|
Supreme Court doubts law requiring PSUs to obtain COD approval; directs review
In ONGC vs. CCE 104 CTR (SC) 31, the Supreme Court directed the Central Government to set up a ‘Committee on Disputes’ to monitor disputes between the Government and Public Sector Enterprises and give clearance for litigation. It was held the no litigation could be proceeded with in the absence of COD approval. This was followed in ONGC vs. CIDCO (2007) 7 SCC 39 and it was held that even disputes between PSUs and State Governments would require COD approval. HELD doubting the correctness of this law and referring the matter to a larger bench for reconsideration:
“In our experience, the working of the COD has failed. Numerous difficulties are experienced by the COD which are expressed in the letter of the Cabinet Secretary, dated 9th March, 2010. Apart from the said letter, we find in numerous matters concerning public sector companies that different views are expressed by COD which results not only in delay in filing of matters but also results into further litigation.
In the circumstances, we find merit in the submission advanced before us by learned Attorney General that time has come to revisit the orders passed by the three Judge Bench of this Court in the case of Oil & Natural Gas Commission vs. Collector of Central Excise (supra)”.
Related Judgements
- Shivshahi Punarvasan Prakalp vs. UOI (Bombay High Court)
The assessee is a State Govt. undertaking. Its appeal was dismissed by the Tribunal on the ground that the approval of the Committee on Disputes (“COD”) had not been obtained. In a writ petition filed by the assessee, the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the revenue stated that it…
- Maharashtra State Warehousing vs. DCIT (ITAT Pune)
In the light of the judgement of the Supreme Court in ONGC vs. CIDCO (2007) 7 SCC 39 and that of the Madras High Court in Tamilnadu Warehousing Corp Ltd vs. DCIT (2008) 15 DTR 67, even appeals involving State Government undertakings require approval of the Committee on Disputes….
- CCE vs. Punjab Fibres (Supreme Court)
In the context of s. 35 of the Excise Act, held (1) Where the statute confers on the authority concerned a limited power of condonation of delay or does not provide any such power, the authority has no power to condone delay beyond the prescribed period;


to download the file. You will need a PDF reader to view the files. You can download one for free from 
