Interest on Delayed Refund Post-Provisional Assessment: CESTAT Orders Payment to HPCL u/s 11BB of CEA

The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has directed the customs authorities to pay interest under Section 11BB of the Central Excise Act (CEA) to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for the delayed refund of excise duty that arose after a post-provisional assessment. This decision reinforces the statutory obligation of the government to provide timely tax refunds to assessees and to compensate them for any undue delays in the refund process by paying applicable interest as mandated by law.