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2021 (1) TMI 548 - AAR - GSTClassification of goods - rate of GST - “Papad” of different shapes and sizes - applicant in his submission has tried to equate un-fried Fryums with “Papad” under Tariff Item as 1905 90 40 - HELD THAT:- What is ‘Papad’ has not been defined or clarified under Customs Tariff Act, 1975, the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act, 2017), the Gujarat Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (GGST Act, 2017), Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the IGST Act, 2017 or the Notifications issued under the CGST Act, 2017/GGST Act, 2017/IGST Act, 2017 - It is now well settled principle of interpretation of statute that the word not defined in the statute must be construed in its popular sense, meaning ‘that sense which people conversant with the subject matter with which the statute is dealing would attribute to it’. It is to be construed as understood in common language. The issue of proper classification of the product ‘Fry Snack Foods called Fryums’ and admissibility of exemption notification under Central Excise regime was examined by the Hon’ble Customs, Excise and Gold Appellate Tribunal in the case of T.T.K. Pharma Ltd. v. Collector of Central Excise [1992 (8) TMI 183 - CEGAT, NEW DELHI] where it was held that the product ‘Fry Snack Foods called Fryums’ have been considered as ‘Namkeen’ and not as ‘Papad’. From the photos produced, it can be seen that PAPAD is a thing entirely different and distinct from FRYUMS. Therefore, in common parlance or in market, Fryums are not sold as “PAPAD” instead of “PAPAD” sold as papad and Fryums are sold as Fryums. Both the products are different and have their individual identity. Accordingly, in common parlance test, the applicant’s product i.e. “different shapes and sizes of Papad” is not “Papad” but is “Un-fried Fryums” - the applicant himself has mentioned the fact in their application that in common parlance their product is popularly known as “Fryums” in the market - This fact indicates that applicant himself knows that in the market their product is called Fryums and not “Papad” as such the fact is that in the market Papad is known as “Papad” and not “Fryums”. Therefore, the ‘Un-fried Fryums’ are not classifiable as ‘Papad’ under Tariff Item 1905 90 40. Appropriate classification of ‘Unfried Fryums’ - HELD THAT:- In the instant case the most appropriate rule of interpretation which is to be used while interpreting the phrase ‘by whatever name it is known’ is the legal principle of Ejusdem Generis. The application of this Rule is necessitated because of the use of a general phrase preceded by specific words. The words ‘ejusdem generis’ mean ‘of the same kind or nature’. Ejusdem generis is a rule of interpretation that where a class of things is followed by general wording that is not itself expansive, the general wording is usually restricted things of the same type as the listed items. The principle of ejusdem generis is applicable in interpreting the CTH No. 1905 whereby the phrase ‘by whatever name it is known”, should be read in conjunction with the terms ‘Papad’ and hence the scope of the term “Papad” would get limited to only such word which is similar to Papad or such class of individuals. In the instant case the applicant goods un-cooked Fryums is not similar to Papad or such class of Individuals - phrase ‘by any other name’ and ‘by whatever name it is known’ have a proximate purpose in a statute and hence the principle laid down by the P&H High Court supra will apply on all squares. Therefore, in the instant Case the goods “Papad” cannot be termed as “Fryums” hence applicant goods is to be classified under CTH No. 2106 and not under CTH No. 1905 of Custom tariff Act, 1975 - the product ‘different shapes and sizes un-fried Fryums’ is appropriately classifiable under Tariff Item 2106 90 99. Sl. No. 23 of Schedule III of Notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated 28-6-2017, as amended vide Notification No. 41/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated 14-11-2017 issued under the CGST Act, 2017 and corresponding Notification No. 1/2017-State Tax (Rate), dated 30-6-2017, as amended, issued under the GGST Act, 2017 covers “Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included [other than roasted gram, sweetmeats, batters including idli/dosa batter, namkeens, bhujia, mixture, chabena and similar edible preparations in ready for consumption form, khakhra, chutney powder, diabetic foods]” falling under Heading 2106. Therefore, Goods and Services Tax rate of 18% is applicable to the product ‘Un-fried Fryums’ as per Sl. No. 23 of Schedule III of Notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated 28-6-2017, as amended, issued under the CGST Act, 2017 and Notification No. 1/2017-State Tax (Rate), dated 30-6-2017, as amended, issued under the GGST Act, 2017 or IGST Act, 2017. Thus, it can be concluded that applicant’s product of different shape and sizes is “un-fried Fryums” and it cannot be called as “Papad” as claimed in the application and therefore merits classifiable under Tariff Heading 21069099 of the Custom Tariff Act, 1975.
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