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[Cites 16, Cited by 8]

Gujarat High Court

Asahi Songwon Colors Ltd & vs Union Of India & 2 on 6 July, 2017

Author: Akil Kureshi

Bench: Akil Kureshi

                  C/SCA/16301/2016                                            JUDGMENT




                    IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

                       SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 16301 of 2016



         FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:



         HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE AKIL KURESHI


         and
         HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE BIREN VAISHNAV

         ==========================================================

         1     Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed
               to see the judgment ?

         2     To be referred to the Reporter or not ?

         3     Whether their Lordships wish to see the fair copy of
               the judgment ?

         4     Whether this case involves a substantial question of
               law as to the interpretation of the Constitution of
               India or any order made thereunder ?

         ==========================================================
                      ASAHI SONGWON COLORS LTD & 1....Petitioner(s)
                                         Versus
                            UNION OF INDIA & 2....Respondent(s)
         ==========================================================
         Appearance:
         MR PARESH M DAVE WITH MR PARITOSH GUPTA ADVOCATE for the
         Petitioner(s) No. 1 - 2
         MR DEVANG VYAS, ADVOCATE for the Respondent(s) No. 1
         MR NIKUNT K RAVAL, ADVOCATE for the Respondent(s) No. 1
         NOTICE SERVED for the Respondent(s) No. 2 - 3
         ==========================================================

             CORAM: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE AKIL KURESHI
                    and


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              C/SCA/16301/2016                                            JUDGMENT



                HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE BIREN VAISHNAV

                                 Date : 06/07/2017


                                 ORAL JUDGMENT

(PER : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE AKIL KURESHI)

1. The petitioner has challenged a portion of the Appendix 14­ I­I of Hand Book Procedures of Foreign Trade Policy 2004­ 2009.  The petitioner  has also challenged  a circular  dated  11.4.2014  as at Annexure­K to the petition as being ultra  vires the   Foreign Trade Policy 2004­2009.   The petitioner  has   further   challenged   an   order­in­original   dated  22.8.2016   passed   by   the   Development   Commissioner,  KASEZ, Gandhidham.   The petition arises in the following  background :

2. The   petitioner   is   a   company   registered   under   the  Companies   Act   and  is   engaged   in   manufacturing   various  chemicals   for   export.   The   manufacturing   unit   of   the  petitioner is situated in Kandla Special Economic Zone and  is a 100%  Export  Oriented  Unit  ("EOU"  for short)  having  necessary license.
3. For   its   manufacturing   activity,   the   petitioner   would  purchase   raw   materials   manufactured   in   India.   Such  manufacturers would be situated either in Domestic Tariff  Area ("DTA" for short) or non Domestic Tariff Area such as  EOU.   As per the Foreign Trade Policy 2004­2009, during  the period between between 2006 and 2008, the petitioner  claimed   Central   Sales   Tax   reimbursement   on   such  Page 2 of 18 HC-NIC Page 2 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT purchases   made   including   from   the   manufacturing   units  situated in EOU.  The respondent  authorities also granted  such   claims   and   reimbursed   the   Central   Sales   Tax  component on the petitioner's purchases made during the  said period between 2006 and 2008, total of which comes  to Rs.55.75 lacs (rounded off). For many years thereafter,  there was no further development in this respect. However,  on 26/30.9.2013,  the Accounts  officer of KASEZ wrote  to  the petitioner and conveyed as under :
"This is to inform you that recent Audit conducted by the  CRA, Ahmedabad have pointed out that Central Sales Tax  amount as per attached annexure is granted incorrectly.
You  are  hereby  therefore,  directed  to  deposit  the  amount  mentioned in annexure by Demand draft in favour of RPAO  Mumbai   payable   at   Gandhidham   immediately   or   the  amount   will   be   recovered   from   subsequently/pending  claims.
Your are hereby directed to inform your consent within 15  days of receipt of this letter."

