Three Technical Members Appointed to GSTAT Benches in UP

In a significant step towards strengthening India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) dispute resolution framework, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of three Technical Members (State) for the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) benches in Uttar Pradesh.

This move is part of the government’s larger push to enhance the functioning of GSTAT and ensure timely disposal of pending GST appeals in the state.

Who Has Been Appointed?

According to the official notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the following individuals have been appointed as Technical Members for GSTAT benches:

1. Vivek Kumar – Appointed to the Lucknow Bench
   Formerly served as Member, Commercial Tax Tribunal, Bench-II, Lucknow.

2. Ananjai Kumar Rai – Appointed to the Varanasi Bench
   Currently serving as Member, Commercial Tax Tribunal, Bench-4, Varanasi.

3. Arvind Kumar – Appointed to the Ayodhya Bench
   Retired as Additional Commissioner Grade-I, Ayodhya.

These appointments will help operationalize the new GSTAT benches in these key cities, addressing the growing backlog of GST appeals.

Tenure and Remuneration Details

As per the order, the appointments are for a fixed tenure of four years from the date of joining or until the appointee reaches the age of 67 years, whichever comes earlier.

Each appointed member will receive a monthly salary of ₹2,25,000 during their term.

Why These Appointments Matter

The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) plays a critical role in India's indirect tax ecosystem by:

• Resolving disputes related to GST

• Ensuring consistent interpretation of GST laws

• Reducing the litigation burden on High Courts and revenue authorities

With these appointments, the government aims to improve the speed, accessibility, and quality of GST dispute resolution in Uttar Pradesh. This will bring much-needed relief to businesses and taxpayers who have been awaiting the settlement of their appeals.

GSTAT Expansion: A National Perspective

The appointments in Uttar Pradesh are part of a broader national effort. Recently, the Central Government notified the operationalisation of 31 GSTAT benches across India, which are expected to begin functioning from August 2025.

This nationwide rollout is anticipated to:

• Clear approximately 1.2 lakh pending GST appeals

• Offer faster and fairer resolution to taxpayers

• Lighten the workload of existing judicial bodies

Conclusion

The appointment of Vivek Kumar, Ananjai Kumar Rai, and Arvind Kumar to the GSTAT benches in Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ayodhya marks an important step in India's journey towards a more efficient and accessible tax justice system.

As the GSTAT network expands, it holds the promise of reducing litigation, boosting taxpayer confidence, and ensuring smoother implementation of GST laws across the country.