Dismissing the appeal of the Revenue the Court held that the assessee is not liable to deduct TDS on telecom service provider, on payment of interconnect user charges as it could not be categorized as fee for technical service. Followed CIT, TDS v. Vodafone South Ltd. (2016) 241 Taxman 497 (Karn.)(HC). Rule of consistency is to be followed , law laid down in case of one assessee accepted . Department cannot take contrary view in similar case of another assessee.Followed ,Berger Paints India Ltd.v .CIT [2004] 266 ITR 99 (SC )
CIT (TDS) v. Tata Teleservices Ltd. (2022) 288 Taxman 775 / 217 DTR 453 (2023) 456 ITR 691 (Delhi)(HC)
S. 194J : Deduction at source-Fees for professional or technical services-Not liable to deduct TDS on telecom service provider, on payment of interconnect user charges as it could not be categorized as fee for technical services. [S. 9(1)(vii), 201]