4. Along   with   this   letter,   he   annexed   the   comments   of   the  Audit officer, why on the purchases made by an EOU from  another EOU, same would not qualify for Central Sales Tax  reimbursement.   According   to   this   note,   as   per   the   Hand  Book   of   Procedures,   such   reimbursement   would   be  available   only   on   purchases   made   from   the   DTA   for  production   of   goods   and   services   as   per   EOU   scheme.  Since   the   definition   of   DTA   in   the   Foreign   Trade   Policy  excluded   SEZ   and   EOU,   according   to   this   note,   the   sale  from   one   EOU   to   another   would   not   qualify   for   Central  Sales Tax reimbursement.


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               C/SCA/16301/2016                                               JUDGMENT




5. The petitioner did not accept the request of the Accounts  officer of KASEZ to return the benefits of the Central Sales  Tax   reimbursement.   The   Development   Commissioner,  KASEZ,   issued   a   show   cause   notice   dated   10.7.2015   in  which   it   was   pointed   out   that   the   petitioner   had   not  refunded   the   amount   of   Rs.55.75   lacs   which   was  erroneously   paid  to  the  company  and,  therefore,  to show  cause   why   action   should   not   be   taken   against   the  petitioner   in   terms   of   Foreign   Trade   (Development   &  Regulation) Act, 1992

6. The   petitioner   replied   to   the   show   cause   notice   under  communication   dated   4.8.2015   and   denied   that   the  benefits   of   Central   Sales   Tax   reimbursement   was  erroneously   granted   since   it   was   available   in   terms   of  prevailing Foreign Trade Policy. It was disputed that policy  did not cover the sale of goods from one EOU to another. 

7. It appears that on account of the audit objection in similar  cases, the issue was taken up at the Ministry level and the  Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,  issued   a   general   circular   dated   11.4.2014     to   the  Development   Commissioners   of   SEZ   in   which   it   was  clarified as under :

"I   am   directed   to   refer   to   refer   to   the   above   mentioned  subject   and   to   say   that   it   has   been   decided   by   the  Department that Para 6.11 and para 9.21 of Foreign Trade  Policy   read   with   Appendix­14­I­I   does   not   provide   for  reimbursement   of   CST   paid   on   goods   supplied   from   one  EOU to another EOU.



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               C/SCA/16301/2016                                                JUDGMENT




In   view   of   the   above,   it   is   requested   to   clarify   if   the  prescribed   procedure   under   Appendix­14­I­I   was   strictly  followed in allowing reimbursement of CST in some cases,  by your office and to take suitable action for recovery of the  said reimbursement, if required." 

8. It   may   be   noted   that   in   this   letter   reference   is   made   to  Appendix   14­I­I   which   lays   down   the   procedure   for  reimbursement  of Central  Sales  Tax on supplies  made  to  Export   Oriented   Units   and   units   in   Electronic   Hardware  Technology   Park   (EHTP)   and   Software   Technology   Park  (STP).     Para.2   of   this   procedure   provides   inter­alia   that  EOUs  and  units  in Electronic  Hardware  Technology  Park  and   Software   Technology   Park   will   be   entitled   to   full  reimbursement  of  CST  paid  by them  on  purchases  made  from the DTA for production of goods and services as per  EOU scheme, subject to fulfillment of terms and conditions  as   provided   therein.     According   to   the   petitioner,   this  restriction  provided   in  the   Appendix   contained  procedure  for   reimbursement   of   CST.   Limiting   the   benefit   of  reimbursement   on   sales   made   from   DTA   area,   to   the  exclusion of EOU, is ultra vires and contrary to the Export  Foreign   Trade   Policy   2004­2009   and   in   particular,   para.  6.11 thereof. 

9. Relying on the Appendix 14­I­I and the circular issued by  the Government of India dated 11.4.2014, the Development  Commissioner   passed   his   order­in­original   dated  22.8.2016   and   demanded   refund   of   the   CST  reimbursement of Rs.55.75 lacs and also imposed penalty  of Rs.25 lacs for delayed returning of the said amount. In  Page 5 of 18 HC-NIC Page 5 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT this   background,   the   petitioner   has   challenged   the   said  order­in­original along with the Government circular dated  11.4.2014   and   the   procedure   for   claiming   CST  reimbursement. 

