2002 (11) TMI 425 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
1. Inclusion of quantity linked incentive in assessable value for Central Excise duty.
2. Jurisdiction of Additional Commissioner in demanding Central Excise duty for units at different locations.
3. Applicability of Rule 5 of Central Excise (Valuation) Rules, 1975.
4. Imposition of penalty equivalent to the amount of duty involved.

Issue 1: Inclusion of quantity linked incentive in assessable value for Central Excise duty

The appellant, a manufacturer of watches, dials, and rings, received quantity linked incentives from a customer. The Department included this incentive in the assessable value for Central Excise duty, imposing a penalty accordingly. The appellant argued that the incentive was not a certain consideration at the time of clearance and was meant to enhance manufacturing capability. The Tribunal held that regardless of the name given to the incentive, it constituted a part of the price of the goods. The Tribunal upheld the inclusion of the incentive in the assessable value, citing Rule 5 of the Central Excise (Valuation) Rules, 1975.

Issue 2: Jurisdiction of Additional Commissioner in demanding Central Excise duty for units at different locations

The appellant contested the jurisdiction of the Additional Commissioner in demanding Central Excise duty for units at Parwanoo and Bangalore. The Tribunal agreed that the duty could only be demanded for supplies made from the unit at Parwanoo, not Bangalore. The appellants were directed to pay the duty amount for the Parwanoo unit, with no penalty imposed for the discrepancy in jurisdiction.

Issue 3: Applicability of Rule 5 of Central Excise (Valuation) Rules, 1975

The Tribunal found that the additional consideration received by the appellant, including the quantity linked incentive, was to be included in the assessable value for levying Central Excise duty as per Rule 5 of the Central Excise (Valuation) Rules, 1975. The Tribunal rejected the argument that the incentive was uncertain at the time of clearance and upheld the Department's decision to include it in the assessable value.

Issue 4: Imposition of penalty equivalent to the amount of duty involved

The Tribunal determined that the present case did not warrant the imposition of a penalty equivalent to the amount of duty involved. Instead, the appellants were directed to pay a penalty of Rs. 15,000 only, considering the circumstances and the interest of justice. The appeal was disposed of with this penalty imposed, and the duty demand upheld only for supplies made from the unit at Parwanoo.

This judgment clarifies the treatment of quantity linked incentives in the assessable value for Central Excise duty, addresses jurisdictional issues regarding duty demand for units at different locations, interprets the application of Rule 5 of the Central Excise (Valuation) Rules, 1975, and determines the appropriate penalty in such cases.