Pramod Kumar Pathak vs Arfat Petrochemicals Private Limited
- CitationCompany Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2017 dated 24.05.2017, which deems sanctioned schemes under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 to be approved resolution plans, is not a valid exercise of the power under Section 242(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, because it addresses difficulties in review or monitoring of SICA schemes arising from the repeal of SICA and related Companies Act provisions, rather than difficulties in giving effect to the provisions of the Code. Where the Supreme Court has upheld a decision of the Appellate Tribunal holding that such a notification travels beyond the scope of the removal of difficulties power, that holding is a declaration of law binding under Article 141 of the Constitution and is not to be treated as obiter; a judgment of a lower forum which does not consider that decision cannot be relied upon as binding precedent. Consequently, a sanctioned rehabilitation scheme under SICA, relying on the 24.05.2017 notification to be treated as a resolution plan under the Code, cannot found an application under Sections 33 and 34 of the Code; where the foundation of such an application falls, the Adjudicating Authority is right to reject it.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
NATIONAL COMPANY LAW APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 (Arising out of Order dated 22.12.2021 by the Adjudicating Authority (National Company Law Tribunal), Ahmedabad Bench, Court-1 in CP(IB) 395 of 2020)
IN THE MATTER OF: Pramod Kumar Pathak Flat No. SQC-7, J.K. Nagar, Kota, Rajasthan-324003. .... Appellant
Vs
ARFAT Petrochemicals Private Limited Regd. Office : B-59, Zainab Park Society Gorat Road, Rander Surat, Surat Gujarat-395005. .... Respondent
Present:
For Appellant: Mr. Pankaj Jain and Mr. Sarthak Dugar, Advocates
For Respondent: Mr. Arvind Kumar Gupta, Ms. Purti Gupta, Ms. Henna George, Ms. Shivani Sharma, Advocates.
JUDGMENT
ASHOK BHUSHAN, J.
This Appeal has been filed under Section 61 of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (hereinafter referred as the "IB Code") challenging
the order dated 22.12.2021 passed by National Company Law Tribunal,
Ahmedabad Bench, Court-1 in CP(IB) 395 of 2020, dismissing the
Application filed under Section 33 read with 34 of the IB Code by the
Appellant.
2. The brief facts necessary for deciding this Appeal are:
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 1
(i) M/s J.K. Synthetics Pvt. Ltd. was declared a sick industrial
unit by the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction
(in short "BIFR") vide order dated 02.04.1998. M/s J.K.
Synthetics Pvt. Ltd. entered into Memorandum of
Understanding ("MoU") with ARFAT Petrochemicals Private
Limited (Respondent herein), on basis of which MoU, Appellate
Authority for Industrial & Financial Reconstruction ("AAIFR")
vide order dated 07.01.2005, approved and sanctioned the
implementation of rehabilitation scheme.
(ii) The Appellant claiming to be representative of the workmen
union of Sick Industry M/s J.K. Synthetics Pvt. Ltd. filed an
Application under Section 33 read with Section 34 of the IB
Code before the National Company Law Tribunal, Ahmedabad
Bench, Ahmedabad alleging that Rehabilitation Scheme has
been breached, the Corporate Debtor be liquidated. The
Corporate Debtor is in continuance breach of Sanctioned
Rehabilitation Scheme and is unable to meet out its
responsibility and liabilities towards its creditors and
stakeholders. The Appellant in the Application relying on
Notification of the Central Government dated 24.05.2017
contended that Rehabilitation Scheme sanctioned and under
implementation is a Resolution Plan within the meaning of IB
Code. In the Application, the Applicant claimed that an order
of Liquidation be passed in terms of Section 33.
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 2
(iii) The Application was heard by the Adjudicating Authority and
in its order dated 22.12.2021, the Adjudicating Authority
framed following two questions for consideration:
I. Whether the sanctioned scheme of rehabilitation dated
07.01.2005 is the Resolution Plan within the meaning of
Section 5(26) of the IBC, 2016 in view of the Notification
No.S-O-1683 € dated 24.05.2017?
