नवीनतम
Pendency of matters before courts, tribunals major problem: CJI
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Huge pendency of matters is a "major problem," Chief Justice of India B R Gavai has said, noting that disputes involving an amount of Rs 6.85 lakh crore are still pending consideration before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT).
The CJI was speaking at a symposium titled 'Income Tax Appellate Tribunal -- Role, Challenges and Way Forward' and a felicitation ceremony held here on Wednesday.
Justice Gavai, however, praised ITAT for bringing down the pendency of cases from 85,000 to 24,000 in the last five years.
"A major problem as is with the courts as well as the other tribunals is with regard to huge pendency. I am happy to note that as Shri Bhadang (ITAT head) said that in last five years they have brought down the pendency from 85,000 to 24,000.
"I must congratulate all the members of the ITAT as well as the members of the Bar because without the cooperation of the Bar this could not have been possible for achieving such great achievement. However, still the matters involving disputes that you know is of Rs 6.85 trillion which amounts to more than 2 per cent of India's GDP still lie for consideration before the Tribunal," he said.
Justice Gavai praised the Tribunal for its significant contribution to the justice delivery system while urging renewed focus on structural and procedural improvements to meet contemporary challenges.
He underscored the need for comprehensive reforms and modernisation of the ITAT, emphasising transparency in appointments, consistency in decisions and investment in capacity-building to strengthen the institution's credibility and efficiency.
"The way forward, in my view, must be comprehensive. Reform should address the issues of appointments, tenure, training, case management and technology as interconnected components of an institutional ecosystem, rather than treating them as isolated policy measures," he said.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and ITAT President Justice C V Bhadang.
