Notification No. 19/97-Cus. (N.T.), dated 26th May, 1997

Whereas petroleum crude (hereinafter referred to as the said goods) falling under heading No. 27.09 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), when imported into India, was leviable to additional duty, under section 3 of the said Customs Tariff Act, equivalent to the duty of excise leviable on petroleum crude under sub-section (1) of section 15 of the Oil Industry (Development) Act, 1974 (47 of 1974), during the period commencing on the 23rd day of July, 1996 and ending with the 25th day of May, 1997;

AND WHEREAS, the Central Government is satisfied that according to a practice that was generally prevalent regarding levy of duty (including non-levy thereof) under the said Customs Tariff Act, additional duty, equivalent to the duty of excise leviable on petroleum crude under sub-section (1) of section 15 of the said Oil Industry (Development) Act, on the said goods was not being levied during the aforesaid period;

NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 28A of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Government hereby directs that the whole of the aforesaid additional duty payable on the said goods, but for the said practice, shall not be required to be paid in respect of the said goods on which the aforesaid additional duty was not levied during the aforesaid period, in accordance with the said practice.