10. Before recording  the contentions  of the learned  advocates  for the parties, it would be necessary to take note of further  materials on record. The Foreign Trade (Development  and  Regulation) Act, 1992, ("the Act" for short)  was enacted to  provide for the development and regulation of foreign trade  by facilitating imports into, and augmenting exports from,  India   and   for   matters   connected   therewith   or   incidental  thereto.  Section  3 of  the   Act   pertains  to   powers  to  make  provisions   relating   to   imports   and   exports   and   inter­alia  enables the Central Government to  make provision for the  development and regulation of foreign trade by facilitating  imports and increasing exports. Under section 5 of the Act,  the Central Government may from time to time, formulate  and   announce   by   notification   published   in   the   Official  Gazette,   the   Foreign   Trade   Policy   and   may   also,   in   the  similar   manner,   amend   the   same.     Section   6   of   the   Act  pertains   to   appointment   of   Director   General   and   his  functions.   Sub­section(1)   of   section   6   would   enable   the  Central   Government   to   appoint   any   person   to   be   the  Director General  of Foreign  Trade for the purposes  of the  Act. As per sub­section(2) of section 6, the Director General  would   advise   the   Central   Government   in   formulating   the  Foreign Trade Policy and would be responsible for carrying  out   such   policy.   Under   sub­section(3)   of   section   6,   the  Central  Government  may  by  order  publish  in  the  Official  Gazette and  delegate any of the powers exercisable under  Page 6 of 18 HC-NIC Page 6 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT the Act other than those under sections 351516 and  19, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the  Director General or officer subordinate to him. 

11. In   terms   of   such   statutory   provisions,   the   Central  Government  had  framed  Foreign  Trade  Policy  2004­2009.  Chapter 6 of such policy pertained to EOUS, EHTPS STPs  and Bio­Technology  Parks  (BTPs).  Para 6.5 would  require  such an eligible unit to have positive Net Foreign Exchange  Earnings   to   be   calculated   cumulatively   in   block   of   five  years, starting from commencement  of production. As per  para. 6.9, certain kinds of sales made by an EOU to a DTA  will count for fulfillment of positive Net Foreign Earnings.  Para.  6.11 carries  the title "Entitlement  for supplies  from  the DTA" and reads as under :  

"6.11 Entitlement for supplies from the DTA Supplies  from DTA  to  EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP  units  will  be  regarded as "deemed exports" and the DTA supplier shall  be eligible for relevant entitlements under chapter 8 of FTP  besides   discharge   of   export   obligation,   if   any,   on   the  supplier.   Notwithstanding   the   above,   EOU/   EHTP/  STP/BTP   units   shall,   on   production   of   a   suitable  disclaimer from the DTA supplier, be eligible for obtaining  entitlements   specified   in   chapter   8   of   FTP.   For   claiming  deemed export duty drawback, they shall get Brand Rates  fixed   by   the   Development   Commissioner   wherever   All  Industry Rates of Drawback are not available.  
 
(b)   Suppliers   of   precious   and   semi­precious   stones,  synthetic   stones   and   processed   pearls   from   DTA   to   EOU  shall be eligible for grant of Replenishment authorisations  Page 7 of 18 HC-NIC Page 7 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT at rates and for items mentioned in HBP v1.
  
(c)   In   addition,   EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP   units   shall   be  entitled to the following:­  
(i) Reimbursement of Central Sales Tax (CST) on goods  manufactured in India.

Interest   on   delay   in   refund   of   CST   would   be   paid,   as  notified

(ii)   Exemption   from   payment   of   Central   Excise   Duty   on  goods procured from DTA on goods manufactured in India.

  

(iii) Deleted

(iv)   Reimbursement   of   Duty   paid   on   fuels   procured   from  domestic  oil  companies  as per  Drawback  rate  notified  by  the DGFT from time to time.

 

(v) Cenvat Credit on service tax paid."

