1999 (1) TMI 249 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
1. Interpretation of Notification 201/79 regarding exemption of duty on inputs.
2. Application of Supreme Court judgment on refund and credit reversal.
3. Recovery of duty paid on malt extract by another manufacturer after notification rescinded.
4. Effect of notification repeal on recovery proceedings.

Analysis:
1. The case involved the interpretation of Notification 201/79 exempting duty on inputs utilized in manufacturing. The respondent, engaged in food product manufacturing, claimed exemption for malt extract under the notification. The dispute arose when the department sought recovery of excess credit taken on malt extract duty. The Collector (Appeals) held the recovery notices invalid as they were issued after the notification's rescission.

2. Referring to the Supreme Court judgment in a related case, the Advocate highlighted the obligation to reverse credit on malt extract if a refund was paid. The Court directed refund repayment by the respondent, Barmalt India Pvt. Ltd., except for a specified amount. The department argued for credit reversal despite the refund to Barmalt India Pvt. Ltd. The Tribunal found the duty paid on goods remained unchanged, thus upholding the respondent's entitlement to the credit.

3. Another issue concerned the recovery of duty paid by another manufacturer, Malt Company, on malt extract after the notification's rescission. The department sought recovery based on Notification 207/79, emphasizing the immediate right to recover credit upon its accrual. The respondent contended that recovery proceedings post-rescission were invalid, citing legal principles on repealed statutes' consequences.

4. The Tribunal considered precedents on repealed notifications' effects, rejecting the department's recovery claim post-rescission. Citing judgments from various High Courts, the Tribunal emphasized that rights accrued under a notification during its validity must be honored even after its repeal. The absence of a procedure for credit adjustment post-revision in the notification's Appendix further supported the Tribunal's decision to dismiss the appeal, upholding the respondent's position.