2001 (4) TMI 166 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Eligibility for Modvat credit under Notification No. 58/97-C.E. for duty paid inputs used in the manufacture of dutiable final products.
2. Interpretation of Notification No. 58/97-C.E. regarding captive consumption.
3. Procedural vs. substantive conditions for availing Modvat credit.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Eligibility for Modvat Credit:
The primary issue was whether M/s. SIL could avail of Modvat credit under Notification No. 58/97-C.E., dated 30-8-1997, for duty paid inputs used in the manufacture of dutiable final products. M/s. SIL manufactured re-rolled non-alloy steel products and used them to produce agricultural implements. They claimed Modvat credit for the duty paid on these inputs. The Department denied the credit, arguing that the notification required two separate manufacturers: one for the inputs and another for the final products.

2. Interpretation of Notification No. 58/97-C.E.:
The notification was issued under sub-rule (6) of Rule 57A of the Central Excise Rules, 1944, which allowed credit for duty paid on inputs used in the manufacture of final products. The Commissioner of Central Excise (Appeals) interpreted the notification to mean that the benefit was not available for captive consumption, i.e., when the inputs and final products were manufactured by the same entity. The Commissioner reasoned that the notification envisaged two separate manufacturers based on the requirement for an invoice price and direct payment between manufacturers.

3. Procedural vs. Substantive Conditions:
M/s. SIL argued that they had complied with all procedural requirements, such as filing declarations and issuing invoices, and that the denial of Modvat credit was based on a misinterpretation of procedural conditions. They contended that the conditions in the notification were procedural and should not preclude the substantive benefit of Modvat credit. The Tribunal agreed, noting that the notification did not explicitly exclude captive consumption and that the benefit should not be denied based on procedural technicalities.

Tribunal's Findings:
The Tribunal found that:
- The notification's substantive part allowed Modvat credit for inputs used in the manufacture of final products, without explicitly excluding captive consumption.
- Captive consumption should be considered a form of removal for excise purposes, as supported by precedents like J.K. Spinning & Weaving Mills Ltd. v. UOI and Collector of Central Excise, Bombay v. Kohinoor Mills.
- The procedural requirements, such as issuing invoices and declaring prices, were met by M/s. SIL, and the same price was declared for both captive consumption and outside sales.
- The benefit of Modvat credit should not be denied based on procedural grounds, especially when substantive compliance was achieved.

Conclusion:
The Tribunal set aside the impugned orders-in-appeal, allowing M/s. SIL to avail of Modvat credit for duty paid inputs used in the manufacture of dutiable final products, even when the inputs were captively consumed. The decision emphasized that procedural conditions should not override substantive benefits and that the notification should be interpreted to avoid absurdity and ensure justice. All three appeals were allowed with consequential relief to the appellants.