Eligibility criteria in an exemption notification required to be construed strictly- SC

Brief Facts The appellant entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with M/s Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Limited for the purpose of construction of roads in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Joint Venture  was  awarded  a  contract  by  the  National Highways Authority of India for construction of roads as a  part  of  the  Golden Quadrilateral, Phase-2 Project in Andhra Pradesh. Vide a notification dated 1.3.2001, in exercise of  powers under Section 25(1) of  the  Customs  Act,  certain  items  were  exempted from  payment  of  customs  duty  and  additional  duty ...