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2019 (2) TMI 75 - AT - Central Excise


Issues Involved:

1. Demand for reversal of CENVAT credit on inputs stored in a warehouse and returned to the factory.
2. Demand for differential duty on rejected goods cleared as scrap.
3. Demand for excise duty on goods sent for testing, repairs, job work, and during system failures.
4. Invocation of the extended period for demand.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Demand for Reversal of CENVAT Credit on Inputs Stored in Warehouse and Returned to Factory:

The appellants stored inputs in a warehouse due to space constraints, with departmental permission. They transferred unused inputs back to the warehouse and re-transferred them to the factory as needed. The department alleged that credit should have been reversed each time inputs were returned to the warehouse. The appellants argued that they availed credit only when the entire quantity under an invoice was used for manufacturing, and thus, Rule 3(5) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, was not applicable. The Tribunal agreed, noting that the appellants did not take excess credit and reversing credit each time would only add unnecessary scriptory work without revenue loss. The demand of ?92,64,820/- was set aside as it was considered a procedural infraction without revenue loss.

2. Demand for Differential Duty on Rejected Goods Cleared as Scrap:

The appellants received rejected goods from customers, took CENVAT credit, and either repaired and returned them or cleared them as scrap. The department demanded the difference between the credit availed and the duty paid on scrap value. The Tribunal referred to previous decisions (e.g., Tube Investments of India Ltd., Apollo Tyres Ltd.) and held that the appellants correctly discharged excise duty on the transaction value of the scrap. The demand of ?11,90,475/- was set aside.

3. Demand for Excise Duty on Goods Sent for Testing, Repairs, Job Work, and During System Failures:

- Goods Sent for Testing: The appellants sent goods to customers for testing under Returnable Delivery Challan (RDC) and received them back. The Tribunal remanded this issue for verification to check if excise duty was paid when goods were removed from the factory. If not, the demand of ?50,917/- would be upheld.

- Goods Returned After Repairs: The appellants carried out repairs on goods returned by customers and sent them back under RDC. The Tribunal remanded this issue for reconsideration to determine if the repair process amounted to manufacture. If not, the demand of ?4,42,938/- would not sustain.

- Goods Sent for Job Work: The appellants sent inputs/capital goods for job work under Rule 4(5)(a) of the CENVAT Credit Rules and received them back within 180 days. The Tribunal found the demand of ?17,84,883/- incorrect and set it aside.

- Invoices Issued Belatedly Due to System Failure: The appellants cleared goods under RDC during system failures and raised excise invoices later. The Tribunal noted that duty was paid when goods were cleared, and the delay in raising invoices was due to technical faults. The demand of ?18,06,561/- was set aside.

4. Invocation of Extended Period for Demand:

The Tribunal noted that the appellants had obtained departmental permission for storing goods in the warehouse and followed proper documentation. The extended period was invoked solely because the appellants voluntarily paid the duty. The Tribunal held that there was no suppression or mala fide intention, and the extended period was not invokable. The demand should be restricted to the normal period from 01.02.2010 to 28.02.2010.

Conclusion:

The appeal was partly allowed by setting aside the demands related to warehouse storage, differential duty on scrap, job work, and system failures. The issues of goods sent for testing and repairs were remanded for reconsideration. The appellants were eligible for consequential benefits as per law.

 

 

 

 

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