Dunlop India Limited vs Union Of India
- CitationAIRONLINE 1993 SC 578
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
Where a tariff item lacks a definition of an expression contained therein, the court may look to and apply the definition of that same expression as stated in another tariff item in the same schedule, provided it is reasonable and appropriate to do so. Where the opening words of a definition employ a restrictive criterion (such as vehicles "adapted for use upon roads"), but are followed by specific inclusions of items that do not meet that criterion (such as agricultural tractors), the definition must be read as enlarged by those specific inclusions, and the restrictive criterion should not be applied rigidly to exclude other mechanically propelled vehicles of a similar character that fall outside that criterion. A vehicle that is mechanically propelled and capable of self-propulsion is a "motor vehicle" within the meaning of tariff classifications, regardless of whether its principal or intended use is off the road, so long as it is not excluded by specific definition or explanation. Tyres manufactured for off-the-road vehicles such as dumpers, coal-haulers, and earth-moving equipment fall within the classification of tyres for motor vehicles rather than the residuary category of "all other tyres," because such vehicles are motor vehicles notwithstanding that their primary use is not on public roads.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
1. This appeal is preferred against the judgment and order of the Government of India in a revision petition filed under Section 36 of the Central Excises and Salt Act, as it stood at the relevant time. The dispute pertains to classification of, what are known as 'off-the-road tyres'. 'Off-the-road tyres', according to the appellant, means those tyres which are used for equipment not used on the roads but for other special duties. The vehicles for which these tyres are used are referred to as dumpers, coal- haulers, bulldozers, earth-moving equipment, draglines, excavators etc. The duty on tyres was provided by Tariff Item 16 of the First Schedule to the Act, as it then stood. Tariff Item 16 read as follows:
336 "TYRES -
'Tyres' means a pneumatic tyre in the manufacture of which rubber is used, and includes the inner tube and the outer cover of such a tyre.
(1) Tyres for motor vehicles. (2) For cycles (other than motor cycles)
(a) tyres
(b) tubes (3) All other tyres."
2. Pneumatic tyre means a tyre in the manufacture of which rubber is used. It also means a tyre in which air is compressed. It includes the inner tube as well as the cover of such a tyre. Tariff Item 16 had three sub-items. According to the appellant, the tyres for 'off-the-road vehicles' fall under sub-item (3), whereas according to the Revenue it falls under sub-item (1). The question, therefore, arises whether 'off-the-road vehicles' can be called 'motor vehicles'. If they can be called motor vehicles, tyres meant for them would fall under sub-item (1); if not, the tyres meant for them would fall under sub- item (3). There is no definition of 'motor vehicles' in the Act or the Rules. However, Tariff Item 34 deals with levy of excise duty on motor vehicles. The Government of India has in its order relied upon the definition of motor vehicles, contained in Tariff Item 34, for ascertaining the meaning of the expression 'motor vehicles' in Tariff Item
16. Tariff Item 34 reads as follows:
"34 MOTOR VEHICLES -
'Motor Vehicles' means all mechanically propelled vehicles adapted for use upon roads, and includes a chassis and a trailer; but does not include a vehicle running upon fixed rails (1) Auto-cycles, motor cycles, scooters, autorickshaws and any other three-wheeled motor vehicles.
(2) Motor vehicles of not more than 16 H.P. by Royal Automobile Club (R.A.C.) rating. (3) Motor cars of more than 16 H.P. by Royal Automobile Club (R.A.C.) rating, constructed or adapted to carry not more than nine persons. (3-a) Tractors, including agricultural tractors.
(4) Motor Vehicles, not otherwise specified.
Explanation.- For the purpose of this item, where a motor vehicle is mounted, fitted or fixed with any weight-lifting, earth-moving and similar specialised material-handling equipment, then such equipment other than the chassis shall not be taken into account."
3. Tariff Item 34 defines the expression 'Motor Vehicles'. The opening words, no doubt, say that motor vehicles means all mechanically propelled vehicles adapted for use upon roads but the several clauses following enlarge the scope of the definition to include even those vehicles which are not adapted for use on roads. Clause (3-a) refers to tractors including agricultural tractors. It is evident that tractors and in particular agricultural tractors are not meant for being used on roads. It is doubtful whether it can be said that they are "adapted for use upon roads", though it is true they can be operated on roads as well. If it is held that agricultural tractors also are "adapted for use upon roads" notwithstanding the fact that they are principally meant for being operated and 337 used on agricultural lands, it can equally be said that dumpers, coal-haulers, earth-movers etc. are also "adapted for use upon roads", though principally they are meant to be operated and used on construction sites. Clause (4) in Tariff Item 34 is in the nature of a residuary clause. It says all motor vehicles not otherwise specified fall within Item 34. Even the Explanation appended to Tariff Item 34 throws light upon the meaning and content of expression 'motor vehicle'. It says that where a motor vehicle is mounted, fitted or fixed with the weight-lifting, earth- moving and similar other specialised material-handling equipment, then, for the purpose of determining the value of such motor vehicle, the value of such mounted equipment shall not be taken into account. The Explanation indicates that even a motor vehicle upon which is mounted the earth- moving equipment etc. continues to be a motor vehicle. In the absence of any definition of motor vehicle in Item 16, we see no error in the Government of India relying upon the definition of 'motor vehicle' contained in Item 34.
4. Even otherwise we are not satisfied that 'off-the-road vehicles' are not ,motor vehicles'. After all, 'motor vehicles' means a vehicle in which motor is fitted or a vehicle which runs on motor. There is no reason, why dumpers etc. are not motor vehicles. In this connection, it would be relevant to notice the fact recorded in the letter of the Superintendent, Central Excise dated January 8, 1974 to the effect that in spite of repeated requests, the appellant not only failed to specify the types of tyres and tubes which they manufactured for the purpose of dumpers, coal-haulers, bulldozers etc. but filed a revision classification list without any specification as to their use. Basing upon this failure, the counsel for Revenue says that this was for the reason that many of these tyres are common to ordinary motor vehicles as well as off-the-road vehicles. We are, therefore, of the opinion that the tyres in question do not fall under clause (3) of Tariff Item 16. Clause (3) of Tariff Item 16 evidently takes in tyres meant for vehicles other than motor vehicles e.g. push-carts, animal-drawn vehicles etc.
5. For the above reason, we see no error of law in the classification done by the Government of India. The appeal is accordingly dismissed. No costs.
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