3.
Shri
In agreement to the views expressed by our experts, I just wish to add that Section 16 reads as follow:-
"Every registered person shall, ........, be entitled to take credit of input tax charged on any supply of goods or services or both to him which are used or intended to be used in the course or furtherance of his business and the said amount shall be credited to the electronic credit ledger of such person".
from plain reading we can conclude that it talks of "Eligibility" to take the ITC, even remotely it does not suggest compulsion to take ITC. To avail ITC or to forego it is the right of the assessee. You may add this ground if you feel appropriate. If this kind of notice is issued it is really very surprising.
Thanks