Finance Act 1994 Section 74

(1) With a view to rectifying any mistake apparent from the record, the¹[Central Excise Officer] who passed any order under the provisions of this Chapter may, within two years of the date on which such order was passed, amend the order.

(2) Where any matter has been considered and decided in any proceeding by way of appeal or revision relating to an order referred to in sub-section (1), the¹[Central Excise Officer] passing such order may, notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, amend the order under that sub-section in relation to any matter other than the matter which has been so considered and decided.

(3) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the¹[Central Excise Officer] concerned--

(a) may make an amendment under sub-section (1) of his own motion; or

(b) shall make such amendment if any mistake is brought to his notice by the assessee or the Commissioner of Central Excise or the Commis­sioner of Central Excise (Appeals).

(4) An amendment, which has the effect of enhancing²[the liability of the assessee or reducing a refund], shall not be made under this section unless the¹[Central Excise Officer] concerned has given notice to the assessee of his intention so to do and has allowed the assessee a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(5) Where an amendment is made under this section, an order shall be passed in writing by the¹[Central Excise Officer] concerned.

(6) Subject to the other provisions of this Chapter where any such amend­ment has the effect of reducing the³[liability of an assessee or increasing the refund], the¹[Central Excise Officer] shall make any refund which may be due to such assessee.

(7) Where any such amendment has the effect of enhancing the³[liability of an assessee or increasing the refund], or reducing the refund already made, the¹[Central Excise Officer] shall make an order specifying the sum payable by the assessee and the pro­visions of this Chapter shall apply accordingly.

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1. Substituted by the Finance Act, 2005 w.e.f 13.05.2005 for the following:-

"[Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise or, as the case may be, Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise]"

2. Substituted for the words "an assessment or reducing a refund or otherwise increasing the liability of the assessee" by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004 w.e.f 10.09.2004.

3. Substituted for the words "assessment" by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004 w.e.f 10.09.2004.