Tribunal sets aside order, citing effective date of Notification No. 120/2003 & Customs Act.

Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd Versus C.C. -Kandla

Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd Versus C.C. -Kandla - 2020 (373) E.L.T. 113 (Tri. - Ahmd.) Issues:
Interpretation of the effective date of Notification No. 120/2003, Applicability of section 25(4)(a)(b) of Customs Act, 1962, Judicial precedents on the effective date of notifications.

Analysis:

1. Interpretation of the effective date of Notification No. 120/2003:
The case involved the interpretation of the effective date of Notification No. 120/2003 dated 01.08.2003, specifically whether it should be considered effective from the date of publication or the date of offer for sale. The appellant argued that the notification should be effective from the date of offer for sale, i.e., 04.08.2003, based on the amended section 25(4)(a)(b) of the Customs Act, 1962.

2. Applicability of section 25(4)(a)(b) of Customs Act, 1962:
The tribunal analyzed section 25(4)(a)(b) which states that a notification shall come into force on the date of its issue by the Central Government for publication in the Official Gazette and also be published and offered for sale on the date of its issue. The tribunal emphasized that all three events - issue, publication, and offer for sale - are crucial for the notification to be effective. In this case, the notification was issued and published on 01.08.2003 but was offered for sale to the general public on 04.08.2003.

3. Judicial precedents on the effective date of notifications:
The tribunal referred to various judicial precedents to support its decision. It highlighted the judgments of the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court in the case of M/S. PARAM INDUSTRIES LTD. and the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in the case of M.D. OVERSEAS LTD. Both courts had ruled that the effective date of a notification is when it is offered for sale, not just the date of publication. These decisions were further affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in subsequent appeals, establishing a legal precedent that the date of offer for sale is crucial in determining the effectiveness of a notification.

In conclusion, the tribunal set aside the impugned order, allowing the appeal based on the established legal position that the effective date of Notification No. 120/2003 was 04.08.2003, in line with the amended section 25(4)(a)(b) and supported by judicial precedents. The tribunal emphasized the importance of following judicial discipline and precedent in interpreting legal provisions and making decisions.