Source: http://www.lawyerservices.in/ITC-Ltd-Versus-Commissioner-of-Central-Excise-Bangalore-III-2017-09-27
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 02:15:37+00:00

Document:
For Petitioner: Ravinder Narain, Ajay Aggarwal and Mallika Joshi, Advocates And For Respondents: Pawan Kumar Singh, (Supdt.) A.R.
1. The issue in this appeal is whether parts of cigarette packets namely slides/slits (inner frame) are excisable goods within the meaning of CETA 1985. This is the second round of litigation. Earlier this matter, had reached before Hon'ble Supreme Court and vide order dated 26/11/2002, in I.T.C. Ltd. v. CCE 2002 taxmann.com 356, wherein disposing of the two Civil Appeals with respect to the Saharanpur and Mumbai units of the appellant, the Apex Court observed that the question of marketability of slides and slits was not taken in reply to the Show Cause Notice, yet, having regard to the fact that the question was raised in the synopsis of submissions before the Appellate Authority, but was not dealt with specifically by it, further it was urged before the Tribunal and no objection was taken as to maintainability of the contention on the ground that it was not raised before the Original Authority, we do not consider it appropriate to reject the appeal on this ground. The Apex Court was further of the view that the interest of justice would be met if the Orders under appeals, confirming the orders of Collector appeals which do not specifically record the material finding are set aside and cases are remanded to any of the Appellate Authorities for disposal of the cases a fresh after giving an opportunity to both the parties to lead evidence. Accordingly, the Apex Court remanded the matter to the Commissioner (Appeals), Meerut-I Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, on the same facts and circumstances the appeal of the appellant before the Apex Court regarding its Bangalore unit being Civil Appeal Nos. 7515-7517 of 2004 was also disposed of in same terms, vide order dated 8-2-2006 remanding the matter to the Learned Commissioner (Appeals), Meerut-I.
'cut out' is not a commercial commodity and is not bought and sold in the market. As described herein, it has different specifications and markings for each brand of cigarettes. The 'cut out' for one brand of cigarettes cannot be used for another brand of cigarettes.
For 'cut outs' for each brand of cigarettes, in the first instance, a suitable paper board is procured which is duty paid. The paper board required for packing different cigarettes is of different specifications. The difference in specification may be on account of (a) thickness, which varies from 205 to 250 gsm (grams per sq. mtr). (b) Nature of the Board i.e. foil, metalized, coated, folding box Board, etc;. (c) colour, which may be white, yellow, gold etc.
(i) Brand name like "Capstan Standard"
(ii) MRP like "Rs. 4.00 incl. of all taxes"
(iii) Name and address of the manufacturer like "Mfd. By I.T.C. LTD., 37, Chowrenghee Calcutta 71".
(iv) Name of the factory like "I.T.C. LTD. Saharanpur."
(v) Licence No. like "R-1/7/92"
(vi) Date of packing like "pkd. 05/02"
(vii) Slogan relating to each brand like "Capstan flavor. Nothing less"
'Cut out' for 'Hinge Lid' Type of Packets.
Cigarettes are also packed in 'hinge lid' type of packets. In order to ensure that such packets, when opened, can be firmly closed again, a paper board 'cut out' is pasted on the inner front side of the packet, so that when the lid of the packet is closed the lid gets stuck by the said 'Cut Out' and the packet gets firmly closed. In the absence of paper board 'Cut Out', the lid when closed, would not get stuck and would remain half open. This paper board 'Cut Out' is nothing but duty paid paper board cut to specific size and shape. For want of better description, this paper board 'cut out' is also described as a 'slit' or 'inner frame'.
For different brands of Cigarettes, the size and design of the hinge lid type or packet is different. As such, the 'cut out' required for packets for different brands-is of different size and shape. Keeping in view the specifications of the packet required for each brand of cigarettes, the 'nature of paper board also different in terms of quality, thickness, colour, etc' The paper board of the desired specifications is cut to different size and shape as required for the packet for the particular brand of cigarettes. 'Hinge lid' type of packets are prepared on highly sophisticated, automatic imported machines which are capable of packing cigarettes at a very high speed. Speed is the essence of an economical and commercially viable process of packing cigarettes in 'hinge lid' type of packets. The paper board 'Cut Out' is an in process material and is cut within the automatic process of packing on such machine itself. The process for packing cigarettes in the 'hinge lid' type of packets is given hereinafter.
