Case Law Details
Rajasthan Syntex Limited Vs Commissioner (CESTAT Delhi)
In the case of Rajasthan Syntex Limited vs. Commissioner (CESTAT Delhi), the issue revolves around whether the appellant is entitled to interest for the intervening period when the rebate claim, which was retained by the Adjudicating Authority illegally, was ultimately sanctioned.
The brief background of the case is as follows:
- In 2001, two show cause notices were issued to the appellant, Rajasthan Syntex Limited, proposing recovery of duty amounts.
- The appellant challenged the said order before the Tribunal, and the Tribunal allowed their appeals in 2003, leading to the appellant taking Cenvat credit in their account.
- The revenue filed an appeal against the Tribunal’s order before the Hon’ble Apex Court, which partially allowed the appeal in 2015. As a result, the appellant reversed the Cenvat credit taken earlier.
- The revenue demanded interest on the reversed Cenvat credit for the intervening period, which the appellant disputed.
- The Adjudicating Authority deducted the interest amount from the appellant’s sanctioned rebate claim on exports, which the appellant protested.
- Finally, the Tribunal allowed the appellant’s appeals in 2020, and the Adjudicating Authority sanctioned the refund claim, but without giving interest for the intervening period.
In the present order, the issue at hand is whether the appellant is entitled to interest for the intervening period during which the Adjudicating Authority illegally retained the rebate claim.
The appellant’s counsel argued that the interest should be paid at 12% based on the orders passed by the Tribunal in various cases, including Elegant Developers vs. CCE, Parle Agro Pvt. Ltd. vs. CCE, K. Cement Works vs. CCe, Fujikawa Power vs. CCe, Riba Textile Ltd. vs. CCe, and CCE vs. M/s Riba Textile Ltd.
On the other hand, the Departmental Representative (DR) argued that since the Adjudicating Authority sanctioned the refund claim within three months of filing it after the dispute was resolved by the Tribunal in 2021, there is no requirement to pay interest.
The Tribunal considered the matter and observed that the interest amount was deducted by the Adjudicating Authority from the rebate claim even when the appellant had protested. The issue of interest on delayed refund claims has been addressed by the Tribunal and various courts in the past. The Tribunal referred to a few cases, including Riba Textile Ltd., M/s Fujikawa Power vs. CCE, and Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd., where interest was allowed to the appellants on delayed refund claims.
The Tribunal held that the appellant is entitled to claim interest on the delayed refund from the date of deposit until its realization. Therefore, the appellant is entitled to interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date of sanctioning of the rebate claims (4.02.2016 and 12.03.2016) until the date of actual realization (31.03.2021 and 10.06.2021, respectively).
The Adjudicating Authority has been directed to comply with the order and make the payment of interest to the appellant within 30 days from the receipt of the order.
In conclusion, the appellant, Rajasthan Syntex Limited, is entitled to interest at the rate of 12% per annum on the delayed refund for the intervening period when the rebate claim was retained by the Adjudicating Authority illegally.
FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT DELHI ORDER
Both appeals are having common issue, therefore both are decided by a common order.
