Lucknow, 21 Dec (HS): Describing the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal as a strong

pillar of the country's tax justice system, Union Minister of State for Law and

Justice (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs

Arjun Ram Meghwal said that this institution has been providing fair,

accessible, and speedy justice to taxpayers for decades. He said that by

developing a judicial process free from technical complexities,

cost-effectiveness, and expertise-based, the Tribunal has simplified access to

justice in a democratic system.

Union Minister Meghwal was addressing the

silver jubilee celebrations organised at Ansal Golf City, Lucknow on Sunday to

mark the completion of 25 years of establishment of the Income Tax Appellate

Tribunal, Lucknow Bench. The Minister appreciated the digital initiatives

adopted by the Tribunal and said that arrangements like e-hearing and video

conferencing are providing timely justice to taxpayers even in remote areas,

thereby making the judicial system more transparent and effective.

On this occasion, Minister Meghwal also honored

senior bar members and former members of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.

Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Government of India,

Principal Chief Income Tax Commissioner, Lucknow (UP East) Amal Pushp, and

Principal Chief Income Tax Commissioner, Kanpur (UP West) Aparna Karan also

expressed their views on this occasion and praised the judicial role of the

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and its contribution in resolving tax disputes.

Regarding the Lucknow Bench, it was informed

that it was established on May 5, 2000, and the first hearing began in August

2000. Currently, two benches are functioning in Lucknow, hearing income tax

appeals related to 16 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Over the past 25 years, the

Lucknow Bench has disposed of more than 16,000 income tax appeals, while 1,592

appeals are currently pending, which are being heard regularly.

The ceremony was attended by C.V. Bhadang,

Chairman, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai; Shaktijit Dey, Vice Chairman,

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai; Amit Shukla, Judicial Member, ITAT

Mumbai; and several current and former members of the Income Tax Appellate

Tribunal. Senior Income Tax Department officials and representatives from the

ITAT Bar Associations of Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur

also participated.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi