APPEAL TO COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX.

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APPEAL TO COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX

INTRODUCTION.

Appeal refers to an act of referring the case to a higher authority against the order passed by a lower authority in respect of that case or matter. It implies a complaint to a higher authority against the order or judgement (alleged to be erroneous) of an administrative authority or appellate authority. At times it may happen that the taxpayer is aggrieved by an order of the Assessing Officer. In such a case he can file an appeal against the order of the Assessing Officer before the Commissioner Of Income-Tax (Appeals) CIT(A). In this part you can gain knowledge about various provisions relating to appeals to CIT(A).

Procedure For Filing of Appeal to ITAT AKT Associates

PARTIES TO AN APPEAL.

There are following two parties to any appeal :

Appellant. The person filing an appeal is called ‘appellant’ or ‘applicant’. Under Income Tax, the first appeal can only be filed by assesse and—hence only assesse can be appellant in such a case. However, in subsequent appeals (i.e., appeal to ITAT, HC or SC) appellant can be assessed or C.I.T.

Defendant / Respondent. The person against whom the appeal is filed is called ‘defendant’ or ‘respondent’.

WHEN APPEAL CAN BE FILED ?

As per Section 246 A The CIT(A) is the first appellate authority. Section 246A specifies the orders against which an appeal can be filed before the CIT(A). The list of major orders against which an appeal can be preferred before the CIT(A) is given below:

  1.  Order passed against the taxpayer in a case where the taxpayer denies the liability to be assessed under Income Tax Act.
  2. Intimation issued under Section 143(1)/(1B) where adjustments have been made in income offered to tax in the return of income.
  3. Intimation issued under Section 200A(1) where adjustments are made in the filed statement.
  4. Assessment order passed under Section 143(3) except in case of an order passed in pursuance of directions of the Dispute Resolution Panel
  5. An assessment order passed under Section 144.
  6. Order of Assessment, Re-assessment or Re-computation passed after reopening the assessment under Section 147except an order passed in pursuance of directions of the Dispute Resolution Panel
  7.  An order referred to in Section 150.
  8. An order of assessment or reassessment passed under Section 153A or under Section 158BC in case of search/seizure.
  9. Assessment or reassessment order passed under Section 92CD(3).
  10. Rectification order passed under Section 154 or under Section 155.
  11.  Order passed under Section 163 treating the taxpayer as an agent of a non-resident.
  12. Order passed under Section 170(2)/(3) assessing the successor of the business in respect of income earned by the predecessor.
  13. Order passed under Section 171 recording the finding about partition of a Hindu Undivided Family.
  14. Order passed by Joint Commissioner under Section 115VP(3) refusing approval to opt for tonnage-tax scheme to qualifying shipping companies.
  15. Order passed under Section 201(1)/206C(6A) deeming a person responsible for deduction of tax at source as assesse-in-default due to failure to deduct tax at source or to collect tax at source or to pay the same to the credit of the Government. Order determining refund passed under Section 237.
  16. Order imposing penalty under Section(s) 221/271/271A/271AAA/271F/271FB/272A/272AA/272B/272BB/275(1A)/158BFA(2)/271B/271BB/271C/271CA/271D/271E/271AAB
  17. Order imposing a penalty under Chapter XXI.

FEES TO BE PAID FOR APPEAL.

Form 35 shall be accompanied by a fee as under: `

Where the total income/loss of the assesse as computed by the A.O. in the case to which appeal relates is Rs.1,00,000 or less : Rs. 250

Where the total income/loss of the assesse, computed as aforesaid in the case to which appeal relates exceeds Rs. 1,00,000 but does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000 : Rs. 500

Where total income/loss of the assesse, computed as aforesaid in the case to which appeal relates exceeds Rs. 2,00,000 : Rs. 1,000

Where the subject matter of appeal relates to any matter other than specified in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above : Rs. 250

The fee should be credited in a branch of the authorised bank or a branch of the State Bank of India or a branch of the Reserve Bank of India after obtaining a challan from the Assessing Officer and a copy of challan sent to the Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals).

TIME LIMIT FOR FILING APPEAL.

