Law Min Meghwal For Widening I-T Appellate Tribunal Jurisdiction

There should be a retrospection on adherence to principles of justice as an effective redressal mechanism with plans to transform the country into a $5 trillion economy -- CV Bhadang, ITAT President

Visakhapatnam: Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal has underlined the importance of strengthening the infrastructure and reach of Income Tax Appellate Tribunals (ITAT).

Speaking at the silver jubilee function of ITAT, Visakhapatnam bench here, he said the Union Government is committed to providing spacious buildings for all the benches of ITAT. He said the tribunal provides an effective redressal mechanism against actions taken by certain officials, which becomes a subject of contention.

He pointed out how an officer issues notices to investors in Rajasthan treating the incentives offered by the State Government as profit in the returns filed by them and demanding tax on those deemed profits. However, he said due to intervention of ITAT concerned, the assessees received relief as the tribunal held the view that it was offered as part of handholding the investors with a specific purpose.

The Minister said to function smoothly all the vacant posts should be filled with the allotment of permanent buildings to the tribunals in a phased manner.

Speaking on the occasion, ITAT President Justice (retd) CV Bhadang said there should be a retrospection on adherence to principles of justice as an effective redressal mechanism with plans to transform the country into a $5 trillion economy.

He said steps are being taken to fill the vacancies in a month or two.

ITAT, established on January 25 1941, to serve as a quasi-judicial institution responsible for adjudicating appeals under various Direct Tax Laws. As the final fact-finding authority in matters of direct taxes, ITAT’s decisions are binding, and an appeal to the High Court is permissible only when a substantial question of law arises from the tribunal’s order.

The Visakhapatnam Bench of ITAT was established in 1997 and has jurisdiction over seven districts of Andhra Pradesh, from Srikakulam to Guntur. The bench started functioning in 2000 at the Super Bazaar Building and moved to its current location in the LIC Building in 2007.

As Visakhapatnam bench has entered the 25th year of exceptional service in the delivery of justice, ITAT Bar Association organised the silver jubilee celebrations in the presence of Vijay Pal Rao, Vice President , ITAT (Hyderabad Zone), Duvvuru RL Reddy, vice president (Kolkata Zone), Mitali Madhusmita, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (AP & Telangana)., Chief Commissioner of IT G K Dhal and ITAT Bar Association president GVN Hari.