Milk-n-Nut are vegetable preparation and not sugar confectionery:SC

ORDER

1. Respondents herein are engaged in the manufacture of Milk-n-Nut besides other products. It has been claiming the classification of the aforesaid product under Chapter Heading No. 2001.10 as preparation of vegetable, fruits, nuts and parts of plants. It is a matter of common knowledge that those products falling under Chapter Heading 2001.10 attract nil rate of Excise duty. On this perception that the aforesaid product should be treated as “sugar confectionery” and be classified under Chapter Heading 1704.90, show cause notice was issued to the respondents.

2. However, after eliciting the reply of the respondents and examining the matter at length, the Assistant Commissioner came to the conclusion that the product was preparation of vegetables, fruits, nuts and parts of plants and therefore, rightly classified under Chapter Heading 2001.10 and cannot be treated as sugar confectionery. He thus, dropped the proceedings by passing the final order dated 18-12-2001. The Department went in appeal. The Commissioner (Appeals) also upheld the orders. Same is the view taken by the Tribunal as well. Thus all the three authorities below have arrived at finding of fact that the product in question is vegetable preparation and is not sugar confectionery. These are finding of facts.

3. We have gone through the orders of the authorities below and find no reason to interfere with this appeal. It is accordingly dismissed.

SB