Full Judgment
Per Jyoti Balasundaram
Heard both sides on the appeals of the Revenue against restriction of the duty demands to Rs.5,30,822/- (E/532/04) and Rs.32,85,355/- (E/533/04) and setting aside of penalties.
2. We find that on merits, namely, as to whether the assessee can utilize deemed credit for clearances of cotton fabrics, the issue stands decided in their favour by Tribunal s decision in their own case reported in 2008 (230) ELT 465 covering the period prior to amendment of Central Excise Rules (the period in dispute in these appeals is also prior to such amendment). In the light of the Tribunal s order cited supra, we hold that the assessee is entitled to utilize deemed credit on cotton fabrics clearances; however, in the light of the same Tribunal s order, we uphold the liability of the assessee to penalty but reduce the same to Rs.15,000 in E/532/2004 and Rs.50,000/- in E/533/2004.
3. The appeals of the Revenue are thus partly allowed.