CBIC asks field units to monitor performance of standing counsels on a monthly basis

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has instructed field units to conduct performance monitoring of standing counsels on a monthly basis, so as to to ensure
that appeals and petitions filed before High Courts in the country are defended and pursued efficaciously.

"Any adverse order by the High Court may have All India ramifications, and considering the limited scope of SLP under Article 136 of the Constitution of India, it becomes imperative that all possible steps are taken by the field formations to defend the interests of revenue before respective High Courts effectively," the Board said while issuing the instructions on September 30.

The Board said that jurisdictional principal chief commissioners or principal director generals or chief commissioners shall monitor the performance of the standing counsels on monthly basis and submit a consolidated report. The Board has also instructed that field units submit a monthly report on new cases filed in a High Court during the month.

Further, allocation or re-allocation of cases to the counsels should be done based on performance, and that counsels must be timely briefed by well conversant sufficiently senior officer, and be provided contact details of senior officials for urgent assistance.

"Counsels may also be sensitized to intimate the Department about the status
of the pending matters on timely basis," the Board said adding that appeals or petitions filed before any High Court must be handled effectively and diligently, leaving no room for laxity.