Modi hails decision to raise monetary limits for tax litigation
New Delhi, July 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the government's decision to reduce tax dispute litigation by not filing any appeals except in high-value cases.
He said the decision was in line with his government's belief of trusting the citizens.
The government had on Wednesday decided it will not file any appeals in appellate tribunals, High Courts and the Supreme Court in cases involving an amount less than Rs 20 lakh, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore respectively.
The earlier limit for filing an appeal in appellate tribunals was Rs 10 lakh while it was Rs 20 lakh for High Courts and Rs 25 lakh for the Supreme Court.
"This move will result in withdrawal of 41 per cent of total cases by CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) and 18 per cent of total cases by CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs). This is in line with our government's belief of trusting our citizens," Modi said in a tweet.
Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said while this move will lead to withdrawal of a substantial amount of cases, but will affect only a fraction of the total value of the disputed amount.
He said that as per estimates, there were tax disputes worth Rs 7.6 lakh crore pending in various appeal tribunals, high courts and the Supreme Court till March 2017.
"Out of this, 66 per cent of cases amount to only 1.8 per cent value of the total litigation value of Rs 7.6 lakh crore," Goyal told reporters here.
"Often it has been found that the cost of litigation is greater than the recovery amount... So to minimise litigation, the government has taken this decision," he added.
In case of income tax, out of total cases filed by the department in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), 34 per cent of cases will be withdrawn. In case of High Courts, 48 per cent of cases will be withdrawn and in case of Supreme Court, 54 per cent of cases will be withdrawn.
"Withdrawing 41 per cent of pending appeals would affect only 0.82 per cent of the total litigation amount," he said.
Similarly, in case of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), out of total cases filed by the department in Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), 16 per cent of cases will be withdrawn.
In case of High Courts, 22 per cent of cases will be withdrawn and in case of Supreme Court, 21 per cent of cases will be withdrawn.
"And withdrawing 18 per cent of indirect tax related appeals will affect only 1.45 per cent of the litigation amount. Altogether, only Rs 6,000 crore will be forgone by substantially reducing the number of pending litigation," he said.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
