Comptroller Auditor General's Objections on CENVAT Credit
CAG of India had conducted a Performance Audit on CENVAT credit scheme, to seek an assurance that provisions in the Act/rules/clarifications/procedures as laid down are unambiguous and adequate to safeguard any misuse of the CENVAT credit scheme and that the internal control and monitoring mechanism were in place and effective.
CAG found several provisions of the law inadequate in its recent report to Parliament.
Absence of provision for charging interest on reversal of credit for non-receipt/delayed receipt of goods sent for job work within 180 days
Inputs or semi-finished goods sent to job worker under rule 4(5) (a) of CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, should be returned to the factory within 180 days. For failure to do so proportionate CENVAT credit on inputs/semi-finished goods not received back is required to be reversed. However, in case of delay in reversal of credit, there is no specific provision for charging interest on such delayed reversal. This results in loss of interest to the Government.
Audit Recommends:
The Government may consider inserting provision for charging interest in case of non/delayed reversal of CENVAT credit in respect of non/delayed receipt of goods sent to job worker. The Tariff Conference held on 28 and 29 October 2015 had decided that the interest is liable to be paid after the expiry of period of 180 days and there is no need for insertion of provision for charging interest. However, Audit is of the opinion that to avoid ambiguity there is a need to insert specific provision in this regard.