Page 88 - GSTL_16 April 2020_Vol 35_Part 3
P. 88

302                           GST LAW TIMES                      [ Vol. 35
                                     Products is not applicable in the facts of the present case as the period involved in
                                     the present case is November, 2015 to June, 2017.
                                            5.  Heard both the sides and perused the records. I find that the issue
                                     involved  is that whether  the appellant being manufacturer of ’Biscuit’ on job
                                     work basis on behalf of M/s. Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. is entitled for Cenvat credit
                                     on outward GTA when the goods are cleared to the depot of principal and excise
                                     duty is paid on MRP based valuation in terms of Section 4A of Central Excise
                                     Act, 1944. I find that there are many manufacturers of biscuits for same principal
                                     M/s. Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. and the modus operandi is that the goods are manufac-
                                     tured on job work basis and the same is cleared to depot of M/s. Parle Products
                                     Pvt. Ltd. and excise duty is paid on MRP based valuation. On the same facts, Di-
                                     vision Bench of This Tribunal in case of M.P. Biscuit Pvt. Ltd. (supra) allowed the
                                     Cenvat credit by giving following findings :
                                            “11.  Reading of above provision clearly shows that outward transporta-
                                            tion of the manufactured product up to the place of removal falls within the
                                            definition of input service. The appellant has placed on record the authori-
                                            zation letter  dated 15-3-2005 addressed by PBPL to Assistant/Deputy
                                            Commissioner, Central Excise, Varanasi authorising the appellant to manu-
                                            facture biscuit on their behalf. Further perusal of the terms and conditions
                                            mutually agreed upon between PBPL and the appellant would show that as
                                            per the job work contract the appellant were required to process and manu-
                                            facture biscuit, carry out inspection, packing and delivery to various depots
                                            of PBPL located all over the country as directed by PBPL. From the above
                                            stipulation in  the contract, appellants were under obligation to transport
                                            biscuits to various depots of PBPL as such obviously the place of removal
                                            was/were depots where the  appellant was required to supply  manufac-
                                            tured biscuit as per direction of the appellant. Admittedly, the appellants
                                            have transported the goods to the depots/premises of the principal manu-
                                            facturer and paid transportation charges including the Service tax. In this
                                            regard, the appellant have placed on record photocopies of Form TR-6 for
                                            payment of Service tax in respect of the period in question. Thus, it is ap-
                                            parent that the appellant has paid Service tax in respect of the input service
                                            i.e. the outward transportation of the biscuits to the place of removal. As
                                            such, in view  of Rule 3 of Cenvat Credit Rules the appellant has rightly
                                            availed Cenvat credit.“
                                            6.  The same view was taken in the case of M.B. Bakers Pvt. Ltd. (supra).
                                     Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court on the identical facts in the case of Mound Trading
                                     Company Pvt. Ltd. (supra) held that Cenvat credit is admissible to the job worker
                                     like assessee and Revenue’s appeal was dismissed. On the contrary, the Division
                                     Bench of this Tribunal in case of Kohinoor Biscuit Products (supra) in the identical
                                     facts after considering the provision of Section 4A and Section 4(3)(c) of Central
                                     Excise Act and Rule 3 of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 held that goods cleared from
                                     job work to principal manufacturer’s depot by determining the value of goods
                                     under Section 4A of Central Excise Act, 1944, the factory gate is place of removal
                                     hence, the definition of place of removal  as given  in Section 4(3)(c) cannot be
                                     adopted for purpose of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 accordingly, Cenvat credit was
                                     denied. This  decision of the Tribunal  was upheld  by Hon’ble Allahabad  High
                                     Court in case of Kohinoor Biscuits Products wherein following order was passed :
                                            “The appeal by the assessee arises from a decision of the Customs, Excise &
                                            Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi, dated 21 April 2014.

                                                          GST LAW TIMES      16th April 2020      208
   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93