12. To implement the policy contained in the said Foreign  Trade Policy, the Director General of Forein Trade issued a  Hand   Book   of   Procedures.   Appendix­14­I­I,   as   noted,  pertains   to   the   procedures   to   be   followed   for  reimbursement   of   CST   on   supplies   made   to   EOUs   and  units   in   EHTP   and   STP.   This   Appendix   made   a   special  mention to para. 6.11 (c)(i)  of Chapter 6 of the Exim policy.  Relevant portion of the said document reads as under : 

"1. The procedure given hereunder shall be applicable for  Page 8 of 18 HC-NIC Page 8 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT reimbursement of Central Sales Tax. 
2.     The   Export   Oriented   Units   (EOUs)   and   units   in  Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) and Software  Technology   Park   (STP)   will   be   entitled   to   full  reimbursement of Central Sales Tax (CST) paid by them on  purchases  made  from the  Domestic  Tariff  Area (DTA),  for  production  of goods  and  services  as per EOU  Scheme  on  the following terms and conditions......."

13. We  may  also record  that  in the subsequent  Foreign  Trade Policy 2015­2020 also, para. 6.11 remained virtually  the   same.   In   particular,   sub­clause(i)   of   clause(c)   of  para.6.11   retained   the   benefit   of   CST   reimbursement   on  goods  manufactured  in India  to a EOU,  EHTP,    STP  and  BTP. The Hand Book of Procedures Appendix­6H issued by  the   Director   General   of   Foreign   Trade   for   the   purpose   of  claiming such reimbursement  however, made a departure  as   compared   to   the   original   procedure.   In   the   current  procedure, it was provided as under : 

"1. The procedure given hereunder shall be applicable for  reimbursement of Central Sales Tax. 
2.     The   Export   Oriented   Units   (EOUs)   and   units   in  Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) and Software  Technology   Park   (STP)   will   be   entitled   to   full  reimbursement of Central Sales Tax (CST) paid by them on  purchases   made   from   the   Domestic   Tariff   Area   (DTA),   or  Export   Oriented   Unit   (EOU)   or   Special   Economic   Zone  (SEZ) or EHTP or STP or BTP, for production of goods and  services   as   per   EOU   Scheme   on   the   following   terms   and  conditions......."

14. Thus in terms of the above procedure EOU would be  Page 9 of 18 HC-NIC Page 9 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT entitled   to   CST   reimbursement   on   purchases   made   from  another EOU as well. 

15. In   context   of   such   provisions,   counsel   for   the  petitioner submitted  that the policy of the Government  to  deny the benefits of CST reimbursement  to an EOU such  as   the   present   petitioner   on   its   purchases   from   another  EOU is wholly illegal and impermissible. He would contend  that as per the Foreign Trade Policy 2004­2009 prevailing  at   the   relevant   time,   there   was   no   such   restriction   and  permitted CST reimbursement  on any purchases of goods  manufactured   in   India.   The   expression   "goods  manufactured in India" would include manufacturing units  situated in EOU also. The Procedure of Hand Book could  not   have   limited   this   benefit   by   qualifying     that   such  reimbursement   would   be   available   only   when   the  purchases are made from a unit situated in DTA. Counsel  further   submitted   that   even   otherwise   any   such  interpretation would render the very policy discriminatory.  The principal purpose of granting CST reimbursement is to  make exports more viable in the international market and  not to load the manufacturer with local taxes. That being  the   position,   there   would   be   no   distinction   between   a  purchase  by  EOU from a DTA unit or from an EOU unit,  since   in   either   case,   the   Central   Sales   Tax   would   be  leviable. It was contended that in any case,   demand was  raised   after   long   delay     and   the   same   would   not   be  permissible.  Counsel  relied  on  certain  decisions  to  which  we would make a reference at an appropriate stage.

16. On the other hand, learned counsel Shri Raval for the  Page 10 of 18 HC-NIC Page 10 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT department contended that the policy at the relevant time  did   not   envisage   granting   of   CST   reimbursement   on  purchases made from an EOU. Such benefit was expanded  in   the   later   policy.   The   authorities     therefore,   correctly  interpreted   and   demanded   refund   of   the   erroneously  granted reimbursement. 

