With the establishment of the National Tax Tribunal, all matters and proceedings pending in appeals and references under the direct and indirect tax laws before various High Courts are proposed to be transferred to it.
The National Tax Tribunal Bill, 2004, piloted by Law Minister H R Bhardwaj, said a large number of pending tax cases in the High Courts had resulted in huge revenue being blocked in such litigations adversely affecting the economy.
The National Tax Tribunal would hear cases on substantial question of law from decisions of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal.
The bill says, a person who has been a Supreme Court or a High Court judge shall be the chairperson of this tribunal. The government will decide on the number of benches to be set up to hear the cases under direct tax and indirect tax laws.
