Partial allowance: Optional Notification No.50/2003-CE not retroactive; excise demands confirmed for Units A, B; s.11AC, Rule 26 penalties quashed

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....CESTAT partially allowed the appeals. The Tribunal rejected Revenue's late-raised plea disputing location in notified areas and held Units A and B were within the notification; however, because the exemption under notification no. 50/2003-CE is optional and effective only from the date opted, the Tribunal confirmed central excise demands for Unit A for 1.08.2009-14.03.2010 and for Unit B for 1.07.2009-29.03.2010 (with applicable interest), disallowing the imposition of the optional notification retroactively. Penalties under s.11AC were not sustainable for Units A and B for lack of fraud, collusion or willful suppression, and Rule 26 penalty against Manufacturer C was held unsustainable for want of allegations of confiscation or fictitious invoicing. Appeals allowed in part.....