Finding - No.
II. Whether it can be held that the Respondent has
committed the breach of the sanctioned rehabilitation
scheme and, hence, liable for order of liquidation under
Section 33(4) of the IBC, 2016?
Findings-No.
(iv) After hearing the parties, Adjudicating Authority vide its order
dated 22.12.2021 rejected the Application filed by the
Appellant under Section 33. The Adjudicating Authority came
to the conclusion that Sanctioned Scheme of Rehabilitation
dated 07.01.2005 cannot be termed as Resolution Plan within
the meaning of Section 5(26) of the IB Code. It was further
held that Rehabilitation Scheme not being Resolution Plan,
there is no question of Respondent committing breach of
implementation of the Plan, hence, Application under Section
33 of the IB Code is not a maintainable.
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 3
(v) Aggrieved by the order dated 22.12.2021, this Appeal has been
filed by the Appellant.
3. Shri Pankaj Jain, learned Counsel appearing for the Appellant
challenging the impugned order submits that the (Removal of Difficulties)
Order, 2017 dated 25.11.2016 could not have been set aside by National
Company Law Tribunal nor actually it has been set aside by National
Company Law Appellate Tribunal vide its judgment dated 28.05.2018 in
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 160 of 2017 - Pr. Director
General of Income Tax (Admn. & TPS) vs. M/s. Spartek Ceramics India
Ltd. & Anr. The observation by this Tribunal was that the Notification
dated 24.05.2017 is in conflict with maximum period granted under sub-
section (2) of Section 61 of IB Code, hence, the NCLAT could not have been
entertained the Appeal, cannot be read to mean that Notification dated
24.05.2017 have been set aside by the Appellate Tribunal. It is further
submitted that the NCLT in its judgment refrained from giving any specific
declaration with regard to Notification dated 24.05.2017, hence, the
Notification dated 24.05.2017 survives and could have been availed by the
Appellant in filing Application under Sections 33 and 34 of the IB Code. It
is further submitted that judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court dated
25.10.2018 in M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. vs. Union of India and
Ors. while dealing with the Notification dated 24.05.2017, had only made
observation which being an obitor, cannot be held to be a declaration of law
with regard to Notification dated 24.05.2017. The Hon'ble Supreme Court
in Spartek judgment has only upheld the judgment of NCLAT by which
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 4 sanctity and authenticity of the Notification dated 24.05.2017 is not
affected. It is further submitted that NCLT vide its judgment and order
dated 05.04.2021 in CP(IB) No.469 of 2018 in the matter of Surendra Singh
Hada and Ors. vs. Arfat Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd. has given liberty to the
Operational Creditor to file an Application under Section 33 of the IB Code
subject to compliance of relevant provisions of law, while refusing the
entertain Application under Section 9. When Application under Section 9
has been refused to be entertained with liberty aforesaid, the Adjudicating
Authority could not have rejected the Application under Section 33 read
with Section 34 of the IB Code filed by the Appellant.
