80,000 Cases Pending before CESTAT, Govt Happy but Numbers not Going Up

· CBIC Chairman Calls for Collaboration with CESTAT

· Tribunal now Operates at Full Strength of 32 Members in 16 Benches says CESTAT President Dilip Gupta

· Supreme Court Judge Dinesh Malhotra Inaugurates Event, Calls for Finality in CESTAT Judgements without Scope for HC or SC Appeal

· Govt to Set Up Committee to Suggest Steps to Reduce Litigation

With a whopping 80,000 tax litigation cases pending before Cestat, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra on Saturday said the government will set up a committee to suggest measures to reduce tax litigation and expeditious disposal of backlog. Speaking at an event to commemorate 40 years of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Malhotra said bringing clarity in tax laws and rules will help in reducing litigation as pendency of litigation has been a constant challenge before the tribunal.

"What we will do in the government and we will seek support from CESTAT and CBIC is with us, we will set up a group and see how we can reduce litigation and reduce pendency. Whether it is by simplifying, clarifying law or training (officers), what are the various ways we can reduce fresh litigation and provide for expeditious disposal of pending cases," Malhotra said.

He said CESTAT is currently operating with a full bench and the vacancies that were there last year have been all filled up. However, 80,000 cases are still pending before the tribunal and the average pendency is of 4-6 years.

"20,000 cases are registered every year. We are disposing of as many but we are not able to clear the backlog," Malhotra said.