Cenvat credit on steel items could not be denied for the pre-07.07.2009 period despite the later amended input definition.

Cenvat credit on steel items used in manufacturing could not be denied for a period before 07.07.2009 by applying the amended definition of input, because that amendment was held inapplicable to the relevant period. The Tribunal followed prior decisions treating similar goods as eligible inputs for the period in dispute and found the later amendment could not govern past credit claims. The denial of credit was therefore unsustainable, and the assessee's appeal succeeded.

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Issues: Whether Cenvat credit on steel items used in the manufacture of the final product could be denied for a period prior to 07.07.2009 on the basis of the amended definition of input.

Analysis: The disputed credit related to a period prior to July 2009. The amended definition of input introduced with effect from 07.07.2009 was held inapplicable to the facts of the case, and the Tribunal treated the issue as covered by prior decisions extending credit on similar goods for the relevant period. The denial of credit based on the later amendment was therefore not sustainable.

Conclusion: The denial of Cenvat credit was set aside and the appeal was allowed in favour of the assessee.

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