A team from the Tax Evasion Unit of the Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) conducted a search operation at Arth Skin and Fitness, a part of the Arth Group, Udaipur. As per the department a recovery of Rs 11.89 lakh was slapped on the Arth Group.

However, Dr. Arvinder Singh, clarifying on the matter, said that the Arth Group has deposited an advance Tax of Rs 50 Lakh and the issue pertains to taxation on medical conditions and not recovery of taxes. The team from CGST found that none of the services being rendered towards skin diseases are being taxed.

Further clarifying on the matter, Dr. Arvinder Singh said that as per the press note issued by the CGST, the Arth Group has not made any error in depositing taxes. He said that the CGST department has included skin conditions such as pimples, skin scars, Melasma induced dark skin, obesity, PCOD induced hair growth, etc under the definition of Medical conditions to be included in GST. The department, as per Dr Arvinder, has also included prescriptions and consultancy by Skin doctors also under GST. As per Dr. Arvinder, these conditions and procedures are included under medical conditions and well mentioned in medical text books along with their treatment protocols.

As per Dr. Arvinder, the GST department has adjusted the amount of advance tax through this proceeding and said that Arth has not deposited any tax.  Accordingly, Arth, not accepting this ruling by the department as rational, will appeal against the order and will seek advance ruling. Dr. Singh said that a decision on this appeal will soon be made, considering the opinon of medical experts, principles of medical science and healthcare rulings.