Reflecting intense yet healthy competition among States for ro- bust business and taxation infra, reforms, and compli- ances, Haryana was ad- judged the best ‘Reformist State’ for the year 2022, bag- ging the ‘Gold Trophy of the prestigious TIOL National Taxation Awards 2023, while economic power- house Maharashtra settled for ‘Silver’, losing out thinly to northern counterpart. Not too far behind, thestates of Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat were chosen for a special Jury Award’ for re- cording remarkable progress in the business and taxation ecosystem.
As many as 24 States ac- tively participated this year and Rajasthan, the last year’s winner of the Gold trophy did exceedingly well this year too but lost out to a legacy Rule framed during the period of former CJI Justice RC Lahoti when he was the chairman of the Jury Panel. As per this Rule, all sponsors, partners & and supporters of the event automatically disqualify from receiving any award in that particular year. Rajasthan being the ‘State Partner’ for the 2023 event was amongst the front runners in terms of votes!
The magnificent jury for this year’s awards was com- posed of eminent and top- notch professionals and jurists-former Supreme Court judges Justice A. K. Patnaik and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh, former Finance Secretary & Member of 15th Finance Commission Mr. A. N. Jha, Former Chairperson of CBEC Ms. Praveen Mahajan, former Chairman of CBDT Mr. M. C. Joshi, former Di- rector of Business Standard Mr. Ashok K. Bhattacharya, CEO of Mapple Highways Mr. Anup Vikal, Ambassador Mr. Ajit Kumar, international tax expert & champion of tax education Mr. Mukesh Patel, Chairman of Delhivery Ltd. Mr. Deepak Kapoor and former Vice-President of ITAT Mr. Pramod Kumar:
The jury evaluated more than 500 nominations received from across the country under Deemed and Non-deemed categories numbering 10. Shailendra Kumar, Chairman of TIOL Awards said, “Chosen through rigorous process under the steward- ship of eminent Jury, these awardees are ‘Model Taxpayers’ in our society who would further enrich the culture of legal and tax compliance in the country. As Bharat embarks upon an ambitious journey of being 3rd largest economy, these awardees will be well-weather of resources, the Central and State Exchequers require to achieve the ambitious goals.”
