Fraudulent excise credit: authorities urged to initiate prosecutions under excise law and criminal law where feasible. The Board identifies fraudulent availment of Modvat credit as resulting from breakdowns in excise control and monitoring and directs immediate, stringent action. Authorities are instructed to initiate prosecutions under Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944 and, where feasible, under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, in addition to excise proceedings, and to notify field formations to implement these guidelines.