2. The facts of the case are that in 2001, two show cause notices were issued to the appellant proposing recovery of duty amount to Rs. 89,87,700/- & Rs. 37,03,161/-, the demand was confirmed alongwith interest and penalty was also imposed. The appellant challenge the said order before this Tribunal and this Tribunal vide order dated 27.08.2003 allowed their appeals. In pursuant to the order of this Tribunal, the appellant took the Cenvat credit of Rs. 8,01,349/- and Rs. 10,14,569/- in their Cenvat credit account. In January 2004, against the said order of the Tribunal, the respondent filed an appeal before the Hon’ble Apex Court and the Hon’ble Apex Court vide final order dated 24.03.2015 partly allowed the appeal filed by the revenue. Consequent to that, the appellant reversed the Cenvat credit taken on the basis of this Tribunal order dated 27.08.2003. The revenue asked the appellant to pay interest amounting to Rs. 43,96,783/- for the reversal of Cenvat credit for the intervening period, although during the entire period, Cenvat credit taken by the appellant remain unutilized in their Cenvat credit account, so, the appellant denied for reversal of Cenvat credit. Thereafter, vide order dated 04.02.2016 and 12.03.2016, the Assistant Commissioner deducted the above said amount of interest from the appellant’s sanctioned rebate claim on exports. As the said amount of interest was recovered in February & March, 2016 which the appellant protested, thereafter, the appellant contested the said deduction of interest from the rebate claims. Vide order dated 20.02.2020, this Tribunal allowed the appeals filed by the appellant. Consequent to that, the Adjudicating Authority sanctioned the refund claim of the said amount of Rs. 43,96,783/- vide two orders dated 31.03.2021 and 10.06.2021, but did not give interest to the appellant for keeping the said amount of rebate with them. The appellant contested the said claim of interest in appeal before the learned Commissioner (Appeals), who dismiss their appeals. Against the said order, the appellant is before me.
3. The learned Counsel for the appellant submits that as on 04.02.2016 and 12.03.2016, the Adjudicating Authority deducted interest amount of Rs. 43,96,783/- despite protest made by the appellant from the rebate claims on export and later on, as per the order of this Tribunal, the refund claim were sanctioned. Therefore, for the intervening period, the appellant is entitled for interest @ 12% in terms of the order passed by this Tribunal in the following cases:
1. Elegant Developers vs CCE [F.O. No. 50255/2022 dt. 16.03.2022 (SM)].
2. Parle Agro Pvt Ltd. vs CCE [2022 (380) E.L.T. 219 (Tri.-All.)]
3. K. Cement Works vs CCe [F.O. No. A/51052/2021 dt. 15.02.2021(SM)]
4. Fujikawa Power vs CCe [2019-TIOL-3661-CESTAT-CHD]
5. Riba Textile Ltd. vs CCe [2020-TIOL-932-CESTAT-CHD]
6. CCE vs. M/s Riba Textile Ltd. [2022(62) G.S.T.L. 136 (P&H)]
4. On the other hand Learned DR submits that the Adjudicating Authority has sanctioned the refund claim after the dispute ends by order of this Tribunal in 2021 within three months of filing the refund claim therefore, question of paying interest does not arise.
5. Heard the parties considered submissions.
6. I find that in this case, it is not disputed that in 2016, the interest of for the intervening period, in terms of the decision of the Hon’ble Apex Court passed in 2015 was deducted from the rebate claim sanctioned for export by the Adjudicating Authority which the appellant protested despite that the amount of rebate claim was reduced by deducting the interest amount.
7. Therefore, the question arises whether the rebate claim which was retained by the Adjudicating Authority illegally, in that circumstances, whether the appellant is entitled for interest for the intervening period or not?
8. The said issue has come up before this Tribunal in several cases. In the case of Riba Textile Ltd (supra) where this Tribunal observed as under:
“6. On going through the decision cited by learned A.R. in the case of M/s Juhu Beach Resort Ltd (supra), I find that in the said case, the decision of Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Sandvik Asia Ltd vs. CIT, Pune – 2007 (8) STR 193 (SC) and the decision of Hon’ble High Court of Madras in the case of CCE, Chennai-II vs. UCAL Fuel Systems Ltd – 2014 (306) ELT 26 (Mad.) have not been considered. Therefore, the said decision cannot be relied upon. As in the case of M/s Marshall Foundry & Engg. Pvt. Ltd. (supra), this Tribunal has examined all said decisions and thereafter observed as under:
8. The said issue has been examined by this Tribunal in the case of Tribunal in the case M/s. Fujikawa Power and other vs. CCE, Chandigarh-I vide Final Order No. 61041-61042/2019 dt.26.11.2019 wherein this Tribunal has observed as under:-
14. I have gone through the decision in the case of Sandvik Asia Limited (supra), wherein the section 243 dealt with situation of interest on delayed refund.
