Centre launches Vijayawada, Vizag GST appeal tribunals
Vijayawada: Marking a significant step towards strengthening the GST dispute resolution mechanism in Andhra Pradesh, Centre has launched Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) on Thursday. The two benches-Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam also commenced hearing appeals on the day of their inauguration, ensuring immediate operationalisation of the appellate system.
The benches were inaugurated by GSTAT vice-president and judicial member (Andhra Pradesh) Bhaskar Reddy Vemireddy, who described the occasion as a historic milestone in improving access to tax justice. He said the simultaneous launch of the two benches and the commencement of hearings reflected the tribunal’s commitment to delivering faster, transparent and efficient resolution of GST disputes.
Vemireddy said the establishment of the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam benches would ensure greater uniformity and efficiency in adjudicating GST appeals while providing taxpayers across Andhra Pradesh with easier access to appellate remedies. He added that the move was the result of coordinated efforts by the GST Appellate Tribunal and the Centre and state administrations to make the appellate framework fully functional.
He expressed confidence that the new benches would help expedite the disposal of GST appeals, reduce litigation and strengthen the implementation of the GST regime in the state. The tribunal also acknowledged the contributions of officials, staff, members of the tax bar and other stakeholders who worked towards establishing and operationalising the benches.
Among those present at the inaugural function were GSTAT technical member (Andhra Pradesh) Satish Kumar Agarwal, state taxes chief commissioner Ahmed Babu, special commissioner Nuthulapati Soumya, commissioner (appeals) Devesh Gupta, commissioner (customs) R K Raman, commissioner (CGST) Arun Richard, additional commissioner (customs) Lakshmi Narayana, additional commissioner (CGST) G Raju Yadav, deputy registrar V S Kishore Rayalu, court officers Vinay Krishna Dasi and C H Pratyusha, accounts officer Srinivasa Rao, and senior members of the tax bar and tax professionals from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
