2015 (10) TMI 1693 - AT - Central Excise

Denial of CENVAT Credit - Medical services - Held that - In the absence of any documentary evidence it cannot be said that such services of Male nurse are provided only in the residential colonies. On the contrary, as per the provisions contained under Section 45 of the Factories Act 1948 read with Gujarat Factories Rules 1963, it is obligatory on the part of a specific manufacturer to maintain first Aid Appliances and ambulance alongwith trained medical staff to take care of certain situations. Once the facility is required to be provided statutorily, it cannot be said that the same is not be in relation to manufacture. Similar views have been taken by the court s in relation to Pollution Control Activity where these services are required to be provided statutorily under the Pollution Control Act and the Factories Act. - Cenvat Credit with respect to medical facilities provided statutorily under the Factories Act 1948 will be admissible - Decided in favour of assessee.

Summary

Issues:
1. Denial of Cenvat Credit for services provided by Male Nurses at factory and colony.
2. Interpretation of Rule 2(l) of the Cenvat Credit Rules 2004.
3. Statutory obligation under Factories Act 1948 for medical facilities.
4. Nexus of services provided with manufacturing activity.
5. Precedents related to Cenvat Credit eligibility for analogous activities.

Analysis:

1. The appeal challenged the denial of Cenvat Credit amounting to Rs. 1,52,583 for services by Male Nurses at the factory and colony. The lower authorities held that these services had no nexus with manufacturing activity under Rule 2(l) of the Cenvat Credit Rules 2004.

2. The appellant argued that as per Section 45 of the Factories Act 1948, maintaining medical staff is mandatory for emergencies, and Rule 71 of the Gujarat Factories Rules 1963 requires an ambulance room with a qualified practitioner. The appellant contended that these statutory services are admissible as input credit under Rule 2(l) as services related to manufacture.

3. The Revenue contended that the Male Nurse services, provided in the factory and residential colony, were not linked to manufacturing activity. However, the lack of evidence showing services exclusively in the colony led the Tribunal to consider the statutory obligation under the Factories Act and Rules, stating that if services are mandatory, they are related to manufacture.

4. The Tribunal cited precedents where statutory requirements like Pollution Control activities and Canteen Services were deemed eligible for Cenvat Credit. The Gujarat High Court and Karnataka High Court rulings supported the broad interpretation of input services, including those indirectly related to manufacturing, like canteen services and pollution control activities.

5. The Tribunal concluded that Cenvat Credit for medical facilities provided under the Factories Act 1948 is admissible, aligning with the precedent rulings. Therefore, the appeal was allowed in favor of the appellant, emphasizing the statutory obligation for medical services as part of input credit under the Cenvat Credit Rules.