For the purpose of packing cigarettes in 'hinge lid' type of packets, such packets are first obtained in a flat form which are pre printed and cut to the desired size, shape and design. These are also referred to as 'Hinge lid blanks' (HL blanks). The brand and trade name, licence No., name and address of the factory, MRP and other details, as required by law and in particular the declarations required to be made under Rule 93 of the Central Excise Rules, 1944 and the Package Commodity Rules, 1977, framed under the Standard of Weights & Measures Act, 1976 are already printed on the 'HL blanks'. These printed 'HL blanks' are stacked on a conveyor belt or hopper depending on the type of machine used and are fed into the machine in a flat form. These 'HL blanks' travel on one route within the said machine and at different stages, the requisite folding and gluing is done on the inner sides of the folded 'HL Blanks'.
On another stream within the same machine, preparation of the 'cut outs' for HL type of packets is carried out. These 'cut outs' are the subject matter of dispute in the present appeals. In this stream, duty paid paper board is used, which is pre-cut into 'Slit Rolls' of the desired width. The width is as per the requirement for a lunge lid' packet for a particular brand of Cigarettes. These 'Slit Rolls' are fed in the same machine. A 'cutter' which is specially designed to cut the aforesaid paper board into 'cut out' of the desired shape and specifications is installed in the machine as a component part thereof. The paper board fed into the machine is cut within the same machine by this automatic cutter at extremely high speed so as to provide the requisite number of "cut outs" for 'hinge lid' packet of cigarettes, which are prepared in numbers ranging from 110 to 420 packets per minute.
In yet another stream within the same machine, cigarettes of a particular brand, which have been separately made, are fed in bulk into a hopper. The desired quantity of cigarettes i.e. 10 or 20 are placed automatically on top of a flat aluminium foil within this stream of the same machine. The aluminium foil is then automatically folded, to fully cover the cigarettes from all sides so as to form a bundle containing cigarettes.
The bundle of cigarettes in aluminium foil comes from one stream of the same machine. The paper board 'Cut Out' comes from the other stream of the same machine, which is put on top of the aluminium bundle containing cigarettes. From another stream of the same machine, the printed 'HL Blanks' in flat form comes, on which glue has been put at specified places on the inner portion including the sides of the 'HL Blank'. The bundle of aluminium foil containing cigarettes and the paper board 'cut out' sitting on it, is then automatically placed, in continuity in the same machine, on top of the printed 'HL Blanks', which are in flat form, on which glue has already been put, as stated above. Thereafter, in a continuous process within the same machine, the printed 'HL Blank' in flat form, is automatically folded from the sides as well as from the top. In this manner, the printed 'HL Blank' is converted into a 'hinge lid' packet containing cigarettes with the 'cut out' pasted on the inner front side of the packet.
The aforesaid cigarette packing machines which are used for packing cigarettes in hinge lid type of packets are extremely fast and pack at the rate of about 110 to 420 packets per minute. In this manner on an average, (keeping into consideration packets of 10s and 20s), about 3,000 cigarettes are packed per minute. On the slowest machine, 110 packets per minute i.e. about 1.8 packets per second are prepared and on the fastest machine 420 packets per minute i.e. about 7 packets per second are prepared. These are the only machines available for packing cigarettes in hinge lid type of packets which are all imported. It is impossible to conceive that at any stage of this process of packing on such high speed automatic machines, 'Cut Outs' of paper board can be taken out from this automatic machine or that such 'cut outs' can be fed into the said packing machine. Such paper board 'Cut Outs' are not a marketable commodity and are not known to the market. The cutting of paper board has to be necessarily done within the said packing machine as an in process material in a continuous process, which culminates in a 'hinge lid' packet of Cigarettes. These are cut within the machine by a 'cutter' which is specially designed to cut the desired size and shape of the 'cut out', and such specialty designed 'cutter' is a component part of the said automatic packing machine.
Keeping in view the aforesaid process of packing hinge lid type of packets, it is not conceivable and indeed it is impossible to even suggest that such paper board 'cut out's 'which cannot be taken out of the machine, can be considered as a commodity which can ordinarily be taken to the market for buying or selling.
