Chief Justice of India, Justice B R Gavai, praised the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) for its significant contribution to the justice delivery system while urging renewed focus on structural and procedural improvements to meet contemporary challenges. Addressing a symposium on Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Role, Challenges, and Way Forward in New Delhi, Justice Gavai appreciated ITAT for bringing down the pendency of cases from 85 thousand to 24 thousand in the last five years. He added that when courts and tribunals provide reasonable and consistent reasons and predictable decisions, the law evolves into a suitable framework enabling citizens to confidently exercise their rights and fulfil their duties. Justice Gavai also noted that inconsistent or contradictory rulings can weaken the authority of the legal system and hinder the effective administration of justice, particularly in technical and highly specialised domains such as income tax. However, the Chief Justice further said the disputes about a whopping 6.85 lakh crore rupees are still pending consideration before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the central government is constantly striving to strengthen the role of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and to make the justice system more transparent, effective, and people-oriented.