15. For better appreciation, section 243 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 reproduced as under:-
“243. Interest on delayed refunds- (1) if the Income tax officer does not grant refund-
(a) In any case where the total income of the assessee does not consist solely of income from interest on securities or dividend, within three months from the end of the month in which the total income is determined under this Act, and
(b) In any other case, within three months from the end of the month in which the claim for refund is made under this Chapter, the Central Government shall pay the assessee simple interest at (twelve) per cent per annum on the amount directed to be refunded from the date immediately following the expiry of the period of three months aforesaid to the date of the order granting the refund.
Explanation: If the delay in granting the refund within the period of three months aforesaid is attributable to the assessee, whether wholly or in part, the period of the delay attributable to him shall be excluded from the period for which interest is payable.”
16. Section 35FF of the Central Excise Act, 1944 deals with the situation in hand, the same is extracted below:-
“Section 35FF. Interest on delayed refund of amount deposited under the proviso to Section 35F- Where an amount deposited by the appellant in pursuance of an order passed by the Commissioner (Appeals) or the Appellate Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as the appellate authority) under the first proviso to section 35F, is required to be refunded consequent upon the order of the appellate authority and such amount is not refunded within three months from the date of communication of such order to the adjudicating authority, unless the operation of the order of the appellate authority is stayed by a superior court or tribunal, there shall be paid to the appellant interest at the rate specified in section 11BB after the expiry of three months from the date of communication of the order of the appellate authority, till the date of refund of such amount.”
17. On-going through the provisions of both Income Tax Act, 1961 and Central Excise Act, 1944, the interest on delayed refund is payable after expiry of 3 months from the date of granting refund or from the date of communication of order of the appellate authority, which are parimateria.Therefore, the decision of Hon‟ble Apex Court in the case of Sandvik Asia Ltd. (supra) is law of land, in terms of Article 14 of the Constitution of India which is to be followed by me, wherein the Hon‟ble Apex has observed as under:-
“45. The facts and the law referred to in paragraph (supra) would clearly go to show that the appellant was undisputably entitled to interest under Sections 214 and 244 of the Act as held by the various High Courts and also of this Court. In the instant case, the appellant’s money had been unjustifiably withheld by the Department for 17 years without any rhyme or reason. The interest was paid only at the instance and the intervention of this Court in Civil Appeal No. 1887 of 1992 dated 30.04.1997. Interest on delayed payment of refund was not paid to the appellant on 27.03.1981 and 30.04.1986 due to the erroneous view that had been taken by the officials of the respondents. Interest on refund was granted to the appellant after a substantial lapse of time and hence it should be entitled to compensation for this period of delay. The High Court has failed to appreciate that while charging interest from the assesses, the Department first adjusts the amount paid towards interest so that the principle amount of tax payable remain outstanding and they are entitled to charge interest till the entire outstanding is paid. But when it comes to granting of interest on refund of taxes, the refunds are first adjusted towards the taxes and then the balance towards interest. Hence as per the stand that the Department takes they are liable to pay interest only upto the date of refund of tax while they take the benefit of assesses funds by delaying the payment of interest on refunds without incurring any further liability to pay interest. This stand taken by the respondents is discriminatory in nature and thereby causing great prejudice to the lakhs and lakhs of assesses. Very large number of assesses are adversely affected inasmuch as the Income Tax Department can now simply refuse to pay to the assesses amounts of interest lawfully and admittedly due to that as has happened in the instant case. It is a case of the appellant as set out above in the instant case for the assessment year 1978-79, it has been deprived of an amount of Rs.40 lakhs for no fault of its own and exclusively because of the admittedly unlawful actions of the Income Tax Department for periods ranging up to 17 years without any compensation whatsoever from the Department. Such actions and consequences, in our opinion, seriously affected the administration of justice and the rule of law.
