Constitution of regular panel of Senior and Junior Standing Counsels for handling cases of Indirect Taxes before various High Courts, Tribunals and Other Courts - regarding. - Central Excise - F.No. 278A/21/2015-Legal

Counsels Panel of Sr. /Jr. Standing Counsels for handling cases of Indirect taxes before various High Courts, Tribunals and other Courts Constitution of Sub: Constitution of regular panel of Senior and Junior Standing Counsels for handling cases of Indirect Taxes before various High Courts, Tribunals and Other Courts - regarding. In continuation of Board's letter of even number dated 18.06.2015 on the above mentioned subject wherein it has been requested to initiate the process of formation panel of Sr./ Jr. Standing Counsels once again and submit recommendations by 20 th August, 2015. 2. In this context, you should advertise about the constitution of fresh panel by 20 th July, 2015 under intimation to the Board. The day/date fixed for interview of applicant counsels may also be intimated to the Board. 3. After completing all the processes and formalities you should send your recommendations for constitution of fresh panel to the Board by 20.09.2015 positively. Enclosure F. No.278A/21 /2015-Legal Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise Customs C-Wing, 5 th Floor, Hudco Vishala Building, Bhikhaiji Cama Place, C-Wing, New Delhi, the 2 nd July, 2015 To All the Chief Commissioners of Customs, Central Excise, Service Tax All the Chief Commissioners of Customs DG, DRI/ CEI. The webmaster, CBEC website, (cbec.gov.in) with the request to upload this letter on to the CBEC website. Sub: Constitution of regular panel of Senior and Junior Standing Counsels for handling cases of Indirect Taxes before various High Courts, Tribunals and Other Courts - regarding. Sir/Madam, Please refer to this office letter issued from F.No.278A/50/2011-Legal dated 7th March 2014 (Annexure-I) calling for your recommendations for constitution of panel of Senior/Junior standing Counsels to represent the department in indirect tax matters before the various High Courts, other Courts and Tribunals for the period of three years from the date of constitution of panel. However, during the examination of this matter in the Ministry, it has been found necessary to undertake the exercise afresh. 2. Grievances have been expressed by some of the counsels to the effect that in case of fresh appointees interview is prescribed as mandatory requirement whereas in the case of extension of the term of the counsels on panel, the extension is granted on the basis of performance evaluation only without any interview. Thus the fresh applicants do not have fair chance of being empanelled in comparison to those already empanelled. In order to take care of the said grievance Board has decided that interview shall be mandatory in all the cases whether for recommending an extension or fresh empanelment. 3. Accordingly, the process of constitution of the panel of Senior/Junior standing counsels should be undertaken afresh for which you may initiate the necessary process as highlighted in D.O.F.No.278A/43/2007-Legal dated 5th December 2007, the annexure to the said letter (Annexure-II) and the contents of para 2 above. 4. After the receipt of the recommendations made by you in response to the letter dated 7th March 2014, several VIP references have been received on the subject. These reference have been forwarded to you (concerned Chief Commissioners) from time to time. You may also take note of the said VIP reference and dispose them of while making the recommendations. 5. While making the recommendations you should also enclose the copy of the advertisement made in news papers and through the Bar Associations for calling the name of counsels for empanelment. 6. Apart from the above all other instructions contained in the letter of 7th' March, 2014 need to be followed in letter and spirit while making the recommendations since the constitution of fresh panel has been badly delayed you are requested to make the recommendations in this regard latest by 20th August, 2015. 7. Clarifications, if any in this regard can be sought from the undersigned, who can, be contacted on 011-26195406 ad [email protected]. 8. This issues with the approval of Chairman (CBEC). Encl: As above. Sd/- Yours faithfully, (Y.S. Karoo) Under Secretary (Legal) Phone: 011-26195406 Fax No. 011-26177515