Question : EXCISE ON BIDIS

(a) the details of cases of incorrect claim of excemption by branded manufacturers of Bidis with action taken tereon;

(b) district-wise branded/unbranded Bidi manufacturers availing non-levy of central excise duty, as on 31.03.05

(c) the number of surveys conducted to ensure compliance of laws during the last three years, year-wise.

(d) the number of manufacturers who get registration after exceeding the excemptionlimit;

(e) number of arrests made in three years for illegal claim of excemption: and

(f) the periodicity of fields officers being posted at a particular place as continuity at a particular place allows non-detection of such cases?

MINISTRER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)

ASSURANCE GIVEN:-

(a) to (f): The information is being collected and the same will be laid on the Table of the House.

ASSURANCE FULFILLED:-

(a) Only one case in respect of M/s J.R. Patel and Company has been detected in Hyderabad Zone. An offence case was booked and Show Cause Notice was issued demanding duty of Rs.80,993/-. The case has been adjudicated confirming the demand and imposing penalty of Rs.80,993/-. Redemption fine of Rs.14,000/- was imposed and personal penalty of Rs.5000/- was imposed.

(b) There are in all 10,051 duty paying bidi units. The details of District-wise branded/unbranded bidi manufacturers is not being maintained by the Department.

(c) The number of surveys conducted to ensure compliance of laws during the last three years year-wise are as follows:

2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
58	74	74