FM Urges Faster Tax Grievance Redress, Refunds

24 Jun 2025 CW Team

The meeting was attended by Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agarwal, CBDT members, and senior officers from the Income Tax Department.

Officials presented key updates, noting that 131,844 out of 160,229 grievances filed via CPGRAMS and e-Nivaran platforms in FY 2025–26 had been resolved, marking an 82.28 per cent disposal rate. Refunds also saw a substantial rise, with a 58.04 per cent year-on-year increase. Refunds issued included Rs 233.76 billion under orders giving effect and Rs 104.96 billion through rectification.

In litigation management, the department aims to resolve over 225,000 of the 577,000 pending appeals this fiscal year. This would address over Rs 10 trillion in disputed demand. Following revised monetary thresholds in Budget 2024–25, 4,605 cases were withdrawn, and appeals were avoided in 3,120 cases due to higher thresholds.

The updated thresholds are:

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT): Rs 60 million (up from Rs 50 million)
High Courts: Rs 200 million (up from Rs 100 million)
Supreme Court: Rs 500 million (up from Rs 200 million)

Sitharaman instructed PrCCsIT to accelerate the disposal of disputes under the faceless appellate system and to withdraw departmental appeals below these thresholds within three months. She stressed the need for simplification, transparency, and a taxpayer-friendly approach.

The Finance Minister also directed the CBDT to reduce grievance pendency on CPGRAMS and e-Nivaran, encouraging proactive strategies to address recurring issues. Regional performance in grievance redressal will be closely monitored to ensure consistency nationwide.

She emphasised structured compliance and the adoption of best practices from high-performing regions. A comparative study of performance on grievances, rectifications, condonations under Section 119, and Orders Giving Effect will help identify bottlenecks and guide improvement.

Sitharaman praised CBDT for its work on the draft Income Tax Bill, describing it as aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision for legal simplification. She called for preparedness to launch nationwide awareness and capacity-building programmes once the Bill is passed.

The conclave reflected a strong push for taxpayer-centric reforms, digital integration, and efficient dispute resolution to improve trust and compliance across the board.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the Conclave of Principal Chief Commissioners of Income Tax (PrCCsIT) in New Delhi, where she urged officials to prioritise prompt taxpayer service and reduce pending litigation.The meeting was attended by Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agarwal, CBDT members, and senior officers from the Income Tax Department.Officials presented key updates, noting that 131,844 out of 160,229 grievances filed via CPGRAMS and e-Nivaran platforms in FY 2025–26 had been resolved, marking an 82.28 per cent disposal rate. Refunds also saw a substantial rise, with a 58.04 per cent year-on-year increase. Refunds issued included Rs 233.76 billion under orders giving effect and Rs 104.96 billion through rectification.In litigation management, the department aims to resolve over 225,000 of the 577,000 pending appeals this fiscal year. This would address over Rs 10 trillion in disputed demand. Following revised monetary thresholds in Budget 2024–25, 4,605 cases were withdrawn, and appeals were avoided in 3,120 cases due to higher thresholds.The updated thresholds are:Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT): Rs 60 million (up from Rs 50 million)High Courts: Rs 200 million (up from Rs 100 million)Supreme Court: Rs 500 million (up from Rs 200 million)Sitharaman instructed PrCCsIT to accelerate the disposal of disputes under the faceless appellate system and to withdraw departmental appeals below these thresholds within three months. She stressed the need for simplification, transparency, and a taxpayer-friendly approach.The Finance Minister also directed the CBDT to reduce grievance pendency on CPGRAMS and e-Nivaran, encouraging proactive strategies to address recurring issues. Regional performance in grievance redressal will be closely monitored to ensure consistency nationwide.She emphasised structured compliance and the adoption of best practices from high-performing regions. A comparative study of performance on grievances, rectifications, condonations under Section 119, and Orders Giving Effect will help identify bottlenecks and guide improvement.Sitharaman praised CBDT for its work on the draft Income Tax Bill, describing it as aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision for legal simplification. She called for preparedness to launch nationwide awareness and capacity-building programmes once the Bill is passed.The conclave reflected a strong push for taxpayer-centric reforms, digital integration, and efficient dispute resolution to improve trust and compliance across the board.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..