17. As noted, the Foreign Trade Policy was formulated by  the   Government   of   India   in   exercise   of   powers   under  section 5 of the   Act. Para. 6.11 of the said policy carries  the title "Entitlement  for supplies  from the DTA". Though  this   title   would   prima   facie   suggest   that   para.   6.11  concerns   the   entitlement   of   an   EOU   when   the   goods   are  supplied from a DTA, however, as is well settled, a title to a  statutory provision or for that matter any other document  would   not   necessarily   govern   the   plain   language   used  therein   and   can,   at   best,   be   used   for   guidance.   In   this  context, we may note that clause(a) of para 6.11 provided  inter­alia that supplies from DTA to EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP  units   will   be   regarded   as   "deemed   exports"   and   the   DTA  supplier  would  be eligible  for relevant  entitlements  under  chapter 8 of the Foreign Trade Policy, besides discharge of  export obligation on the supplier.  Clause (b) of para. 6.11  provides   that   suppliers   of   precious   and   semi­precious  stones, synthetic stones and processed pearls from DTA to  EOU   would   be   eligible   for   grant   of   replenishment  authorisations at rates and for specified items.  Thus these  two clauses (a) and (b) specifically dealt with the supplies  made by a DTA to an EOU or other similar units such as  EHTP,STP,   etc.     In   contrast   clause(c)   did   not   use   any  expression that the same would be confined to a sale by a  Page 11 of 18 HC-NIC Page 11 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT DTA   unit.   Clause   (c)   starts   with   the   expression   "In  addition,   EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP   units   shall   be   entitled   to  the   following".     Sub­cause   (i)   of   clause(c)   provides   for  reimbursement   of   Central   Sales   Tax   (CST)   on   goods  manufactured   in   India.   Sub­clause(ii)   provides   for  exemption from payment of Central Excise Duty on goods  procured from DTA on goods manufactured in India.

18. A   minute   scrutiny   of   these   provisions   contained   in  para. 6.11 would reveal that the language used in clauses 

(a),   (b)   and   (c),   in   general,   was   not   made   limited   to   the  supplies from a DTA unit. As noted, clauses(a) and (b) both  confined their application to the supplies made by the DTA  unit.   Clause(c)   itself   contained   two   situations.   In   sub­ clause(i) what was envisaged was reimbursement of CST on  goods   manufactured   in   India.   Sub­clause   (ii)   envisaged  exemption from payment of CST on goods purchased from  DTA   on   goods   manufactured   in   India.   Thus   the   policy  wherever   intended   to   limit   the   benefit   of   an   EOU   on  procurement made from a DTA unit, it was so specifically  provided. When therefore, sub­clause(i) of clause (c) of para  6.11 did not make any such reference to the  procurement  from   a   DTA   unit   but   used   the   expression   "goods  manufactured   in   India",   it   must   be   understood   that   this  clause   would   govern   the   goods   purchased   by   EOU   unit  from   any   unit   as   long   as   the   condition   of   goods   being  manufactured   in   India   is   satisfied.   In   plain   terms,  therefore, the  Foreign Trade Policy 2004­2009 did not limit  the benefit of CST reimbursement to a EOU on purchases  made only from a DTA unit. 





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                C/SCA/16301/2016                                             JUDGMENT




19. If this be the conclusion, the immediate question that  would   arise   is,   could   the   authorities   have   restricted   the  benefit   only   in   case   of   procurement   from   a   DTA   unit  through   the   procedure   laid   down   for   implementation   of  Foreign  Trade  Policy?    We  have  noticed  that  the Director  General  of Foreign  Trade  in terms  of section  6 of the Act  has certain delegated powers which would include powers  to   frame   such   procedures.   Sub­section(3)   of   section   6  however,  excludes  the delegation  of such powers  to those  contained under sections 351516 and 19 of the Act. In  exercise of powers under section 6,  the Director General of  Foreign Trade could not have framed or altered the Foreign  Trade Policy. We may refer to the Division Bench judgment  of   this   Court   in   case   of  Alstom   India   Ltd.   v.   Union   of  India  reported in 2014 (301) E.L.T. 446 (Guj.), in which it  was observed as under :