COMPENSATION:
46. The word ’Compensation’ has been defined in P. RamanathaAiyar’s Advanced Law Lexicon 3rd Edition 2005 page 918 as follows:
“An act which a Court orders to be done, or money which a Court orders to be paid, by a person whose acts or omissions have caused loss or injury to another in order that thereby the person damnified may receive equal value for his loss, or be made whole in respect of his injury; the consideration or price of a privilege purchased; some thing given or obtained as an equivalent; the rendering of an equivalent in value or amount; an equivalent given for property taken or for an injury done to another; the giving back an equivalent in either money which is but the measure of value, or in actual value otherwise conferred; a recompense in value; a recompense given for a thing received recompense for the whole injury suffered; remuneration or satisfaction for injury or damage of every description; remuneration for loss of time, necessary expenditures, and for permanent disability if such be the result; remuneration for the injury directly and proximately caused by a breach of contract or duty; remuneration or wages given to an employee or officer.”
47. There cannot be any doubt that the award of interest on the refunded amount is as per the statute provisions of law as it then stood and on the peculiar facts and circumstances of each case. When a specific provision has been made under the statute, such provision has to govern the field. Therefore, the Court has to take all relevant factors into consideration while awarding the rate of interest on the compensation.
48. This is the fit and proper case in which action should be initiated against all the officers concerned who were all in charge of this case at the appropriate and relevant point of time and because of whose inaction the appellant was made to suffer both financially and mentally, even though the amount was liable to be refunded in the year 1986 and even prior to. A copy of this judgment will be forwarded to the Hon’ble Minister for Finance for his perusal and further appropriate action against the erring officials on whose lethargic and adamant attitude the Department has to suffer financially.
49. By allowing this appeal, the Income-tax Department would have to pay a huge sum of money by way of compensation at the rate specified in the Act, varying from 12% to 15% which would be on the high side. Though, we hold that the Department is solely responsible for the delayed payment, we feel that the interest of justice would be amply met if we order payment of simple interest @ 9% p.a. from the date it became payable till the date it is actually paid. Even though the appellant is entitled to interes t prior to 31.03.1986, learned counsel for the appellant fairly restricted his claim towards interest from 31.03.1986 to 27.03.1998 on which date a sum of Rs.40,84,906/- was refunded.
50. The assessment years in question in the four appeals are the assessment years 1977-78, 1978-79, 1981-82 and 1982-83. Already the matter was pending for more than two decades. We, therefore, direct the respondents herein to pay the interest on Rs.40,84,906 (rounded ofto Rs.40,84,900) simple interest @ 9% p.a. from 31.03.1986 to 27.03.1998 within one month from today failing which the Department shall pay the penal interest @ 15% p.a. for the above said period.”
18. As the Hon‟ble Apex Court has answered the issue holding that the assessee is entitled to claim interest from the date of payment of initial amount till the date its refund. Therefore, I hold that the appellants are entitled to claim the interest on delayed refund from the date of deposit till its realization.
