And a new mistake in correcting a mistake - AND in Rule 2(d) removed (inadvertently?)
AT present, clause (d) of Rule 2 reads as follows:
(d) "exempted goods" means excisable goods which are exempt from the whole of the duty of excise leviable thereon, and includes goods which are chargeable to "Nil" rate of duty and goods in respect of which the benefit of an exemption under notification No. 1/2011-CE, dated the 1st March, 2011 is availed;
After the latest amendment, clause (d) ibid will be as follows:
(d) "exempted goods" means excisable goods which are exempt from the whole of the duty of excise leviable thereon, and includes goods which are chargeable to "Nil" rate of duty goods in respect of which the benefit of an exemption under Notification No. 1/2011-CE, dated the 1st March, 2011 or under entries at serial numbers 67 and 128 of Notification No. 12/2012-CE, dated the 17th March, 2012 is availed;
Prior to the amendment, “and” was separating the Nil rate of duty goods and goods covered under Notification No 1/2011 CE. After the latest amendment, “and” has disappeared, making the amendment meaningless. After the latest amendment, “exempted goods” includes Nil rated goods under Notification No 1/2011 CE and 12/2012 CE which are not really nil rate goods. This means, goods attracting 2% and 1% rate of duty are not exempted goods under Rule 2(d).
You can understand a mistake – but if you make another mistake while trying to correct the original one – that is the height! To err is human, but to really mess up, you need the Board!