1. | (a) | Briefly explain any two of the following with reference to the provisions of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004: | 2x2=4 | |
| | (i) | Job work | | (0) |
| | (ii) | Principal inputs | | (0) |
| | (iii) | Deemed Cenvat Credit. | | (0) |
| (b) | Briefly examine the correctness or otherwise of any two of the following statements with reference to the Central Excise Act, 1944 giving reasons to support your answers: | 3x2=6 | |
| | (i) | Parts used for repair or replacement during warranty period are excisable. | | (0) |
| | (ii) | In case of samples distributed free, valuation should be adopted on the basis of Rule 8 of the Central Excise Valuation (Determination of Price of Excisable Goods) Rules, 2000 i.e. cost of production plus 10%. | | (0) |
| | (iii) | Exemption from duty does not mean exemption from registration. | | (0) |
| (c) | M/s Super Pipes Ltd. is engaged in the manufacture of m.s. galvanized pipes. The excise department has required the assessee to include the cost of galvanization in the assessable value of the m.s. galvanized pipes for the purposes of determination of excise duty. The assessee claims that as the process of galvanization does not amount to manufacture, the cost of galvanization is not includible in the assessable value of the said pipes made from H.R. coils. Briefly discuss whether the stand taken by the assessee is correct with reference to the provisions of the Central Excise, Act, 1944. | 5 | (0) |
| (d) | "Everything that is sold is not necessarily a marketable commodity chargeable to excise duty under the provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944." Discuss. | 5 | (0) |
2. | (a) | Answer in brief the following questions relating to provisions made under rule 6 of the Central Excise (Removal of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty for Manufacture of Excisable Goods) Rules, 2001: | 3x2=6 | |
| | (i) | What will be the consequences in case the goods received at concessional rate are not used for the intended purpose? | | (0) |
| | (ii) | Whether a manufacturer receiving the subject goods can return such goods to the original manufacturer? | | (0) |
| | (iii) | When will the subject goods be deemed as not having been used for the intended purpose? | | (0) |
| (b) | Discuss briefly whether a refund effected by the Central Excise Department, pursuant to orders of court, in respect of a bank guarantee (towards disputed excise duty) encashed by the department, would be subject to the provisions of section 11B of the Central Excise Act, 1944 relating to "unjust enrichment." | 4 | (0) |
| (c) | A manufacturer of cameras sells leather cases/soft cases and instruction manuals along with cameras. The cost of such cases and manuals were being charged separately apart from the cost of the camera. The excise department has claimed that the cost of such cases and manuals should be included in the assessable value of the camera. According to the excise department, as per Rule 5 of the Interpretative Rules for Central Excise Tariff brought into force from 28–2–2005, cases for cameras, musical instruments, drawing instruments, necklaces etc. specially shaped for those articles, suitable for long term use will be classified along with those articles, if such articles are normally sold along with such cases. Examine briefly with the help of decided case law, if any, whether the stand taken by the department is correct in law. | 5 | (0) |
3. | (a) | Briefly explain the provisions relating to compounding of offences with reference to section 9A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 and Rule 6 of the Central Excise (Compounding of Offences) Rules, 2005 dealing with the power of the Compounding authority. | 3 | (0) |
| (b) | M/s. Solid Cement Ltd. is engaged in the manufacture of cement. Explosives are used for blasting the mines in order to excavate limestone, which is used in the manufacture of cement/clinkers in the factory situated at some distance away from the mines. Cenvat credit on explosives has been denied by the excise department on the ground that the explosives are not used as inputs "within the factory of production". You are required to advise with reference to the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 whether the stand taken by the department is correct. | 4 | (0) |
| (c) | A Small Scale Industrial unit (SSI) is required to pay the following central excise duties by January 15, 2006 for clearances effected from its factory in respect of final products manufactured during the month of December, 2005: Basic Excise Duty (B.E.D.): Rs.36,000 | Special Excise Duty (S.E.D.): Rs.18,000 | National Calamity Contingent Duty (N.C.C.D.): Rs.1,000 | Education Cess (E.C.): 2% of B.E.D. + S.E.D. + N.C.C.D. | Balances available as credit at the beginning of the month i.e. December, 2005 were as follows: | B.E.D. Rs.24,000, N.C.C.D. Rs.2,000, E.C. Rs.600. | No inputs were received during the month. However, certain inputs were received on January 1, 2006 on which total duty paid by the suppliers of inputs was as follows : | B.E.D. Rs.16000, E.C. Rs.320 | Excise duty paid on capital goods received during the month was as follows: | B.E.D. Rs.40,000, E.C. Rs.800 | For the month of December, 2005 you are required to determine : | (i) | the credit available for utilisation; | (ii) | the permissible extent to which such available credit may be utilised against payment of B.E.D., S.E.D., N.C.C.D., and E.C.; and | (iii) | the B.E.D., S.E.D., and E.C. payable through account current (P.L.A.). | | 4+2+2 | (0) |
4. | (a) | Write a brief note on the powers of review to be exercised by the Committee of Chief Commissioners under section 35B and section 35E of the Central Excise Act, 1944. | 3 | (0) |
| (b) | With regard to exports under the Central Excise Act, 1944 write a brief note on: | 2x2=4 | |
| | (i) | Who is authorised to sanction rebate claim? | | (0) |
| | (ii) | The time limit for the filing of such rebate claim. | | (0) |
| (c) | Write short note on "submission of list of records" under rule 22(2) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002. | 4 | (0) |
| (d) | With reference to Rule 8(3) and Rule 8(3A) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002 explain in brief the consequences, if duty is not paid fully on the due date or within 30 days after the due date. | 4 | (0) |
5. | (a) | Briefly comment with reasons on any two of the following statements: | 3x2=6 | |
| | (i) | Section 35C(2A) of the Central Excise Act, 1944 curtails the power of the Appellate Tribunal to grant stay beyond six months. | | (0) |
| | (ii) | Two factories located in the same premises are to be considered as one factory for the purpose of arriving at the "aggregate value of clearances" in terms of Small Scale Exemption Notification No.8/2003– C.E., dated 1–3–2003. | | (0) |
| | (iii) | The Central Excise Officer incharge of a warehouse may permit export without physical storage of the goods in the warehouse. | | (0) |
| (b) | (i) | Briefly explain with reference to section 11A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 as to who is authorised to issue a show cause notice. | 2+3=5 | (0) |
| | (ii) | A show cause notice under section 11A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 was issued by Superintendent of Central Excise and the case was adjudicated by a Deputy Commissioner. This was inspite of there being in existence a circular of the Central Board of Excise and Customs to the effect that the same ought to have been done by a Commissioner. Explain briefly whether the action in the present case is sustainable in law. | | (0) |
| (c) | Explain briefly the provisions relating to charging of interest under section 11DD of the Central Excise Act, 1944. | 4 | (0) |