Kolkata, Sep 7 (PTI) Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday said the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) had played an important role in shaping India's justice system and called the National Tribunal Commission reform covering 16 bodies the beginning of a wider "reform, perform and transform" mission.

Meghwal made the remarks while inaugurating ITAT's new premises in New Town, with its Kolkata Bench set to play a key role in expediting tax dispute resolution across 12 states, including seven northeastern states.

He invited suggestions from stakeholders to strengthen the tribunal framework and reaffirmed ITAT's motto of impartial, accessible and swift justice.

ITAT president CV Bhadang said the Kolkata Bench had significant administrative importance, particularly in improving the efficiency of justice delivery for the seven northeastern states, a statement said.

He said ITAT had made progress in reducing pendency and delivering faster justice while embracing AI-driven digital transformation in preparation for the forthcoming Income Tax Act, 2025 and Rules, 2026.

Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Surbhi Verma Garg emphasised the synergy between the Income Tax Department and ITAT, despite the two institutions functioning under different ministries.

She said both institutions were aligned in their efforts to reduce litigation and improve taxpayer services, pointing to the department's faceless assessment system and ITAT's e-filing initiatives as examples of technology-driven reforms. PTI BSM MNB