From the beginning of this month, services provided by a government or local authority to a business entity became liable to service tax, with some exemptions. Till enactment of the Finance Act, 2015, these services provided by a government or a local authority (with specific exclusion) were covered by a 'negative list'. Service tax applied only on the 'support service' provided by the government or local authority to a business entity. In the 2015 Act, an enabling provision was made to exclude any services provided by a government or local authority to a business entity from the negative list. This amendment was given effect from April 1 this year, through a notification issued on March 1. Clarifying the effect, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has said any activity undertaken by a government or local authority for any consideration (amount) constitutes a service. The amount charged for this is liable for service tax. It does not matter if such activi