By TIOL News Service

MUMBAI, NOV 21, 2014: A notice dated 21/07/2014 was issued by the Dy. Commissioner of Customs, JNCH, Nhava Sheva, pertaining to recovery of incineration charges of the waste oil contained in 39 containers of quantity 6,28,368 kg. The incineration charges for destruction of these goods amounting Rs.92,11,047/- @ Rs.14.80 per kg., is sought to be recovered as per Apex Court's order dated 04/04/2014.

The appellant filed a Misc. Application before the CESTAT seeking stay of the impugned demand under Rule 41 of the CESTAT (Procedure) Rules, 1982.

It is submitted that the Tribunal had ordered pre-deposit of Rs.2.5 lakhs against penalty of Rs.10 lakhs imposed on the appellant vide stay order dated 27/01/2006 and subject to such pre-deposit, recovery of dues were stayed pending decision. It is the further contention that whether the oil imported by the appellant is hazardous in nature or not, is pending decision before the Tribunal and, therefore, before deciding on the issue, the issue of notice for recovery of incineration charges is premature.

The AR submitted that the goods imported by the appellant were tested by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board under direction of Supreme Court Monitoring Committee for Hazardous wastes and it is in terms of the Supreme Court order that the goods were disposed of through incineration and charges were imposed, and therefore, the miscellaneous application is not maintainable.

The CESTAT observed -

"4. This Tribunal granted stay in respect of dues adjudged namely, duty, interest and penalty. There is no provision for grant of stay under Rule 41 of the CESTAT (Procedure) Rules, 1982. In the present case, the issue relates to recovery of incineration charges and there is no provision under the Custom Act to stay recovery of such charges. Further, the recovery is sought to be made in terms of the Apex Court order. Therefore, this Tribunal has no jurisdiction, whatsoever, to deal with this matter…."

The Miscellaneous application was dismissed as not maintainable.

(See 2014-TIOL-2311-CESTAT-MUM)