Rule 97, Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 [S10-GRX]
As at 6 September 2026. In force from 1 July 2017 by Notification No. 10/2017-Central Tax, dated 28-6-2017 [N10-0KR].
97. Consumer Welfare Fund.—
(1) All amounts of duty/central tax / integrated tax / Union territory tax / cess and income from investment along with other monies specified in subsection (2) of section 12C of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944), section 57 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017) read with section 20 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (13 of 2017), section 21 of the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (14 of 2017) and section 12 of the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 (15 of 2017) shall be credited to the Fund:
Provided that an amount equivalent to fifty per cent. of the amount of integrated tax determined under sub-section (5) of section 54 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, read with section 20 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, shall be deposited in the Fund:
Provided further that an amount equivalent to fifty per cent. of the amount of cess determined under sub-section (5) of section 54 read with section 11 of the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 (15 of 2017), shall be deposited in the Fund.
(2) Where any amount, having been credited to the Fund, is ordered or directed to be paid to any claimant by the proper officer, appellate authority or court, the same shall be paid from the Fund.
(3) Accounts of the Fund maintained by the Central Government shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
(4) The Government shall, by an order, constitute a Standing Committee (hereinafter referred to as the 'Committee') with a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Member Secretary and such other members a sit may deem fit and the Committee shall make recommendations for proper utilisation of the money credited to the Fund for welfare of the consumers.
(5) (a) The Committee shall meet as and when necessary, generally four times in a year;
(b) the Committee shall meet at such time and place as the Chairman, or in his absence, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee may deem fit;
(c) the meeting of the Committee shall be presided over by the Chairman, or in his absence, by the Vice-Chairman;
(d) the meeting of the Committee shall be called, after giving at least ten days' notice in writing to every member;
(e) the notice of the meeting of the Committee shall specify the place, date and hour of the meeting and shall contain statement of business to be transacted thereat;
(f) no proceeding of the Committee shall be valid, unless it is presided over by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman and attended by a minimum of three other members.
(6) The Committee shall have powers -
(a) to require any applicant to get registered with any authority as the Central Government may specify;
(b) to require any applicant to produce before it, or before a duly authorised officer of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, such books, accounts, documents, instruments, or commodities in custody and control of the applicant, as may be necessary for proper evaluation of the application;
(c) to require any applicant to allow entry and inspection of any premises, from which activities claimed to be for the welfare of consumers are stated to be carried on, to a duly authorised officer of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be;
(d) to get the accounts of the applicants audited, for ensuring proper utilisation of the grant;
(e) to require any applicant, in case of any default, or suppression of material information on his part, to refund in lump-sum along with accrued interest, the sanctioned grant to the Committee, and to be subject to prosecution under the Act;
(f) to recover any sum due from any applicant in accordance with the provisions of the Act;
(g) to require any applicant, or class of applicants to submit a periodical report, indicating proper utilisation of the grant;
(h) to reject an application placed before it on account of factual inconsistency, or inaccuracy in material particulars;
(i) to recommend minimum financial assistance, by way of grant to an applicant, having regard to his financial status, and importance and utility of the nature of activity under pursuit, after ensuring that the financial assistance provided shall not be misutilised ;
(j) to identify beneficial and safe sectors, where investments out of Fund may be made, and make recommendations, accordingly;
(k) to relax the conditions required for the period of engagement in consumer welfare activities of an applicant;
(l) to make guidelines for the management, and administration of the Fund.
(7) The Committee shall not consider an application, unless it has been inquired into, in material details and recommended for consideration accordingly, by the Member Secretary.
