Appeal against the directions of the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP)
The institution of Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) was created by Finance Act, 2009 with a view to bring about speedy resolution of disputes in the case of international transactions particularly involving Transfer Pricing issues.
Under the provisions of sub-section (8) of section 144C, the DRP has the power to confirm, reduce or enhance the variations proposed in the draft order. The Income Tax Department does not have the right to appeal against the directions given by the DRP. The taxpayer has been given a right to appeal directly to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the order passed by the Assessing Officer in pursuance of the directions of the DRP.
As the directions given by the DRP are binding on the Assessing Officer, it is accordingly proposed to provide that the Assessing Officer may also file an appeal before the ITAT against an order passed in pursuance of directions of the DRP.
It is therefore proposed to amend the provisions of section 253 and section 254 of the Income-tax Act to provide for filing of appeal by the Assessing Officer against an order passed in pursuance of directions of the DRP in respect of an objection filed on or after 1st July, 2012.
These amendments will take effect from the 1st day of July, 2012.
