1990 (7) TMI 112 - HC - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
Interpretation of notifications granting exemption for using indigenous cotton seed oil in the manufacture of vegetable product. Authority's reliance on government clarifications.

Analysis:
The judgment revolves around the interpretation of notifications providing exemption for using indigenous cotton seed oil in the production of vegetable products. The dispute arose when the petitioner, a company, filed supplementary rebate claims based on their calculation method, excluding vegetable products where no cotton seed oil was used. The Assistant Collector rejected the claims, stating that all cleared vegetable products should be considered for calculating the rebate, contrary to the petitioner's method. The Appellate Collector overturned this decision, emphasizing the need to calculate the concession for different quantities. However, the Additional Secretary reviewed the case and reinstated the Assistant Collector's decision, leading to the petitioner filing a writ petition challenging this ruling.

The main argument presented by the petitioner's counsel was that only the quantity of vegetable products made using indigenous cotton seed oil should be considered for the exemption, not the entire cleared quantity. The government counsel contended that the purpose of the notifications was to encourage the use of cotton seed oil, and thus all cleared vegetable products should be taken into account. The judge, in his analysis, highlighted that the notifications provided different rebate rates based on the quantity of cotton seed oil used, necessitating consideration of the total quantity of cleared vegetable products for rebate calculation. He emphasized that the objective was to promote the use of cotton seed oil, which would be hindered if only specific batches were considered for exemption.

Regarding the authority's reliance on government clarifications, the petitioner argued that quasi-judicial bodies should not be guided by government directions, citing relevant legal precedents. While acknowledging this legal principle, the judge concluded that the Assistant Collector and Additional Secretary correctly interpreted the notifications, even if they considered government clarifications. He reiterated that the notifications intended to include all cleared vegetable products, irrespective of the cotton seed oil usage, for calculating the exemption. The judge dismissed the writ petition, upholding the authorities' interpretation and rejecting the petitioner's claims.