it perceives as an unjust penalty.