Supreme CourtDivision Bench(2015) 10 SC CK 0003

Commissioner of C. Ex., Ahmedabad-III vs Gujarat Ambuja Export Ltd.

Supreme Court Of India · Decided on 7 October 2015 · Citation: (2015) 325 ELT 209

HON’BLE JUDGES
A.K. Sikri and Rohinton Fali Nariman, JJ.
RESULT
Allowed
CASE NUMBER
Civil Appeal No. 1910 of 2007

AI Structured Summary

Not yet generated for this judgment

Judgment

33 paragraphs · 401 words
1.

The respondent herein is under 100% EOU scheme and is engaged in the manufacture of De-Oiled Cake (DoC) of soyabean, groundnut, mustard and other edible oil seeds which is covered under Section 58 and Section 65 of the Customs Act, 1962. As far as soyabean is concerned, it falls under Chapter Heading No. 2302.00 and by-products Soyabean Solvent Extraction Raw Oil/Crude Oil was under Chapter Heading No. 1503.00 of the Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985.

2.

The respondent has been availing the facilities of self-removal procedure and had cleared the by-product Soyabean Solvent Extraction Raw Oil in DTA by availing benefit of Notification No. 8/97, dated 1-3-1997 on the ground that there is no excise duty leviable on the said by-product and has cleared the aforesaid product at nil rate of duty. The Department, however, took the view that Notification No. 13/98, dated 2-6-1998 is applicable, as per which, the respondent was liable to pay duty at the rate of 30 per cent as if this product was manufactured by 100% EOU. This resulted in issuance of as many as six show cause notices with the demand particulars whereof are as under : -

Show Cause Notice dated

Duty

Penalty

Order-in-Original

28-9-2001

Rs. 45,13,508

Rs. 10,000

1-10-2001

28-9-2001

Rs. 48,47,214

Rs. 10,000

1-10-2001

30-10-2001

Rs. 40,87,996

Rs. 10,00013-11-2001

30-10-2001

Rs. 62,60,871

Rs. 10,000

13-11-2001

26-12-2001

Rs. 7811

Rs. 1000

13-1-2002

28-12-2001

Rs. 96,95,865

Rs. 20,000

13-1-2002

TOTAL

Rs. 2,95,13,265

3.

The aforesaid demand was affirmed by passing Order-in-Original. Aggrieved by this order, the respondent filed appeal before the Commissioner. The Commissioner vide its Order-in-Appeal dated 26-9-1992 allowed the said appeal holding that by-products Soyabean Solvent Extraction Raw Oil was not covered under 100% EOU scheme and hence tariff rate applicable in DTA which was nil would be applicable to the by-product removed by the respondent. This finding has been upheld by the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as ''CESTAT'') as well [2007 (207) E.L.T. 132 (Tri. - Mumbai)]. It has affirmed the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) and dismissed the appeal of the Revenue challenging the order of the Commissioner (Appeals).

4.

After going through the order of the CESTAT, we find that all the aspects of the issue regarding classification are discussed in detail arriving at the aforesaid findings. No question of law arises for consideration. The appeal is, accordingly, dismissed.