TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
2023 (11) TMI 737
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....raised in the cross-objections are as under: 1. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the assessment order is null and void as the same is in violation of CBDT Circular No.19/2019 requiring mandatory DIN. 2. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the assessment framed u/s 153A, is bad in law in the absence of any incriminating material being found during the course of search. 3. As could be seen from ground no. 1 in the cross objections, the issue raised is a purely legal and jurisdictional going to the root of the matter. Therefore, we propose to deal with the issue at the very outset. 4. We have heard Sh. Ved Jain, learned counsel appearing for the assessee and learned Departmental Representative. 5. ....
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....ous c-governance initiatives. Income-tax Department is moving toward total computerization of its work. This has led to a significant improvement in delivery of services and has also brought greater transparency in the functioning of the tax-administration. Presently, almost all notices and orders are being generated electronically on the Income Tax Business Application (ITBA) platform. However, it has been brought to the notice of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (the Board) that there have been some instances in which the notice, order, summons, letter and any correspondence (hereinafter referred to as "communication") were found to have been issued manually, without maintaining a proper audit trail of such communication. 2. In ....
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....nly after recording reasons in writing in the file and with prior written approval of the Chief Commissioner / Director General of income-tax. In cases where manual communication is required to be issued due to delay in PAN migration, the proposal seeking approval for issuance of manual communication shall include the reason for delay in PAN migration. The communication issued under aforesaid circumstances shall state the fact that the communication is issued manually without a DIN and the date of obtaining of the written approval of the Chief Commissioner / Director General of Income-Tax for issue of manual communication in the following format:- ".. This communication issues manually without a DIN on account of reason/reasons giv....
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....ffect. It mandates that on or after 1st day of October, 2019, no communication will be issued without a computer generated DIN, which has to be quoted in the body of the communication. Though, paragraph 3 of the aforesaid Circular provides that in certain exceptional circumstances, the communication may be issued manually without DIN, however, it has to be after recording reasons in writing in the file with prior written approval of the competent authority and such reasons must be recorded in the body of the communication along with the approval number and date of the approval of the competent authority. 9. In the facts of the present appeal, admittedly, though, the assessment orders have been issued without mentioning the DIN, however, ....