Date:14/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/14/stories/2005091403500900.htm

Back FICCI lists measures to deal with pending excise cases

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Sept. 13

TO reduce the number of pending cases of customs, Central excise duty and service tax, the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has recommended measures to a committee constituted by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

In a note to the Committee on Pendency of Cases at Various Stages of Appeal, Directorate of Legal Affairs, CBEC, the chamber has said that additional officers can be employed in the Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT). It has also suggested that both parties can prepare a one-page summary, which can get scrutinised by the special cell in the tribunal. A special bench could be constituted to decide high stake matters, say, involving over Rs 5 crore. FICCI felt that the powers of the tribunal should be strengthened further to award costs. Frivolous appeals should be discouraged by awarding heavy penalties. The chamber noted that there are several appeals of a smaller value that require disposal by a single member of CESTAT. The tribunal could have more benches comprising a single member for a specified period to enable the mass disposal of small-value cases. Citing the reasons for pendency, the chamber said that there are a significant number of vacancies of members of CESTAT and a lack of policy in the selection and appointment of the tribunal's members.