MEIS entitlement and inadvertent EDI error: bona fide filing mistakes cannot defeat export benefit claims

MEIS benefits were considered where an exporter made an inadvertent wrong selection in the EDI filing system. The text states that the error was bona fide, that the entitlement to the benefit was otherwise undisputed, and that no contrary rule showed the mistake could not be corrected. It also notes that views of several High Courts on the same issue were treated as strongly persuasive, and that denying the benefit in one State while allowing it elsewhere raised equality concerns. The refusal to extend MEIS benefits on the basis of the EDI error was not interfered with, and the exporter was held entitled to the benefit.

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Issues: Whether MEIS benefits could be denied merely because the exporter made an inadvertent wrong selection in the EDI system and whether the refusal of the Policy Relaxation Committee warranted interference.

Analysis: The writ petitioner had intended to claim MEIS benefits, but due to an accidental selection error in the electronic filing process a wrong option was chosen. The refusal to grant the benefit did not adequately account for the undisputed entitlement but for the mistake, the bona fide nature of the error, and the absence of any contrary rule showing that such an error could not be corrected. The view taken by several High Courts on the same issue was treated as strongly persuasive, and denial of the benefit in one State while granting it elsewhere was seen as inconsistent with equality considerations.

Conclusion: The refusal to extend MEIS benefits on the ground of inadvertent EDI error was not interfered with, and the exporter was held entitled to the benefit.

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