"28.   We   find   that   the   Respondent   No.2,   namely,   DGFT,  through   Para   8.3.6   of   the   HOP   has   incorporated   by  reference  the  provisions  of  Duty  Drawback  Rules  mutatis   mutandis  to  the  FTP  and  HOP.  We  find  substance  in  the  contention   of   Mr   Ghosh   that   the   HOP   is   nothing   but   an  administrative guideline as would appear from a combined  reading of Para 2.4 of the FTP and Section 6 of the FTDR  Act.   We   have   already   pointed   out   that   Section   3   of   the  FTDR   Act  grants   power   to   the   Respondent  No.1   to   make  provisions   relating   to   imports   and   exports   and   the  Respondent   No.1   under   Section   5   of   the   FTDR   Act   can  formulate and announce the foreign trade policy. It further  appears   from   Section   6(3)   of   the   FTDR   Act   that   of   the  powers   conferred   upon   the   Respondent   No.1   under   the  FTDR Act, except those provided in Sections 3,5,15,16 and  19, all others can be delegated to the Respondent No.2 by  order   published   in   the   Official   Gazette.   We   find   that   the  Page 13 of 18 HC-NIC Page 13 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT Respondent   No.2   through   Para   8.3.6   of   the   HOP   has  sought   to   incorporate   the   provisions   of   Duty   Drawback  Rules   to   deemed   exports  mutatis   mutandis  which   is   not  permissible   in   view   of   the   fact   that   no   power   has   been  granted to the DGFT under the FTDR Act to legislate either  directly or by way of incorporation by reference. It is now a  settled   law   that   the   separation   of   power   between   the  legislature and executive forms part of the basic structure  of   the   Constitution   of   India   and   any   attempts   by   the  executives to legislate without appropriate authority under  the law would amount to violation of the basic structure of  the   Constitution   of   India.   The   power   to   legislate   is  incorporated under Article 246 of the Constitution of India  and such power has been conferred on the Parliament and  the  State  Legislature.  Moreover,  the  power  to frame  Duty  Draw Back Rules under the FTDR Act can be legislated by  the Central Government only in exercise of power conferred  under   Section   19   in   the   manner   prescribed   under   the  FTDR   Act   and   the   same   cannot   be   delegated   to   the  Respondent no. 2 as expressly prohibited by Section 6(3) of  the above Act. 
"29. We, thus, find that any attempt by the executives to  legislate without the authority of law should be branded as  a colourable device and therefore, the same is in violation  of Article 246 of the Constitution of India. If we accept the  contention   of   Mr   Raval   that   the   Respondent   No.2   is  authorized   to   incorporate   the   duty   drawback   Rules   by  reference, it would amount to acceptance of the proposition  that the Respondent No.2 is authorized to deal with under  the FTDR Act, the similar matters relating to duty and tax  refunds as provided under Section 75 of the Customs Act,  Section 37 of the Central Excise Act and Section 93A read  with   Section   94   of   the   Finance   Act,   1994   although   not  authorized under the FTDR Act. We are in agreement with  Mr Ghosh, the learned advocate for the petitioner, that the  conferment of such power to the Respondent No.2 to adopt  Page 14 of 18 HC-NIC Page 14 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT the   duty   drawback   rules   without   any   power   to   legislate  either  expressly  or otherwise  would amount  to permitting  the   levy   or   collection   of   tax   without   authority   of   law   in  violation of Article 265 of the Constitution of India." 

20. Our   attention   was   also   drawn   to   the   decision   of  learned   Single   Judge   of   Madras   High   Court   in   case   of  Hospira   Health   Care   India   Pvt.   Ltd   v.   Development  Commissioner,   MEPZ   Special   Economic   Zone   &   Heous  and ors.  reported  in (2016)  4 MLJ  179,  in which  similar  issue had come up for consideration and it was held that  the demand for refund of the reimbursement benefits were  in conflict with para. 6.11 of the Foreign Trade Policy. 

21.  Even otherwise, the Hand Book of Procedures and in  particular Appendix­14­I­I contained therein nowhere aims  to lay down any policy but prescribes the procedure to be  followed for reimbursement of CST. It is undoubtedly true  that   para.2   of   this   Appendix   restricts   the   CST  reimbursement on purchases made by an EOU from a DTA  unit.   However,   this   restriction   in   our   opinion   would   run  counter   to   the   terms   of   FTP   itself   and   ultra   vires   the  powers of the Director General of Foreign Trade. The title of  the   Appendix   itself   provides   that   it   is   a   procedure   to   be  followed   for   reimbursement   of   Central   Sales   Tax.   Para.1  further   clarifies   that   the   procedure   given   in   the   said  annexure   shall   be   applicable   for   reimbursement   of   CST.  There is little doubt therefore, that Appendix 14­I­I aimed  to lay down the procedure for claiming the benefit. In any  case, such procedure could not have restricted the benefit  by   excluding   the   purchases   from   certain   source   which  exclusion did not flow from the Foreign Trade policy itself. 



