S. 250: The CBDT should reconsider the direction in the Central Action Plan of offering incentives to CsIT(A) to enhance assessments and levy penalty. From the action plan, it is not clear as to the utility of the norms set which the CIT(A) has to achieve. If the purpose of setting of norms is to evaluate the performance of the CIT(A) there would be all the more reason why the above quoted portion of the action plan be reconsidered by the CBDT.

These Petitions involve similar issues. The Petitioners

have challenged certain portion of the central action plan formulatedby the Central Board of Direct Taxes (‘CBDT’, for short). This
document contains Chapter 3 pertaining to litigation management.
This Chapter provides the target for Appeals to be disposed by the
Appellate Commissioner in expeditious manner. The clauses
contained in this Chapter lay down targets and norms to be achieved
within certain time.

2. The challenge of the Petitioners is in two parts. In the first
part, the Petitioners have challenged the directions issued by the
CBDT for disposal of certain number of Appeals of specified categories
within specified time. According to the Petitioners, these time limits
are artificially applied, are contrary to the statutory provisions and
also have the effect of making hurried orders by the Appellate
Commissioner.

3. The Petitioners’ second part of the challenge is to the
following portion of the said Chapter :

“Incentive for quality orders :
(i) With a view to encourage quality work by CITs
(A),additional credit of 2 units shall be allowed for
each quality appellate order passed. The CIT (A) may
claim such credit by reporting such orders in their
monthly DO letter to the CCIT concerned. Quality
cases would include cases where (
a) enhancement has been made,
(b) order has been strengthened, in the opinion of the
CCID, and
(c) penalty u/s 271(1) has been levied by the CIT (A).”

4. With respect to the first part, we are primafacie
of the
opinion that the target set by the CBDT for disposal of the Appeals
within the timeframe
provided, are directory and not mandatory.
Primafacie,

we also feel that it may not be impermissible for the
CBDT to prioritize the disposal of the Appeals and to set the goals for
disposal of certain number of such Appeals by the Appellate
Commissioner.

5. With respect to the Petitioners’ second part of the
challenge, we are of the opinion that the CBDT should reconsider the
same. From the action plan, it is not clear as to the utility of the

norms set which the Commissioner has to achieve. If the purpose of
setting of norms is to evaluate the performance of the Commissioner,
there would be all the more reason why the abovequoted
portion of
the action plan be reconsidered by the CBDT.

6. On the next date of hearing, the learned Counsel for the
Respondent would apprise us about the utility of the norms that the
Commissioner would need to achieve and the outcome of the CBDT’s
deliberations on our recommendation for reconsideration.

7. Stand over to 11/04/2019.
(SARANG V. KOTWAL, J.) (AKIL KURESHI, J.)
URS 4 of 4
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One comment on “The Chamber of Tax Consultants vs. CBDT (Bombay High Court)”
Paarth Garg says:
March 25, 2019 at 3:35 pm
The CBDT should also set norms for drafting the orders by the Appellate Commissioners like righting brief but speaking orders. The quality of the appeal orders also should be scanned as to the language and contents of the order. Those found wanting on these counts should be assigned other duties. Appeal is a pious job and should be handled with utmost judiciousness.