2008 (10) TMI 50 - SC - Central Excise

Whether goods obtained in the process of dismantling of a ship such as angles, plates, rounds and heavy steel pipes etc. would constitute manufacture - In such cases of technical nature, particularly when ship breaking involves expertise, the Adjudicating Authority was required examine in detail the process by which the breaking of the ship takes place - matters are being remitted so that Adjudicating Authority

Summary

Issues:
Whether goods obtained in the process of dismantling a ship constitute "manufacture" under the Central Excise Act?

Analysis:
The Supreme Court addressed a batch of Civil Appeals concerning the classification of goods obtained during the dismantling of a ship under the Central Excise Act. The key issue was whether the goods, such as angles, plates, rounds, and heavy steel pipes, obtained in the process of ship dismantling would amount to "manufacture" under the Act. The appellants contended that the goods obtained from ship dismantling should not attract excise duty as the process did not involve any manufacturing activity, both conceptually and as per the provisions of the Central Excise Act. The appellants relied on the process undertaken and specific tariff items to support their argument.

Upon reviewing the record, the Court noted that the process undertaken by the appellants had not been adequately disclosed or discussed before the lower authorities. Given the technical nature of ship breaking and the expertise involved, the Adjudicating Authority was directed to examine in detail the process of ship breaking and the emergence of various goods like angles, plates, rounds, and heavy steel pipes. As this detailed examination had not been conducted previously, the Court set aside the impugned judgment and remitted the matters back to the Adjudicating Authority for fresh consideration in accordance with the law. The appellants were granted the liberty to submit additional documents and data to demonstrate the exact process involved in ship breaking before the Adjudicating Authority.

The Court emphasized that the remittance of the matters was necessary to enable the Adjudicating Authority to make a decision in accordance with the law. Therefore, the Civil Appeals were disposed of with no order as to costs, highlighting the importance of a thorough examination of the process involved in ship dismantling to determine the applicability of excise duty on the goods obtained during such activities.