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2018 (12) TMI 1359 - AT - Central Excise


Issues involved:
Interpretation of Rule 8 of Panmasala Packing Machine Rules, 2008 regarding the declaration and duty liability for manufacturing panmasala pouches of different retail sale prices on the same machine.

Analysis:
The case involved a dispute regarding the duty liability of a manufacturer of Gutkha and panmasala pouches of different retail sale prices for the months of August, September, October, and November 2009. The appellant declared the use of one packing machine for manufacturing panmasala pouches of retail sale prices (RSP) of ?2 and ?3 in each of these months. The Department contended that since the machine was used for both RSPs, it should be treated as two machines, leading to additional duty liability. The Commissioner confirmed a duty demand of ?72.00 Lakhs against the appellant, along with interest and penalty.

The appellant argued that the first proviso to Rule 8 of the Panmasala Packing Machine Rules applies only when a manufacturer starts manufacturing goods of a new RSP during a month on an existing machine. They maintained that since they had declared the manufacture of both RSPs in advance, the first proviso should not be applicable. The Department, however, insisted on the additional duty liability due to the use of the machine for multiple RSPs.

Upon analysis, the Tribunal found that the first proviso to Rule 8 applies when a manufacturer commences manufacturing goods of a "new retail sale price" during a month on an existing machine. The term "new retail sale price" refers to prices not declared in the initial Form-I declaration. As the appellant had declared the use of the machine for both RSPs in advance, the first proviso did not apply. The Tribunal cited a previous decision in a similar case where the issue was settled in favor of the assessee, emphasizing that duty liability should be based on the highest RSP when multiple RSPs are manufactured on the same machine in a month.

Given the settled issue and the precedent, the Tribunal set aside the impugned orders and allowed the appeals in favor of the appellants, providing consequential relief.

In conclusion, the Tribunal clarified the interpretation of Rule 8 and upheld that duty liability should be based on the highest retail sale price when multiple prices are manufactured on the same machine in a month. The decision was in line with previous rulings and established principles of statutory interpretation.

 

 

 

 

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