4. The learned Counsel for the Respondent refuting the submissions of
learned Counsel for the Appellant submits that approved Rehabilitation
Scheme is not a Resolution Plan within the meaning of IB Code. The
Notification dated 24.05.2017 has been held to be in excess of jurisdiction
of Central Government, hence, cannot be relied by the Appellant for filing
Application under Sections 33 and 34. This Appellate Tribunal has held
that Notification dated 24.05.2017 travels beyond the scope of the removal
of difficulties provisions, which finding has been approved by the Hon'ble
Supreme Court in its judgment dated 25.10.2018. Hence, the reliance on
the said Notification for holding approved Rehabilitation Scheme as
Resolution Plan is wholly erroneous and no Application on the basis of
approved Rehabilitation Scheme can be filed under Sections 33 and 34 and
Adjudicating Authority further considering all aspect of the matter and after
hearing the parties has rightly rejected the Application field by the
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 5 Appellant. The learned Counsel for the Respondent further submits that
this Tribunal in its judgment dated 29.01.2019 in Company Appeal (AT)
(Insolvency) no.294 of 2018 - Gail (India) Ltd. vs. M/s. Neycer India
Ltd. had already taken a view relying on judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme
Court in M/s. Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. that Notification dated
24.05.2017 is illegal and travels beyond the scope of removal of difficulties
order. It is further submitted that the rehabilitation scheme has been fully
implemented and for implementation of the scheme Rajasthan High Court
has appointed Justice N.N. Mathur, former Judge, Rajasthan High Court,
who had submitted an Inspection Report of the Company observing that all
dues have been disbursed. It is further submitted that the payment of dues
under the Scheme to the Respondent has already been crystalized and were
offered to the Respondent, which was less than rupees one lakh. The
settled amount is not being received by the Respondent to drag the
company into liquidation. The Respondent has not withdrawn the settled
amount and has filed the Application to keep the Company engaged in the
liquidation, since he has not vacated the official quarter allotted to him by
the Company several decades ago. Initiation of proceedings itself is
fraudulent with malicious intent.
5. We have considered the submission of the learned Counsel for the
parties and have perused the record.
6. The main question to be answered in this Appeal is as to whether
Application filed by the Appellant under Section 33 read with Section 34 of
the IB Code was maintainable. The basis of Application was approved
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 6 Rehabilitation Scheme dated 07.01.2005, alleging contravention of which
the Application was filed. The primary question is as to whether the
approved Rehabilitation Scheme is a Resolution Plan within the meaning
of IB Code. The Appellant in support of his submission relied on order
dated 24.05.2017 namely - The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Removal
of Difficulties) Order, 2017. The order dated 24.05.2017 was issued in
exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of the Section 242 of the IB
Code, is to the following:
"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by the sub-section (1) of the section 242 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), the Central Government hereby makes the following Order to remove the above said difficulties, namely:
1. Short title and commencement.--(1) This Order may be called the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2017.
2. In the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, in the Eighth Schedule, relating to amendment to the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Repeal Act, 2003, in section 4, in clause (b), after the second proviso, the following provisos shall be inserted, namely:--
"Provided also that any scheme sanctioned under sub-section (4) or any scheme under implementation under sub-section (12) of section 18 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 shall be deemed to be an approved resolution plan under sub- section (1) of section 31 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and the same shall be dealt with, in accordance with the provisions of Part II of the said Code:
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 7 Provided also that in case, the statutory period within which an appeal was allowed under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 against an order of the Board had not expired as on the date of notification of this Act, an appeal against any such deemed approved resolution plan may be preferred by any person before National Company Law Appellate Tribunal within ninety days from the date of publication of this order."
7. Section 242 of the IB Code empowers the Central Government to
remove any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the Code.
Section 242 is as follows:
"242. Power to remove difficulties. - (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Code, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Code as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty:
Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of five years from the commencement of this Code.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament."
8. The Notification dated 24.05.2017 came for consideration before this
Tribunal in Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 160 of 2017 - Pr.
Director General of Income Tax (Admn. & TPS) vs. M/s. Spartek
Ceramics India Ltd. & Anr. The order dated 24.05.2017 was extracted
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 8 by the Appellant Tribunal in the above judgment in paragraph 17. The
Appellate Tribunal noticed Section 242 of the Code and following was laid
down in paragraphs 35, 36 and 37:
"35. The question arises for consideration is whether the impugned Notification S.O. 1683(E) dated 24th May, 2017 relates to removal of difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the case.
