TIOL-DDT 271 · Wednesday, 28 December 2005 · story 3 of 3

Includibilty of ship demurrage charges in the assessable value- the saga continues – yet another draft circular

The Government lost more than a thousand Crores of rupees because the Board which issues circulars and forgets them, forgot to withdraw a circular in spite of a favourable order from Tribunal. Remember the IOCL case? Please see our story on the subject. Board had vide letter issued in F.No.467/01/2002-Cus.V, dated 20th October 2004, conveyed that in light of the decision of the Board to file review petition before the Supreme Court of India, in the case of M/s.Indian Oil Corporation all importations prior to 02.03.2001 may be kept provisional. The Government’s review petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court on 2.3.2005 for an inordinate unexplained delay of 255 days in filing the petition. It took the Board more than 9 months to come up with a draft circular that Supreme Court decision has to be followed till 2.3.2001. What a respect for the highest judicial forum! What happens after 2.3.2001? Board is not sure. It will come up with clarification soon. Why not now?

Board’s draft does not mention whether they want suggestions and if so where to send them.

Board’s draft circular

"Too bad the only people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair."

Until tomorrow with more DDT

Have a nice day.

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