The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has disposed of 4227 income tax appeals, against total 5486, reflecting pendency of 1259 appeals during July-February 2006-07. The latest data compiled by CBR Legal Wing showed that 18 Commissioners of Income Tax Appeals had cleared 4227 cases during the period under review.
A total of 4640 appeals were added during the first seven months of current fiscal year, against 11443 appeals added in the corresponding period of last year. In 2004, 21782 appeals were added. This clearly reflects that the number of appeals filed during 2006-07 were less than previous years.
At the start of 2006-07, 846 appeals were pending. Following addition of 4640 cases, the figure reached 5486 during July-February. Month-wise data showed that 455 income tax appeals were disposed of in February 2007; 389 appeals in January 2007; 647 appeals in December 2006; 484 in November 2006; 455 in October 2006; 660 in September 2006; 677 in August 2006 and 646 income tax appeals were disposed of in July 2006.
According to CBR, the new strategy envisages deciding all new appeals and adjudication cases within 90 days of filing as per law. This policy has been actively pursued to provide relief to the taxpayers.
The Board has already approached the Law and Justice Division for clearance of backlog of cases at the Income Tax Tribunals and Customs, Central Excise and Sales Tax, Appellate Tribunals within one year.
Following successful experience of settlement of cases at the level of Supreme Court, the Board is now pursuing the Law and Justice Division to expedite cases pending with the tribunals.