VST INDUSTRIES LTD. Vs. COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants who are the manufacture of Cigarettes of various brands use "Printed Gay Wrappers" in the packing of cigarettes packets. They procured the Printed Gay Wrappers from other suppliers and also got the same from job workers after supplying the plain paper and poly -coated paper to them. On the basis of information gathered by officers of anti evasion, Hyderabad -III, Commissionerate, the department conducted investigation and came to the conclusion that the appellants were manufacturing and clearing Printed Gay Wrappers classifiable under sub -heading No.48.23.90 as other articles of paper without payment of duty and without following the central excise procedures. Therefore three sow cause notices covering the period from 23.4.01 to 12.6.02 were issued to the appellants. The Commissioner in is OIO 22/02 dated 30.08.2002 decided that the appellants are the manufacturers of gay printed wrappers which are classifiable under chapter sub -heading 4823.90. Duty of Rs. 1,29,13,866/ - was confirmed under Proviso to Sub -heading 4823.90. Duty of Rs.1,29,13,866/ - was confirmed under Proviso to Sub -section 1 of Section 11 A of the Central Excise Act 1944. A penalty of Rs. 1,07,50,285/ - was imposed on the appellants under Section 11 AC of the Act. Interest was also demanded under section 11 AB. Penalties under Rule 209 G of the Central Excise Rules 1944 and Rule 26 of the Central Excise Rules 2001 were imposed on the following persons. 1. Sri V V H S Vara Prasada Rao, Finance Executive Rs.50,000/ - Under Rule 209 -A 2. Shri K N V Prasada Rao, Material Superintendent Rs.20,000/ - do 3. Sri Sumit Dey Supply Chain Manager Rs.20,000/ - do 4. Shri Said Sakar, Vice President Rs.20,000/ - do 5. Sri M M Sami, Vice President Rs.20,000/ - do A Penalty of Rs.25,00,000/ - was imposed on M/s VST Industries under Rule 173Q of the Central Excise Rule 1944 and Rule 25 of the Central Excise Rules 2001. The appellants have strongly challenged the findings in the above OIO The following issue are involved in this appeal. 1) Whether "Printed Gay Wrappers" are classifiable under chapter sub -heading No.4823.90 as held by the Commissioner of under chapter 4901.90 as held by the Commissioner or under chapter 4901.90 as claimed by the appellants. 2) Whether the appellants are the manufacturers of printed gay wrappers. 3) Whether the appellants are liable to penalty under Central Excise Rules/Act.

(2.) The first question raised above is very decisive in this appeal. In other words, if the classification of the impugned goods is decided, all the other questions can be answered on the basis of the correct classification. The appellants claim classification of the product under chapter 4901 as products of printing Industry. If the appellants' claim is accepted, then the products carry nil rate of duty and no duty can be demanded. The penalties imposed also will not be stained. On the other hand, if the department's position is upheld, the appellants would be liable to pay duty under Chapter heading 48.23 and also will be liable for interest and penalties etc.

(3.) Smt Shoba L. Chary learned JCDR appeared for the department and Shri R. Sasidharan Sr Advocate and Smt L. Maithili advocate appeared on behalf of the appellants.