The wait for a Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Bench in Hyderabad is likely to get over by mid-2015.
“There are indications of the Hyderabad Bench being set up either in May or June,” said sources in the Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FTAPCCI). A bench here, for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, would help litigants save time, energy and money they incur going to the Bench in Bengaluru.
‘Speedy disposal of cases’
It has been more than a year since the Union Cabinet approved setting up of the Bench. Besides Hyderabad, the Union Cabinet on October 17, 2013 had given the go-ahead for setting up new benches of CESTAT in Chandigarh and Allahabad, besides one more each in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. “With the creation of six additional benches of CESTAT, disposal of cases will increase and pendency will decrease benefiting government and tax payers,” the Centre had declared. CESTAT hears appeal against orders and decisions of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under the Customs Act, 1962, Central Excise at 1944 and Gold (Control) Act, 1968, as also Service Tax appeals.
It is empowered to hear appeals against orders passed by designated authority with regard to anti dumping duties under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.
