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2015 (3) TMI 659 - HC - Central ExciseCross Utilization of CENVAT Credit - utilisation of AED (T&TA) - Demand of interest and penalty - contravention of the provisions of Rule 3(6)(b) read with Notification No. 24/99CE( NT) dated 1st March, 2000 - wrong utilization of Additional Duty of Excise (T&TA) for the payment of Basic Excise Duty and AED (GOSI) - Malafide intention of evasion of duty - Held that:- any cross utilisation or cross availment is not permissible. Appellant would rely upon the words “the Cenvat Credit may be utilised for payment of any duty of excise on any final products” separated by further word 'or' “for payment of duty on inputs or capital goods themselves if the further condition stipulated thereunder is satisfied”. The words “any duty of excise on any final products” cannot be read in such a manner as to enable cross utilisation. This subrule does not support the argument of Appellant that in payment of additional duties under the 1957 Act, the credit thereof can be obtained so as to enable payment of duty of excise specified under the 1978 Act. Appellant's argument, as already held above, fails to take note of the fact that one is the additional duty on goods of special importance, whereas later on is only additional duty on textiles and textile articles. Independent of this order, the Appellant has addressed us extensively on the construction/interpretation of the Rule 57AB. Once we are not in agreement with the Appellant, then, any further reference to these Rules or decisions of the Tribunal is unnecessary. We also need not enter into the controversy as to whether the Tribunal erred in not following or applying its decision in the case of Reliance Industries Limited and Ors. [2002 (7) TMI 168 - CEGAT, MUMBAI] while deciding the Appeals by the impugned order. Once our independent satisfaction enables us to reach the conclusion as above, then, we are not required to go into this question any further. The inputs and the final product dealt with by 1957 Act and the 1978 Act are not one and the same. This aspect is clear if note is taken of the nature of the goods specified in the Schedules to these Acts. As the title indicates one category is of goods of special importance whereas the other is textiles and textile articles. The fact that these goods are separately and distinctly classified in the Schedules to these Acts and equally in the Central Excise Tariff is enough to reject the submissions of the Appellant. There is no substance in the argument that between 1st March, 2002 to 9th September, 2004 the credit of AED(T&TA) can be used for payment of any of the specified duty referred to in SubRule (1) of Rule 3. Further, the nonobstante clause appearing in Rule 3(6) is so worded because the entitlement to credit is spelt out in Rule 3(1). Thereafter, Rules 3(2) and 3(3) sets out the mode and manner of availment thereof. It is clarified by Rule 3(3) that Cenvat Credit may be utilised for payment of any duty of excise on any final products or for payment of duty on inputs or capital goods even if the inputs are removed as such or after being partially procured or such capital goods are removed in that State. Hence, Rule 3(6) contains the nonobstante clause and read as above. It does not mean recourse to Rule 3(3) is permissible for cross utilisation. In fact subsection (3) of section 3 of Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 was substituted by section 63(a) of the Finance Act, 1994. That clearly states that the provisions of Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) and the Rules made thereunder including those relating to refunds, exemptions from duty, offences and penalties, shall, so far as may be apply, in relation to the levy and collection of the additional duties as they apply in relation to the levy and collection of the duties of excise on the goods specified in subsection (1). Merely because the language of subsection (3) of section 3 of both Acts has undergone some change does not mean that interest is not leviable and recoverable. In fact, the provisions of Central Excise Act, 1944 and the Rules made thereunder including those relating to refunds, exemption from duty, offences and penalties, shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to levy and collection of the additional duties of excise on the goods specified in section 3(1). Such broad and wide stipulation would definitely include interest. There is no justification for imposition of the penalties. Merely because the orders have been challenged and right up to this Court does not mean penalties were imposable. The Penalties on the Appellant in each of these Appeals are therefore set aside. - Decided partly in favour of assessee.
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