Parliamentary Panel Urges Timely Filling of ITAT Vacancies and Infrastructure Upgrades

A Parliamentary Committee has recommended the timely and continuous filling of vacancies across the judicial, registry, and support cadres of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). According to the panel, persistent staff shortages directly impact hearing schedules and the overall disposal of cases.

The findings were released by the Standing Committee on Law and Personnel in its report titled 'Review of functioning of tribunal system in the country'. The report noted that the ITAT, established in 1941 and often referred to as the 'mother tribunal', has a sanctioned strength of 126 members, which includes a president and 10 zonal vice-presidents.

Data cited in the report indicates that as of May 1, 2026, 98 members were actively in position, while recruitment has been completed for an additional 16 candidates. Beyond judicial members, vacancies in key administrative positions—including the Registrar and supporting staff—are reported to affect case management and administrative efficiency.

The committee observed that the efficiency of a judicial institution depends equally on the availability of members and the adequacy of its registry, administrative, and support staff. It warned that vacancies at various levels adversely affect the scheduling of hearings, the preparation of records, court proceedings, administrative supervision, and case disposal rates.

To address these operational hurdles, the committee recommended that the Department of Legal Affairs, the tribunal, the Staff Selection Commission, and other relevant agencies coordinate to fill vacant posts in the registry and supporting cadres. Targeted roles include the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Senior Private Secretary, and Private Secretary.

The report also addressed a recurring challenge faced by government organizations in retaining candidates selected for Group B and C posts. To mitigate this issue, the committee recommended examining the feasibility of maintaining a reserve panel or waiting list of selected candidates for a specified period. This measure is intended to facilitate the expeditious filling of vacancies arising from non-joining or early attrition.

Additionally, the panel suggested that periodic manpower assessments be undertaken to evaluate staffing requirements across judicial, registry, and support cadres, ensuring that administrative constraints do not impede institutional efficiency.

Beyond staffing concerns, the standing committee advised the Department of Legal Affairs to prioritize the strengthening of ITAT physical infrastructure across the country. This includes establishing a permanent and modern headquarters in Mumbai and completing ongoing infrastructure projects in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Guwahati within stipulated timelines.

"Operational efficiency in judicial and quasi-judicial bodies is critical for the broader business and startup ecosystem. Timely dispute resolution and tax certainty depend heavily on well-staffed tribunals and robust administrative infrastructure. Addressing staffing deficits and infrastructure bottlenecks at institutions like the ITAT will help reduce procedural delays and streamline compliance for businesses operating in India." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes