1996 (1) TMI 215 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
1. Interpretation of Modvat Credit facility under Notification 177/86.
2. Compliance with declaration requirements under Rule 57G of the Central Excise Rules.
3. Classification of inputs under different Tariff Headings.
4. Applicability of Tribunal decisions and CBEC instructions on Modvat Credit eligibility.

Analysis:
1. The appeal was filed by the Collector of Central Excise, Kanpur against an order passed by the Collector of Central Excise (Appeals), Allahabad. The respondents, manufacturers of non-alloy steel ingots, availed the Modvat Credit facility under Notification 177/86 by filing a declaration under Rule 57G of the Central Excise Rules. The dispute arose as the department found discrepancies in the description and classification of the inputs in the declaration filed by the respondents.

2. The department contended that the respondents' declaration did not accurately cover the actual inputs received by them in terms of description and classification under the Tariff Heading. The Assistant Collector of Central Excise denied Modvat Credit and demanded duty payment for the input H.R. Steel Corner Cutting Scrap. However, the Collector (Appeals) set aside the Assistant Collector's order, deeming the defects in the Modvat declaration as remediable.

3. The Collector (Appeals) held in favor of the respondents based on the argument that as long as the description and sub-heading for the inputs and final product are provided, Modvat Credit can be allowed if it is demonstrated that the inputs were used in the manufacturing process. The department argued that the Tribunal decisions and CBEC instructions cited were not applicable to the case timeline. However, the Collector (Appeals) referenced subsequent clarificatory instructions by the Board, Circular No. 9/91-CX-8 and Trade Notice No. 161/88, supporting the allowance of Modvat Credit despite minor variations in input classification.

4. Ultimately, the Collector (Appeals) concluded that the classification of inputs under Chapter 72 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, along with a broad description, was sufficient to extend the Modvat benefit to the respondents. Considering the duty-paid status of the input and its use in the final product, the order passed by the Collector (Appeals) was upheld, and the appeal by the Collector of Central Excise was rejected. The judgment emphasized adherence to the Tribunal decisions and CBEC instructions supporting the eligibility of Modvat Credit in cases of minor classification variations.