President urges innovative handling of rising tax cases

President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said the growing number of tax disputes in India and the amount involved call for innovative tax litigation management to contribute to further ease of doing business in the country.

"With the development of Indian economy, the direct taxes and number of tax payers have increased manifold, which have put pressures on the tax dispute redressal system," Mukherjee said while inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebrations here of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.

"The rising trends in tax disputes and the quantum involved in tax litigations, call for an innovative tax litigation management system," he said.

"Through speedy justice, consistent orders, fair approach and business-oriented litigation management system, you can contribute to the growth story of India, which is unfolding itself," he told the tax appellate body officials.

The president said tax dispute resolution is an integral component of the ecosystem for promoting investments and attracting business.

"As per World Bank Group 2016 report, India is ranked at 130 in the ease of doing business. This status must be improved," he said.

Mukherjee also said the rising number of disputes call for trained manpower in both the tax department as well as tax judiciary to keep India globally competitive in the tax judicial system.