UNION OF INDIA vs THE CENTURY MFG. CO. LTD.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of tariff values for sulphuric acid and chlorine fixed under notifications by the Central Government, affirming that Section 3(2) of the Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944, allows for such fixation without being restricted by Section 4's valuation methods. The Court clarified that the High Court erred in limiting the Central Government's discretion in determining excise duty rates, emphasizing that Section 3(1) and 3(2) provide broad authority for rate fixation. The judgment reinforced that the Central Government can set tariff values based on average market prices, independent of individual manufacturing costs.