TMI BlogClarification regarding the provisions of Section 73, 76 and 78 of the Finance Act, 1994 and Section 11AC of the Central Excise Act, 1944X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... All Commissioners of Central Excise/Service Tax All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners LTU Joint Secretary TRU-1/TRU-II/Review Commissioner Central Excise/ Service Tax/Legal/PAC Madam/Sir Subject: Clarification regarding the provisions of Section 73, 76 and 78 of the Finance Act, 1994 and Section 11AC of the Central Excise Act, 1944 after amendments made vide Finance Act. 2015 Consequent to the amendments made to section 73 , 76 and 78 of the Finance Act, 1994 and section 11AC of the Central Excise Act, 1944, vide Finance Act, 2015 with effect from 14.05.2015, field formations have sought certain clarifications with regard to detections made during audit, investigation or scrutiny. Keeping in mind the nee ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... y for the benefit of the individual concerned, therefore, he can waive that right. In other words, this Section casts a duty on the Officer to issue notice to the person concerned of the proposed action to be taken. This is not in the nature of a public notice nor any person other than the person against whom the proceedings are initiated has any right for such a notice. Thus, the right of notice being personal to the person concerned the same can be waived by that person. 16. If the above position in law is correct, which we think it is. M/s Virgo Steels, having specifically waived its right for a notice, cannot now be permitted to turn around and contend that the proceedings initiated against them are void for want of notice under ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... requirement of a written SCN, then a written SCN need not be issued. 2.4 Further, clause (i) of the second proviso to section 78 of the Finance Act, 1994 and clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 11AC of the Central Excise Act. 1944 refer to a thirty day period, from the date of service of the notice, within which the assessee may make the payment of tax/duty, interest and reduced penalty of 15%. In case the assessee makes a written request for waiver of a written SCN, the thirty day period can be computed from the date of receipt of such a letter by the department. 2.5 There is no bar on an assessee making the payment of tax/duty, interest and reduced penalty of 15% even before the date of receipt of such a letter by ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... visions of clause (i) of proviso to section 76 , in such cases not involving fraud, suppression of facts, etc, if the tax and interest thereon is paid within 30 days of the issuance of SCN, no penalty shall be payable and the proceedings shall be deemed to be concluded. These two provisions have to be read harmoniously to conclude that in cases not involving fraud, suppression of facts, etc, if the assessee pays the tax along with interest, either within 30 days of issuance of SCN or before the issuance of SCN, then in such cases proceedings shall be deemed to be concluded. Legal provisions for similar closure in central excise are present in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 11 AC of the Central Excise Act, 1944. Yours fait ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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