SC: PAY EXCISE DUTY ON LAMINATED PARTICLE BOARD

The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that manufacturers of laminated particle board will be liable to pay a higher excise duty as after processing, the product becomes a distinct marketable commodity different from the original one. The panels, after lamination, become water resistant, scratch resistant and look attractive due to printed design paper. The appellate tribunal had accepted the argument of the manufacturer that laminated board was similar to particle board. The court overruled that view.