2005 (11) TMI 281 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
1. Denial of capital goods credit on dismantled overhead cranes.
2. Classification of dismantled cranes as scrap.
3. Rejection of Modvat credit by the Revenue.
4. Interpretation of Chartered Engineer's certificate.
5. Applicability of previous judgments on similar cases.

Analysis:

1. The appellants purchased dismantled overhead cranes from a supplier, who had paid duty on them. The Revenue denied capital goods credit, arguing that the cranes were classified as scrap and not eligible for credit. The Commissioner's reasoning was that since the cranes were not meant for melting, they couldn't be considered capital goods or inputs.

2. The counsel for the appellants argued that the classification by the seller in the invoice should not be the sole basis for rejecting the benefit. They cited previous Tribunal judgments to support their case. The Chartered Engineer's certificate confirmed that the cranes were in working condition and installed in the appellant's factory, making them capital goods despite being purchased as scrap.

3. The Revenue reiterated its stance, seeking to hold the appellants liable. However, upon careful consideration, the Tribunal found that the appellants were indeed entitled to Modvat credit on the reassembled cranes. The description of the goods as scrap by the seller did not affect the eligibility for Modvat credit. The cranes, though initially dismantled as scrap, were reassembled and functional as capital goods in the appellant's premises.

4. The Tribunal emphasized that the reassembled cranes were functioning as capital goods and were essential for the manufacturing process. The fact that the cranes were modvatable was undisputed, as they were reassembled and used for handling inputs in the production of final products. The Tribunal set aside the Revenue's decision, ruling in favor of the appellants based on the reassembly and functionality of the cranes.

5. The judgment highlighted the importance of reassembly and functionality in determining eligibility for credit on dismantled items. Previous judgments and the Chartered Engineer's certificate played crucial roles in establishing the cranes as capital goods despite their initial classification as scrap. The Tribunal's decision focused on the practical use and functionality of the reassembled cranes, ultimately allowing the appeals and overturning the Revenue's denial of Modvat credit.