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2016 (3) TMI 993 - AT - Central ExciseDemand of excise duty on account of reversal of credit on duty paid finished goods at the depot - demand of excise duty on account of shortages of raw material at the factory both for the period 1999-2000 and 2000-01 - demand time barred - Held that:- The base oil being a petroleum product, its weight and volume is dependant upon temperature and density. At the time of receipt in the factory, base oil is emptied in tank and the procedure for determining the weighment is by deducting the gross amount of weight of tanker including the oil and reducing therefrom the weight of the tanker after discharging the oil considering the density and temperature. This method sometimes results into shortage or excess quantity of base oil to the extent of 1 to 2% and this is well recognized within the petroleum industry for petroleum products whereas in this case, the shortage as reported in annexure A to form 3CD during the period 2000-01 has only been to the extent of 0.6% of the total consumption which can arise on account of variation in temperature, variation in viscosity while dip reading, temperature and density at the time of measurement of stock. In this regard, the appellant referred to circular No. 55/89-CX.8 dated 15.12.1989 which provides for condonation of shortage and handling losses of petroleum products in a refinery and in the method of determining the quantities of petroleum products for the purpose of accountal in statutory excise records. Shortage of finished goods at the factory and depots is concerned, the appellant has debited the duty on its own and informed the department vide various letters dated 9.1.2000, 12.6.2000 and 13.2.2001. The goods sold from depot are excisable goods on which excise duty has already been paid and this fact has not been rebutted by the department either in the show cause notice or even in the order-in-original. Therefore, keeping in view the facts and circumstances and the evidence on record, I am of the considered opinion that the shortages found are very minor in nature, i.e. 0.6% which is well accepted in petroleum products as observed in the judgments cited above. Also find that in the show cause notice also, there is no allegation that there is clandestine removal of goods by the appellant. Further, as far as limitation is concerned, the entire demand appears to be time barred as it relates to financial year 1999-2000 and 2000-01 whereas the show cause notice was served on 26.3.2004 on the basis of shortages of raw material and finished goods as shown in form 3CD i.e. the report under the Income Tax Act, which is a statutory report and the appellant has produced the same before the audit party. - Decided in favour of assessee
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