Case Law Details
M/s. Precot Meridian Limited Vs Commissioner of Customs (Madras High Court)
It is held that circulars cannot prevail over the statute. Circulars are issued only to clarify the statutory provision and it cannot alter or prevail over the statutory provision. In that circumstance, it is clear that the explanation of provisions of drawback has nothing to do with the IGST refund.
The assessee-company exports cotton. During the relevant period, the assessee exported cotton through seven shipping bills and paid an amount towards IGST. The assessee claimed to have paid such tax before making export, on account of which, it is liable to receive refund of input tax credit. The assessee wrongly availed higher duty drawback, but later rectified the mistake by repaying the same with interest and then sought refund of the IGST paid. The Revenue relied on Circular No.37/2018 -Customs and rejected the refund claim on grounds that the assessee wrongly claimed higher duty drawback and then suo motu reversed the same without sanction from the Department. Hence having relinquished the right to receive refund of IGST, the assessee was not entitled for it.
The Revenue also claimed that the entire system is computerised and cannot be operated manually – Thereby, once an exporter drew higher duty drawback, the system automatically scrolls out IGST refund. Hence the present petition was filed, seeking that directions be issued to disburse the refund amount.
Decision of the Hon’ble High Court
Considering the findings of the Apex Court in Commissioner of Central Excise, Bolpur v. Ratan Melting and Wire Industries it is clear that Circulars cannot prevail over the statute. Circulars are issued only to clarify the statutory provision and it cannot alter or prevail over the statutory provision. In such circumstances, it is clear that the explanation of provisions of drawback has nothing to do with the IGST refund. Hence, Circular No.37/18-Customs , dated 09.10.2018 is not applicable in the present case. Hence the Revenue is directed to refund the amount of IGST paid by the assessee for the goods exported from India which are zero rated supplies, within a period of six weeks from receipt of a copy of this order.
FULL TEXT OF THE HIGH COURT ORDER / JUDGMENT
The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to sanction and to refund the amount of Rs.4,80,355/- [Rupees Four Lakhs and Eighty Thousand and Three Hundred and Fifty Five only] of IGST paid by the petitioner for the goods exported from India, i.e. ‘Zero Rated Supplies‘.
2. The petitioner is an exporter of During September, 2017, he exported cotton by way of seven shipping bills and paid Rs. 4,80,355/- towards IGST.
3. Sub-Section (3) of Section 16 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 [for brevity, ‘IGST Act’], prescribes that, a registered person making zero rated supply shall be eligible to claim refund under either of the following options, namely:-
(a) he may supply goods or services or both under bond or Letter of Undertaking, subject to such conditions, safeguards and procedure as may be prescribed, without payment of integrated tax and claim refund of unutilized input tax credit; or
(b) he may supply goods or services or both, subject to such conditions, safeguards and procedure as may be prescribed, on payment of integrated tax and claim refund of such tax paid on goods or services or both supplied.
4. Insofar as the petitioner is concerned, he exported after paying the tax and as such, he is entitled to refund of input tax credit.
5. Section 54 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, specifies that subject to the provisions of Sub-Section (10) taxguru.in, a registered person may claim refund at the end of any tax
6. In the instant case, the petitioner has wrongly availed the higher duty drawback to the tune of Rs. 75,454/- on 02.03.2018. Thereafter, he rectified the mistake by repaying it along with interest to the tune of Rs.81,891/- and sought for refund of IGST paid by him.
7. The respondents, relying on the circular issued by the Government vide Circular No.37/2018-Customs, dated 09.10.2018, would contend that a person, who has made request consciously for refund of duty draw back, is not entitled to IGST/ITC claims and treated that exporter has consciously relinquished the same. Further, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents would vehemently contend that the petitioner has wrongly claimed higher duty drawback and thereafter, on his own volition, but, without any sanction from the department, has paid it back. Having relinquished his right to get refund of IGST, he is not entitled to refund. Further, the entire refund is system-managed and it cannot be manually operated. Once the exporter draws higher duty drawback, the system automatically scrolls out IGST refund. Therefore, the petitioner is not entitled to refund.
8. I have heard the submissions.
9. It is not in dispute that the petitioner exported cotton through seven shipping bills and paid a sum of 4,80,355/- towards IGST. It is also not in dispute that the statute provides for refund of IGST on export of materials. The only condition is that if the export is made after payment of tax, he is entitled to get refund. According to the petitioner, he has complied with the requirements of Sub-Clauses (a) and (b) of Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 96 of CGST Rules, 2017. Accordingly, he is entitled for refund and it cannot be ignored by citing the circular.
10. The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in a similar circumstance, in the case of Commissioner of Central Excise, Bolpur v. Ratan Melting and Wire Industries [2008(12) S.T.R. 416 (S.C.)], has held as follows:
“6. Circulars and instructions issued by the Board are no doubt binding in law on the authorities under the respective statutes, but when the Supreme Court or the High Court declares the law on the question arising for consideration, it would not be appropriate for the Court to direct that the circular should be given effect to and not the view expressed in a decision of this Court or the High Court. So far as the clarifications/circulars issued by the Central Government and of the State Government are concerned they represent merely their understanding of the statutory provisions. They are not binding upon the court. It is for the Court to declare what the particular provision of statute says and it is not for the Executive. Looked at from another angle, a circular which is contrary to the statutory provisions has really no existence in law.”
11. It is held that circulars cannot prevail over the statute. Circulars are issued only to clarify the statutory provision and it cannot alter or prevail over the statutory provision. In that circumstance, it is clear that the explanation of provisions of drawback has nothing to do with the IGST refund. In view of that matter, Circular No. 37/18-Customs, dated 09.10.2018 cannot have an application in the present case. Paragraph 2.5 reads as under:
“By declaring drawback serial number suffixed with A or C and by making above stated declarations, the exporters consciously relinquished their IGST/ITC claims.”
12. When the above circular was dealt with by the Hon’ble Division Bench of Gujarat High Court at Ahmedabad in M/s. Amit Cotton Industries Through Partner, Veljibhai Virjibhai Ranipa vs. Principal Commissioner of Customs, in R/Special Civil Application No.20126 of 2018, dated 06.2019, taxguru.in the Division Bench has held that it has nothing to do with the IGST refund and it is incumbent on the respondents to refund the IGST as claimed by the petitioner therein. The respondents have already passed a circular when they were facing lot of problems because of the fact that the refunds are completely system-managed and they have taken a conscious decision to refund the amount vide Circular No. 40/2018-Customs, dated 24.10.2018.
13. In view of the above discussion, the respondents are directed to refund the amount of Rs.4,80,355/- [Rupees Four Lakhs and Eighty Thousand and Three Hundred and Fifty Five only] of IGST paid by the petitioner for the goods exported from India which are zero rated supplies, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
14. The Writ Petition is allowed accordingly. No costs.
