The HC held that the refund of input tax credit is limited to...

The HC held that the refund of input tax credit is limited to the tax rate applicable on the principal input, specifically crude sunflower oil. Relying on precedent, the Court affirmed that Circular No. 135/05/2020 applies only where input tax credit accumulation arises from a reduction in tax rates. The Court further concluded that the petitioner is not entitled to a refund under Clause (ii) of Sub-section (3) of Section 54 when the input and output supplies are identical. This interpretation aligns with the legal principles established in a prior HC ruling involving a similar issue. Consequently, the petition was allowed, confirming that refund claims must adhere strictly to the statutory and circular provisions governing input tax credit refunds.