Full Judgment
They have, however, reiterated their demand for interest on the amount.
2. In view of the statement made by the learned JDR Shri Chakraborty, that part of the Misc. Application which related to prayer for issue of direction to the Central Excise authorities to pay the amount of refund in terms of the Tribunal's order, has become infructuous. So far as the prayer for payment of interest is concerned, we observe that there is no provision in the Central Excises and Salt Act and the Rules issued thereunder for payment of interest. In the case of Leukoplast (India) Ltd. v. State of Goa, reported in 1988 (36) ELT 369A (Bom.), decided on 3.2.1988, Hon'ble Bombay High Court observed that the petitioners therein, sought, inter alia, a mandamus directing the respondents to refund the excess of Central and Local Sales Tax paid together with interest at the rate of 21% from the date of collection of the amount to the date of the refund. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court held that the petitioners were entitled to the refund of the excess taxes paid, but the Hon'ble Court did not grant the relief of interest as prayed in the petition. Accordingly, it was directed by the High Court that the refund of the duty collected without authority of law should be made within 3 months from the date of the judgment without any interest thereon. In the case of Madhusudan Gordhandas & Co. v. Collector of Customs, Bombay reported in 1987 (29) ELT 904, this Tribunal observed that Section 214 of the Income Tax Act provided for payment of interest on refund of excess tax collected, but in the Customs Act, 1962, except Section 61(2) which provides for payment of interest on unpaid duty in respect of goods warehoused beyond the periods specified therein, there is no other provision in this Act for payment of interest on duty refunded. In the circumstances, the applicant's prayer for payment of interest is rejected.
3. In view of the above discussions, we dismiss the Misc. Application filed by the applicants.