1999 (6) TMI 225 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
- Grant of Modvat credit on transformer oil
- Applicability of judgments regarding transformer oil as capital goods
- Distinction between coolant and functional use of transformer oil
- Treatment of transformer oil as consumable for Modvat credit

Issue 1: Grant of Modvat credit on transformer oil
The appeal by the revenue concerns the grant of Modvat credit on transformer oil. The Commissioner (Appeals) allowed the appeal based on previous Tribunal judgments treating transformers as capital goods and considering transformer oil essential for their functioning. The revenue argued that the facts differed from the cases cited by the Commissioner, thus challenging the applicability of those judgments. The revenue pointed out a case where it was held that transformer oil is not eligible for Modvat credit as it is used as a coolant and merely sent with the transformer. However, the consultant for the respondents contended that transformer oil in this case was not used as a coolant but to make the transformer functional. Reference was made to previous Tribunal judgments supporting the eligibility of lubricants for Modvat credit, further strengthening the argument in favor of granting Modvat credit on transformer oil.

Issue 2: Applicability of judgments regarding transformer oil as capital goods
The Tribunal considered conflicting judgments on whether transformer oil should be treated as a capital good for Modvat credit. The revenue cited a case where it was held that transformer oil is not entitled to Modvat credit, while the consultant for the respondents argued that transformer oil should be considered essential for the functioning of the transformer, thus making it eligible for Modvat credit. The Tribunal examined various judgments, including those related to lubricating oil, and concluded that the issue was settled in favor of granting Modvat credit on transformer oil based on the functional use in manufacturing processes.

Issue 3: Distinction between coolant and functional use of transformer oil
A key point of contention was whether transformer oil should be categorized as a coolant or as an essential component for the functioning of the transformer. The revenue argued that transformer oil was used as a coolant and, therefore, should not be eligible for Modvat credit. In contrast, the consultant emphasized that in this case, the transformer oil was not used as a coolant but played a vital role in making the transformer operational. The Tribunal considered these arguments and previous judgments to determine that the functional use of transformer oil in the manufacturing process justified its eligibility for Modvat credit.

Issue 4: Treatment of transformer oil as consumable for Modvat credit
The revenue contended that transformer oil should be treated as a consumable when replaced, thus excluding it from Modvat credit benefits. However, the Tribunal referred to previous judgments that classified lubricating oil as capital goods, supporting the view that transformer oil, essential for the functioning of the transformer, should also be considered eligible for Modvat credit. The Tribunal rejected the revenue's argument and upheld the eligibility of transformer oil for Modvat credit based on its functional role in the manufacturing process.