(7A) The Committee shall make available to the Board 50 per cent. of the amount credited to the Fund each year, for publicity or consumer awareness on Goods and Services Tax, provided the availability of funds for consumer welfare activities of the Department of Consumer Affairs is not less than twenty-five crore rupees per annum.;
(8) The Committee shall make recommendations:-
(a) for making available grants to any applicant;
(b) for investment of the money available in the Fund;
(c)for making available grants (on selective basis) for reimbursing legal expenses incurred by a complainant, or class of complainants in a consumer dispute, after its final adjudication;
(d) for making available grants for any other purpose recommended by the Central Consumer Protection Council (as may be considered appropriate by the Committee);
(e) ****
Explanation. - For the purposes of this rule,
(a) 'Act' means the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of2017), or the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) as the case may be;
(b) 'applicant' means,
(i) the Central Government or State Government;
(ii) regulatory authorities or autonomous bodies constituted under an Act of Parliament or the Legislature of a State or Union Territory;
(iii) any agency or organization engaged in consumer welfare activities for a minimum period of three years, registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) or under any other law for the time being in force;
(iv) village or mandal or samiti or samiti level co-operatives of consumers especially Women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;
(v) an educational or research institution incorporated by an Act of Parliament or the Legislature of a State or Union Territory in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956) and which has consumers studies as part of its curriculum for a minimum period of three years; and
(vi) a complainant as defined under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986(68 of 1986), who applies for reimbursement of legal expenses incurred by him in a case instituted by him in a consumer dispute redressal agency.
(c) 'application' means an application in the form as specified by the Standing Committee from time to time;
(d) 'Central Consumer Protection Council' means the Central Consumer Protection Council, established under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986), for promotion and protection of rights of consumers;
(e) 'Committee' means the Committee constituted under sub-rule (4);
(f) 'consumer' has the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986), and includes consumer of goods on which central tax has been paid;
(g) 'duty' means the duty paid under the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) or the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of1962);
(h) 'Fund' means the Consumer Welfare Fund established by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 12C of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) and section 57 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017);
(i) 'proper officer' means the officer having the power under the Act to make an order that the whole or any part of the central tax is refundable.
Defined terms in this text (20)
act: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (2) "act", used with reference to an offence or a civil wrong, shall include a series of acts, and words which refer to acts done extend also to illegal omissions;
act: Rule 2, Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 [S10CS0] (In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires): (a) "Act" means the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017);
act: 362 more definitions.
business: Section 2(17), Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017: "business" includes - (a) any trade, commerce, manufacture, profession, vocation, adventure, wager or any other similar activity, whether or not it is for a pecuniary benefit; (b) any activity or transaction in connection with or incidental or ancillary to sub-clause (a); (c) any activity or transaction in the nature of sub-clause (a), whether or not there is volume, frequency, continuity or regularity of such transaction; (d) supply or acquisition of goods including capital goods and services in connection with commencement or closure of business; (e) provision by a club, association, society, or any such body (for a subscription or any other consideration) of the facilities or benefits to its members; (f) admission, for a consideration, of persons to any premises; (g) services supplied by a person as the holder of an office which has been accepted by him in the course or furtherance of his trade, profession or vocation; (h) activities of a race club including by way of totalisator or a license to book maker or activities of a licensed book maker in such club; and (i) any activity or transaction undertaken by the Central Government, a State Government or any local authority in which they are engaged as public authorities;
business: Section 2, Bengal Indigo Contracts Act, 1836 [S10P0G] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "business" includes every trade, occupation and profession
business: Section 2, Stage-Carriages Act, 1861 [S1228A] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "business" includes every trade, occupation and profession
business: 11 more definitions.
Central Government: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (8) "Central Government" shall,(a)in relation to anything done before the commencement of the Constitution, mean the Governor-General or the Governor-General in Council, as the case may be; and shall include,(i)in relation to functions entrusted under sub-section (1) of section 124 of the Government of India Act, 1935, to the Government of a Province, the Provincial Government acting within the scope of the authority given to it under that sub-section; and(ii)in relation to the administration of a Chief Commissioners Province, the Chief Commissioner acting within the scope of the authority given to him under sub-section (3) of section 94 of the said Act; and(b)in relation to anything done or to be done after the commencement of the Constitution, mean the President; and shall include,(i)in relation to functions entrusted under clause (1) of article 258 of the Constitution, to the Government of a State, the State Government acting within the scope of the authority given to it under that clause; * The word "and" omitted by the Adaptation of Laws(No.1) Order, 1956.(ii)in relation to the administration of a Part C State before the commencement of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, the Chief Commissioner or the Lieutenant-Governor or the Government of a neighbouring State or other authority acting within the scope of the authority given to him or it under article 239 or article 243 of the Constitution, as the case may be;]and(iii)in relation to the administration of a Union territory, the administrator thereof acting within the scope of the authority given to him under article 239 of the Constitution;
company: Section 2(20), Companies Act: "company" means a company incorporated under this Act or under any previous company law;
company: Section 2, Presidency Towns Insolvency Act, 1909 [S162E3] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "company" means a company incorporated under this Act or under any previous company law
company: Section 2, Provisional Insolvency Act, 1920 [S170JY] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "company" means a company incorporated under this Act or under any previous company law
company: 11 more definitions.