There is no manufacturer of cigarettes or any other producer in India who has any equipment to separately produce such paper board 'cut out's' to be supplied to any other manufacturer of cigarettes for packing them in 'hinge lid' type of packets. It is also not possible to do so. There is no possibility of any cigarette manufacturer using any such paper board 'Cut Out' from any outside source. Keeping in view the high speed automatic process of packing of 'hinge lid' type of cigarettes and the special sophisticated, automatic and high speed machines required to prepare the same, buying and selling of such paper board 'Cut Out' is not at all conceivable. Trading of such 'cut outs' is not done in the cigarette industry. The preparation of paper board 'Cut Out' at an intermediary stage within the automatic machine involves only cutting of paper boards to the desired size and shape and nothing more. Mere cutting of paper board to a particular size and shape cannot amount to 'manufacture'. No new commercial commodity known to the market comes into existence. Such 'cut outs' are also not capable of being marketed and cannot be described as a marketable commodity. They are not generally bought and sold in the market and does not ordinarily come to the market for buying and selling. It is not a product which can be sold to the 'consumer'. There is no possibility at present, keeping in view of the aforesaid automatic machines available for making 'hinge lid' type of packets to even consider the supply of such paper board 'Cut Out' by one person to another.
A different size and shape of paper board 'Cut Out' is required for each brand or Cigarettes packets of the 'hinge lid' type. Such paper board 'Cut Out' is not a 'standard' item. Such paper board 'Cut Out' is not available in the market and is not a product which is ordinarily brought to the market for sale and purchase. It is not a 'standard' item or goods known and generally dealt with in the market. It is not a product having a commercial name. They are cut to size and shape for a particular brand of cigarette having a 'hinge lid' type of packet of a specification of size and design to suit the requirement thereof. The preparation of these paper board 'Cut Outs' within the machine in a continuous and uninterrupted process. cannot be described as an independent process of 'manufacture' and such cutting of paper board, does not bring into existence a new, distinct and different commercial commodity known to the market, so as to attract duty of excise. The 'twin tests' for excisability of 'marketability' and 'manufacture' is not satisfied in respect of such paper board 'Cut Out'.
I say that the aforesaid paper board 'cut out' for both type of packets, i.e., 'Shell type' as well as 'hinge lid' type, cannot be described as a marketable commodity and the preparation thereof, in the manner aforesaid, cannot be described as a manufacturing process. As such no duty of excise is leviable thereon."
3. The appellants also appeared for personal hearing and also led evidence in support of the contentions. They also made available Mr. Aniruddha Sengupta who had sworn the affidavit for the purpose of cross-examination/explanations if required. The Learned Commissioner (Appeals), has been pleased to hold that the slides/slits are marketable and hence excisable observing that the contentions of the appellant that slides/slits (inner frame) are not manufactured products since no different or new commercial commodity comes into existence and that the same are used in a continuous process within the factory premises itself is not tenable in view of the ruling of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in Zupiter Printery v. Union of India : 1991 taxmann.com 154, where it has been observed that it is a common practice for the manufacturers of cigarettes to acquire cigarette packets and parts thereof from parties who are engaged mainly in the manufacture of cigarette packets and their parts. In the case of the M/s. Zupiter Printing the party was manufacturing only outer shells of cigarette packets for the cigarette manufacturer. Thus, the marketability of cigarette packets and parts thereof, that is inner frames is established beyond doubt as the same is manufactured by the manufacturers other than the cigarette manufacturer has been found in the case in M/s. Zupiter Printery. The Learned Commissioner has also made reference to the Larger Bench ruling of this Tribunal in CCE v. G.T.C. Industries : 2005 (184) ELT 29 (CESTAT - Mum.) with reference to aluminium foil, in which cigarettes are packed is cut to shape and size and embossed with the word 'Pull'- it was held that the product is a result of an integrated and continuous process and cannot be assessed separately, particularly in view of the fact that cigarette is assessed in packed condition. The Learned Commissioner also referring to the ruling in the case of Albert David Ltd. v. CCE 2004 (60) RLT 412 observed that poly pouches which emerged in the continuous uninterrupted integrated process of filling of milk in them are not capable of being sold to the consumers in the market as they do not come into existence independent of filled pouch. Further, taking notice of the contention of the appellant with respect to the slides/slits (inner frames) which are prepared within the automatic machine and used within the continuous uninterrupted integrated process, the same principle should be applied. The Learned Commissioner (Appeals) observed that the contention is not tenable in view of the ruling in Zupiter Printery (supra). It was further observed that the test of marketability is established. The articles of cigarette packets i.e. slides/slits (inner frames) is marketable beyond doubt in the light of above case law as well as the ruling in M/s. Zupiter Printing (supra).
4. Being aggrieved the appellant assessee is before this Tribunal challenging the finding of the Learned Commissioner on the ground that the slides/slits (inner frame) are not marketable, whereas the Revenue is in cross objections in support of the order of the Learned Commissioner (Appeals).
