Full price for missing excise stamps on credit means the maximum duty rate, not the concessional purchase price.

Rule 66 of the Central Excise Rules, 1944 treats the "full price" of missing or unaccounted excise stamps obtained on credit as the effective maximum duty applicable to that class of stamps, not merely the concessional amount actually paid. The concessional rate was conditional and arose only as a special facility, while the higher rate reflected the unrestricted duty payable for that stamp category. Because missing credit stamps could be diverted or misused, the proper officer was entitled to demand the higher rate. The departmental appeal succeeded and the appellate authority's order was reversed in favour of the revenue.

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Issues: Whether, under Rule 66 of the Central Excise Rules, 1944, the "full price" payable for missing or unaccounted Central Excise stamps obtained on credit is the price actually paid by the manufacturer at a concessional rate or the effective maximum duty rate applicable to that colour of stamps.

Analysis: Rule 64 contemplates payment of duty on matches through Central Excise stamps of appropriate value, and Rule 66 requires immediate payment of the "full price" where stamps obtained on credit are missing or unaccounted for. The concessional rate relied on by the respondent was conditional, whereas the higher rate represented the unrestricted effective rate applicable to that category of stamps. Since credit issuance of stamps is a special facility and missing stamps are capable of diversion and misuse, the expression "full price" was held to refer to the maximum duty payable for that class of stamp, not merely the concessional amount actually paid by the manufacturer.

Conclusion: The proper officer was entitled to demand the effective higher rate applicable to the relevant stamp category, and the respondent's contention that only the concessional purchase price was payable was rejected.

Final Conclusion: The departmental appeal succeeded and the order of the appellate authority was reversed in favour of the revenue.

Ratio Decidendi: Where excise stamps obtained on credit are missing or unaccounted, "full price" under Rule 66 means the effective maximum duty applicable to that class of stamps, not a conditional concessional rate actually paid for their purchase.

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