19. Further, the interest on the refund shall be payable @ 12% per annum as held by Hon‟ble Kerala High Court in the case of Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt.Ltd.-2017 (353) ELT 179 (Ker.) wherein it has held as under:-
“14. Now, the sole question remains to be considered is what is the nature of interest that the petitioner is entitled to get. As discussed above in the judgment Commissioner of Central Excise v. ITC (supra), the Apex Court confined the interest to 12% and further held that any judgment/decision of any High Court taking contrary view, will be no longer good law. The said judgment is rendered, in my considered opinion under similar circumstances. So also in Kuil Fire Works Industries v. Collector of Central of Excise [1997 (95) E.L.T. 3 (S.C.), the pre-deposit made by the assessee was directed to be returned to him with 12% interest. I have also come across the judgment of the Calcutta High Court in Madura Coats Pvt. Ltd. v. Commissioner of C. Ex., Kolkata-IV [2012 (285) E.L.T. 188 (Cal.), wherein the peremptory directions of the Apex Court in the judgment of ITC Ltd. (supra) was considered and ordered 12% interest, and further held that when the High Court directed the respondents to pay interest to the appellant in terms of the circular dated 8-122004 on the pre-deposit of the delayed refund within two months, it has to be construed that, the Court meant the rate of interest which was awarded by the Supreme Court in the case of Commissioner of Central Excise v. ITC Ltd., which was the rate quantified by the Supreme Court in the absence of any statutory provisions in the Act in question. Even though various other judgments of various High Courts and the various Tribunals was brought to my notice awarding 15% interest, in view of the directions contained in the judgment of the Apex Court in Commissioner of Central Excise v. ITC Ltd. (supra) rate of interest is to be confined to 12%. I am also bound to follow the same. Therefore the interest that is liable to be paid by the respondents as per the directions of this Court in Ext. P12 judgment is fixed at 12% per annum.
15. Taking note of the compendious circumstances and reckoning the law, there will be a direction to the respondents to pay interest to the petitioner at 12% from the date of expiry of three months from 18-11- 2002, to the amount of refund already made, within a month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after adjusting any interest paid.”
20. Further, the same view was taken in the case Ghaziabad Ship Breakers Pvt.Ltd.-2010 (260) ELT 274 (Tri.Ahmd.), wherein this Tribunal observed as under:-
“5. I have considered the submissions made by both the sides. I notice that appellants deposited amount in September, October and in November 2004, as per the directions of the department. In September 2004, the Hon‟ble Gujarat High Court had dismissed the SCA filed by the appellants against the order of the Tribunal rejecting the appeal for failure to make the pre-deposit. This SCA was dismissed in September 2004 and SLP was filed in the Hon‟ble Supreme Court in October 2004. In July 2005, the Hon‟ble Supreme Court ordered that if the amount directed to be deposited by the Tribunal is deposited, the appeals before the Tribunal has to be restored and decided on merits. In these circumstances, the amount deposited by the appellant is to be treated as pre-deposit since the matter had not attained finality during the relevant period. Therefore, refund is to be treated as refund of pre-deposit made when the appeal was pending. There is no dispute that the amounts deposited is duty but this is not the issue which has been taken into account while precedent decisions have allowed the interest at 12% on the refunds claimed in respect of pre deposit. I find that in the decisions cited by the learned advocate, interest at 12% has been allowed. Therefore, following the judicial discipline, I consider it appropriate that interest in this case also is to be allowed @ 12%. Accordingly, original adjudicating authority is directed to workout the differential interest amount and make the payment to the appellants.”
21. As the provisions of section 243 Income Tax Act, 1961 and section 35FF of Central Excise Act, 1944, are pari- materia. Therefore, following the decision of Hon‟ble Apex Court in the case of Sandvik Asia Ltd. (supra) and Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt.Ltd. (supra) I hold that the appellants are entitled to claim interest from the date of payment of initial amount till the date its refund @ 12% per annum.”
7. As this Tribunal has examined the issue in details in the case of M/s Marshall Foundry & Engg. Pvt. Ltd. (supra), therefore, I hold that the appellant is entitled to claim the interest on delay refund from the date of deposit till its realization.”
9. The said order has been affirmed by Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, therefore I hold that the appellant is entitled to claim interest i.e. from the date of sanctioning of the rebate claim i.e. 4.02.2016 and 12.03.2016 for Rs. 36,98,880/- and Rs. 6,97,904/-respectively till the date of sanctioning of their rebate claim i.e. 31.03.2021 and 10.06.2021 respectively. It is pertinent to mentioning that the appellant is entitled to interest @ 12% P.A. as held by this Tribunal in the case of Parle Agro Pvt Ltd (supra).
10. The Adjudicating Authority shall comply with this order within 30 days from the receipt thereof.
11. In these terms, the appeals are disposed of.
(order dictated in the open court)