5. The Learned counsel for the appellant in support of the contentions have taken us through the ruling of the Apex Court in the case of Union of India v. Sonic Electrochem(P.) Ltd : 2002 taxmann.com 607, wherein the question before the Court was - whether plastic body, a part of Electro Mosquito Repellent (EMR) and fragrant mat are chargeable to excise duty under clause 5(f) of Notification No. 160/86 - C.E. and sub-heading 3307.49 respectively of CETA 1985. It was the argument of the assessee that plastic bodies were manufactured to suit the design requirements of the assessee - EMR. The plastic body is not a standardised item or goods known and generally dealt with in the market and as such the High Court has rightly found that it is not marketable. Further Court continued to hold that the plastic body, which is a part of the EMR is exempt under clause 5(d) of Notification No. 160/1986 - CE, wherein the contention of Revenue was that under clause 5(f) of the Notification, plastic body - a part of EMR is liable to excise duty. The Apex Court observed that for an item to be dutiable, there are twin requirements under the Tariff Act. Being (a) manufacture and (b) marketability. There is no dispute as regards the manufacture, that the plastic bodies are manufactured by the assessee, but the germane question is whether it has marketability. The plastic body is being manufactured to suit the requirements of the EMR of the respondents and is not available in the market for being bought and sold. It is not a standardised item or goods known and generally dealt with in the market. It has beer; manufactured by the respondent assessee for its captive consumption. It is not a product known in the market with any commercial name. Further observed that the plastic body of EMR does not satisfy the criteria of marketability, taking notice of the fact that different manufacturer of the same product have a. different plastic body to suit its design and requirement. If one goes to the market to purchase plastic body of EMR of a particular manufacturer either for replacement or otherwise one cannot get it in the market because it is not a commercially known product.
6. Reliance is also placed on the ruling of the Apex Court in the case of Board of Trustees v. Collector of Central Excise 2007 taxmann.com 611, wherein the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, a statutory body under the major Port Trust Act used 'Cement, Concrete Armour Units' (CCAU) for the installation of break waters in the outer harbour for the purpose of keeping the water calm and tranquil, whether the said CCAU constitute excisable goods. The Hon'ble Court observed that these CCAU units weight is about 50 metric tones each. They are like Tripods which usher the water calm and tranquil. In order to constitute "goods" twin tests have to be satisfied namely, process constituting manufacture and secondly marketability. In the facts of the case the second test of marketability is in issue. It is well settled that goods are manufactured with the object being sold in the market. If the goods are not capable of being sold then the test of marketability is not fulfilled. Further, the burden is on the Department to prove whether there is the process which constitutes manufacture and secondly, whether the product is marketable. The Hon'ble Court further observed that the CCAU are essentially in prismoid form. These blocks or units are made to order. They are of certain specifications and are harbour or location specific. It would depend on the water level required to be maintained in the harbour. There is no evidence to show that these blocks could be used in any other harbour. Accordingly, it was held that the goods - CCAU fail the test of marketability and hence not excisable to excise duty. The Learned counsel also relies on the ruling in the case of Gujarat Nermada Valley Fertiliser Co. Ltd. v. Collector of Excise & Customs : 2005 (184) ELT 128 (SC), wherein also relying on the ruling in the case of Sonic Electrochem (P) Ltd. (supra), it was held that the marketability onus lies on Revenue to prove marketability. Marketability cannot be established on basis of mere stability. Sufficient proof that the product is commercially known is necessary. Unless a product is capable of being marketed and is known to those who are in the market as having an identity as a distinct identifiable commodity, then the article is subject to excise duty. The fact that an article falls within the schedule by itself does not make it marketable. Actual sale is not necessary, but articles must be capable of being sold in market or known in market as goods.