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                C/SCA/16301/2016                                             JUDGMENT




22. Perhaps a contention could have been raised by the  respondents that the Foreign Trade Policy itself envisaged  such   a   restriction     since   only   when   the   goods   are  manufactured  in a DTA area, it may be stated that same  are   manufactured   in   India   and   by   a  deeming   fiction   any  manufacturing activity taking place in an EOU should be  excluded   from   such   expression.   The   respondents   would  draw   our   attention   to   sub­section(1)   of   section   3   of   the  Central Excise Act, 1944, which besides others, envisages  levy of excise duty on manufacture by a hundred per cent  export   unit   undertaking   which   goods   are   brought   to   any  other   place   in   India.   In   other   words,   on   the   goods  manufactured   in   an   EOU,   excise   duty   would   be   leviable,  only  when  such  goods   are  brought  to  any  other  place  in  India.       We   would   have   certainly   considered   this   angle  further,   but   for   the   fact   that   in   the   later   year,   the  Government   of   India   itself   has   recognised   the   benefit   of  CST  reimbursement  on   the   purchases  made   by   the  EOU  from   another   EOU.   It   was   for   this   purpose   that   we   had  referred to and noted relevant portion of the Foreign Trade  Policy 2015­2020 and the procedure for claiming the CST  reimbursement.  We may recall that insofar as base policy  is   concerned   for   grant   of   such   CST   reimbursement,   no  change has been brought about in the Foreign Trade Policy  2015­2020 as compared to the Foreign Trade Policy 2004­ 2009.   Despite   this,   base   policy   being   the   same,   the  procedure for claiming reimbursement of CST on supplies  made to EOU under the current policy now envisages such  reimbursement on any sales made to a EOU not only from  DTA but also from EOU, SEZ, etc.   Page 16 of 18 HC-NIC Page 16 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT

23. Once again the contention of the Union of India was  that   the   policy   itself   does   not   envisage   grant   of   such  reimbursement on procurement from an EOU, the question  would   immediately   arise   is   whether   such   benefits   could  have   been   recognized   through   a   procedure   framed   for  claiming   such  a  benefit?  This  further  development   would  effectively   prevent   the   respondents   from   contending   that  the   original   Foreign   Trade   Policy   2004­2009   did   not  envisage   CST   reimbursement   by   an   EOU   upon  procurement of goods manufactured in another EOU. 

24. There is yet another angle why we would not permit  the   respondents   to   make   recoveries.   As   noted,   the   claim  pertained   to   period   between   2006   and   2008.   They   were  made at the relevant time and granted by the respondents  without any dispute. Such reimbursements are now sought  to   be   recovered   for   which   show   cause   notice   came   to   be  issued on 10.7.2015. It is not the case of the respondents  that   the   petitioner   was   responsible   for   any  misrepresentation or misstatement of facts which resulted  into   such   erroneous   reimbursement   being   granted   and  which came to the notice later on. That being the position,  it was not possible for the respondents to make recoveries  after unduly long period of time which in the present case  happens   to   be   more   than   seven   years,   that   too,   without  any explanation for such delayed action.

25. In the  result,  the petition  is allowed.  The impugned  order­in­original  dated  22.8.2016  is set aside.  We further  hold   that   the   circular   of   Government   of   India   dated  Page 17 of 18 HC-NIC Page 17 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017 C/SCA/16301/2016 JUDGMENT 11.4.2014 does not lay down the correct legal position and  same is also quashed. In view of this declaration, it is not  necessary   to   independently   strike   down   the   prevalent  procedure for claiming the reimbursement of  CST. Petition  is disposed of. 

(AKIL KURESHI, J.) (BIREN VAISHNAV, J.) raghu Page 18 of 18 HC-NIC Page 18 of 18 Created On Sun Jul 23 15:33:19 IST 2017