The Tax Practitioners Association (TPA), a leading organization representing tax consultants in the city, has raised concerns by filing a petition with the city bench of the MP High Court.
Their petition challenges the establishment of the State Bench of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in Bhopal, citing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that questions the validity of the September 14th notification issued by the Central Government.
This notification dictates that the sole State Bench of the GST Appellate Tribunal for the entire state of Madhya Pradesh must be located in Bhopal, excluding other cities like Indore. The TPA argues that this decision blatantly violates established rules.
The PIL highlights that during the 38th GST Council meeting in New Delhi on December 18, 2019, the matter of setting up the State Bench of the GST Appellate Tribunal in Madhya Pradesh was extensively discussed. During this meeting, the proposal to establish such a State Bench in Bhopal was granted. Consequently, the responsibility of acting upon this recommendation fell within the jurisdiction of the Central Government.
Despite this recommendation being made four years ago, the Central Government, in a surprising move, issued a notification on September 14th of this year to establish the State Bench in Bhopal while overlooking Indore. The TPA alleges that this action directly contradicts the recommendation put forth by the GST Council during its 38th meeting on December 18, 2019.
About Tax Practitioners’ Association Indore
The gradual implementation of tax regulations in 1950 showed the necessity for a strong democratic association. The Tax Practitioners’ Association was founded in 1953-54, with only 20 Tax Consultants, under the leadership of Lt. CA. Sumanbhai Shah as President and Shri B.D. Maulasaria as Secretary. The association was restructured in 1961, and a new bar room and library were opened in a modest location inside the Old Income Tax office. The then-Commissioner of Income Tax, Shri R.D. Shah, guided this development, which was led by Lt. Shri S.V. Pandey as President.
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The number of taxpayers and tax practitioners in both direct and indirect taxes has grown dramatically over time. The organisation now has over 500 members, including Chartered Accountants in Tax practice. The organisation is currently housed in a large hall in the New Income Tax Building, which is completely furnished and outfitted with modern electrical and electronic conveniences. The Tax Practitioners’ Association is the most powerful organisation in Central India, with formal recognition.
