2024 (6) TMI 1463 - AT - Central Excise

Method of valuation - stock transfers of clinker to sister units based on the transaction value at which clinker was sold to independent buyers - to be valued under Rule 11 of the Central Excise Valuation Rules 2000 or under Rule 8 based on cost of production for captive consumption? - interconnected undertakings related to each other under Section 4(2)(b)(F) of the Central Excise Act 1944 - HELD THAT - A similar issue has been examined by this Tribunal in the case of Nalco 2024 (4) TMI 1088 - CESTAT KOLKATA wherein this Tribunal has observed the appellant has correctly paid the duty on the goods in question which has been captively consumed by the sister unit for manufacturing of excisable goods in terms of CBEC Circular No 692/8/2003-CX dated 13.02.2003. In similar set of facts this Tribunal has examined the issue in the case of Nalco and this Tribunal has came to a conclusion that the Appellant has correctly paid the duty on goods in question which has been captively consumed by the sister unit for manufacturing of excisable goods in terms of CBEC Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX dated 13.02.2003 - Appellant has correctly paid duty as per CAS-4 in terms of Rule 8 of the Valuation Rules. Conclusion - Appellant has correctly paid the duty in terms of Rule 8 of the Valuation Rules. In that circumstance demand against the Appellant is not sustainable. The penalty is also not imposable on the Appellant. The impugned order iss et aside - appeal allowed.

Summary

The core legal questions considered in this appeal are:

1. Whether the appellant was required to pay excise duty on stock transfers of clinker to its sister units based on the transaction value at which clinker was sold to independent buyers under Rule 11 of the Central Excise Valuation Rules, 2000, or whether the valuation under Rule 8, based on cost of production for captive consumption, was appropriate.

2. Whether the appellant's units should be treated as interconnected undertakings related to each other under Section 4(2)(b)(F) of the Central Excise Act, 1944, thus affecting the valuation method applicable for excise duty.

3. Whether the extended period of limitation and imposition of penalty on the appellant were justified given the nature of the duty demand and the valuation methodology adopted.

4. The applicability and binding nature of Board's Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX dated 13.02.2003, which prescribes valuation of goods cleared to sister units for captive consumption under Rule 8 of the Valuation Rules, and its interplay with subsequent amendments and judicial precedents.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis

1. Valuation of Stock Transfers of Clinker to Sister Units: Applicability of Rule 8 vs. Rule 11 of the Valuation Rules

The legal framework involves the Central Excise Valuation Rules, 2000, particularly Rules 8, 9, 10, and 11. Rule 8 pertains to valuation of goods cleared to related undertakings for captive consumption based on cost of production, whereas Rule 11 applies the transaction value method for goods sold to unrelated buyers.

The Revenue argued that since clinker was sold to independent buyers at a certain transaction value, the stock transfers to sister units should also be valued at that transaction value under Rule 11, especially after the amendment removing the condition of entire sale or entire consumption effective 01.12.2013.

The appellant contended that the clinker was captively consumed by the sister units in the manufacture of cement, and thus valuation under Rule 8 based on cost of production, as clarified by Board's Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX dated 13.02.2003, was appropriate and binding on the Revenue.

The Tribunal extensively analyzed Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX, which mandates that valuation of goods cleared to sister units for captive consumption must be done strictly in accordance with Cost Accounting Standard 4 (CAS-4) relating to cost of production. The Circular was issued to clarify and modify earlier instructions, emphasizing adherence to general principles of costing.

Precedents relied upon included the Tribunal's earlier decision in Nalco v. Commissioner of CGST & CE, Bhubaneshwar, which was affirmed by the Apex Court in 2016, and the judgment in Ratan Melting and Wire Industries, which held that Board Circulars are binding on Revenue.

The Tribunal distinguished the Revenue's reliance on the Larger Bench decision in Ispat Industries Ltd., noting that in that case, goods were cleared not for captive consumption but for other purposes, making Rule 4 applicable. In the present case, the clinker was used captively for manufacture of excisable goods, thus Rule 8 and the Circular applied.