The Notification aforesaid, mentions the following difficulties:
"And, whereas, difficulties have arisen regarding review or monitoring of the schemes sanctioned under subsection (4) or any scheme under implementation under sub-section (12) of section 18 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (1 of 1986) in view of the repeal of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985, substitution of clause (b) of section 4 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Repeal Act, 2003 and omission of sections 253 to 269 of the Companies Act, 2013"
36. From plain reading of the ground as shown in the impugned Notification S.O. 1683(E) dated 24th May, 2017, we find that the notification has been issued in view of difficulties arisen to give effect to review or monitoring of the schemes sanctioned under sub-section (4) or sub-section (12) of Section 18 of the 'SICA Act, 1985', in view of 'SICA Repeal Act, 2003' and omission of Sections 253 to 269 of the Companies Act, 2013. It does not relate to removal of any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the 'I&B Code', which is the
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 9 only ground for which Central Government can exercise power conferred under Section 242.
37. In absence of any ground shown for removing any difficulty in giving effect to the provisions of the 'I&B Code' and as the Central Government cannot exercise powers conferred under Section 242 of the 'I&B Code' for removing the difficulties arisen due to 'SICA Repeal Act, 2003' or omission of provisions of the 'Companies Act, 2013', this Appellate Tribunal cannot act pursuant to impugned Notification S.O. 1683(E) dated 24th May, 2017 to entertain the appeal."
9. It was held that order dated 24.05.2017 does not relate to removal of
any difficulties arises in giving effect to the provisions of the IB Code. In
paragraph 57, following observations have been made by this Appellate
Tribunal:
"57. To maintain the judicial decorum, though we have noticed the conflict in the order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and the Notification S.O. 1683(E) dated 24th May, 2017, we refrain from giving any specific declaration about the same.
In spite of observations as made above, the next question requires consideration is that if otherwise the appeals are maintainable the impugned Scheme is legal or not."
10. The order passed by the Appellate Tribunal was challenged before
the Hon'ble Supreme Court by M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. by filing
Civil Appeal Nos.7291-7292 of 2018, which Appeals were disposed of by
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 10 order dated 25.10.2018. It is useful to extract the entire order of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court, which is to the following effect:
"1) Delay condoned. 2) Having heard learned counsel in all the three
appeals before us for some time, and having gone through the judgment dated 28.05.2018 passed by the the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), we are of the view that the judgment of the NCLAT holding that the appeal filed by the Central Government in that case not maintainable in view of the fact that the Notification dated 24.05.2017 travels beyond the scope of the removal of difficulties provision is correct. We are of the view that, having held that the appeal is not maintainable, the appellate Tribunal should not have adjudicated upon either the limitation aspect of the case or the merits of the particular Scheme before it. Therefore, while upholding the judgment passed by the appellate Tribunal on the ground that the appeal itself was not maintainable, we set aside the judgment insofar as it purports to deal with the limitation aspect of the case and the merits including the declaration of the Scheme as being illegal.
3) Insofar as Civil Appeal No. 8247 of 2018 and Civil Appeal D. No. 33241/2018 are concerned, it is clear that on the facts in these cases, originally, the appellants had approached the High Court of Delhi in writ petitions. The High Court of Delhi, by judgment dated 22.02.2018 (as modified by order dated 17.04.2018) and 14.09.2017, respectively, ordered the parties to avail of the alternative remedy of filing an appeal before the NCLAT in view of the Notification dated 24.05.2017 which was done by the appellants in these appeals.
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 11
4) As the impugned judgment dated 28.05.2018 has set aside this Notification, and which has been upheld by us, the NCLAT, in both these cases, has dismissed the two appeals so filed, following the main judgment of 28.05.2018. This being the case, we revive the two writ petitions that had been before the High Court of Delhi in both the appeals before us with liberty to the appellants to amend the aforesaid writ petitions within a period of four weeks from today.
5) We request the High Court of Delhi to take up the writ petitions at the earliest. It is made clear that pleadings may be completed in both the writ petitions expeditiously, and all points available in fact and law to all parties shall be kept open.
6) With these observations, the appeals are disposed of.
7) Pending applications shall stand disposed of."
