A bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha that provides for the immediate effect, for a limited period, to provisions in bills related to the imposition or increase of duties of customs or excise, with or without a change in tariff classification. The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The bill also includes provisions for the repeal of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931.
Sitharaman also introduced a bill to align the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act with the Tribunal Reforms Act to initiate the administrative process for the operationalization of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals. The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, Section 109 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017) provides for the Constitution of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal, which is the second appellate authority within the Goods and Services Tax framework for hearing appeals against the orders passed by the Appellate Authority under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, and the State Goods and Services Tax Acts.
It said that the non-constitution of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals is denying taxpayers a second appellate remedy, and consequently, taxpayers are seeking relief directly from the High Court, thereby burdening the High Courts.