According to Section 249(2) The a Appeal should be presented within a period of 30 days of the date of payment of tax, where appeal is under Section 248; or the date of service of notice of demand relating to assessment or penalty if the appeal relates to assessment or penalty; or However, where an application has been made under Section 270AA(1), the period beginning from the date on which the application is made, to the date on which the order rejecting the application is served on the assesse, shall be excluded. the date on which intimation or the order sought to be appealed against is served if it relates to any other cases. As per Section 268 the date on which the order complained of is served is to be excluded. Further, if the assesse was not furnished with a copy of the order when the notice of the order (say notice of demand) was served upon him then the time required for obtaining a copy of the order should be excluded, i.e. period taken for obtaining the order shall be added to the time limit of 30 days.

PROCESS OF PAYMENT OF TAX ONLINE FOR APPEALS.

  1. To pay taxes online, login to http://www.tin-nsdl.com > Services > e-payment. You can go and visit following Link – https://onlineservices.tin.egov-nsdl.com/etaxnew/tdsnontds.jsp
  2. Select the relevant challan i.e. ITNS 280
  3. Enter PAN / TAN (as applicable) and other mandatory challan details like accounting head under which payment is made, address of the taxpayer and the bank through which payment is to be made etc.
  4. On submission of data entered, a confirmation screen will be displayed. If PAN / TAN is valid as per the ITD PAN / TAN master, then the full name of the taxpayer as per the master will be displayed on the confirmation screen.
  5. On confirmation of the data so entered, the taxpayer will be directed to the net-banking site of the bank.
  6. The taxpayer has to login to the net-banking site with the user id / password provided by the bank for net-banking purpose and enter payment details at the bank site.
  7. On successful payment a challan counterfoil will be displayed containing CIN, payment details and bank name through which e-payment has been made. This counterfoil is proof of payment being made.

 

PROCEDURE FOR FILING APPEAL FORM 35

 Login in your Account using User credentials

                                  ↓

Go to E-File Link and Choose Income Tax Forms

                                  ↓

Choose Form No- 35 –Appeal to Commissioner

  Appeals.

                                    ↓

Now start Filing Form No 35 Online. You will get some details Pre-filed and fill remaining editable details properly.

                                  ↓

Now provide details of the order to be appealed against.

                                    ↓

Provide details related to Filed ITR, selected for Scrutiny and against which Appeal is to be filed.

                                    ↓

Now Provide details related to Statements of facts, Grounds of Appeal and Additional Evidence related information which is not made available at time of Assessment. This is a very crucial part of Appeal. Adequate attention needs to be paid while preparing Facts and Grounds of Appeal. These are the points on which your case will proceed further. Each matter on which there is controversy/ matter of disputes between assesse and Assessing Officer needs to be explained properly. All facts should be adequately drawn because in case of appeal before ITAT also these Grounds of Appeal play a very crucial role.

                                  ↓

Now provide details, whether appeal is filed within time limit or there is any delay in filing Appeal. As explained earlier, appeal is to be filed within 30 days from the date of receipt of order however; CIT (A) has power to condone the delay in filing appeal within the prescribed time period. In case of delay, please provide the reasons of delay. The reason should be genuine.

                                 ↓

Now provide details related to Appeal Fees paid and address on which further communication can be done and save the appeal.

                                ↓

After above process, submit the Form 35 and you will get the Acknowledgement number of this Submission

 

CONCLUSION.

The right to appeal is not the natural or inherent right of the assesse. It is available to him only if specifically granted under Income Tax Act. Thus, it is a statutory right of the assesse and cannot be denied to him by any order of the Central Board of Direct Tax (CBDT). It can be snatched from the assesse only by an express provision provided under Income Tax Act. Where it is possible, the CIT(A)  shall dispose off the appeal within a period of one year from the end of the financial year in which appeal is filed. The order should be issued within 15 days of last hearing.

 

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998 & 2016: A Comparative Study

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Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998 & 2016: A Comparative Study

Introduction:

The study here tries to throw a light on the various aspects of the Bio-Medical waste Rules that has changed/amended from Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998 to Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Amendments/changes that has been done by the Government in the Bio Medical Waste management rules,2016 are for the better disposal of Bio-Medical Waste, through which the society can be a better place to live in.

Bio Medical Waste Management Rule, 2016

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998 & 2016 Comparative Analysis

Bio-Medical Waste:

Bio-medical waste is a waste which is generated during diagnosis or treatment of people or animals. This includes all the people and institutes which generate, store, collect, transport, treat, any forms of Bio-Medical Waste. There are many types of Bio-Medical wastes out which some are easy to treat and not harmful or contagious, and the other is very harmful as it can spread highly contagious diseases to the present and the future generation as well. This kind of waste can even be threat to the environment too as it can cause air, water, and soil pollution.

Many studies have stated that health care workers have very less or no knowledge about the disposal of Bio-Medical Waste which can be harmful and may seriously affect the environment. Due to the same reason, there is an increase in the awareness about the Bio-Medical Waste segregation and disposal. In our country there is a very much need of the awareness and knowledge about the same as many reports suggest that there is a lacunae in the practices among the many Health Care Workers. The Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules has been amended several times, but there is a lack of update among Healthcare workers and institutions.

Harmful Effects of Poorly Managed Biomedical Waste:

Biomedical waste when not disposed properly can pose serious risks to society and the environment through air emissions, contamination of water and physical contact.

Improper disposal refers to open dumping, unrestrained burning, and improper handling of waste during generation, collection, storage, transport and treatment.

Improper handling involves unsafe procedures followed during handling of wastes i.e. without wearing protective equipment, poor storage (high temp, high residence), transporting manually for longer distances, uncovered or unpacked containers instead of puncture proof bags, etc. all of which effect hospital workers in different ways.

The following groups are exposed:

Inside Health Care Centers: 

staff- doctors, nurses, auxiliaries, stretcher bearers, patients, scientific and technical personnel, housekeeping staff, laundry, waste managers, maintenance, and lab technicians.

Outside: 

In site and off site transport personnel, waste processing personnel, public, and rag pickers. Improper management of wastewater and sludge can result in contamination of air, soil and water with pathogens and toxic chemicals which may affect all forms of life. Inadequate waste management can cause environmental pollution, unpleasant odors, growth and multiplication of insects, rodents and worms and may lead to transmission of diseases like typhoid, cholera, etc. Infectious agents such as faeces, vomit, saliva, secretions, blood can cause serious health risks on individuals by affecting organs or systems like gastrointestinal, respiratory, eye, skin and cause Anthrax, Meningitis, AIDS, Haemorrhagic Fever, Hepatitis A, B, C, Influenza etc. Research and radio-immunoassay activities may generate small quantities of radioactive gases.

Infections Associated with Different Types of Waste:

OrganismDisease CausedRelated waste
Viruses

HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, C, Arboviruses, Enteroviruses

AIDS, Infectious Hepatitis, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne, fevers, meningitis, etc.Infected needles, body fluids, Human excreta, soiled linen, blood
Bacteria

Salmonella typhi, vibrio cholera, clostridium Tetani, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus

Typhoid, Cholera, Tetanus, Wound Infections, Septicaemia, Rheumatic fever, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infections, meningitis, bacteraemiaHuman excreta and body fluids in landfills and hospital wards, sharps such as needles, surgical blades in hospital waste 
Parasites

Wucheraria Bancrofti, Plasmodium

Cutaenous leishmaniosis, Kala Azar, MalariaHuman excreta, blood and body fluids in poorly managed sewage system of hospitals

 

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules:

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules were implemented under Environment Protection Act,1986 in our country on 20th July,1998. After that the Rules have undergone many amendments in the passing years. Bio-Medical waste Rules,2016 is the latest Bio-Medical Rules after significant and many changes done to Bio-Medical Rules,1998 keeping in mind the health care of the people. Primarily this waste was divided among various categories. Further multiple categories were clubbed to disposed in four colour coded bags. This was very hard to be remembered by the housekeeping and healthworker staff which formed a very weak section in the Bio Medical Waste Management system. It was found that the Bio-Medical waste generators had their own waste disposal techniques and systems which were not very effective or required significant improvement as they posed a threat to the public as well as the environment.

To undertake all these issues the new Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules were laid down by the ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 on 28th March, 2016.

Difference between Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998 and 2016:

The major changes are as follows: (1) the removal of multiple categories and to continue with only four color-codes (2) that no occupier was permitted to establish an on-site treatment and disposal facility if service of a common biomedical waste treatment facility (CBMWTF) is available within a distance of 75 km, and (3) changes in the form numbers of accident reporting, authorization, annual reporting, and appeal. The difference between Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998 and 2016 has been discussed by dividing it into various points and showing the difference between them.

Duties of the Occupier:

Duties of the occupier are delineated better as it wasn’t delineated in 1998. There is pretreatment by disinfection and sterilization on-site of infectious lab waste blood bags as per the WHO guidelines Occupier ensures liquid waste is segregated at source by pretreatment,  whereas, No pretreatment of waste on-site Chlorinated plastic bags, gloves, and blood bags were recommended. ETP is mandatory Occupier ensures to maintain BMWM register daily and on website monthly Annual report should be made available on the website within two years The occupier (30 bedded) establishes BMWM committee Records of equipment, training, health checkup, and immunization are compulsory whereas any of the above were not mandatory in the Biomedical waste management rules, 1998.

Duties of the CBMWTF:

Duties are delineated better The occupier has to establish barcoding and GPS and ensure occupational safety of all its HCWs by TT and HBV vaccination Reporting of accidents and maintenance of records of equipment, training, and health checkup, whereas, in BMWM Rules, 1998 Duties are not delineated, better Barcoding and GPS not documented and vaccinations for HCWs not documented, Records not documented.

Accident Reporting:

Major accidents are reported to authorities and in annual report whereas, No specific reporting of accidents were mandated in BMWM Rules,1998.

Deep Burial:

As per rules 2016, Deep Burial is an option for only remote and rural areas and not in towns and villages with less than 5 lakhs population.

Chemical Treatment:

Changes to chemical treatment from 1% hypochlorite to 10% hypochlorite in 2016 which was again rolled back to 1%-2% in 2018.

Fetes:

No demarcation of foetus was mentioned in BMWM rules 1998 but the new amendment of rules in 2016 said Foetus younger than the age of viability is to be treated as human anatomical waste.

Drugs:

Antibiotics and other drugs and solid chemical waste suggested for incineration Cytotoxic drugs: return back to supplier and incineration up to 1200 C whereas, the rules, 1998 mentioned that all the drugs to be discarded in the black bag for cytotoxic drugs, destruction and drugs disposal in secured landfills

Liquid-infected waste:

Effluent treatment plant is mandatory, and effluent to conform to standards mentioned whereas rules, 1998 states chemical treatment and discharge into drains to conform to effluent standards mentioned.

Microbiology and biotechnology waste:

Rules, 2016 states the Pre-treatment of infectious waste as per the WHO guidelines whereas pre-treatment was not at all mandatory in rules, 1998.

Infected plastics, sharps and glass:

The infected plastics and sharps go in the red bag and the white container, respectively, and are sent to authorized recyclers. The glass articles are discarded in a cardboard box with blue marking whereas, infected plastics, metal sharps, and glass go in the blue container with disinfectant, and local autoclaving/microwaving/incineration is recommended.

Recycling:

A focus on recycling of plastic, sharps, and glass to authorized recyclers whereas, no such mention in rules, 1998.

Form I:

Changed to accident reporting from application for authorization.

Form-II:

Changed to Authorization or renewal of Authorization from Annual Report in rules, 1998.

Form-III:

Changed to Authorization for opening a facility for collectin, reception, treatment, storage, transport, and disposal of BMW from Accident Reporting in BMW Rules in 1998.

Form-IV:

Changed to Annual Report from Authorization for operating a facility for collection, reception, treatment, storage, transport, and disposal of BMW.

Form-V:

Changed to Application for filing appeal against order passed by the prescribed authority from Application for filing appeal against order passed by the prescribed authority in rules 1998.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Further, after publishing Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change made some amendments and published Biomedical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018 on 16th March, 2018. In this amendment, typographical errors were corrected, rules regarding non-infectious wastes were updated.

NDPS – Classification of Drugs

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Cannabis 

 

Section 2 of the NDPS ACT, explains cannabis (hemp) and is defined as: 

 

Charas – a separated resin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified; obtained from the cannabis plant, which also includes the concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish; 

Ganja – the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant, (excluding the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops), by whatever name they may be known or designated; and 

any mixture, with or without any natural material, of any of the above forms of cannabis or any drink prepared therefrom; for example – Bhang. 

 

‘Cannabis plant’ 

 

means any plant of the genus Cannabis.

 

Narcotic Drugs

means coca leaf, cannabis (hemp), opium poppy straw and including all manufactured drugs;

 

Manufactured Drugs 

means

all coca derivatives, medicinal cannabis, opium derivatives and poppy straw concentrate;

any other narcotic substance or preparation which the Central Government may, having regard to the available information as to its nature, or to a decision, if any, under any International Convention, by notification in the Official Gazette declare to be manufactured drug;

 

‘Coca’

‘Coca derivative’ means

Crude cocaine, that is, any extract of coca leaf which can be used, directly or indirectly, for the manufacture of coca, Ecgonine and all the derivatives of ecgonine from which it can be recovered. Cocaine, that is, methyl ester of benzoyl-ecgonine and its salts. All preparations contained more than 0.1 percent of cocaine.