consideration: Section 2(31), Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017: "consideration" in relation to the supply of goods or services or both includes- (a) any payment made or to be made, whether in money or otherwise, in respect of, in response to, or for the inducement of, the supply of goods or services or both, whether by the recipient or by any other person but shall not include any subsidy given by the Central Government or a State Government; (b) the monetary value of any act or forbearance, in respect of, in response to, or for the inducement of, the supply of goods or services or both, whether by the recipient or by any other person but shall not include any subsidy given by the Central Government or a State Government: Provided that a deposit given in respect of the supply of goods or services or both shall not be considered as payment made for such supply unless the supplier applies such deposit as consideration for the said supply;
consumer: Section 2(7), CPA 2019: "consumer" means any person who— (i) buys any goods for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment and includes any user of such goods other than the person who buys such goods for consideration paid or promised or partly paid or partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment, when such use is made with the approval of such person, but does not include a person who obtains such goods for resale or for any commercial purpose; or (ii) hires or avails of any service for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment and includes any beneficiary of such service other than the person who hires or avails of the services for consideration paid or promised, or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment, when such services are availed of with the approval of the first mentioned person, but does not include a person who avails of such service for any commercial purpose. Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause,— (a) the expression "commercial purpose" does not include use by a person of goods bought and used by him exclusively for the purpose of earning his livelihood, by means of self-employment; (b) the expressions "buys any goods" and "hires or avails any services" includes offline or online transactions through electronic means or by teleshopping or direct selling or multi-level marketing;
consumer: Section 2, Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 [S1AC29] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "consumer" means any person who buys any goods for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment
consumer: Section 2, Orissa Weights and Measures (Delhi Repeal) Act, 1958 [S1F417] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "consumer" means any person who buys any goods for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment
consumer: 21 more definitions.
Court: Section 2, Indian Tolls Act, 1851 [S11B35] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "court" means a court of civil jurisdiction and includes a tribunal constituted under this Act
Court: Section 2, Indian Tolls Act, 1864 [S12AQM] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "court" means a court of civil jurisdiction and includes a tribunal constituted under this Act
Court: Section 2, Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869 [S12EXG] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "court" means a court of civil jurisdiction and includes a tribunal constituted under this Act
Court: 47 more definitions.
document: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): "document" shall include any matter written, expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of those means which is intended to be used, or which may be used, for the purpose of recording that matter
goods: Section 2, Bengal Indigo Contracts Act, 1836 [S10P0G] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "goods" means every kind of movable property other than actionable claims and money, and includes stock and shares, growing crops, grass and things attached to or forming part of the land which are agreed to be severed before sale or under the contract of sale
goods: Section 2, Stage-Carriages Act, 1861 [S1228A] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "goods" means every kind of movable property other than actionable claims and money, and includes stock and shares, growing crops, grass and things attached to or forming part of the land which are agreed to be severed before sale or under the contract of sale
goods: Section 2, Commercial Documents Evidence Act, 1939 [S18EMR] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "goods" means every kind of movable property other than actionable claims and money, and includes stock and shares, growing crops, grass and things attached to or forming part of the land which are agreed to be severed before sale or under the contract of sale
goods: 36 more definitions.
