CESTAT determined appellant entitled to drawback interest from...

CESTAT determined appellant entitled to drawback interest from 14.04.2003 (one month after "let export order" date) rather than from 01.07.2012 as initially granted. Under Customs Act s.75A and Drawback Rules r.13, interest calculation begins one month from customs clearance order, not from date of show cause notice resolution. CESTAT rejected department's prolonged litigation as grounds for delayed interest, noting appellant shouldn't be penalized for departmental proceedings. The tribunal distinguished from Web Knit Exports precedent, emphasizing that export value documentation was complete and verified at initial filing. Appeal succeeded, granting interest from original eligibility date through drawback payment date at s.27A prescribed rate.

---