The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs ( CBIC ) have directed the officials to assist the Government counsels in cases relating to writ petitions or Public Interest Litigations filed against Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The letter issued by the Board to the Officials pointed out that there are some instances where the Government Counsel defending U01 & Ors in the High Court (s) are not being assisted by the Department properly or the representative of the Department suffers from lack of relevant knowledge and information.
“This has been viewed seriously by the Board. In view of the above, the Board has directed that all field formations may be directed to promptly and effectively brief the Counsels representing the Department so that no case goes unattended. An officer, at least of Deputy Commissioner level, should be made personally in-charge for keeping track of the cases, the next dates of hearing, briefing the Counsel and follow-up action. Regular updates and personal monitoring of Writ Petitions involving GST matters, should be done by the jurisdictional Chief Commissioner/ Director General of Central Taxes,” the Board said.
It further said that it must be the endeavor of the Department to avoid any adverse orders/strictures and all measures necessary to efficaciously defend GST related petitions in High Court (s) be taken under your respective jurisdiction.
Earlier, the Board had pointed out a similar issue in various occasions and has directed the field officers to co-operate with the judicial proceedings.
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