The Government of India has announced significant appointments to the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT). The move is expected to enhance the tribunal's capacity to address pending and future GST-related appeals swiftly and with greater expertise.
Principal Bench, New Delhi - Top-Level Appointments
The Principal Bench in New Delhi will now feature three eminent professionals:
- Shri A. Venu Prasad (Retired IAS) has been appointed as the Technical Member (State).
- Shri Anil Kumar Gupta (Retired IRS) will serve as the Technical Member (Centre).
- Justice (Retd.) Mayank Kumar Jain, former High Court Judge, has been appointed as the Judicial Member.
State Benches - Broad-Based Representation Across India
To ensure nationwide access to justice in GST matters, the government has constituted State Benches with:
- 31 Technical Members (Centre) - Primarily retired IRS officers with deep knowledge of indirect tax laws. Notable names include Ajay Dixit, Alok Chopra, and Sandeep Kumar, who also served as CESTAT Chairman.
- 52 Judicial Members - Comprising experienced legal professionals such as Advocate A.P. Ravi, Judge Roopesh Chandra Varshney, and several District Judges with substantial judicial experience.
Appointment Terms and Remuneration
- Tenure: Appointments are for 4 years or until the age of 67, whichever is earlier.
- Salary: All members will receive a fixed monthly remuneration of ₹2,25,000.
- Effective Date: Appointments will take effect from the date of assuming charge.
Why This Matters to Taxpayers
These appointments mark a critical step in operationalizing GSTAT-a long-awaited mechanism to handle GST appeals. With the induction of seasoned tax and legal professionals:
- Taxpayers can expect faster and more efficient dispute resolution.
- The GSTAT will ensure structured hearings, greater consistency in decisions, and reduced litigation backlog.
- The move also brings much-needed specialized judicial and technical expertise to the GST appellate process.
Looking Ahead
The GSTAT appointments are a part of the government's broader efforts to streamline India's indirect tax regime and provide clarity and confidence to businesses. With the tribunal now set to function more robustly, stakeholders across the tax ecosystem anticipate a more predictable and efficient resolution framework.
Official copy of the notification has been attached
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