1996 (11) TMI 149 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
1. Disallowance of Modvat credit on plastic granules and pilene ultra.
2. Imposition of penalty of Rs. 1,000.00.
3. Classification of plastic powder and plastic granules.
4. Declaration of pilene ultra as polyethylene.

Analysis:

The judgment by the Appellate Tribunal CEGAT, New Delhi dealt with the disallowance of Modvat credit on plastic granules and pilene ultra, along with the imposition of a penalty of Rs. 1,000.00. The Collector (Appeals) initially allowed credit of duty on Indothyne LDPE but denied the benefit of input duty credit on plastic granules and pilene ultra due to non-declaration under Rule 57G of the Central Excise Rules, 1944. The appellants, engaged in plastic manufacturing, argued that Indothyne LDPE was equivalent to polyethylene, and plastic granules were the same as plastic powder. The Assistant Collector disallowed Modvat credit on these items, leading to the appeal before the Tribunal.

Regarding the classification of plastic powder and plastic granules, the appellants contended that both fell under sub-heading 3901.10. However, they failed to provide evidence supporting this claim. On the issue of pilene ultra, the appellants presented a certificate declaring it as a trade name for polyethylene, a fact reflected in the declaration filed under Rule 57G. The Tribunal acknowledged this evidence and held that pilene ultra was indeed polyethylene, allowing Modvat credit on this item as an input.

The Tribunal modified the order to allow Modvat credit on pilene ultra and disposed of the appeal accordingly. Additionally, the penalty imposed was set aside since Modvat credit on plastic powder had already been reversed by the appellants, and the other items were found eligible for Modvat credit. The judgment emphasized the importance of proper declaration of inputs and recognized the equivalence of pilene ultra to polyethylene based on the evidence presented.