Tribunal upholds inclusion of charges in assessable value & penalty for non-disclosure

Blue Stamping & Forging Limited Versus CCE, Delhi-IV

Blue Stamping & Forging Limited Versus CCE, Delhi-IV - TMI Issues:
1. Whether charges recovered from customers for tools and dies should be added to the assessable value of the final products.
2. Imposition of penalty for non-disclosure of recovered charges.

Analysis:
1. The appellant, engaged in manufacturing rough forgings and motor vehicle parts, recovered the cost of tools and dies from customers without disclosing these charges to the Revenue. The Revenue contended that these charges should be added to the assessable value of the final products. The Tribunal referred to the decision in Mutual Industries Ltd. vs. CCE, Mumbai, and Prayas Castings Ld. Vs. CCE, Ahmedabad, where it was held that such charges are includible in the assessable value. The Tribunal found no evidence presented by the appellant to dispute the charges, leading to upholding the demand of Rs. 80,784 along with interest and penalty.

2. The Tribunal noted that the appellant failed to demonstrate any evidence to refute the recovery of additional charges from customers. Citing the precedent set by the larger bench decision and the imposition of penalty in similar cases, the Tribunal upheld the penalty imposed in the present case. The Tribunal emphasized that non-disclosure of recovered charges amounted to suppression with intent to evade duty payment, justifying the imposition of penalty. The penalty amount was reduced in certain cases based on the circumstances, but overall, the penalty was upheld due to the lack of evidence presented by the appellant.

In conclusion, the Tribunal upheld the impugned order, confirming the demand for inclusion of charges in the assessable value of final products and the imposition of penalty due to non-disclosure of recovered charges. The appeal was rejected based on the findings and legal precedents cited during the proceedings.