11. The submission of the learned Counsel for the Appellant in respect
of the above judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 25.10.2018 is
that the judgment is only an obitor and judgment of this Appellate Tribunal
dated 28.05.2018 cannot be read to mean that Notification dated
24.05.2017 is set aside. It is submitted that the Hon'ble Supreme Court
has also incorrectly noticed that judgment dated 28.05.2018 has set aside
the Notification, whereas the NCLAT has not set aside the Notification, but
only made an observation that Notification was in excess of power vested
in the Central Government.
12. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in paragraph 2 clearly noticed the view
of the Appellate Tribunal that Notification dated 24.05.2017 travels beyond
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 12 the scope of removal of difficulties provisions, which observation was
approved. The judgment of the Appellate Tribunal has been upheld. Thus,
the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court clearly lays down that
Notification dated 24.05.2017 travels beyond the scope of removal of
difficulties order. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has also noticed the orders
of the Delhi High Court, where High Court has ordered the parties to avail
of the alternative remedy of filing an appeal before the NCLAT in view of the
Notification dated 24.05.2017. After upholding the judgment of the
Appellate Tribunal dated 28.05.2018, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has
revived the two Writ Petitions filed before the Delhi High Court, which
makes it clear that Notification dated 24.05.2017 was treated as
Notification not to be given effect to.
13. We are not in agreement with the submission of learned Counsel for
the Appellant with regard to Notification dated 24.05.2017 that the
judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court can be treated as only an obitor.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court has clearly approved the view of the Appellate
Tribunal that Notification dated 24.05.2017 travels beyond the scope of
removal of difficulties provisions, which is law declared by the Hon'ble
Supreme Court and is binding on all under Article 141 of the Constitution
of India. The judgment of the Adjudicating Authority impugned in the
present Appeal follows the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in M/s
Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. vs. Union of India & Ors. When the
Notification dated 24.05.2017, is not a valid Notification, there is no
occasion to accept the submission that approved Rehabilitation Scheme
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 13 dated 07.01.2005, which is foundation of the Application filed by the
Appellant under Sections 33 read with Section 34 can be treated as a
Resolution Plan within the meaning of IB Code. The very foundation of the
Application filed by the Appellant under Sections 33 and 34 having been
knocked out, the Application was rightly rejected by the Adjudicating
Authority.
14. The learned Counsel for the Respondent has relied on judgment of
this Tribunal in Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) no.294 of 2018 -
Gail (India) Ltd. vs. M/s. Neycer India Ltd. where this Tribunal has
considered the Notification dated 24.05.2017 and the judgment of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court in M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. (supra). In
paragraphs 5 and 6, following has been laid down:
"5. The aforesaid Notification dated 24th May, 2017 issued by the Central Government was referred before this Appellate Tribunal in M/s. Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. Vs. Union of India & Ors- Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 160 of 2017 etc." wherein this Appellate Tribunal held that the case before the Adjudicating Authority was not maintainable and the Notification dated 24th May, 2017 was illegal as it travels beyond the scope of the removal of difficulties provisions under the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code. The decision of this Appellate Tribunal dated 28th May, 2018 in "M/s. Spartek Ceramics India Ltd." (Supra) was challenged before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal Nos.7291-7292 of 2018. The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 25th October, 2018 upheld the decision of this Appellate Tribunal and held that the
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 14 Notification dated 24th May, 2017 was illegal as it travels beyond the scope of the removal of difficulties provisions under the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code.
6. The case of the Appellant being covered by "Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. Vs. Union of India & Ors."
(Supra), we set aside the impugned order dated 13th April, 2018 passed by the Adjudicating Authority, Single Bench, Chennai, being without jurisdiction. The application is not maintainable. However, it will be open to the Respondent to move before the appropriate forum for appropriate relief which may decide the same uninfluenced by the decision of this Appellate Tribunal."
15. The learned Counsel for the Appellant has laid great emphasis on the
order of the Adjudicating Authority passed in CP(IB) No.469 of 2018 in the
matter of Surendra Singh Hada & Ors. vs. Arfat Petrochemicals Pvt.
