Jana Sena Party MP Lingamaneni Ramesh has urged the Union Government to set up an Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Bench in Amaravati to streamline tax litigation for Andhra Pradesh residents.
- MP Lingamaneni Ramesh wrote to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
- Proposed inclusion of 8 districts under the new Amaravati ITAT jurisdiction.
- Aim to reduce travel time and costs for taxpayers and legal professionals.
Jana Sena Party (JSP) MP Lingamaneni Ramesh has formally approached the Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, requesting the urgent establishment of a Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in the capital city of Amaravati. The MP has specifically advocated for the inclusion of Guntur, Krishna, Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Nellore, and Prakasam districts under the jurisdiction of the proposed Bench.
Currently, the ITAT operates a Bench in Visakhapatnam that serves a portion of Andhra Pradesh, covering the undivided East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and West Godavari districts. Mr. Ramesh pointed out that the current territorial arrangement is a legacy of the erstwhile unified State of Andhra Pradesh and has remained largely unchanged since the bifurcation.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this move is a strategic effort to align administrative and quasi-judicial infrastructure with the political reality of the state's reorganization. Following the establishment of separate High Courts for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the rationalization of ITAT jurisdictions is the logical next step to ensure that taxpayers are not penalized by geographic distance when seeking legal redress.
Establishing a central bench in Amaravati would drastically reduce the operational overheads for Chartered Accountants and legal practitioners serving the region.
The MP emphasized that Amaravati is centrally located and possesses superior connectivity to various districts. A Bench here would significantly enhance accessibility for taxpayers, appellants, advocates, and authorized representatives from both central and southern Andhra Pradesh.
Furthermore, the proposal aims to mitigate the logistical burden—including time and expenditure—currently incurred by individuals who must travel to either Visakhapatnam or Hyderabad to pursue their income-tax appeals. This shift would bring judicial services closer to the citizens, adhering to the principle of ease of doing business.
| Feature | Current Status | Proposed Change |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Hubs | Visakhapatnam / Hyderabad | Amaravati |
| Accessibility | Limited / Long distance | Centralized / Accessible |
| Jurisdiction | Pre-bifurcation basis | Post-reorganization basis |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is there a demand for an ITAT bench in Amaravati?
To eliminate the need for taxpayers in several districts to travel to Hyderabad or Visakhapatnam, thereby reducing costs and delays in tax litigation.
2. Which districts are proposed to be under the Amaravati Bench?
Guntur, Krishna, Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Nellore, and Prakasam districts.
