B.R.GAVAI,J. - (1.) Leave granted in S.L.P.(C) No. 36926 of 2012.
(2.) The question of law that arises for consideration in these appeals is, as to whether, by invoking the doctrine of promissory estoppel, can the Union of India be estopped from withdrawing the exemption from payment of Excise Duty in respect of certain products, which exemption is granted by an earlier notification; when the Union of India finds that such a withdrawal is necessary in the public interest.
(3.) Since the factual position as well as the question of law arising in the present three appeals are common, they are heard together and disposed of by this common judgment. The appellant, Union of India, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 5A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1994) (hereinafter referred to as the "Central Excise Act") read with sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957) and sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Articles) Act, 1978 (40 of 1978), being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest, by Notification No. 71 of 2003 dated 09.09.2003, exempted the goods specified in the First Schedule and the Second Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) other than the goods specified in Annexure-I to the said Notification, from the payment of duties under the said statutes. The notification provided that so much of the duty of excise or additional duty of excise, as the case may be, leviable thereon under any of the said Acts as was equivalent to the amount of duty paid by the manufacturer of the said goods, other than the amount of duty paid by utilisation of CENVAT credit under the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2002, was exempted. This exemption was available to the units located in Industrial Growth Centre or Industrial Infrastructure Development Centre or Export Promotion Industrial Park or Industrial Estate or Industrial Area or Commercial Estate or Scheme Area, as the case may be, in the State of Sikkim, as specified in Annexure-II appended to the said notification. A procedure was also prescribed under the said notification for availing the benefit of exemption. Annexure-I thereto provides the list of the products which were not entitled for exemption. Clause 1 of the said Annexure reads thus: "1. Tobacco and Tobacco products including Cigarettes/ Cigars/ Gutkha" Similar notifications were issued by the Union of India being Notification Nos. 32 of 1999-CE and 33 of 1999-CE dated 08.07.1999 insofar as the State of Assam is concerned.;