Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Anurag Thakur brought attention to the decline in the pending cases related to indirect taxes by 61% to 1.05 lakh by March 31, 2019, in comparison to the number of pending cases under litigation on June 30, 2017. The discussion regarding the pending cases took place at the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
The cases related to direct taxes under litigation went just contrast and raised by more than 13% at the end of last Fiscal Year 2019 when it counted at 4.8 lakh, concerning the Fiscal Year 2017 when it was 4.3 lakh. The total pending cases include pending cases of tribunals, high courts, the Supreme Court and of commissioner level (appeal).
The main reason behind the slump in indirect tax cases is the initiation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Regime on July 1, 2017, which brought the new litigation in excise and service tax issues which further gave a major downturn to the pending cases, particularly at the tribunal and commissioner level.
“The increase in pendency at CIT(A) level is not on account of government persisting with litigation as the department is not the appellant at the level of CIT(A),” responded Thakur to a question.
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There are many pending cases which have the same issues so an appeal has been made to the Supreme Court to make a squad of such cases and give verdict on them so that the case can be resolved easily and quickly, as told by the minister.
He further added that field formations have been directed so that the competent and efficient representation can be made before CIT(A) and other conventions.
“Disposal of pending appeals before CIT(A) is closely monitored in the Central Action Plan issued by the Board and targets are allotted to achieve the twin objectives of disposal in number and unlock the tax effect of pending appeals,” Thakur said.