The Tribunal also addressed the contention regarding amendments to the Valuation Rules and held that the Circular's instructions, which modify earlier circulars, must be followed and that the appellant was justified in paying duty based on CAS-4 under Rule 8.

Competing arguments about the applicability of transaction value were rejected on the basis that the goods were captively consumed and the valuation method prescribed by the Circular was binding, thereby negating the Revenue's demand for differential duty.

Conclusion: The appellant correctly paid excise duty on clinker stock transfers to sister units based on cost of production under Rule 8 and Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX. Rule 4 and Rule 11 were not applicable in the facts and circumstances.

2. Treatment of Sister Units as Interconnected Undertakings and Impact on Valuation

The Revenue invoked Section 4(2)(b)(F) of the Central Excise Act, 1944, to classify the appellant's three manufacturing units as interconnected undertakings related to each other, thereby affecting the valuation method for excise duty on stock transfers.

The Tribunal acknowledged the interconnected nature of the units but emphasized that the critical factor was the purpose of the stock transfer - captive consumption versus sale. Since the clinker was used captively in sister units for manufacture of excisable goods, the valuation under Rule 8 was applicable regardless of relatedness.

The Tribunal noted that the Revenue's argument to apply transaction value based on sales to independent buyers ignored the specific provisions and Circular clarifications for captive consumption.

Conclusion: While the units are interconnected undertakings, this status does not mandate valuation based on transaction value for captive consumption transfers; Rule 8 valuation remains applicable.

3. Extended Period of Limitation and Imposition of Penalty

The appellant argued that the demand was revenue neutral since the excise duty was paid on clinker and availed as Cenvat credit by sister units, negating the applicability of extended limitation and penalty.

The Tribunal agreed that since the duty was paid and was revenue neutral in effect, extended period of limitation was not invokable. Further, since the appellant had followed the binding Circular and paid duty correctly, penalty was not justified.

Conclusion: Extended limitation period and penalty imposed by the Revenue were unsustainable and set aside.

4. Binding Nature of Board's Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX and Judicial Precedents

The Tribunal relied heavily on the Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX dated 13.02.2003, which clarifies valuation for captively consumed goods strictly in accordance with CAS-4. The Circular explicitly modifies earlier instructions and is binding on the Revenue.

Judicial precedents, including the Apex Court's ruling in Ratan Melting and Wire Industries and the Tribunal's decision in Nalco, reinforce the principle that Revenue is bound by its own Circulars, and assessees are entitled to claim benefits under beneficial Circulars.

The Tribunal also referred to the Apex Court's decision in Eswaran & Sons Engineers Ltd. to clarify that Circulars do not bind the discretion of appellate authorities but are binding on Revenue officers, and subsequent Circulars modifying earlier ones must be considered.

Conclusion: The Circular's instructions form the legal foundation for valuation in this case, and the appellant's compliance therewith absolves it from additional duty demands.

Significant Holdings

"The appellant has correctly paid the duty on the goods in question, which has been captively consumed by the sister unit for manufacturing of excisable goods in terms of CBEC Circular No. 692/8/2003-CX dated 13.02.2003."

"Rule 4 of the Valuation Rules is not applicable in the facts and circumstances of the case."

"The demand against the appellant is not sustainable."

"Penalty is also not imposable on the appellant."

"The Circular dated 13.02.2003 on the basis of which the appellant paid the duty is binding on the Revenue."

"The cost of production of captively consumed goods will henceforth be done strictly in accordance with CAS-4."

Core principles established include the binding nature of Board Circulars on Revenue, the applicability of cost of production valuation under Rule 8 for captive consumption even among related undertakings, and the non-applicability of transaction value under Rule 11 or Rule 4 in such cases.

The final determination was to set aside the impugned order, allow the appeal, quash the demand for differential excise duty, and hold that no penalty or extended limitation applies.