Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

22-November-2012 16:52 IST

With a view to provide clarity on contentious legal issues, promote consistency of approach on a given issue and reduce litigation, the following institutional mechanism to formulate ‘Departmental View’ on contentious legal issues has been set up by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT);

(i) A Standing Committee in the Central Board of Direct Taxes known as “Central Technical Committee (CTC) on Departmental View” has been constituted.

(ii) In order that the contentious legal issues are first discussed at the local level and duly filtered, each CCIT (CCA) has constituted a “Regional Technical Committee” (RTC).

CTC can receive references for CBDT, RTCs and Directors of Income Tax (Legal & Research). The CTC may also pick up any issue for consideration suo motu.

CTC is required to take up references to formulate ‘Departmental View’ considering their relative importance. Once approved by the CBDT, the ‘Departmental View’ is to be issued as a Circular.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S. Palanimanickam in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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DSM/RS/bs

Departmental View mechanism to harmonize tax positions and reduce litigation through standing and regional technical committees. Establishment of an institutional mechanism to formulate a Departmental View on contentious direct tax issues: a Central Technical Committee (CTC) will receive references from the Board, Regional Technical Committees and Directors of Income Tax (Legal & Research), may act suo motu, prioritize matters by relative importance, and on Board approval the consolidated Departmental View will be issued as a Circular to guide field formations.