The All-India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP) has alleged that Income-Tax Department officials were found to be summarily rejecting tax payers’ appeals for stay on I-T demands.

The AIFTP said in a note the Finance Minister should issue appropriate instructions so that discretion was used in such rejections.

Secretary-General of the AIFTP, N. Jain, cited the decisions of the Calcutta. High Court as well as the Allahabad, Karnataka and Rajasthan High Courts, where it was held that the Commissioner (Appeal) has the inherent power to grant stay of demand and suggested that appropriate amendments be made in the Income Tax Act in line with the decisions.