8. The Learned counsel also relied on the ruling in the case of Zupiter Printer; (supra), wherein the issue before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court was whether outer shells of cigarette packet are neither boxes nor containers, being open at both ends and these are not goods, known to the market, hence not excisable under Tariff Item 17(4). M/s. Zupiter Printing filed writ petition before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court challenging the order on the ground inter alia that the Board has no authority under the law to give direction to a quasi judicial authority like the Assistant Commissioner, who was seized of the matter on the judicial side nor can outer shells of the cigarette packet which are open from both sides be classified as box or container. The fact in the said case was that M/s. Zupiter Printing was manufacturing outer shells of printed sheets supplied to it by Godfrey Philip India Ltd. a manufacturer of cigarettes on job work basis. M/s. Zupiter Printing was only charging conversion charges that is converting the printed sheets into outer shells. The outer shells prior to the introduction of the Finance Bill, 1982, were cleared under Tariff Item No. 68, which is a residuary entry. But pursuant to Finance Bill, 1982, the Superintendent instructed M/s. Zupiter Printing to classify the outer shell under Tariff Entry No. 17(4) and further to obtain licence and apply for re-classification. This direction of the Superintendent was objected to the petitioner (M/s Zupiter Printing). The Hon'ble High Court considered the issue on merits and observed that a cigarette packet, according to the petitioner, consists of two component parts, one component part is described as outer shell, the other a slide which is inserted in the shell to complete the packet. The said packet becomes complete only when slide is inserted into the outer shell. The outer shell cannot be itself hold or contain the cigarettes. It is only when the slide which contains the cigarettes is inserted in the shell, it becomes a cigarette packet. The High Court further observed that the question for consideration, whether the outer shell manufactured by M/s. Zupiter Printing which has no lid and open from both sides can hold and keep cigarettes. The answer would be in the negative. This is neither an encasement nor a receptacle which can hold the thing in itself. Even if we do not give much importance to the dictionary meaning of the word "box" still the correct guide in such a case is the context and the trade meaning. It was further observed that the definition of goods makes it clear that to become goods an article must be something which can ordinarily come to the market to be sold and bought. But at the shell stage, it can neither be bought nor sold in the market. Accordingly, it was held that the shells of cigarette packet-manufactured by M/s. Zupiter Printing can neither be bought nor sold in the market. Accordingly it held that the shells of cigarette packets manufactured by M/s. Zupiter Printing are not excisable under Entry 17(4) of the first schedule. as introduced by Finance Act, 1982. The Learned counsel have also relied on the ruling in the case of CCE v. Aamaratara Industries 1988 taxmann.com 165 (CEGAT - New Delhi) (SB), wherein this Tribunal - (Larger Bench) considered the evidentiary value of affidavits and opinion of experts and trade as to nature and marketability of goods. It was held that the same cannot be summarily rejected without any material or cross-examination and just on opinion. Relying on the observations of the Apex Court in Mehta Parikh & Co. v. CIT : AIR 1956 SC 554 - clearly suggest that when affidavits are filed before an officer, normally speaking, if he so desires to challenge the correctness of the averments made in these affidavits, he should call the deponent for being cross-examine or test the correctness of the averments by any other means open to him and it would not be proper for the officer to arbitrarily reject the affidavits as incorrect. Further observed that the method followed by the Assistant Collector in dealing with the experts affidavit and trade opinion is clearly contrary to the observations of the Apex Court.
9. The Learned counsel also referred to the ruling in Asia Tobacco Co. Ltd. (supra) wherein the Hon'ble Madras High Court held that it is clear from Notification No. 66/1982 - C.E. that the intention was to exempt all containers and boxes falling under Tariff Item No. 17(4) relating to paper and paperboard and articles thereof except printed cartons and printed boxes. Further held that carton box could not be in any way used to describe a packet of cigarettes. It was also observed that it is settled law that for the purpose of classification of the goods for levy of excise, the description of the articles is to be determined in accordance with the understanding prevalent in the trade. The cigarette packet is only known as packet in the trade parlance and not as box. Thus, the cigarette packet can only be a container, or an article made of paper and would be wholly exempt from duty under the said Notification and not fall within the exception relating to printed cartons and printed boxes. It was further observed that it is not in dispute at the stage of assembly. It is not only the packet which is assembled, but a packet of cigarettes containing cigarettes therein. Thus, if this assembly is to be treated as manufacture, the manufacturer is not of a packet but of a cigarette packet containing cigarettes. Thus, a cigarette packet cannot be subjected to duty twice over. Even otherwise, it is submitted that the outer shells and inner slides cannot be subjected to any separate assessment. Whatever it may be, there is absolutely nothing to show that the outer shells are to be called box. Thus, as packets are not liable to excise duty. Accordingly, it was held against the Revenue that shells are not dutiable. The Learned counsel also relied on the ruling of the Apex Court in the case of CIT v. Brij Lal Lohia and Mahabir Prasad Khemka :  84 ITR 273, wherein it was held that there is no res judicata in tax matters and under similar facts and circumstances for a subsequent period, wherein an assessee brings additional material on record and the courts below. It could the Tribunal held in favour of the assessee the same was upheld by the Apex Court.
10. Accordingly, the Learned counsel for the appellants prays for allowing the appeals holding that slides/slits (inner frames) are not taxable/dutiable under the Central Excise Act since they are not marketable and no material is brought by Revenue in support of marketability.
11. The Learned AR for Revenue have relied upon the impugned order.

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