Important Point
Tribunal is right in accepting the contention of assessee that the value of the motor vehicles for the purposes of the levy of cess has to be calculated in the manner laid down in the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 in the light of Rules 2 and 3 of the Automobile Cess Rules, 1984.

Headnote:The Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951-Section 9(1)-Imposition of cess on goods manufactured by scheduled industries-Notification dated 28.12.83 issued thereunder for imposition of cess on motor vehicles-Interpretation of in the light of Rules 2 and 3 of the Automobile Cess Rules, 1984-Revenue contending that the value of motor vehicle for purposes of cess must be deemed to be wholesale cash price at the place of manufacture without any deduction except trade discount and Excise duty than payable-Assessee submitting that it should be calculated in the manner laid down in the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 r/w Rules 2 and 3 of Automobile Cess Rules-Tribunal accepting contention of assessee-Appeal against-Whether Tribunal is right? (Yes)-Appeal dismissed.
       Held : Section 9(1) of the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 empowers the levy and collection of a cess on goods manufactured or produced in a scheduled industry at such rate as may be specified by the Central Government, different rates being permissible for different goods or different classes of goods. The provision contemplates the exercise by the Central Government of the function of fixing the rate of the cess. The legislature, by the proviso to Section 9(1), has laid down the limits of the Central Government discretion in fixing such rate, namely, that such rate shall not exceed two annas per cent of the value of the goods. It is for this purpose that the Explanation in Section 9(1) defines the expression “value and states that it shall be deemed to be the wholesale cash price for which such goods of the like kind and quality are sold or are capable of being sold for delivery at the place of manufacture and at the time of their removal therefrom without time of their removal therefrom without any abatement or deduction whatever, except trade discount and the amount of duty then payable. The opening words of the Explanation make it clear that it defines the expression “value” thus only for the purposes of Section 9(1). (Para 5)
       The definition of the expression “value” for the specific purpose of Section 9(1) does not, therefore, apply to the valuation of goods to be made for the purposes of computation of the cess under the said notification. In other words, in calculating 1/8 per cent ad valorem, the value of the goods is not to be determined as set out in the Explanation to Section 9(1). For this purpose, what is relevant in Rule 3 of the Automobile Cess Rules, 1984, which states that the provisions of the Central Excises and Salt Act shall apply so far as may be in relation to the levy and collection of the cess. The calculation of 1/8 per cent ad valorem of the motor vehicle for the purposes of the levy and collection of the cess must, therefore, be made as if it was excise duty that was being calculated and applying the provisions of the Central Excises and Salt Act for the purpose. (Para 6)
       Consequently held : Accordingly, the appeals fails and are dismissed, with no order as to costs. (Para 7)

Judgment

S.P. Bharucha, J.-The Revenue assails the correctness of the judgment and order of the Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal. The appeals involve the interpretation of Section 9 of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951, the notification dated 28th December, 1983, issued thereunder and Rules 2 and 3 of the Automobile Cess Rules, 1984. The relevant provisions are reproduced :-

The Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951:

“Section 9.-Imposition of cess on scheduled industries in certain cases. -(1) There may be levied and collected as a cess for the purposes of this Act on all goods manufactured or produced in any such scheduled industry as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government by notified order a duty of excise at such rate as may be specified in the notified order, and different rates may be specified for different goods or different classes of goods:

Provided that no such rate shall in any case exceed two annas per cent of value of the goods.

Explanation : In this sub-section, the expression “value” in relation to any goods shall be deemed to be the wholesale cash price for which such goods of the like kind and quality are sold or are capable of being sold for delivery at the place of manufacture and at the time of their removal therefrom, without any abatement or deduction whatever except trade discount and the amount of duty then payable.

(2) The cess shall be payable at such intervals, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, and any rules made in this behalf may provide for the grant of a rebate for prompt payment of the cess.

(3) The said cess may be recovered in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue.

(4) The Central Government may handover the proceeds of the cess collected under this section in respect of the goods manufactured or produced by any scheduled industry or group of scheduled industries to the Development council established for that industry or group of industries, and where it does so, the Development Council, shall utilise the said proceeds:

(a) to promote scientific and industrial research with reference to the scheduled industry or group of scheduled industries in respect of which the Development Council is established;

(b) to promote improvements in design and quality with reference to the products of such industry or group of industries;

(d) to meet such expenses in the exercise of its functions and its administrative expenses as may be prescribed.”

Notification No. S.O. 932 (E) dated 28.12.1983

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 9 of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 (65 of 1951), the Central Government hereby specifies the classes of goods manufactured or produced in the schedule industry of transportation as mentioned in column (1) of the Table below on which a duty of excise shall be levied and collected as a cess for the purpose of the said Act, with effect from 1st January, 1984 at the rate specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the said Table.

Table

Description of class Rate of duty of goods of excise

(1) (2)

Motor cars, buses, trucks, 1/8 per cent jeep-tyre vehicles, vans, ad valorem scooters, Motor-cycles, mopeds and all other automobiles .

The Automobile Cess Rules, 1984:

“R. 2. Definitions.-In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(c) “Cess” means the cess levied and collected in terms of Notification No. S.O. 932(E), dated 28.12.1983 of Department of Heavy Industry issued under sub-section (1) of Section 9 of the Act:

(f) Words and expression used herein and not defined but defined in the

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1997 Supreme(SC) 836

Important PointTribunal is right in accepting the contention of assessee that the value of the motor vehicles for the purposes of the levy of cess has to be calculated in the manner laid down in the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 in the light of Rules 2 and 3 of the Automobile Cess Rules, 1984.

Important Point
Tribunal is right in accepting the contention of assessee that the value of the motor vehicles for the purposes of the levy of cess has to be calculated in the manner laid down in the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 in the light of Rules 2 and 3 of the Automobile Cess Rules, 1984.