Govt mulls reducing numbers of tax, administrative tribunals

An Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) has been constituted to look into the possibility of reduction in the number of tax and administrative tribunals, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.

There are at least 36 tribunals for settling various administrative and tax-related disputes, including Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) and Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT), among others.

In such major policy issues involving statutory provisions, once the recommendations of designated IMG are received, the same are examined at the competent level keeping all aspects in mind and appropriate decision is taken in larger public interest, he said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

The group will study the possibility of convergence or merger of tribunals to reduce their numbers, said Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office.

"IMG shall study a report in this regard prepared by Indian Law Institute and shall look into the comments received from various ministries or departments to give its suggestion on this issue," he said.