Ltd. The said observations were made by Adjudicating Authority in Section
9 Application where liberty was given to the Operational Creditor to file an
Application under Section 33 of the IB Code subject to compliance of the
relevant provisions of law. The above order of the Adjudicating Authority
dated 05.04.2021, does not notice the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme
Court in M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. Hence, the order of the
Adjudicating Authority dated 05.04.2021 cannot be held to be any binding
precedent to be followed.
16. The learned Counsel for the Appellant has also relied on judgment of
Delhi High Court in Ashapura Minechem Ltd. vs. Union of India and
Ors. in Writ Petition (C) 9674 of 2017 decided on 01.11.2017. The Delhi
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 15 High Court in the above judgment has also considered the Notification
dated 24.05.2017 issued by the Central Government. The above judgment
of the Delhi High Court had no occasion to notice the judgment of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court in M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd., where
notification dated 24.05.2017 has been disregarded by the Hon'ble
Supreme Court. Hence, the judgment of the Delhi High Court cannot be
held to be any binding precedent.
17. The learned Counsel for the Appellant has also placed reliance on
judgment of Madhya Pradesh High Court in Girdharilal Sugar & Allied
Industries Ltd. vs. Union of India, where Notification dated 24.05.2017
has been relied and relying on the said Notification the High Court held
that the Writ Petition is not maintainable and dismissed the Writ Petition.
The judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has simply followed the
Notification dated 24.05.2017, which Notification having been held to be in
excess of authority of the Central Government as per the judgment of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court in M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd., the
judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court cannot help the Appellant in
the facts of the present case.
18. The learned Counsel for the Appellant has also placed reliance on
certain judgments of NCLT Mumbai, NCLT Delhi Bench on the Notification
dated 24.05.2017. The judgment of NCLT Ahmedabad in Surendra Singh
Hada & Ors. vs. Arfat Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd. has already been noticed
and dealt with by us in preceding paragraph of this judgment. The
judgment of the NCLT Mumbai Bench dated 13.10.2017 in S.M. Dyechem
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 16 Ltd., in which judgment NCLT had no occasion to notice the judgment of
the Hon'ble Supreme Court in M/s. Spartek Ceramics India Ltd., hence,
cannot be treated as any binding precedent.
19. We are of the view that judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in
M/s Spartek Ceramics India Ltd. is a law declared by the Hon'ble
Supreme Court, where Hon'ble Supreme Court has specifically approved
the view of this Appellate Tribunal that Notification dated 24.05.2017
travels beyond the scope of removal of difficulties provisions. We have
already extracted the provisions of Section 242 of the IB Code in preceding
paragraphs of this judgment, where as per sub-section (1) of Section 242,
Central Government is empowered to issue an order, if any difficulty arises
in giving effect to provisions of this Code. The power under Section 242 is
thus confine to the powers of Central Government in removing difficulties
arising in giving effect to the provisions of the IB Code. The powers cannot
be exercised by Central Government to remove any difficulty regarding
review or monitoring of scheme sanctioned under Sick Industrial
Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 and the repeal of Sick Industrial
Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985, which is the specific reason
mentioned in the Notification dated 24.05.2017, noticing the difficulties,
which has arisen for which the order has been issued. It is useful to note
following part of the Notification, which deals with difficulties, which has
arisen:
"And, whereas, difficulties have arisen regarding review or monitoring of the schemes sanctioned under subsection (4) or any scheme under implementation
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 17 under sub-section (12) of section 18 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (1 of 1986) in view of the repeal of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985, substitution of clause (b) of section 4 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Repeal Act, 2003 and omission of sections 253 to 269 of the Companies Act, 2013;
20. We, thus, are of the view that no error has been committed by the
Adjudicating Authority in rejecting Application filed by the Appellant under
Sections 33 and 34. There is no merit in the Appeal. The Appeal is
dismissed. No costs.
[Justice Ashok Bhushan] Chairperson
[Dr. Alok Srivastava] Member (Technical)
[Barun Mitra] Member (Technical)
NEW DELHI
12th December, 2022
Ashwani
Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 312 of 2022 18
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