ADR likely from Feb 1 for quick disposal of VAT, income tax, customs cases
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) will be introduced in cases relating to VAT, income tax and customs from February 1 for quick disposal of the matters, reports UNB.
Talking to the news agency at his Indira Road residence Saturday, Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed said, in matters of self-assessed income tax, VAT and customs duty paid by the individuals and companies, the remaining amount as claimed by the government will be settled through ADR.
"This will help realize the government revenue quickly," he said, adding that the parties concerned would also benefit due to such speedy disposal of cases.
The law minister said a bill will be introduced in the coming session of Parliament to amend the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) to quicken the disposal of compoundable criminal and civil cases.
Under the proposed amendment, summons will have to be served within two weeks and plaintiffs will have to respond to the court within 90 days. Currently, the time limit for issuing summons and replies is so prolonged that it leaves the cases unresolved for years.
Citing an example, Barrister Shafique said an accused found guilty of his/her offence might eventually get six months imprisonment, but it is often found that such a person languishes in jails for more than a decade.
He said at least 70 per cent under-trial prisoners in the country, charged with petty offences, remain behind the bars for indefinite period that result in log jam of cases.
About the ongoing trial of war criminals, the Law Minister said another tribunal will be set up in February as a good number of war crimes cases are coming for disposal.
The second tribunal will be set up at the same old High Court building where the sole International Crimes Tribunal is now functioning.
About the establishment of the Supreme Court Secretariat, Shafique said the proposed Secretariat will be set up at "Sarak Bhaban" following a recent High Court judgment that had declared that the premises of Sarak Bhaban belong to the Supreme Court and asked the authorities concerned to vacate the offices from Sarak Bhaban.
He said that 10-15 new judges of the High Court are likely to be appointed this year.
Talking to the news agency at his Indira Road residence Saturday, Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed said, in matters of self-assessed income tax, VAT and customs duty paid by the individuals and companies, the remaining amount as claimed by the government will be settled through ADR.
"This will help realize the government revenue quickly," he said, adding that the parties concerned would also benefit due to such speedy disposal of cases.
The law minister said a bill will be introduced in the coming session of Parliament to amend the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) to quicken the disposal of compoundable criminal and civil cases.
Under the proposed amendment, summons will have to be served within two weeks and plaintiffs will have to respond to the court within 90 days. Currently, the time limit for issuing summons and replies is so prolonged that it leaves the cases unresolved for years.
Citing an example, Barrister Shafique said an accused found guilty of his/her offence might eventually get six months imprisonment, but it is often found that such a person languishes in jails for more than a decade.
He said at least 70 per cent under-trial prisoners in the country, charged with petty offences, remain behind the bars for indefinite period that result in log jam of cases.
About the ongoing trial of war criminals, the Law Minister said another tribunal will be set up in February as a good number of war crimes cases are coming for disposal.
The second tribunal will be set up at the same old High Court building where the sole International Crimes Tribunal is now functioning.
About the establishment of the Supreme Court Secretariat, Shafique said the proposed Secretariat will be set up at "Sarak Bhaban" following a recent High Court judgment that had declared that the premises of Sarak Bhaban belong to the Supreme Court and asked the authorities concerned to vacate the offices from Sarak Bhaban.
He said that 10-15 new judges of the High Court are likely to be appointed this year.