Government: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (23) "Government" or the Government shall include both the Central Government and any State Government;
income: Section 2(24), IT Act 1961: "income" includes- (i) profits and gains; (ii) dividend; (iia) voluntary contributions received by a trust created wholly or partly for charitable or religious purposes [...]; (iii) the value of any perquisite or profit in lieu of salary taxable under clause (2) [...] of section 17; (iiia) any special allowance or benefit [...]; (iiib) any allowance granted to the assessee either to meet his personal expenses [...]; (iv) the value of any benefit or perquisite, whether convertible into money or not [...]; (v) any sum chargeable to income-tax under clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 28 or section 41 or section 59; (va) to (ve) any sum chargeable to income-tax under clauses (iiia) to (v) of section 28; (vi) any capital gains chargeable under section 45; (vii) the profits and gains of any business of insurance carried on by a mutual insurance company or by a co-operative society [...]; (viia) the profits and gains of any business of banking (including providing credit facilities) carried on by a co-operative society with its members; (ix) any winnings from lotteries, crossword puzzles, races including horse races, card games and other games of any sort or from gambling or betting of any form or nature whatsoever [...]; (x) any sum received by the assessee from his employees as contributions to any provident fund or superannuation fund [...]; (xi) any sum received under a Keyman insurance policy [...]; (xii) any sum referred to in clause (va) of section 28; (xiia) the fair market value of inventory referred to in clause (via) of section 28; (xiii) to (xviib) any sum or property referred to in the specified clauses of sub-section (2) of section 56; (xviii) assistance in the form of a subsidy or grant or cash incentive or duty drawback or waiver or concession or reimbursement (by whatever name called) by the Central Government or a State Government or any authority or body or agency in cash or kind to the assessee [...];
India: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (28) "India" shall mean,(a)as respects any period before the establishment 15th August, 1947. of the Dominion of India, British India together with all territories of Indian Rulers then under the suzerainty of His Majesty, all territories under the suzerainty of such an Indian Ruler, and the tribal areas;(b)as respects any period after the establishment of the Dominion of India and before the commencement 26th January, 1950. of the Constitution, all territories for the time being included in that Dominion; and(c)as respects any period after the commencement of the Constitution, all territories for the time being comprised in the territory of India;
Part: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (40) "Part" shall mean a Part of the Act or Regulation in which the word occurs;
registered: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (49) "registered", used with reference to a document, shall mean registered in India under the law for the time being in force for the registration of documents;
rule: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (51) "rule" shall mean a rule made in exercise of a power conferred by any enactment, and shall include a Regulation made as a rule under any enactment;
section: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (54) "section" shall mean a section of the Act or Regulation in which the word occurs;
section: Rule 2, Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 [S10CS0] (In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires): (c) "section" means a section of the Act;
section: 362 more definitions.
State: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (58) "State"(a)as respects any period before the commencement of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, shall mean a Part A State, a Part B State or a Part C State; and(b)as respects any period after such commencement, shall mean a State specified in the First Schedule to the Constitution and shall include a Union territory;](59)State Act shall mean an Act passed by the Legislature of a State established or continued by the Constitution;
State Government: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (60) "State Government",(a)as respects anything done before the commencement 26th January, 1950. of the Constitution, shall mean, in a Part A State, the Provincial Government of the corresponding Province, in a Part B State, the authority or person authorised at the relevant date to exercise executive Government in the corresponding Acceding State, and in a Part C State, the Central Government, * The word "and" omitted by the Adaptation of Laws (No.1) Order, 1956.;(b)as respects anything done [after the commencement of the Constitution and before the commencement of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956], shall mean, in a Part A State, the Governor, in a Part B State, the Rajpramukh, and in a Part C State, the Central Government;(c)[ as respects anything done or to be done after the commencement of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, shall mean, in a State, the Governor, and in a Union territory, the Central Government; and shall, in relation to functions entrusted under article 258-A of the Constitution to the Government of India, include the Central Government acting within the scope of the authority given to it under that article] ;
sub-section: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (61) "sub-section" shall mean a sub-section of the section in which the word occurs;
year: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): "year" shall mean a year reckoned according to the British calendar
Made under this rule, or naming it (0)
none
Cited by (0)
none
Not held (5)
"section 12C of the Central Excise Act, 1944"
"section 20 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017"
"section 21 of the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017"
"section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986"
"section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986"
Duties published under this rule (0)
none