Justice (Retd) Sanjay Kumar Mishra sworn in as the first President of the GST Tribunal

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman administered the oath of integrity and probity to the tribunal’s first president, Justice (retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, on May 6.

The first president of the GSTAT, a former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, has been selected by a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by the Chief Justice of India. The government has notified a principal bench and 31 state-owned banks of the GSTAT and the process for appointment of judicial and technical members is already underway, the finance ministry said.

The tribunal, established under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, is expected to become operational soon, almost seven years after the launch of the GST regime.

“The Tribunal will ensure prompt, fair, judicious and effective resolution of GST disputes, besides significantly reducing the burden on higher courts. The establishment of the GSTAT would further enhance the effectiveness of the GST system in India and promote a more transparent and efficient tax environment in the country,” the ministry said in a statement.