Cabinet Committee Approves 18 Judicial, 22 Accountant Member Appointments for ITAT

ntroduction: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, has recently sanctioned the appointment of 18 Judicial Members and 22 Accountant Members for the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). This move, aimed at reinforcing the ITAT with qualified individuals, carries implications for the judicial and financial landscape of the tribunal.

• Judicial Member Appointments: The list of approved Judicial Members includes seasoned individuals with backgrounds such as Retired District Judges and Advocates. Notable names in the list are Narinder Kumar, Vimal Kumar, and Kamal Kant, bringing a wealth of experience to the ITAT. The appointed members will serve in the pay scale of Rs. 2,25,000/- for a tenure of 04 years or until reaching the age of 67 years, whichever comes earlier. This move ensures a robust judiciary within the ITAT, enhancing its capacity to address income tax-related appeals effectively.
• Accountant Member Appointments: The Accountant Member appointments comprise retired and serving officers with significant experience in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and Chartered Accountants. Individuals like Sanjay Awasthi, Renu Jauhari, and Omkareshwar Chidara, with backgrounds in IRS, bring financial acumen to the tribunal. Similar to the Judicial Members, the appointed Accountant Members will serve for four years or until the age of 67 years in the pay scale of Rs. 2,25,000/-. This dual expertise aims to strengthen the financial insights brought to the ITAT during hearings.

Conclusion: The recent approvals by the Cabinet Committee mark a significant step in fortifying the ITAT with competent Judicial and Accountant Members. This move aligns with the commitment to enhance the efficiency of the tribunal in addressing complex income tax matters. The diverse backgrounds of the appointed members promise a well-rounded approach, ensuring a balanced perspective in the adjudication process. As these individuals assume their roles, their collective expertise is expected to contribute to the effectiveness and fairness of the ITAT’s functioning.

No.14/7/2023-EO(SM.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

North Block, New Delhi
19.12.2023

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following proposals of the Department of Legal Affairs:

(i) Appointment of following candidates for the posts of Judicial Member in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), in the pay scale of Rs.2,25,000/- for a period of 04 years w.e.f. the date of assumpticn of the charge of the post, or until attaining the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier:

(ii) Appointment of following candidates for the posts of Accountant Member in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), in the pay scale of Rs.2,25,000/- for a period of 04 years w.e.f. the date of assumpticn of the charge of the post, or until attaining the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier: