Two Doctors for CESTAT Benches
FINALLY, it has come - Six new Technical Members for CESTAT. The following IRS officers are appointed as Technical Members of the CESTAT and posted to various Benches as:
Sl.No. | Name of the officer and Batch | Place of Posting |
|---|---|---|
1. | Shri Bimal Behari Prasad. 1980 | Chandigarh |
2. | Shri Venkitakrishnan Padmanabhan, 1984 | New Delhi |
3. | Shri Madhu Mohan Damodhar, 1984 | Hyderabad |
4. | Shri Y.D. Banga, 1986 | Chennai |
5. | Shri Anil Gangadhar Rao Shakkarwar, 1986 | Allahabad |
6. | Shri Devender Singh, 1985 | Mumbai |
Some of them came to know about the issue of orders while they were participating in the Central Excise Day celebrations yesterday. At least one Commissioner was felicitated yesterday on his elevation to the CESTAT Bench. He told me it was the Central Excise Day gift to him from the Government.
Mr. Banga and Mr. Devendra Singh are medical doctors. This is the first time that medical doctors are becoming Members of the CESTAT.Even after the six appointments, there will still be a vacancy of 5 Members in the CESTAT. And next month, the President and a Technical Member will retire. That takes it to 7. The Government should start the process of selection of the next batch of Members.
Mr. Bimal Behari Prasad who is appointed now is a retired Chief Commissioner and is at present a Member of the Settlement Commission and most probably cannot join the CESTAT.
As per Rule 7 of the Customs and Central Excise Settlement Commission (Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Members) Rules, 2015, a Member is required to serve the Commission at least for two years before he can be appointed to any new assignment. A Member of the Commission can apply for any other post but he cannot accept any new assignment before the completion of two years of service in the Commission.