1997 (4) TMI 238 - AT - Central Excise

Issues Involved:
1. Classification and excisability of fabricated structural materials.
2. Applicability of the longer period of limitation under Section 11A.
3. Whether the activities carried out amount to "manufacture" under Section 2(f) of the Central Excise Act.
4. Marketability and distinct identity of the fabricated items.
5. Requirement for detailed examination and findings by the lower authority.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Classification and Excisability of Fabricated Structural Materials:

The appeal concerns the demand of duty on structural materials and structures such as columns, beams, purlins, trusses, ladders, and walkways, fabricated by the appellants from duty-paid angles and other materials. The lower authority classified these goods under Tariff Heading 7308.90, which covers structures and parts thereof, and used them for fabricating sheds.

2. Applicability of the Longer Period of Limitation under Section 11A:

A show cause notice was issued alleging that the appellants abstained from complying with Central Excise requirements, manufacturing, and clearing the items without payment of duty with the intent to evade duty. Consequently, a longer period of limitation under Section 11A was invoked for the period from 1-12-1988 to 19-3-1990. The appellants contested the invocation of the longer period of limitation.

3. Whether the Activities Carried Out Amount to "Manufacture" under Section 2(f) of the Central Excise Act:

The appellants argued that the activities of cutting, drilling, etc., of duty-paid angles do not amount to manufacture, citing several precedents. The Tribunal in Tansi Engineering Works v. CCE, Coimbatore, and the Bombay High Court in Tata Engineering & Locomotive Co. Ltd. v. Union of India, held that such activities do not transform the items into new, commercially distinct products, and therefore, do not constitute manufacture under Section 2(f) of the Central Excise Act.

4. Marketability and Distinct Identity of the Fabricated Items:

The Tribunal and High Courts have consistently held that for an item to be exigible to excise duty, it must be known as such in the commercial community and must have a distinct use, character, and name. The fabricated items like purlins, trusses, beams, and columns, when cut and drilled, do not lose their original identity and do not become distinct products. They are parts of a structure and become immovable once affixed, similar to flooring or walls of a building, which are not excisable.

5. Requirement for Detailed Examination and Findings by the Lower Authority:

The appellants contended that the lower authority did not examine the manufacturing activities in depth concerning each item and did not provide findings on how these activities resulted in excisable products under Tariff Heading 7308. The Tribunal noted that the process must be clearly defined and understood, as seen in Standard Engineering Works, where cutting, sizing, and drilling of angles, channels, and sheets for use in structures were not considered manufacture.

Judgment and Remand:

The Tribunal observed that the decision in Richardson and Cruddas v. CCE, which held such items as excisable, did not benefit from the later judgments of the Bombay and Madhya Pradesh High Courts. The majority of decisions favored the assessee regarding the non-excisability of such fabricated items. The Tribunal set aside the lower authority's order and remanded the matter for de novo consideration, emphasizing the need for detailed examination of the processes, the nature of the goods, and their marketability. The question of limitation was also left open for reconsideration in light of the prevailing legal understanding and divergent decisions.

Conclusion:

The Tribunal remanded the case to the adjudicating authority for a fresh decision, ensuring that all relevant factors, including the nature of the manufacturing process, marketability, and the applicability of the longer period of limitation, are thoroughly examined and considered.

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