Amendment of section 25
75. In the Customs Act, in section 25, after sub-section (6), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely:—
“(7) The mineral oils (including petroleum and natural gas) extracted or produced in the continental shelf of India or exclusive economic zone of India as referred to in section 6 and section 7, respectively, of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, [80 of 1976]and imported prior to the 7th day of February, 2002 shall be deemed to be and shall always be deemed to have been exempted from the whole of the duties of customs leviable on such mineral oils and accordingly, notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority, no suit or other proceedings in respect of such mineral oils shall be maintained or continued in any court, tribunal or other authority.
(8) Notwithstanding the exemption provided under sub-section (7), no refund of duties of customs paid in respect of the mineral oils specified therein shall be made.”.
Notes on Clauses:
Clause 75 of the Bill seeks to amend section 25 of the Customs Act so as to insert sub-sections (7) and (8) therein to provide that mineral oils including petroleum and natural gas extracted or produced in the continental shelf of India or the exclusive economic zone of India as referred to in section 6 and section 7, respectively, of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, which are imported prior to the 7th day of February, 2002 shall be deemed to be and shall be always deemed to have been exempted from duties of customs. It further provides that notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority, no suit or other proceedings shall be maintained or continued in any court, tribunal or other authority in respect of such mineral oils. It also provides that notwithstanding such exemption in respect of mineral oils specified therein, no refund of duties of customs paid in respect of such mineral oils shall be made.
